Every MCU Origin Story Ranked From Worst To Best

For this critic's money the single most underappreciated origin movie is Captain America: The First Avenger. As much as fans questioned the film's ability to endear audiences to a flag-waving superhero, the original Cap's strongest asset is its thorough self-awareness.

Acknowledging the potential for goofiness, Marvel smartly hired legendary action-adventure filmmaker Joe Johnston to lean into its pulpy kitsch, delivering a spirited homage to adventure films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark (on which Johnston worked and won a Best Visual Effects Oscar).

Chris Evans remains one of the MCU's best casting picks, bringing a humanity to Steve Rogers that belies his bulging biceps, and opposite Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter gives us one of the franchise's few truly worthwhile romances.

In the supporting stakes, Hugo Weaving and Toby Jones are hammy delights as the villainous Red Skull and Arnim Zola, and while its earnest throwback style may not be for everyone, it captures the fist-pumping essence of its titular hero better than most.