A great movie can go from great to amazing with an awesome ending that ties up the story of the film perfectly. A franchise that has some absolutely incredibly satisfying endings is none other than the world-acclaimed Marvel Cinematic Universe. The characters within the series are easily the most beloved part of it, and the way that they get their full circle moments at the end of their films often makes for some wonderful endings.
Whether it be a melancholy ending where the heroes lose or one that kicked off the cinematic universe to begin with, there are plenty of endings in the MCU thatfinish off their films perfectly,which makes the movies even better. The MCU features some of the best endings in superhero cinema, but which are the best? It’s a tough competition, but there are definitely some that take the cake for best of the best.
10’Captain America: The First Avenger' (2011)
Directed by Joe Johnston
What makesCaptain America: The First Avengerso special is that it’s one of the only films to be a period piece and was the first to do it. How do you end a film like that while building up to the film to comes right after? The project that was going to bring together the major players of the MCU for the first time? Safe to say,Captain America: The First Avengerdoes a very good job at this.
After going down into the depths and being frozen in ice,the movie jumps forward a few decades and shows Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) waking up in the modern dayand being approached by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). The film ends witha heartbreaking quote as Steve says, “I had a date.” It brought Captain America into the present, but at a cost, and that is felt heavily.
Captain America: The First Avenger
9’The Avengers' (2012)
Directed by Joss Whedon
The first big crossover of the MCU had a lot on its shoulders. Not only did it have to prove that this cinematic universe of characters could work as a united world, but it had to open the gates and end in a way that set up the entirenext phase of the franchise.The Avengersdid this incredibly well, with an ending that set up all new stories for each character quickly but effectively.
Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) took Loki Laufeyson (Tom Hiddleston) back to Asgard to be tried for his crimes, Steve Rogers went off to attempt to live in this new time with a new perspective, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) went off to pursue new scientific endeavors, and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Nick Fury returned to SHIELD ready to bring the Avengers together again should the world need them.It did everything it needed to to set up this universe for a good future in Phase Two.
The Avengers
8’Thunderbolts*' (2025)
Directed by Jake Schreier
The most recent MCU flick to hit screens has been a massive success for the studio, and for very good reason. Not only is it one of the most heartfelt Marvel films in a good few years, butThunderbolts*ends on a massive bang and almost completely resets the status quo of the Marvel universe beforeAvengers: Doomsdayhits.
After defeating The Void (Lewis Pullman), Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) takes advantage of the situation and claims them as her team, titling them “The New Avengers”. Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) leans in and whispers in Valentina’s ear, “We own you now,” and is an ultimate checkmate to the villain. This, combined withthe post-credits scene, makes the ending ofThunderbolts*a spectacular ending before Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) makes his way to the MCU.
Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts follows a group of unconventional superheroes who emerge in a world without the Avengers. As this new team bands together, they navigate complex missions and moral dilemmas, seeking to establish themselves as protectors while uncovering hidden threats that could jeopardize global safety and stability.
7’Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' (2022)
Directed by Ryan Coogler
After the tragic loss ofChadwick Boseman,Ryan Cooglerhad a massive job to do when bringingBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverto life.The film was a big tribute to Chadwickand was executed very well. The end of the project served the same purpose and also did this job in a great manner.As Shuri (Letitia Wright) burns her funeral robes to begin finally grieving her brother, the beautiful song, “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna begins to play.Which adds a sincerity to the moment that’s gorgeous.
It’s a great wrap-up and bow to tie on this tribute to Chadwick. Not only is Shuri finding comfort in grieving, but the audience is too. It’s borderline perfect. With the post-credits scene attached, where she gets to meet her nephew, who was hidden from the world, and learns he’s named after her brother, this ending is heartfelt in so many ways.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
6’Avengers: Endgame' (2019)
Directed by Joe Russo and Anthony Russo
Not only doesAvengers: Endgameprovide a great ending to the film itself, but tothe entire Infinity Saga, as well. It managed to wrap up its own story while also doing so for characters' stories and arcs that have been brewing and existing across their entire MCU tenure.There are so many characters that exist across the Marvel universe and to finish off most of their stories was always going to be a hard task.
