The 10 Best Fights in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (So Far)

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Each month the Cinelinx staff will write a handful of articles covering a specified film-related topic. These articles will be notified by the Movielinx banner. Movielinx is an exploration and discussion of our personal connections with film. This month we're diving into our favorite action scenes in movies, exploring what makes them great, and why they get our hearts racing every time! 

Marvel's latest cinematic adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy is in theaters now and isn't lacking for awesome action sequence, especially with the overwhelming presences of Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Nebula, and Ronan the Accuser involved.  In light of this month's focus on action pieces and the film's recent release, we decided to take a look back at the 10 best fight scenes (so far) of the MCU!

Iron Man vs. Whiplash

MCU Installment: Iron Man 2 (2010)

While arguably not the best of Shellhead's cinematic appearances, Iron Man 2 gave us alot to be thankful for: The Suitcase Armor, a better Rhodey, and War Machine not being the least of them.  But it also gave us an intriguing villain in Whiplash.  After a brutal first confrontation, Iron Man easily bested this villain, but it ultimately set the tone that Tony's rogues gallery would seek out and take advantage of his weaknesses as fast as Tony could produce his suits.

Agent May vs. Agent Ward

MCU Installment: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)

If you aren't watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., you're seriously missing out.  Terrific action, incredible storytelling, and some very nice cameos make this series a must see, not to mention that it expertly weaves between Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  But most notable of all, are the action sequences, which are some of the best on television.  The final confrontation between Agent Melinda May and Agent Grant Ward is as hardcore as anything you'll see in UFC and the storyline behind it is as equally intense.

Thor vs. The Hulk

MCU Installment: The Avengers (2012)

When two of the most powerful individuals in the Marvel universe don't see eye-to-eye, pain is sure to follow, especially when one of those individuals is The Hulk.  But a battle with the jade giant is just the kind of fight Thor looks for.  Ultimately, the winner is the audience, as this battle aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier was one of the best of the film.

The Hulk vs. Emil Blonsky

MCU Installment: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

When fans first heard the name Emil Blonsky uttered in The Incredible Hulk, they knew the final confrontation would be an epic one.  However, such glorious combat needed to be built to, so an initial fight between The Hulk and Blonsky (under the effects of the SSR serum that made Captain America) arrived and it was brilliant. Not only because it opened the gates for the kind of destruction we would eventually expect from The Hulk, but also because it was a small window into what we were anticiapting when Steve Rogers would hit the screen.

Captain America vs. The Winter Soldier

MCU Installment: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain America can throw down with the best of them.  No matter the cost.  This is partly due to his incredible ability to compartmentalize his emotions in the face of combat.  He works without the limitations of fear or personal ambition in everything he does.  But when Steve Rogers came face-to-face with the ghost of his dead best friend James "Bucky" Barnes in the twisted form of the legendary Russian assassin known as The Winter Soldier, he was shaken to his core.  Exposed and off-guard, Cap had to reach further than ever before to win in this fight and its outcome was one truly worthy of heroes.

Iron Man vs. "Iron Monger", Obadiah Stane

MCU Installment: Iron Man (2008)

When Obadiah Stane revealed his treachery (and his own suped-up Iron Monger suit) to Tony Stark, what followed was Tony's initiation into the world of being a superhero.  Tony not only faced off against someone he once called a dear friend, but ultimately, he faced his dark self, battling his own demons and overcoming them to become more than what he was.  It was, as has been spoken of greatly in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., his "defining moment".

The Hulk vs. The Abomination

MCU Installment: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Easily one of my personal favorites in this list, seeing the Harlem battle between The Hulk and The Abomination was breathtaking.  With these two individuals going toe-to-toe, it really is anyone's game.  And as everyone knows, Abomination is both bigger and stronger than The Hulk.  As these two rocked the borough of Manhattan like never before.  Lastly, this was the film that gave us the first inkling of the secret project that would eventually become The Avengers.

Captain America vs. The Red Skull

MCU Installment: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Captain America: The First Avenger captured perfectly what is arguably the greatest origin story of any hero in the MCU.  From his humble beginnings to his tragic end and his miraculous rebirth, Steve Rogers was a symbol for all that America and the free world stands for with the Nazi founder of HYDRA, The Red Skull, being his complete polar opposite.  Seeing these two clash throughout the film set a resonating tone for the future of the Boy Scout and proved why he was The First Avenger.

Thor vs. Captain America vs. Iron Man

MCU Installment: The Avengers (2012)

Everyone knows that one of the signature traits of superheroes is that (initially) they never really get along.  Power and ego tend to go hand-in-hand and such individuals often chafe at the thought of following anything other than their own good intentions.  With Stark's egotistical abivalence and Rogers' duty-born self-righteousness combined, the powder keg was set, Thor's pretentious temper quickly providing the spark.  When these three collided and decided to go to town on one another, even Loki had to sit back and admire the devastation that followed.

The Avengers vs. The Chitauri

MCU Installment: The Avengers (2012)

Showcasing some of the very reasons why we read The Avengers comics, The Battle of New York was everything we ever wanted in any comic book film ever.  From insane individual scenes with every member of the Avengers to nerdgasm team-up maneuvers that completely blew our minds, the fight against the invading Chitauri was the crowning achievement of the MCU.  And it's only going to get better.

Agree or disagree?  Either way, each battle was epic and holds a place in every comic lovers heart.  Surely the future is bright for Marvel and for us the fan.  Didn't see your favorite scene here?  Let us know what your favorites were in the comments below.

*A special thanks to Marvel and all the YouTube contributors who made these clips available for our enjoyment.