The following article contains spoilers.
A great movie can go from great to amazing with an awesome ending that ties up the story of the film perfectly. A franchise that has some absolutely incredibly satisfying endings is none other than the world-acclaimed Marvel Cinematic Universe. The characters within the series are easily the most beloved part of it, and the way that they get their full circle moments at the end of their films often makes for some wonderful endings.
Whether it be a melancholy ending where the heroes lose or one that kicked off the cinematic universe to begin with, there are plenty of endings in the MCU that finish off their films perfectly, which makes the movies even better. The MCU features some of the best endings in superhero cinema, but which are the best? It’s a tough competition, but there are definitely some that take the cake for best of the best.
14
‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
The ending of Spider-Man: Homecoming is quite underrated. A lot of people had initial complaints about him being an “Iron Man Jr.”, but when actually looking at the plot, it’s clear that Spider-Man: Homecoming is about Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) journey to walking out of Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) shadow and becoming his own friendly neighborhood hero.
After the battle to stop the Vulture (Michael Keaton), Tony rewards Peter by offering him the one thing he’s been dying for the entire movie: an Avengers membership. However, thanks to the growth he experienced throughout the movie, he denies it, knowing that he’s supposed to be looking out for the little guy, being the only one who would. Unfortunately, this is kind of ruined in Avengers: Infinity War, but it works here nonetheless.
13
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)
Despite being a very goofy MCU movie—consistently cracking jokes and gags—Deadpool & Wolverine actually tells a very compelling story with two character arcs that work incredibly well. Wolverine’s (Hugh Jackman) story of overcoming his grief and Deadpool’s (Ryan Reynolds) of learning to appreciate the family and world he already has are both actually quite moving.
While a lot of people were hoping Wade Wilson would stick around in the MCU after the events of the film, this ending, where he goes home and has a gathering with his friends and family (including some other multiversal pals), works so much better. The entire film, he thought that going to the MCU would fix his problems and create a better world. Thankfully, he learns that the family he already has is all he really needs, and a new world wouldn’t have just solved his problems.
12
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014)
The entire Captain America trilogy has some of the best endings in the MCU, and with how beloved Captain America: The Winter Soldier is, it’s a given that the film’s ending would be among the best. At the end of the final battle, Captain America (Chris Evans) allows the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) to beat him down, telling him that he’s, “… with you ’till the end of the line.” This brings the dormant Bucky Barnes out and keeps him from killing his old friend, and even leads him to save Cap from drowning.
After all is said and done, some incredible moments take place: Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) tells the government to screw itself, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) fakes his death, and Cap and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) decide to continue their search for Bucky, who clearly made it out of the battle alive. With the final line of the film being Sam asking, “When do we start?”, the audience is left with excitement for whatever’s to come next for the Star-Spangled Man.
11
‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011)
What makes Captain America: The First Avenger so special is that it’s one of the only films to be a period piece and was the first to do it. How do you end a film like that while building up to the film to comes right after? The project that was going to bring together the major players of the MCU for the first time? Safe to say, Captain America: The First Avenger does a very good job at this.
After going down into the depths and being frozen in ice, the movie jumps forward a few decades and shows Steve Rogers waking up in the modern day and being approached by Nick Fury. The film ends with a heartbreaking quote as Steve says, “I had a date.” It brought Captain America into the present, but at a cost, and that is felt heavily.
10
‘The Avengers’ (2012)
The first big crossover of the MCU had a lot on its shoulders. Not only did it have to prove that this cinematic universe of characters could work as a united world, but it had to open the gates and end in a way that set up the entire next phase of the franchise. The Avengers did this incredibly well, with an ending that set up all-new stories for each character quickly but effectively.
Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) took Loki Laufeyson (Tom Hiddleston) back to Asgard to be tried for his crimes, Steve Rogers went off to attempt to live in this new time with a new perspective, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) went off to pursue new scientific endeavors, and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow, and Nick Fury returned to SHIELD ready to bring the Avengers together again should the world need them. It did everything it needed to in order to set up this universe for a good future in Phase Two.
