MCU: Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie Ranked Worst To Best

3. Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

Despite the uncertainty in some quarters about Marvel's decision to adapt something as obscure and lacking mainstream appeal as Guardians Of The Galaxy, James Gunn's hilarious, heart-warming sci-fi mash-up was a stunning success.

Thanks in part to exceptional casting - and not to mention a pitch-perfect marketing campaign that knew exactly how to use music to maximum effect - Gunn laughed in the face of suggestions that audiences would need to know the team first to care.

While others worried about that, he built a story about odd-balls and rejects coming together for the greater good - but still committing themselves to being "a-holes" - which is impossible not to fall in love with. It's not flawless, but given the obstacle of expectations, it's pretty damn close.

Ultimately, it had to take something incredible to top Gunn's masterpiece at the top, but unluckily for him, that's exactly what the Russos made in 2016...