For eight years, Marvel and the MCU have delivered what every comic book fan wants to see on the big screen: the most intense, innovative and, at times, emotional fight scenes. While a movie’s plot is what ultimately makes it or breaks it, the fight scenes are equally important. Whether it’s just two hulking giants smashing into each other, whether it’s two entire teams on opposite sides of the barricades, whether there are exotic superpowers at work or not, the MCU has delivered each time a new movie has been released.
To clarify, in a shared universe where almost all of the superpowers are technology-based (yes, even Thor's, although he is a member of a highly-advanced alien society), powers like the one manifested by the Scarlet Witch are exotic. Can't wait to see where Doctor Strange will take this concept!
So, starting from the first Iron Man to this year's Captain America: Civil War, which fight scenes are the best? This list will be all about that.
As always, if you haven't seen all of the MCU movies thus far, you might want to skip this one - there are some huge spoilers here!
Also, there is no particular order to these scenes, though at times I'll say which ones have an ace in the hole against the others.
Dark Elves vs. Bor's Asgardians
Thor: The Dark World is seen as one of the lesser movies of the MCU. But that doesn't mean that it didn't feature some pretty epic fight scenes. And the opening one deserves a place on this list. If only the entire movie was as good as the opening scene was.
Not only do we learn something new about the Infinity Stones, but the fans also catch a glimpse of how destructive they can be when they fall into the wrong hands. Using the Aether, Malekith would have plunged the entire universe into darkness if it weren’t for Odin's father, Bor.
Yes - it is CGI-filled. But what can you expect when you have actual gods fighting each other?
The scene was designed by Tim Miller, and it took 12 weeks to shoot. It didn't last too long as a fight, but it surely took me on a trip down the memory lane, reminding me of the more exhaustive, fantastic battles from Lord of the Rings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMg1NwzhB8Y
Hulk vs. Abomination
This is yet another of the lesser MCU flicks, one that has decided the fate of all solo Hulk flicks, in the sense that none has been made since then (and none will be for the foreseeable future). But, even so, the final fight, in which the Jade Giant finally confronts Abomination, is thrilling.
Both beasts give their all in the fight, with the villain having an edge on the Hulk - he is immense and he has the military training to back that up. Everything goes, from hurling each other to using cars as boxing gloves. And it all begins with the enemies having to close the distance, with everything standing in their way having no impact on their determination.
Obviously, in the end, Hulk wins - as it happens with every hero in every MCU movie. But, boy, that Hulk Smash scene must be the most intense on this list. Since, you know, he was actually saving his sweetheart.
As far as I am concerned, that vicious Hulk should have been kept in the MCU.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5WCleJAyH0
Iron Man vs. The Terrorists
This is the first time we get a taste of what Iron Man can do, in the best Iron Man flick to date. Seeing that Stane is still selling weapons to terrorists, Tony Stark has only revenge in his eyes. He takes his Mark III for a spin - and, boy, he obliterates everything in his path.
The sense of justice from that scene alone, when he leaves the chief terrorist at the mercy of those who were done wrong, is at an all-time high.
And the scene gets even better. Granted, it isn't that much of a fight, with Iron Man being shot down by a tank, but the way in which he deals with it is still the coolest looking scene in the entire MCU. Keeping things simple is the best way to do it.
And then Tony Stark goes and develops Iron Man suits that can't withstand a crash with a truck. Good old times"¦
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FDDC_83Bv4
Fight in the Helicarrier
The first Avengers flick gives the fans one action sequence after another. And, while the final fight may be undermined by the lack of a serious threat (the heroes are still going against cannon fodder, with even Black Widow and Hawkeye doing serious damage), the fight in the Helicarrier is epic for any number of reasons.
Can a brainwashed Hawkeye disable a ginormous ship using a single arrow? It is beyond the point at this moment. The point is that everybody is involved, in one way or another, in the battle that ensues. Granted, Thor has to go against the Hulk (which is awesome, by the way), so not everybody fights actual villains - but what better way to establish these characters' strengths one in relation with one another?