9
‘Thunderbolts*’ (2025)
The most recent MCU flick to hit screens has been a massive success for the studio, and for very good reason. Not only is it one of the most heartfelt Marvel films in a good few years, but Thunderbolts* ends on a massive bang and almost completely resets the status quo of the Marvel universe before Avengers: Doomsday hits.
After defeating The Void (Lewis Pullman), Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) takes advantage of the situation and claims them as her team, titling them “The New Avengers”. Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) leans in and whispers in Valentina’s ear, “We own you now,” and is an ultimate checkmate to the villain. This, combined with the MCU movie’s post-credits scene, makes the ending of Thunderbolts* a spectacular ending before Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) makes his way to the MCU.
8
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022)
After the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman, Ryan Coogler had a massive job to do when bringing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to life. The film was a big tribute to Chadwick and was executed very well. The end of the project served the same purpose and also did this job in a great manner. As Shuri (Letitia Wright) burns her funeral robes to begin finally grieving her brother, the beautiful song “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna begins to play. Which adds a sincerity to the moment that’s gorgeous.
It’s a great wrap-up and bow to tie on this tribute to Chadwick. Not only is Shuri finding comfort in grieving, but the audience is too. It’s borderline perfect. With the post-credits scene attached, where she gets to meet her nephew, who was hidden from the world, and learns he’s named after her brother, this ending is heartfelt in so many ways.
7
‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)
Not only does Avengers: Endgame provide a great ending to the film itself, but to the entire Infinity Saga, as well. It managed to wrap up its own story while also doing so for characters’ stories and arcs that have been brewing and existing across their entire MCU tenure. There are so many characters that exist across the Marvel universe, and to finish off most of their stories was always going to be a hard task.
Tony Stark had a major full-circle moment by sacrificing himself (referencing The Avengers when Steve told him that he’s a guy who would never do such a thing), Steve finally had his dance with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Hawkeye got his family back, Sam Wilson was gifted the shield, and so much more. It’s an incredible ending to the Infinity Saga. So much so that one could genuinely end their MCU viewing here.
6
‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)
The “Civil War” Marvel comic book storyline is one of the biggest and most impactful in comic history. It shook the Marvel Comics world to its core and changed the status quo for years. Spider-Man’s identity was even revealed to the world. So, when it was announced that Marvel Studios was going to tackle this storyline in the third Captain America film, helmed by the wonderful Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, people were both excited and hesitant.
The end of “Civil War” changed everything and had a massive impact. Captain America had been assassinated, and Aunt May had been shot. That means that the ending of Captain America: Civil War had to have a similar impact on the MCU to really feel important. Thankfully, it does. With Captain America’s entire team being arrested and shackled like dogs, Steve leaves a meaningful letter to Tony, apologizing for everything (much like “The Confession” storyline that came after “Civil War”) and breaks his team out of prison and splits the Avengers in half, forcing one half to go underground and disappear. This happening right before Avengers: Infinity War had a big impact on the MCU, because it is arguably the reason that they lost the battle to Thanos (Josh Brolin).
5
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)
With Avengers: Infinity War being the first part of the big Infinity Saga finale, everyone knew that in some way, shape, or form, things were not going to fully work out for the Avengers. Audiences would soon find out that things weren’t going to work out for them in the slightest. The end of Avengers: Infinity War showcases the villain of the film, Thanos, winning. He accomplishes his goal and kills half of the universe.
For one of the first times in the MCU, the heroes fully lost. There was nothing positive that came out of the end of Avengers: Infinity War. It’s incredibly profound and moving. But it also shows Thanos completing his own arc. He truly is the protagonist of the film, so he gets a full-circle arc that is completed at the end and keeps this “part one” feeling like it could still be a solo film.
