Every MCU Movie & TV Show Ranked Worst To Best

Before Guardians of the Galaxy came out, the MCU had been very much grounded in reality, with focus rarely shifting from the original Avengers line-up or their earth-related struggles.

Directed with twisted glee and palpable passion by James Gunn, the first Guardians movie opened up the scale of the franchise like never before, by focussing on a dysfunctional band of outlaws and lovable rogues as they find a higher purpose in life as intergalactic heroes.

Though the painfully dire villain threatens to derail the whole film, Ronan isn't nearly enough to undermine the brilliance of the core team or the ridiculously fun action and humour Gunn and his cast bring to the table.

At times a dazzling space opera, a riotous action-comedy and a surprisingly touching tale of family, Guardians of the Galaxy proved to be an instant classic of the superhero genre, and remains one of the most exciting Marvel movies ever made.