Every Single MCU Film Ranked From Worst To Best

9. Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)

Joss Whedon probably doesn't enjoy Age Of Ultron half as much as its fans, but there's no way the sequel is the failure he has publicly seemed to call it at times. It is an assured escalation of the first Avengers, pushing important elements - like Tony Stark's growing anxiety and the idea of superhero accountability and introducing a delightfully over-the-top villain in the shape of James Spader's Ultron.

The political messages might be about as subtle as a sledge-hammer, but considering the MCU's irresistible trajectory towards Civil War and all of the ramifications of the accords, it shouldn't really come as a surprise.

Even with Spader's pantomime villain - a performance he is clearly deeply enjoying - Ultron is a more grown-up, sombre affair that crams in huge crowd-pleasing moments like the Hulkbuster/Hulk fight and isn't afraid of killing. Sure, the character chosen isn't all that important, but at least there's some incredible Deadmeat Hawkeye headf*ckery along the way to enjoy.

Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark is excellent, there's interesting ideas established for Bruce Banner and the balance of spectacle works well, even if it doesn't QUITE live up to its predecessor.