Every MCU Origin Story Ranked From Worst To Best

Iron Man is the single most important MCU movie, period, because had it not been a success, the franchise as we know it simply wouldn't exist.

The genius casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark cannot be overstated - a risky venture at the time due to Downey's personal troubles, it's a part which nevertheless allowed the actor to mine his own well of personal torment to deliver an uncommonly tortured superhero.

Director Jon Favreau skyrocketed to the big leagues with his exceptional filmmaking here, delivering breathless action in conjunction with pithy humour, effectively setting the template for most MCU movies to follow.

That it all came together despite the script still being unfinished when shooting began makes it all the more impressive, setting a high bar that neither of its sequels got close to matching.

Its relative simplicity may make it seem quaint compared to more recent MCU movies, but Downey's firecracker performance ensures it feels vibrant in every frame.