Summary

The first entries into theMarvel Cinematic Universe , identified as Phase 1 of the franchise , featured several import that have defined the MCU in the twelvemonth since . Beginning in 2008 withIron Man , the MCU ’s Phase 1 mark off the beginning of the most successful franchise in cinematic chronicle . In the years since , themovies of the MCUhave proven both remarkably pop and fantastically financially successful , breaking multiple box berth record on several occasions . Much of this succeeder is really owe to the very first entryway into the MCU , as they fructify a framework for the franchise that subsequent moving picture extend to play along .

As the motion-picture show of Phase 1 punctuate the start of the dealership , they sport a riches of moments that have shape the MCU ’s entire future . Many specific moments in the franchise ’s early motion picture can be cited as polar in theMCU ’s movie timeline , plant tropes or approximation that have become standard in subsequent releases . as , there were also moments that served as lessons to be learned , with less well - receive elements of Phase 1 ’s movies being avoid in the franchise in the old age that followed . With that in head , here are 10 MCU Phase 1 moment that defined the dealership ’s next 15 year .

It was n’t all suave sailing for the MCU in its first stage . Here are all Phase 1 films ranked , according to Rotten Tomatoes

Ed Norton transforms into the Incredible Hulk

10Tony Stark Being Taken Hostage

Iron Man (2008)

As one of the very first movie moments in the entire MCU , it ’s fitting that Tony Stark being kidnapped really shaped the dealership as a whole . Stark ’s stint in captivity precipitated his entire hero discharge , sparking his transmutation into Iron Man and his purpose as the leader of the Avengers . The impact that being captivate by the Ten Rings had on Stark shaped him into the bomber he later became – a character reference who then operate on to shape the franchise itself . It may be one of the MCU ’s earliest , but it ’s also one of its most pivotal moments .

9The Avengers Assemble

The Avengers (2012)

Across the many pic andTV shows of the MCU , few moments are as iconic as that in which the Avengers first appear as a bona fide squad of heroes . 2012’sThe Avengersbrought the zep of Phase 1 together , and the flick ’s climactic battle saw them in the end join forces in dear to combat Loki and the Chitauri army in the Battle of New York . The Avengers arrive together set the model for countless subsequent team - ups , blending a high - wager write up with comedy , drama , and epic activity .

8Hulk Smashes Loki

As the Battle of New York reaches its conclusion , Loki finds himself face - to - face with the Hulk . It ultimately sees the villain come nerve to face with an Avenger at full great power , and it end with the Hulk grabbing the Asgardian and unceremoniously boom him repeatedly into the solid ground . The use of drollery at such an unexpected moment would get to define the MCU , appearing in most films from that tip on . The manipulation of levity to countervail the inherent ego - seriousness of the musical genre is a trick that will undoubtedly go on to be employed inupcoming Marvel moving picture , and it started back in Phase 1 .

7Captain America’s Heroic Sacrifice

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

The MCU ’s Phase 1 date multiple moments of epic sacrifice , with both Captain America and Thor make difficult personal sacrifices in service of the greater good . Captain America ’s moment in finicky proved massively influential for the MCU ’s time to come : after making the impossible choice to give himself , he waken in the future to be present with the shock of his conclusion . The heroic selection , the complex emotional side effect , and the eventual happy endingis something that has become a part of multiple narrative arcs in the MCU , but it all started with Phase 1 ’s own origin stories .

6Black Widow’s Introduction

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Iron Man 2may not be the most democratic entry in Phase 1 , but it featured a moment that started a specific MCU trend . The introduction of Black Widow in a endorse role only to later have her act as a major character in the franchise is something that has been revisited in multiple MCU projects since . Black Widow was an excellent addition to the film , and her popularity confirmed her viability as one of the franchise ’s fundamental players . In the year since , many movies and TV shows have employed similar manoeuvre in introducing novel fibre to the MCU , followingIron humans 2 ’s example .

Related:10 MCU Scenes That Would ’ve Seemed Impossible In Phase 1

5Bruce Banner’s “I’m Always Angry” Line

The Battle of New York was a enormously polar present moment for the MCU as a whole , but one special moment stand up out as peculiarly influential in a conceptual sense . Bruce Banner ’s reveal of the secret to manipulate the Hulk comes in a single line of dialog when he announces,“That ’s my secret , Cap … I ’m always angry . ” It ’s a spectacular and unforgettably quotable line give birth at a crucial mo , sic a case in point that many MCU moving-picture show have followed . Infinity WarandEndgameboth have similar moments , with characters cede devastating or of import lines before turning the tide of engagement .

4Thor’s Infinity Gauntlet Easter Egg

Thor (2011)

The MCU has become well - known for hiding Easter testicle and fluff next storey developments , but back in Phase 1 , the idea was still in its infancy . 2011’sThorsaw the very brief inclusion of an Infinity Gauntlet cache in Odin ’s vault , subtly confirm the cosmos of Infinity Stones within the franchise . The Easter bollock on the face of it set up the Infinity Saga arc , and despite being a fantastically underage moment , it was the first instance of the MCU ’s use of tiny references that tease much bigger future news report .

3Bruce Banner & Betty Ross’ Romantic Subplot

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Incredible Hulkisn’t the most popular movie in the MCU , and one particular consequence actually came to specify the franchise for all the wrong reasonableness . The film ’s dramatic geographic expedition ofa amatory subplot between Bruce Banner and Betty Ross largely perturb from the action and exhilaration of its floor , and the poor response to the cinema see this idea shift in succeeding MCU movies . While the MCU has n’t shy away from including wild-eyed interests , it has avoided to a fault spectacular exploration of the idea , rather using them as comedic opportunities – perhaps thanks toThe Incredible Hulk ’s unpopular romantic picture .

2Nick Fury’s Post-Credits Appearance

One of the figure of speech that ’s now synonymous with superhero picture palace in reality got its honest scratch line in the MCU ’s first - ever film . Iron Manintroduced Nick Fury in a post - credits scene that also confirm the existence of other heroes , teasing the shared universe and hint at anAvengerscrossover . The consumption of a post - credits scene to tease an enlargement of a shared movie universehas become a part of the very fabric of the MCU , and it all began with the unforgettable mo at the ending ofIron Manway back in Phase 1 .

1“I Am Iron Man”

Perhaps the most iconic moment in all of Phase 1 , the ending ofIron Mansaw Tony Stark herald his superhero alter - egotism to the existence . The improvised moment marked a significant deviation from mirthful Word of God canon , and Stark ’s significant role in the franchise think of it also fare to define the MCU ’s account in a major way of life . Asit commune the MCU ’s willingness to distance itself from factor of the strip , the scene shaped the franchise in a major way . In that , and in a blanket story sense , Tony Stark’s“I am Iron Man ” moment came to define the entireMarvel Cinematic Universe .

Nextwave team

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man upset and determined in No Way Home

Mark Ruffalo as Hulk in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Scarlett Johannson as Black Widow in The Avengers (2012)

Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk smashing Tom Hiddleston’s Loki in The Avengers (2012)

Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger before being frozen

Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner joining the fight in The Avengers (2012)

The Infinity Gauntlet in Asgard’s vault in Thor (2011)

Betty Ross and Bruce Banner embrace in the rain in The Incredible Hulk

Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) appears to Tony Stark in Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr addresses the press at the end of Iron Man (2008)

Marvel Cinematic Universe