Summary
TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas created a cohesive universe that connects numerous films and shows within a single storyline. This interconnectedness has allowed beloved superheroes to team up and save the universe, captivating audiences with their relationships and dynamics, even if they appear together for just one movie.
Superhero teams are a beloved idea in comic books, as fans always wonder how certain characters would play off each other and how their different skills and abilities are incorporated. The Marvel Cinematic Universe features several teams that have formed and disassembled across the various phases.
8The Howling Commandos
The Superheroes That Helped Win World War 2
Not all heroes wear gimmicky costumes, andthe Howling Commandosare an example of that. They were assembled by Captain America during World War 2 as a special task force that utilized unorthodox tactics to fight the highly advanced forces of Hydra. They consisted of Captain America, Bucky Barnes, Dum Dum Dugan, Gabe Jones, Happy Sam Sawyer, Pinky Pinkerton, Jim Morita, James Montgomery Falsworth, Jacques Dernier, and Junior Juniper.
Captain America wouldn’t have everdefeated the evil Red Skullwithout their help, and they would continue to operate as soldiers of fortune after the war ended. Their exploits would end up becoming an entire exhibit in the Smithsonian, arguably turning them into the first superhero team of the MCU.
7The Defenders
The MCU’s Team Of Street-Level Heroes
Netflix created a world of interconnected Marvel shows, consisting of Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and even The Punisher. While that last one never joins the team, the first four heroes came together to form the Defenders, who have their own spin-off series in which they have to stop The Hand from destroying New York City.
It was impressive that Netflix was able to pull off an ambitious crossover, even if the series wasn’t as beloved as the individual shows. The four heroes each provided something different to the story and the action, whether it was their drastically different personalities, powers, or costumes. Since the Punisher andDaredevil have since been reintroduced into the MCU, fans are hoping that the Defenders end up reuniting in the future.
6The Resistance
Marvel Studios Showed Love To The Past
While fans have felt that the multiverse concept has grown stale of late,Deadpool & Wolverinedid it right by showing love to the Marvel movies that came out before the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Inside the Void, the two meet Wesley Snipes’ Blade, Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, Dafne Keene’s Wolverine, and Channing Tatum’s Gambit, who assemble astheResistanceagainst Cassandra Nova and help Deadpool return to his universe.
It was a nice send-off to an era of Marvel that started the golden era of Marvel movies, and the MCU wouldn’t exist without them. The team has even had a permanent impact on the MCU. Channing Tatum’s Gambit isset to reappear inAvengers: Doomsdayalongside other legacy Marvel characters, such as Ian McKellen’s Magneto, James Marsden’s Cyclops, and Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler.
5The Marvels
Three Fun Cosmic Heroes With No Toxicity
Ms. Marvel, Monica Rambeau,and the powerful Captain Marvelget their chance to shine asthe Marvels, a trio of heroes utilizing light-based powers, but in an unexpected way. They are forced to work together due to their connected powers, resulting in them swapping places whenever they use their powers simultaneously. This leads to bonding and deepening friendships, much to the delight of Ms. Marvel, a Captain Marvel fangirl.
While they did have some issues at first, the Marvels were a refreshing team because they didn’t spend the majority of their time together bickering before they became a team. Instead, they are just three good-hearted people who have fun saving the universe while still taking their job seriously, resulting in creative action sequences unlike any other Marvel film.
4The Web Warriors
Three Generations Of Spider-Men Warmed Audiences' Hearts
Spider-Man: No Way Homegifted audiences with a team of heroes that tugged at the hearts of multiple generations. Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland united asthe Web Warriorsto fight a multiversal team of Spider-Man villainsfrom various Spider-Man movies, giving fans the closest thing to a live-actionSpider-Versemovie.
The three variants of Spider-Man were not only a strong way to give an ending to Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, but also appealed to the nostalgia of many Spider-Man fans. They each had their own ways of fighting, swinging, and quipping that made them stand out while working together inSpider-Man: No Way Home. Fans were happy enough just to see them banter on the same screen.
3The Thunderbolts*
From Scruffy Anti-Heroes To The New Heroes Of Earth
Marvel Studios’Thunderboltshad fans confused when it was first announced, due to its roster being unlike the comics andconsisting mostly of super soldiers. However, the Thunderbolts surprised many as they delivered an experience unlike most Marvel superhero teams, with a consistent theme of self-worth and deprecation.
The new Yelena Belova, John Walker, Ghost, Red Guardian, Winter Soldier, and Sentry all have dark pasts. At first, they can barely stand each other, but by the end, they arguably feel more like a family than the Avengers did, and they show more concern for collateral damage and the safety of civilians. That becomes a factor in how they stop Sentry/Void from destroying the world. Rather than fight with their fists and weapons, they use friendship to help Sentry defeat his darker half, which leads to them becoming The New Avengers.
2The Guardians Of The Galaxy
The Cosmic Team That Led An Iconic Trilogy
After the success of the Avengers, Marvel Studios gambled by giving an obscure team of B-list characters a big-budget movie. However, theGuardians of the Galaxyhave not only proven capable of leading a movie. They have one of themost beloved film trilogies in the MCUand played major parts inAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame.
James Gunn excelled at creating a team of ragtag intergalactic criminals who become like a family by the end, and their bond as a found family continues to evolve with each movie. It also helps thatGuardians of the Galaxyfeatures some of the most unique visuals in the MCU when it comes to costumes, worlds, and action sequences. When the Guardians went their separate ways, it was a bittersweet but fitting ending for an iconic team.
1The Avengers
Everything In The MCU Builds Up To Avengers Movies
Few truly believed that Marvel Studios could actually pull off an official team-up movie aboutThe Avengers. However, after a few movies, that fantasy became a reality with Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye forming the initial Avengers, fending off Loki and the Chitauri forces as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, even if they bickered a lot.
Since then, the team has expanded to include characters like Doctor Strange, Vision, Ant-Man, Scarlet Witch, War Machine, Spider-Man, Black Panther, and so many more. Even other superhero teams like the Guardians of the Galaxy became official members, creating anarmy of heroes inAvengers: Endgamethat continues to grow, even when they are disbanded throughout the Multiverse Saga.
