After 23 films were released in the span of eleven years, Marvel Studios continues to dominate the box office and television screens at home. Marvel has been successful at not only maintaining but growing fan interest, with new projects consistently being announced. In fact, the highly anticipated Spider-Man: No Way Home, the final chapter of Tom Holland's first trilogy as the web-slinger, broke advance-ticket sales records. The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand and resonate with fans both new and old and shows no signs of stopping.
Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home concluded the eleven-year story arc that began with Iron Man in 2008. The Infinity Saga may be over but is the foundation on which new MCU films and television series have been, and will continue to be, built. The seeds of the MCU's future phases are sown throughout the films of the Infinity Saga. Let's take a look at the iconic moments of the Infinity Saga that make the MCU what it is today.
Iron Man - The Avengers Initiative
In 2008, audiences were not as familiar as they are now with sitting through the end credits in order to watch a post-credits scene. Those who sat through the credits of Iron Man saw the first post-credits scene in the MCU. The scene introduces Samuel L. Jackson as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, revealing that Iron Man is not the "only superhero in the world" and has become "part of a bigger universe." Fury tells Stark that he is there to talk about the "Avengers Initiative". The scene was the first tease of the larger MCU, preparing audiences for the future of the franchise.
Captain Marvel - All Fired Up
Captain Marvel is the first woman-led superhero film in the MCU and is the only woman-led film in the Infinity Saga. The film follows Carol Danvers in the 90s as she becomes one of the most powerful Avengers. Carol's journey from a young girl to an Air Force pilot to a superhero is full of moments where she is belittled and constantly underestimated.
In the film's third act, Carol harnesses her inner strength to break free from her photon inhibitor, which can be read as a metaphor of her breaking free of everything that is holding her back. Captain Marvel brings much-needed representation for women in the MCU. However, anyone of any gender can find inspiration in the idea of an individual rising above and refusing to let anything or anyone hold them down.
The Avengers - First Group Shot
During a time where superhero shared universes were not the norm, the shot of the six Avengers standing in a circle in The Avengers took the world by storm. In addition to it being a team of six heroes setting their differences aside and working together, it was also a successful moment of individual movie franchises coming together. The shot perfectly captures the heroism and the unity that the Avengers represent. It is so simple yet so effective that when fans think of the best moments from the MCU; even after three Avengers movies, they still think of this one.
Guardians of the Galaxy - Come and Get Your Love
Director James Gunn displays his mastery of using music in storytelling with Guardians of the Galaxy. Redbone's 70s hit "Come and Get Your Love",plays as Star-Lord dances to the music on his Walkman while on a mission to steal an orb. Star-Lord's playful, easy-going nature connected with those who also love to dance when they're by themselves and share a love for music.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Yondu's Sacrifice
Peter Quill did not have the best dad in his biological father, Ego, but family is all that Quill wished for. Quill realizes that he had a loving dad in Yondu the whole time, who ultimately sacrifices himself to save Quill's life in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. "He may have been your father, boy, but he wasn't your daddy," Yondu tells Quill. While Yondu wasn't perfect, he genuinely cared for and loved Quill since Quill was a kid.
Avengers: Infinity War - Wakanda Forever
"Wakanda Forever" is one of the MCU's most iconic lines, associated with Black Panther and the people of Wakanda. Since Marvel has announced that T'Challa will not be recast after the passing of Chadwick Boseman, the last "Wakanda forever!" from T'Challa is a battle cry as he leads Wakanda and the Avengers into battle against Thanos' forces.
The Avengers are up against a wall and the stakes are high. The Battle of Wakanda is among the MCU's most iconic battles, with Okoye, T'Challa, Black Widow, Captain America, Bucky, and War Machine doing everything they can to buy Shuri time to safely extract the Mind Stone from Vision.
Avengers: Infinity War - Thor Arrives in Wakanda
Thor is one of the strongest Avengers and has one of the most epic entrances in the entirety of the MCU. As the Avengers fight a losing battle in Wakanda, Thor arrives with his new weapon, Stormbreaker, to save the day. Avengers: Infinity War uses Thor's spectacular entrance to fool audiences into thinking the battle has been won, but even Thor's strength is not enough to defeat Thanos.
Avengers: Infinity War - The Snap
For the first time in the MCU, the Avengers lose, with the consequences being half of all life in the galaxy ceasing to exist. Thanos is able to succeed in his plans to bring about his twisted version of "balance". Audiences watch as half of their favorite characters are instantly killed. The iconic moment portrays that the good guys don't always win and that there are great consequences when the Avengers don't stand together. To defeat Thanos, all of the heroes have to be united and not be spread apart.
Avengers: Endgame - Captain America Wields Mjølnir
Captain America: The First Avenger, in terms of chronology, is the first film of the Infinity Saga. Avengers: Endgame ends with a focus on Steve Rogers after completing his journey as Captain America. Without question, Captain America is one of the most loved and prominent characters in the MCU.
When Steve Rogers calls upon the strength of Mjølnir during the fight with Thanos, Rogers showcases his incredible fighting skills and his determination to fight to the very end. While Captain America is not the most physically powerful superhero, his level of courage and willpower remains unmatched. Steve Rogers' inner strength, even when he was a weak "kid from Brooklyn", is more of a superpower than the power he received from the Super Soldier serum.
Avengers: Endgame - Avengers Assemble
The "Portals" scene in Avengers: Endgame is arguably the most iconic moment in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. The scene is the culmination of eleven years of storytelling. After investing your time and falling in love with the characters, this is what everything leads to -- the ultimate payoff for Marvel fans.
Because the Avengers lose in Avengers: Infinity War, it makes the return of the fallen heroes and their rematch with Thanos that much more engaging for viewers. Alan Silvestri's score utilizes the iconic Avengers theme to unleash all of the emotion and be part of creating something truly special.
Avengers: Endgame - A-Force
This iconic moment in Avengers: Endgame brings the women heroes of the MCU together in one scene: Captain Marvel, Valkyrie, Pepper, Wanda, Mantis, Shuri, Okoye, Gamora, Nebula, and the Wasp. The scene features the women front and center, marking an important moment in the franchise's history. It is an iconic moment that celebrates the women of Marvel.
Spider-Man: Far From Home - Mysterio Reveals Spider-Man's Identity
Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland's Peter Parker all struggle to balance their personal life with their superhero alter-ego. For the first time in Spider-Man film history, the post-credits scene in Far From Home reveals Peter's secret to the world. In the MCU, the world is shocked by this revelation. In our reality, the world was shocked that a never-been-done-before story thread was being introduced in a Spider-Man film.
Parker's life revolves around juggling two identities and Mysterio is able to send Peter Parker's world crumbling down. The scene is one of Marvel's best post-credits scenes, generating incredible amounts of fan excitement for the sequel; Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Avengers: Endgame - I Am Iron Man
Both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Infinity Saga begin with Jon Favreau's Iron Man in 2008. "I am Iron Man", Tony Stark proclaims at the end of the film as he begins his journey as a superhero. Tony Stark speaks the same words before his death in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, saving the entire universe from Thanos.
After being saved by Yinsen in Iron Man, who tells Stark not to waste his life, Stark shifts from a selfish, egotistical man to a brave and selfless hero. "I am Iron Man" brings Tony Stark's journey full circle and is a powerful sendoff for one of pop culture's most iconic superheroes.