Here are Cinephile Corner’s 10 recommendations for movies like Fantastic Four:
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Remember feeling overwhelmed and fulfilled leaving a Marvel movie? Neither did I, until I saw James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – an emotional gut punch and a perfect swan song to this set of weirdos. The first must-see Marvel film in a while.
Read our full review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Deadpool & Wolverine
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced challenges since its peak with Avengers: Endgame in 2019. Public interest has waned, and while Marvel continues striving to recapture that magic, it often comes at the expense of patience and character development. This trend is evident in Deadpool & Wolverine, which prioritizes cameos, quick laugh lines, and flashy action sequences over meaningful storytelling or fully realized characters.
Read our full review of Deadpool & Wolverine
Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts* may not feature the most iconic names in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it finds unexpected strength in its emotional core and character-driven storytelling. Directed by Jake Schreier, making his MCU debut after co-directing the acclaimed series Beef, Thunderbolts* brings together a group of misfit characters from previous MCU movies and television series like Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Ant-Man and the Wasp to form a surprisingly effective and introspective superhero team-up.
Read our full review of Thunderbolts*
Logan
James Mangold’s spaghetti western approach to Logan fits like a glove, and the smaller, more contained approach to setting and plot allows the film to really center on Wolverine’s chaotic and mangled past. Includes gruff performances by Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse continues what the first film did so well – feel like something you’ve never seen before. An intense thrill ride that explores carving your own path and not staying constrained to the expectations set before you.
Read our full review of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The Marvels
The Marvels is a movie that, while not devoid of entertainment and laughs, is a muddled entry in the recent lackluster saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Brie Larson continues to stand out as Captain Marvel in a franchise filled with questionable plot choices and villains.
Read our full review of The Marvels
Madame Web
There might be a fun, oddly interesting, “so bad that it’s good” movie with Madame Web, but it’s marred by so many technical errors and misfires that it makes the film hard to take seriously on any level. Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney are a strange pairing for a superhero movie setting up further adventures down the line.
Read our full review of Madame Web
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania serves as a critical turning point in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie simultaneously introduces Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror and tries to steer the inconsistent MCU back on track. It may not entirely succeed, but Paul Rudd‘s latest movie has a few glimmering pieces.
Read our full review of Ant-Man: Quantumania
The Flash
The Flash doesn’t do the skeleton of the DCEU any favors. A cartoonish and goopy visual mess, the movie shows the worst of this expanded universe – cobbled together crossovers and derivative stakes.
Read our full review of The Flash
Captain America: Brave New World
The MCU has had missteps before, but they were rarely this sloppy. With The Marvels also suffering from poor execution, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Marvel Studios is stretching itself too thin, churning out rushed, compromised projects that dilute the franchise’s once-dominant hold on pop culture. Captain America: Brave New World isn’t just another disappointing MCU entry—it’s a glaring warning sign that the franchise is losing its grip.