Captain America and Iron Man team up for the first time, after exchanging some harsh words; Black Widow kicks Hawkeyes butt; and even Coulson gets a piece of the action (although it’s too much for him to handle).
Epic fight? Yup.
Hulkbuster vs. Hulk
This is the scene everybody wanted to see in the MCU and wanted even more after the first trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron appeared! After Bruce Banner falls under Scarlet Witch's influence, he goes on a rampage, threatening civilian lives. It is up to Tony Stark to stop him, using a suit designed by him and Bruce Banner.
And here Veronica comes into play.
Of course, some questions could be raised at this moment. For example, why isn't the Hulkbuster suit (which is the most powerfully built, since it has to go against the Green Goliath) the one Tony Stark uses each and every time? The finale of the fight is also pretty confusing, since Hulk is sucker punched into submission.
But it’s a fight to remember. And that superhero fist bump hasn't been equaled, until now.
Obviously, the most interesting thing about the whole fight, beyond the fact that the Hulkbuster can repair itself throughout the fight, is that Tony Stark does his best to protect the lives of the bystanders. Just like a hero would do.
Bucky, Black Panther, and Captain America
Doesn't it seem a bit weird that a big airport can be evacuated in just a couple of minutes? It does to me. And that is why the airport fight from Captain America: Civil War isn't on this list. However, the movie doesn't lack intense scenes.
And the chase between Bucky Barnes, Black Panther, and Captain America is top notch, especially if I’m considering the way Bucky and Steve dispose of all of the Special Forces sent after the former. So, in a way, this is an extended scene, starting in Bucky's apartment and ending when the three heroes are surrounded, following the most epic chase scene in the MCU.
And it’s even better if I consider that it perfectly establishes Black Panther as a powerhouse in the MCU, being able to outrun both Bucky and Captain America, being ruthless, being basically everything he should have been. And the ending of it all is perfect, since it doesn't actually reveal the unnecessary result of the fight: who would have won.
Instead, as far as I am concerned, I’m left wanting to see more action pieces with the three characters.
Portals
Back to Thor: The Dark World - if Guardians of the Galaxy is inventive in the way the heroes distracted the villain, this movie has the most special fight scene in the MCU, in the sense that it doesn't take place just on Earth.
Basically, Thor and Malekith fight wherever the portals lead them. And since the villain is infused with the power of an Infinity Stone, the hero has a bit too much on his hands. I really don't see him winning without the help of his sidekicks (or whatever they may be).
Anyway, even if it isn't the best of all superhero movies, this MCU flick has one of the best openings, as well as one of the best third act fight scenes. So, with the worst trilogy of the lot (hopefully Thor: Ragnarok will prove me wrong), Thor at least has that.
Tiny Fight
Speaking about innovative fight scenes, none can surpass Ant-Man against Yellow Jacket. The scene was teased in the trailers, with that awesome Thomas the Tank Engine cameo, but I wouldn't have guessed the scale of it all.
In a shared universe where all the fights are big, this one is a breath of fresh air.
Basically, this is every comic book fan's dream - there are two tiny, superpowered beings throwing everything at it. And when this everything consists of actual toys and such, the effect is overwhelming.
Since Paul Rudd is Ant-Man, I actually expected that the final showdown would have a comedic side. But don't all MCU flicks do the same? Well, in this case, the comedy is more than welcome. And I cannot wait to see where Ant-Man and the Wasp will take me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89RrtlGUP_Y
Thor vs. Frost Giants
Yet another Thor fight scene on this list - but it’s more than worthy, since it shows that the God of Thunder feels at home on hostile territory, surrounded by enemies. Persuaded by Loki to leave, Thor quickly starts the fight with Laufey - and his big smile comes as soon as more Frost Giants join the fight.
He is still inexperienced, though, since in the end he and his cronies are overwhelmed. And once the giant beast joins the fight, everything seems to be lost. And then his daddy appears and saves them. So he doesn't win. But does that matter?
