Many love to say the MCU is done and will never go back to the near-absolute dominance it had over the entertainment industry throughout the 2010s. It’s entirely possible that the franchise’s best days are behind it, but that doesn’t mean it’s “over.” Indeed, the MCU’s movies and TV shows still receive solid critical scores and decent box office hauls; in fact, only five projects within the MCU umbrella have received failing scores in the popular review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
These rotten scores have to do with far too many variables, but we can all agree these three movies and two TV shows aren’t exactly the stuff of entertainment perfection. Still, that doesn’t mean they are utter trash — well, maybe a few are, but even cinematic trash can be enjoyable.This list will rank every rotten movie and TV show in the MCU based on how much fans would want to revisit themfor whatever reason. At least one of these projects is actually solid, especially if one is already familiar with it, so the rotten score seems even weirder in hindsight.
5’Iron Fist' (2017-2018)
Created by Scott Buck
The Netflix Marvel shows are a weird bunch. They stand out like a sore thumb, especially now that they are technically been folded into the larger MCU, and not always for the right reasons. However, whereasDaredevil,Jessica Jones, andLuke Cageare well-received with strong fan bases behind them, poorIron Fistalways gets the short end of the stick, deservedly so.Finn Jonesstars as Danny Rand, a martial arts expert who can call upon a mystical power known as the Iron Fist.
Jones has received his fair share of criticism, but he’s not half-bad in the role. What is bad, though, is the show around him.The best way to describeIron Fistis “inept;“the first season looks and feels painfully amateur, more like a YouTube original than a prestige Netflix production. Season 2 was an improvement, but still mediocre, something every critic and fan pointed out back in 2018. The show’s reputation is quite weak, and the chances ofJones returning to the role in the MCUare slim to none, even if many argue he was done dirty and actually deserves another shot with better material. Thus,there really is no reason to revisitIron Fist, except if you’re one of the ones who actually liked it, in which case, more power to you.
4’Secret Invasion' (2023)
Created by Kyle Bradstreet
After years of playing everyone’s favorite convenient spy,Samuel L. Jacksonfinally took center stage in what was supposed to be his big MCU showcase.Secret Invasionsupposedly adapts the eponymous iconic Marvel Comics storyline, and a prestigious cast joins Jackson, including returning faces likeBen MendelsohnandCobie Smulders, and new cast members likeEmilia Clarke,Kingsley Ben-Adir, andOlivia Colman.
The prospect of seeing the iconicSecret Invasionstoryline adapted into six hours of prestige television was simply irresistible, and everyone eagerly awaited the show, which promised to bring back the gritty, spy tone introduced inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier. Alas, it was all for naught. Few MCU movies or shows have beenas disappointing asSecret Invasion, if any. Indeed, this misguided effort might very well bethe most frustrating in the franchise, wasting a stellar cast, a legendary storyline, and fans' anticipation with a lazy and nonsensical plot leading to one ofmodern television’s most infamous endings. The show hada notoriously troubled production, and we could all tell based on the result.
Secret Invasion
3’Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' (2023)
Directed by Peyton Reed
The current state of the MCU, where fans no longer trust the franchise, can be traced back toAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. ThePaul Rudd-starring series was always seen as a sweet but largely unimpressive part of the larger MCU; even the other characters treated Rudd’s Scott Lang as something of a joke in the big crossoverAvengers: Endgame. Thus, the news that Marvel’s next big bad, Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), would debut in Ant-Man’s third movie raised more than a few million eyebrows.
Suffice it to say, the gamble didn’t pay off.Quantumaniais too silly to take seriously, treating everything like a joke and making Kang seem like little more than a small-time crook. Of course,Majors' numerous real-life controversieseffectively took him out of the MCU, thusrenderingQuantumaniaoutright unnecessary. The film’s entire thing was to set up Kang as the Multiverse Saga’s Thanos. With those plans out the window and Majors effectively persona non grata in the MCU, this clumsy and ultimately ineffective movie is best left in the Quantum Realm. Rudd is still very charming, andMichelle Pfeifferdoes a lot to class up this mess, so perhaps the film can bring some enjoyment to fans of these two great actors.
Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania
2’Captain America: Brave New World' (2025)
Directed by Julius Onah
Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) deserved a better movie for his big debut as Captain America. Now, it’s not likeCaptain America: Brave New Worldis a terrible movie, but it’s not precisely good either. It sees Wilson investigate an attempt on President Thadeus “Thunderbolt” Ross' (Harrison Ford) life, leading him back to a Hulk villain, of all things. The main issue withBrave New Worldis that it’s confused;it doesn’t know what it wants to be.
The Red Hulk reveal was spoiled in the trailers, yet the film still treats it like a big twist that will take you by surprise… but, like, how? Red Hulk was plastered everywhere in the marketing campaign! The entire plot hinges on this reveal, which is laughably inept. And yet,there’s much to enjoy inBrave New World. Mackie is reliably great as Wilson, from his physicality to his moral compass to his dynamic withDanny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres. Also, Ford is a surprisingly effective emotional anchor, and the ever-greatCarl Lumblypretty much steals the show with his limited but impactful time on screen.DidBrave New Worlddeserve its rotten score?Honestly, yes, but thatdoesn’t mean this particular tomato is too rotten to eat. In fact, you might actually want to taste it again a few times, if only because the bitter parts don’t quite spoil the sweet ones.
Captain America: Brave New World
1’Eternals' (2021)
Directed by Chloé Zhao
Of all the rotten projects in the MCU, the only one that didn’t deserve it isChloé Zhao’sEternals. Starring an ensemble led byGemma ChanandRichard Madden, including Oscar winnerAngelina Jolieand Oscar nomineesSalma HayekandBarry Keoghan, the film chronicles the long life of the titular characters, Celestial creations sent to Earth to protect it against the evil Deviants.
Sure, the film is slower, quieter, and less action-packed than most Marvel efforts. However,Eternalsis a breath of fresh airin a franchise that so often feels chronically afraid of risk-taking. The cast is game, the visual language is distinct, andRamin Djawadi’s score might just be the best piece of music in the MCU after the Avengers' theme. The film has a huge antagonist problem, butvillains have never been the MCU’s strong suit, and the third act leaves a lot to be desired. Yet,Eternalsis a worthy addition to the long-running series; it’sfull of ideas and dares to take big narrative swings. It doesn’t stick the landing, but sometimes, the effort is what counts. Besides, ifThor: The Dark Worldgets a fresh tomato, so shouldEternals. Itwouldn’t be surprising if you found yourself wanting to revisit itmore than once.