Tony Stark had a major full-circle moment by sacrificing himself (referencingThe Avengerswhen Steve told him that he’s a guy who would never do such a thing), Steve finally had his dance with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Hawkeye got his family back, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) was gifted the shield, and so much more. It’s an incredible ending to the Infinity Saga. So much so that one could genuinely end their MCU viewing here.
Avengers: Endgame
5’Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' (2023)
Directed by James Gunn
With the firstGuardians of the Galaxyfilm,James Gunnmanaged to turn a group of Marvel’s misfit toys into household names and some of the most beloved heroes in the MCU. The likes of Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), and the Guardians crew easily have one ofthe most perfect trilogiesin superhero cinema.
With how much love they gained over their time in the MCU, James Gunn had a big responsibility to make their ending inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3satisfying and thematically correct. He more than succeeded at this and crafted an ending that is tear-jerking in all the best ways.He decided not to kill off the Guardians and actually gave them a wonderfully happy ending.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
4’Captain America: Civil War' (2016)
The “Civil War"Marvel comic book storylineis one of the biggest and most impactful in comic history. It shook the Marvel Comics world to its core and changed the status quo for years. Spider-Man’s identity was even revealed to the world. So, when it was announced that Marvel Studios was going to tackle this storlyine in the thirdCaptain Americafilm, helmed by the wonderfulJoe RussoandAnthony Russo, people were both excited and hesitant.
The end of “Civil War” changed everything and had a massive impact. Captain America had been assassinated, and Aunt May had been shot.That means that the ending ofCaptain America: Civil Warhad to have a similar impact on the MCU to really feel important. Thankfully, it does. With Captain America’s entire team being arrested and shackled like dogs, Steve leaves a meaningful letter to Tony, apologizing for everything (much like “The Confession” storyline that came after “Civil War”) and breaks his team out of prison and splits the Avengers in half, forcing one half to go underground and disappear. This happening right beforeAvengers: Infinity Warhad a big impact on the MCU, because it is arguably the reason that they lost the battle to Thanos (Josh Brolin).
Captain America: Civil War
3’Avengers: Infinity War' (2018)
WithAvengers: Infinity Warbeing the first part of the big Infinity Saga finale, everyone knew that in some way, shape, or form, things were not going to fully work out for the Avengers. Audiences would soon find out that things weren’t going to work out for them in the slightest. The end ofAvengers: Infinity Warshowcasesthe villain of the film, Thanos, winning. He accomplishes his goal and kills half of the universe.
For one of the first times in the MCU, the heroes fully lost. There was nothing positive that came out of the end ofAvengers: Infinity War. It’s incredibly profound and moving. But it also shows Thanos completing his own arc.He truly is the protagonist of the film, so he gets a full-circle arc that is completed at the end and keeps this “part one” feeling like it could still be a solo film.
Avengers: Infinity War
2’Spider-Man: No Way Home' (2021)
Directed by Jon Watts
Before moving on to a whole new era to come inSpider-Man: Brand New Day, the ending of the firstTom HollandSpider-Man trilogy,Spider-Man: No Way Home, is going to be incredibly important. It’s not just important, though, it’s wonderfully well done. Spider-Man as a character is all about sacrifice and selflessness and nothingshows off this traitbetter than this third film.
After having Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) erase Peter Parker from the minds of the entire planet, he is forced to start anew, and it results in a very bittersweet ending. Not only does he have to get his own place and is left without the tech he had before, buthe decides not to make Michelle Jones-Watson (Zendaya) and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) remember him to protect them.That final swing with the new red and blue suit is astoundingly powerful and prepares Peter and the audience for a whole new era of MCU Spider-Man.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
1’Iron Man' (2008)
Directed by Jon Favreau
As if any ending to a Marvel movie could ever be better than the likes ofIron Man’s. It kicked off the massive explosion in popularity for the MCU, which has made Marvel Studios and Disney billions of dollars. It subverted expectations of the superhero genre and generally paved the way for a whole new era of superhero cinema.
Iron Man’s ending is one that left jaws dropped in cinemas in 2008 with Tony Stark openly revealing his superhero identity to the world.In a time when secret identities were pretty much essential to superhero films, this was a massive moment.The quote from Stark, “I am Iron Man,” ends the film on a borderline perfect note. It doesn’t get much better than the end ofIron Man.
