The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the epicenter of all things superhero. Since the beginning of Phase One, the MCU has been constantly building upon the foundation it set, establishing some of the most iconic movie heroes of all time. When the MCU entered a sort of turning point in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, it was a race to keep audiences and fans interested in upcoming projects. Since then, fans have been on a whirlwind journey, navigating the introduction of a plethora of new heroes, the expansion of beloved ones, and, in some cases, the conclusion of others.
Since Endgame, the MCU has been focused on branching out into the Multiverse and showing off new and exciting heroes that they hope fans will love as much as they loved the original Avengers. This year, we saw the newest installments of the next generation of Marvel heroes, like the Marvels, and the continuation of stories of the characters we already know and love, like the Guardians.
Although Marvel has fallen under the radar this past year compared to its record-breaking past, let's look back at 2023's MCU releases, from the thrilling second season of Loki to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Every MCU Release of 2023 | Release Date |
|---|---|
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania | February 17, 2023 |
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | May 5, 2023 |
Secret Invasion | June 21, 2023 |
I Am Groot Season 2 | September 6, 2023 |
Loki Season 2 | October 5, 2023 |
The Marvels | November 10, 2023 |
What If...? | December 22, 2023 |
7 What...If? Season 2
what if?
- Release Date
- 2021-00-00
- Seasons
- 2
The highly anticipated second season of Marvel's What...If? closed out the year with a bang. The MCU Multiverse is presented as a sea of endless possibilities, and What...If? is here to explore all of them. The animated show features alternate storylines woven into the fabric of the main MCU timeline as we know it, from Captain Carter to what would happen if a serial killer prevented the formation of The Avengers.
What Makes It Great
What...If? is the perfect show for a franchise like the MCU. As the Multiverse becomes more and more relevant to the larger story arc, fans and writers alike are able to experience alternate endings, plot changes, and brand-new characters that would not normally have fit in to the main timeline. What...If? is a creative mind's dream, and we as fans cannot help but eat it up every time.
Season 1 delivered exciting new threads to the canon, and Season 2 effectively expanded on the lore. What's more, each episode dabbled in different genres and styles, proving that there's room for creativity in the MCU formula. Stream on Disney+
6 The Marvels
The Marvels
- Release Date
- November 10, 2023
- Director
- Nia DaCosta
The Marvels is a sequel to Captain Marvel and brings together three MCU heroes: Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (from Ms. Marvel), and Monica Rambeau (from WandaVision). In this film, Captain Marvel is back in the folds of the vast universe after destroying the Supreme Intelligence. She now has to face a battle with the Kree once again, as her world tumbles into entanglement with both Monica and Kamala.
What Makes It Great
Although money does not always equal quality or popularity, the poor box office performance of The Marvels was not backed up by critical or audience reactions. The film does a great job of showcasing powerful and inspiring women leads, and the dynamic between the trio of heroes amplified their characters (no one felt like they were competing for attention or screen time).
However, it did not come across as grand as it should have. Story-wise, the film lacked resonance for even some of the most invested members of the audience. That being said, director Nia DaCosta broke the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend of a film directed by a Black woman. Now playing in theaters
5 Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion
Fury and Talos try to stop the Skrulls who have infiltrated the highest spheres of the Marvel Universe.
- Release Date
- June 21, 2023
- Rating
- TV-14
- Seasons
- 1
Secret Invasion follows a sinister plot that threaten all of humanity, and the world's fate lies in the hands of a beaten-down Nick Fury. In this year's season of the MCU show, Fury is forced to forge an alliance with a Skrull named Talos, who has some insight on a particular rogue group of other shape-shifting Skrulls looking to take over the Earth by disguising themselves as humans and heroes.
What Makes It Great
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury? Win. Emilia Clark as G'iah? Also a win. That being said, despite the star-studded cast (which also includes Olivia Colman and Don Cheadle), the entirety of Secret Invasion sort of fell flat. The series is by no means one to avoid at all costs in the MCU. However, there was a certain hype built around this premise of shape-shifting Skrulls that ultimately didn't blow audience's minds.
