If you had told Marvel fans back in 2011 when Thor debuted in theaters that it would be the first franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to get more than three movies, they would have scoffed at the notion. Yet, here we are, a few weeks away from the release of the fourth solo Thor movie, Thor: Love and Thunder.

Thor began his entrance into the MCU with a grand and Shakespearean portrayal, which given its mythological and comic roots, made lots of sense. We caught glimpses of Thor’s lighter side in Thor: The Dark World, but it wasn’t until Thor: Ragnarok that Thor became many Marvel fans’ favorite character, thanks in part to writer and director Taika Waititi’s new take on the character.

The anticipation for Waititi’s follow-up Thor: Love and Thunder is palpable, so what better time than to celebrate the best moments of Thor’s solo movies. Here are the best nine Thor moments, in honor of each of the nine realms.

9 Thor Regains His Worthiness - Thor (2011)

thor-thor-powerback
Paramount Pictures

There are countless stories in mythology, movies, literature, and comics about the redemption of a hero. It’s a path that most heroes have to take, and it’s a thematic undercurrent of every appearance of Thor in any film - worthiness. Thor battles his self-confidence, his perceived worthiness (which is literally measured in his ability to lift Mjolnir), and his externally perceived goodness throughout the MCU films. In this moment, when Thor willingly sacrifices himself in battle against the Destroyer, is when his actions deem him worthy again. It’s the climax of the movie, and the moment that we see the Thor who is a hero.

8 Thor Fights His Way Through S.H.I.E.L.D. - Thor (2011)

thor-tries-to-lift-hammer-1
Paramount Pictures

Thor lost Mjolnir after his reckless rampage through Jotenheim. Odin stripped him of the hammer and his titles to teach him a lesson, casting him to Earth (Midgard). Moments later, Odin also cast Mjolnir to Earth to allow him to regain his worthiness. Once Thor learned his hammer was close, he broke into the S.H.I.E.L.D. compound erected around it in the New Mexico desert. This scene shows the skills and strength that a Mjolnir-less Thor still possesses, even if he ultimately cannot reclaim his hammer. It’s a moment that reduces Thor to his lowest point, the valley from which he’ll emerge later to regain his worthiness.

7 Thor and Loki Play ‘Get Help’ - Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Thor Ragnarok and Loki
Marvel Studios

This delightful, fan-favorite scene was improvised according to Tom Hiddleston. Director Taika Waititi told Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth, “It would be really fun if you came into the room and pretended it was a game you used to play as kids.” It not only was a hysterical scene, but it gave more insight into the shared dynamic and relationship between Thor and Loki. Even though Loki had tried to kill Thor countless times (as reminisced in another fan-favorite moment from this film by Thor telling a story about Loki pretending to be a snake and stabbing him), these brothers have a shared history of cooperation and creative problem-solving.

6 Thor and Loki Fake It Till They Make It - Thor: The Dark World (2013)

thor-dark-world-loki
Walt Disney Movie Studio

We should have known that the previously listed scene in Thor: Ragnarok was coming after seeing this scene in Thor: The Dark World. Thor and Loki scheme together to trick Malekith into pulling the Aether out of Jane Foster, so Thor can destroy it. But, after they arrive at Svartalfheim, the pair and Foster stand on a hill with Malekith watching, and fight. It seems as if Loki has once again deceived Thor, ultimately winning and cutting off his hand (that typically holds Mjolnir). As with most Loki things, it’s an illusion to trick Malekith. Malekith removes the Aether, giving Thor and Loki what they needed after all. Thor suddenly calls for Mjolnir and tries to destroy the Aether, though this part of the plan fails. It leads to yet another Loki deception, fueling Thor with despair, and Loki with an escape from imprisonment. It moves the chess pieces forward for both characters.

5 Thor Defeats Surtur - Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

thor-fights-surtur
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

This scene is as funny as it is important in multiple ways to the film Thor: Ragnarok. It quickly establishes that the tone of this film is unlike the previous Thor stories, it introduces us to Surtur, we learn Odin isn’t on Asgard (news to Thor), it explains how Ragnarok will happen, introduces the audience to the perfect usage of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” and it gives Thor the tool he needs later in the film to destroy Hela. That’s incredibly impressive groundwork for the first scene.

Related:

Thor: Love and Thunder: Where Will Loki Be When the Film Takes Place?

4 Thor Integrates Into New Mexico - Thor (2011)

thor another coffee
Paramount Pictures

Watching a character integrate into a world, new environment, or situation in which they are wildly out of place is a trope that’s enjoyable as it is common to see. It allows the character to learn about the standards and expectations of their new reality; it provides levity to the audience, and it forces the character to grow and change. All this happens in Thor when Thor integrates into life in a small New Mexico town with Jane Foster, Darcy, and Dr. Selvig. The spoiled-ruler-Thor moment with the coffee, “Another!”, has found countless meme usages in life, and the equally funny moment in the pet store shows an out-of-place Thor who is so overconfident that he cares little for his public perception - he is a god after all, and at this point in the film, he still acts like it.

3 Thor and Asgard Grieve - Thor: The Dark World (2013)

asgard funeral
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Though Thor: The Dark World is regarded as one of the worst critically acclaimed films in the MCU, it has some wonderful moments. And this moment is wonderful in its own sad way. Action movies rarely take time to slow down, let alone give the time a somber scene like a funeral needs. As Asgard grieves the death of their queen, director Alan Taylor shows off the skills he honed when he directed episodes of Game of Thrones. It’s a beautiful scene that gives us a glimpse into the power of Odin and the mystical elements of Asgard. It also fuels Loki and Thor with a desire for vengeance, that is important for the rest of the film.

2 Thor Fights Gladiator Hulk - Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Thor in Ragnarok
Marvel Studios

It’s difficult to pick a favorite scene from Thor: Ragnarok, but for many, this is probably it. Thor's introduction to Sakaar hints at “the grand champion” as a foe who might actually give Thor a challenge in the arena. And once we finally meet the grand champion, we get one of the best lines from any MCU movie. The scene is not only fun to watch and exciting; it also establishes a lot of important elements of Hulk’s story. We learn that Hulk has been gone for a long time and where he’s been, and we learn how revered he is now on Sakaar. And finally, who doesn’t love seeing these two in a friendly and intense battle again after their first battle in The Avengers to determine the strongest Avenger?

Related:

Thor: Love and Thunder Star Chris Hemsworth Calls Christian Bale's Gorr 'Intense' & 'Scary'

1 Thor Realizes His True Power - Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Thor Ragnarok
Marvel Studios

Thanks to Hela, who easily destroyed Mjolnir early in Thor: Ragnarok, we get to watch nearly an entire movie of Thor without his beloved hammer. This absence of the hammer provides plenty of levity, as well as thematic, and character development throughout the movie. The audience glimpses hints of Thor’s raw power in multiple scenes, particularly funny ones like “makes sparks with his fingers” and the payoff of that groundwork is awesome to behold when Thor goes full-god mode on the Rainbow Bridge. Thor had to lose Mjolnir to realize that it isn’t the hammer that makes him Thor. It’s a grand metaphor that he’s had the power within him all this time. He is truly the God of Thunder.