Marvelhas survived a lot of turmoil over the years, but through it all, has established itself as an essential part of our pop culture identity. An identity that includes many movies that play around in its world, despite the company’s many iconic characters' silver screen rights being splintered across different studios.
Modern filmmaking has made it so that superhero stories can be told in live action, without dodgy special effectspotentially holding them back. As such, Marvel movies have had a lot of opportunity over the years to give viewers endings that range from extremely heartfelt, to just plain cool. Here are some of the best endings that Marvel movies have ever had.
8Blade
Being the first modern live-action Marvel movie,Bladehad a lot to prove. I mean, would audiences go to theaters to watch a comic book movie of all things? The answer turned out to be yes.
The movie had no larger film universe holding it back, it just hadto be entertaining. And it most certainly succeeded, sticking the landing with an epilogue that sees the titular vampire hunter in Moscow, showing off his Russian linguistics before taking down a creature of the night.
7Spider-Man 2
Final Line: “Go Get Em, Tiger”- Mary Jane
With the originalSpider-Man, the formula for today’s superhero origin movies was established.Spider-Man 2then doubled down on the heroics even as the story saw Peter Parker struggling, and at times failing, to balance his two identities.
In the end, the main villain, Dr. Octavius' evil plan is foiled, as he and his fusion reactor are destroyed. Peter then resolves his internal conflict by deciding to fully throw himself into his work as Spider-Man. Oh, and after a film-long back and forth, he even gets the girl.
6X-Men: First Class
Final Line: “I prefer Magneto.” - Magneto
Throughout this period, the fundamental differences between Erik’s and Xavier’s ideals are established from the start, with both experiencing very differentorigins and upbringings. Despite this, they come together to prevent a third World War.
In the process, Erik kills some very bad people, inadvertently paralyzing Xavier, which understandably causes a rift between the two. In the movie’s final moments, Xavier is seen establishing his School For Gifted Youngsters, while Erik breaks Emma Frost out of prison, dawning his iconic cloak and red helmet.
5Spider-Man: Far From Home
Final Line: “Spider-Man’s Real Name Is Peter Parker.” - Mysterio
There is probably no moment in the MCU as shocking as this. Even in the comics, Spider-Man is well known for being one of the superheroes most adamant about keeping his identity a secret toprotect those he loves.
Yet at the end of the second movie of the latest series, the whole charade goes up in flames as Quentin Beck pulls Spidey’s mask back for the world to see. A shocking move, to be sure, but one that ends abruptly so thatNo Way Homecan pick up where it left off, with stakes already through the roof.
4Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Final Line: “My name is Prince T’Challa, son of King T’Challa.” - Prince T’Challa
Having premiered after Boseman’s untimely death,Wakanda Foreverreally had to fight to create a lane for itself. But it succeeded in the eyes ofcritics and fans, alike.
With the end of the main conflict, a new Black Panther is established in Shuri. And while she still must come to grips with filling Tchall’a’s shoes, it’s understood that she will do what needs to be done. It’s a resolve that is cemented when she is visited by his secret offspring who, in a heartbreaking but reassuring revelation, proclaims to be named after his late father.
3Avengers: Endgame
Final Line: “No, I Don’t Think I will.” - Steve Rogers
Endgameis a movie that simply wouldn’t exist without the decade of masterful character build-up that came before it. It also benefits from a decade of comic book movies easing fans into the wackier side of the Marvel franchise, making a timey-wimey jaunt through the universe acceptable to a wide audience.
After an epic final battle, the world must say goodbye to the guy who kickedthis entire MCU thing off, Tony Stark. On a lighter note, though, Captain America is able to rest as well, going back in time to be with the love of his life, Peggy Carter. It’s an ending that gives both of the series' biggest faces their own graceful exits.
2Logan
Final Line: “So this is what it feels like.” - Logan
Even the death of Wolverine can be a beautiful thing if done right. And that’s exactly what fans got in (what was supposed to be) Hugh Jackman’s finaljaunt as the character.
The last bit of the movie sees Logan succeeding in getting the future of the Mutant race over the border into Canada.
However, in holding off his clone, he is killed, something made possible by Wolverine’s age and the slowing down of his healing factor. It’s sad, to be sure, but is an ending that Jackman had been building toward throughout 17 years of playing the character.
1Iron Man
Final Line: “I am Iron Man.” -Tony Stark
It might seem easy to put the movie that started the MCU at the number one spot. ButIron Mandid an amazing job of setting a tone and creating a character that would carry the franchise for the next 10 years.
Stark is a hero who was born out of a burning will to survive (in a cave, with a box of scraps), and in a way, sets up the rest of the movie to be typical, but exceptional, action movie fare. Then, in the end, as Tony fully realizes the potential that Iron Man could have, he proudly reveals himself to be Iron Man to the world. A fittingly bombastic start to one of the greatest cinematic universes in history.