The Marvel Comics storyline on which the series was based was a real game-changer in the comics' lore when it first came out, so, naturally, fans were looking forward to that level of impact. And yet, Secret Invasion was more of a fizzle than a bang. Stream on Disney+
4 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
As much as we love meeting the new band of heroes in the MCU, there is something comforting about rounding out and expanding upon the stories of the ones we already know and love. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is yet another project the MCU has utilized to get audiences used to the idea of the Multiverse. Here, Ant-Man and the Wasp find themselves in completely unknown territory as they go on a riveting adventure through the Quantum Realm.
What Makes It Great
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was one of the MCU projects that divided audiences and critics. Critics did not think too fondly of this story, but audiences found it enjoyable enough. All in all, Quantumania is just okay. You get Paul Rudd, who is absolutely dynamite as Scott Lang, and with a villain like Kang out on the prowl, this one is a great supplement film to the direction the MCU could go in the future.
One of the highlights of the film was the introduction of Cassie Lang, which, to fans, signaled that the MCU is assembling the Young Avengers. However, between a formulaic plot and seemingly unfinished-looking visual effects, Quantumania was a let-down, which, as the beginning of Phase 5, did not bode well for the franchise. Stream on Disney+
3 I Am Groot Season 2
I Am Groot
A series of shorts featuring the seedling Groot along with several new and unusual characters. Vin Diesel returns as Groot.
- Release Date
- August 10, 2022
- Rating
- TV-PG
- Seasons
- 1
I Am Groot is an animated series that aired its first season in 2022. The MCU took one of the most beloved characters in the entire franchise, and created one of the funniest animated shows out there. The show's second season continues the trends we loved from the first, with Baby Groot stumbling along through life and discovering new friends and technology to drive him along, from mysterious eggs and creatures to snowmen and ice cream trucks.
What Makes it Great
I Am Groot is easily one of the most underrated projects Marvel has ever come out with. When Groot was first introduced into the MCU in Guardians of the Galaxy, there was an immediate connection fans made to his character. He was simple, funny, witty, and full of heart. However, Baby Groot really stole the show and our hearts in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. This animated show is just an extension of that. The little, growing tree is off for even more adventures beyond the main MCU timeline and this is your sign to hop on for the ride. Stream on Disney+
2 Loki Season 2
Loki
- Release Date
- June 9, 2021
- Seasons
- 2
When the first season of Loki came out on Disney+, Marvel fans were glued to their screens. Well, they did it again with Season 2. It seems like the second season of Loki could not be bad if it tried. As a continuation from the mind-blowing ending of season 1, Season 2 of Loki further explored the endless possibility of the Multiverse through the lens of the TVA (Time Variance Authority).
Loki is left to face what could be the MCU's most formidable villain to date in Kang the Conquerer. With new characters making their debut, traveling between universes never tasted so sweet.
What Makes it Great
Marvel has been trying to create projects that exude the same magic as the films released in the first three phases of the franchise. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Loki emerged as one of the best shows Marvel had come out with, and with the hype already in place, there was no doubt that the time and effort was made in order to make the second season worth the wait. Tom Hiddleston absolutely stuns in his role as Loki in ways that differ from his original portrayal in the MCU films yet are familiar all the same. Stream on Disney+
1 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was one of the most highly-anticipated MCU releases this year, and it did not disappoint. The film follows a crucial rescue mission that is led by a grieving Peter Quill, who is still distraught over the loss (and Multiverse return) of Gamora. However, the Guardians face deadly stakes as Rocket's life hangs on the balance after a brutal attack from comic-book icon Adam Warlock, played by Will Poulter.
What Makes it Great
Guardians of the Galaxy is the blueprint of a fan favorite. This franchise within the MCU holds a consistent level of heart, comedy, and stunning visuals that only got better as the franchise went on. As much as this film dives deep into darker themes and storylines, it still manages to stay as lighthearted, bright, and fun as it is emotional.
James Gunn's swan song, Guardians Vol. 3 adds some necessary depth to the heroes, closing the chapters of many beloved ones. From nailing the concept of a found family to the heartbreaking revelation of Rocket's past and the difficult reality of the new Gamora, this film stands out as the best project Marvel came out with this year. Also, talk about nailing a soundtrack once again! Stream on Disney+
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