Thor is always the one to bring big fantasy set pieces into the MCU. Hopefully, he'll do the same at the end of his solo trilogy.
Bucky is Back
Captain America: The Winter Soldier changed the MCU. And this change will have a great impact on all the movies to come, since now the shared universe is more grounded in reality than ever before. And the same goes for the fight scenes from the movie, which are also the most realistic to date.
But Captain America's fight scenes aren't supposed to be too extravagant. After all, he is a soldier and he has been taught to defeat his enemies with as little effort as possible. And so he does. But this doesn't happen during his first full confrontation with the Winter Soldier, back in 2014.
And this is yet another fight scene superbly introduced within a bigger action set piece, and the HYDRA assassin seems to be unstoppable. His fight with Captain America showcases not just his expertise with weapons of all sorts, but also his mad knife fighting skills.
Who is this new MCU player with the cool metallic arm? It doesn't matter whether it’s Bucky or not. The scene is well beyond that. What matters is that two humans at the peak of their powers battle it out, each one of them showcasing their own expertise.
The Russos are the best action directors in the MCU at this moment.
Prison Break
Prison is fun. Prison is fun when you're breaking out. Prison is fun when you're breaking out, and a talking raccoon is the man with the plan. Star Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot must escape the Kyln. And Rocket does come up with a plan - unfortunately, Groot doesn't quite get it, and puts the plan in motion sooner than anybody expected it.
We got a tease of what was to happen in the trailer. However, it blew my mind. Each character’s attributes are perfectly showcased in just one single hilarious scene, which ends with an even more hilarious Drax praising Star Lord's courage. Sort of.
Elevator Fight
What happens when some men try to take Captain America down? Nothing good for them, even if they outnumber him, even if they have the most useful toys, and even if they have chosen the battle ground. The elevator fight scene is one of those fights in which it is perfectly showcased what the difference is between a super soldier and all of the regular ones.
What can be said about it? Don't try to take Captain America down up close. Iron Man will learn that.
But I guess Captain America: The Winter Soldier revealed that he is indeed the most formidable fighter in the MCU, as well as (maybe) the most brutal one. Besides the elevator fight scene, besides the first (as well as the final, for that matter, encounter with the Winter Soldier), the way in which Steve Rogers defeats the entire terrorist crew on the ship is also a standout moment. It simply shows everybody that the direction has changed and that he is indeed one trained to defeat whatever comes his way.
Now tell me - did the fight on the ship, at the beginning of the movie, surprise you as well?
Captain America vs. Iron Man
It shouldn't surprise you to find this fight on this list - it is the moment toward which the entire Civil War has led. And the fight once again shows why Captain America's hand to hand skills cannot be outmatched, even if you have an AI who can analyze all of his moves. Iron Man learned this the hard way.
And this is also the most emotional fight scene in the entire MCU. Two friends are fighting one another. Tony Stark finally finds out who killed his parents and who knew from the beginning. Steve Rogers has to defend his friend, who was brainwashed at that time.
The scene left me speechless. And it could have been the best in the entire flick (if it weren't for that chase). However, it still tops everything in the MCU, if we take into account the emotions it conveys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwCdNJsJLhc
The Small MCU
Obviously, I need to say something about the darker, grittier MCU, the Netflix corner populated by the street-level superheroes. Unfortunately, Jessica Jones doesn't actually have an enemy who can match her strength. But Daredevil did - and, boy, it is hard to choose between the many fight scenes from those two seasons.
But here goes - the best one, as far as I am concerned, happens in the second season, being basically an upgrade of a fight from the first season. And it is the stairway fight, in which Daredevil has to defeat the many Dogs of Hell. Granted, they are not as thoroughly trained as he is - but they are tough as nails, and there are so many of them.
And the fight flows like nothing I've seen on the small screen, from the moment it’s confirmed that the gun is empty, until the final (and toughest) gang member is defeated. And with the Punisher knocked out in the background.
What do you think? Did I miss any epic fight scenes from the MCU? Should I have chosen another scene from the Netflix corner of the MCU?
