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As the end of the year quickly approaches, so too does Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever acts as the final film in this era of the franchise, with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special acting as an epilogue later in the month.
2022 has been a very controversial year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with many claiming that its projects therein have not been nearly as engaging as those in past years. Nevertheless, the International Movie Database provides a fairer method of ranking each of the MCU's projects within the calendar year, proving which was the best and which could have been improved.
8 She-Hulk: Attorney At Law - 5.1
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was the final Disney+ series in Phase 4 of the MCU, introducing several compelling new characters (who are sure to become fan favorites over time). The nine-episode legal comedy followed the adventures of Jennifer Walters after she was accidentally transformed into a female Hulk.
She-Hulk currently has the lowest IMDb rating of any MCU project, with only 5.1 stars for the entire series. While the show has received a large amount of genuine criticism aimed at its lackluster humor and directionless nature, it is important to note that She-Hulk was the victim of a "review-bombing" endeavor, driving its IMDb score down and making it virtually impossible to ascertain a legitimate rating. Nevertheless, fans and critics seem to hold mixed reviews regarding the series, implying that it is the least commendable of Marvel's 2022 projects.
7 Ms. Marvel - 6.2
The six-episode Disney+ series Ms. Marvel introduced Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan to the MCU, paving the way for the character's appearance in The Marvels and the imminent arrival of the mutants to the franchise. Kamala also serves as the first Pakistani-American protagonist in the MCU, signifying a promising new chapter of diversity for the long-running superhero franchise.
Like the She-Hulk series, Ms. Marvel was also subjected to underserved "review-bombing" just moments after its release by unjustifiably angry "fans," who drove the series to a 6.2 rating on IMDb. Given that the series received generally positive reviews from legitimate critics, who particularly praised Vellani's performance, fans can assume that the series might have ranked much higher on an even playing field. Nevertheless, the series did receive snippets of legitimate criticism, especially concerning its last episode, which felt rather rushed and unsatisfying as a finale.
6 Thor: Love And Thunder - 6.3
Thor: Love and Thunder feature the second team-up between Chris Hemsworth and director Taika Waititi following the immense success of Thor: Ragnarok in 2017. The film continues Thor's intense character arc, this time as he faces off against the villainous Gorr the God Butcher, all while attempting to rekindle his romance with Dr. Jane Foster, who has also come to possess the power of Thor.
Love and Thunder was met with generally negative reviews upon its release, becoming the lowest-rated MCU film on IMDb. The sequel was ridiculed for making its characters uncharacteristically dumb and for wasting a brilliant performance by Christian Bale. Love and Thunder proved especially disappointing for not managing to recapture the magic that Waititi brought to Ragnarok five years prior.
5 I Am Groot - 6.7
I Am Groot is a series of shorts following the titular tree creature from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Consisting of five miniature episodes, the series is generally disconnected from the larger MCU, having little to no impact on the franchise's story or characters, but instead acting as a fun diversion.
I Am Groot proved to be neither compelling nor egregious, instead settling somewhere in the middle. The series was quickly consumed and then forgotten by MCU fans, who seemed to have a mostly positive reaction when it came to their IMDb ratings. The series did prove popular enough to warrant a second batch of episodes, which will air sometime in the near future.
4 Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness - 6.9
There was perhaps no 2022 MCU title more highly anticipated than Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which promised to set up the next chapter of the Multiverse Saga by introducing audiences to Marvel's Multiverse, including several variants of well-known characters. The film also featured the return of Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch, this time as the movie's primary antagonist.
While Multiverse of Madness proved to be an enjoyable film, many fans found themselves somewhat disappointed by its reluctance to explore the Multiverse in any meaningful way. Additionally, lofty rumors regarding possible cameos in the film set expectations closer to what Avengers: Secret Wars will inevitably be, causing fans to feel unsatisfied by the film's ending. Nevertheless, Sam Raimi's direction and Elizabeth Olsen's performance both proved to be highlights of the otherwise mildly disappointing film.
3 Werewolf By Night - 7.2
Werewolf by Night was one of Marvel's more surprising announcements in recent years. The project acted as the MCU's first "Special Presentation" and featured a host of characters with whom general audiences would not be intimately familiar. The special was also directed in black-and-white by frequent Marvel composer Michael Giacchino, only increasing the oddity of this particular installment of the MCU.
Despite all the indications that Werewolf by Night would be a disaster, the special presentation quickly proved its naysayers wrong, delivering one of the best Marvel experiences of the year. The project soared with its inventive storytelling and compelling characters, making audiences eager to see more stories in a similar vein. The project proved so successful, in fact, that Marvel is reportedly considering many more Special Presentations in the near future, with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special acting as the next endeavor in this field.
2 Moon Knight - 7.3
The first MCU Disney+ series of 2022, Moon Knight introduced audiences to Marc Spector, who bond with the Egyptian god Khonshu to become the eponymous superhero. With Oscar Isaac in the lead role, Moon Knight was largely disconnected from the other projects in the MCU, allowing the series space to breathe without constantly tying into other films and storylines.
Moon Knight received all-around praise upon its release, telling a surprisingly emotional tale without becoming bogged down in the pomp and spectacle in which other superhero projects often find themselves engaging. Oscar Isaac received particular acclaim for his performance in the series, causing many fans to eagerly await an announcement of his future involvement in the MCU.
1 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - 7.4
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the long-awaited sequel to Ryan Coogler's original 2018 film. Acting as the last film in Phase 4 of the MCU, Wakanda Forever went through a delayed production after it was announced Chadwick Boseman had sadly ed away, with the film being largely rewritten as a tribute to the late actor.
Though it is still very early into the film's release, it appears as though Wakanda Forever will remain the highest-scoring MCU title in 2022. Already, fans are showering the film with praise for its incredibly emotional story and the honor it pays Chadwick Boseman. The film is also generating buzz for its introduction of Namor the Sub-Mariner, a character who is sure to heavily influence the MCU's future in years to come.
