RANKING ALL OF THE FILMS IN THE MCU BASED ON HOW MUCH THEY SHOWCASE NYC
After the historical release of Captain Marvel, it seems like a better time than any to reflect on the 20 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that came before it. Sights from many of these films can be seen on The Super Tour of NYC. Let’s see just how much of New York is featured in each of the films as we rank them based on how much NYC we see!
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
The Guardians travel all over space, but Earth, let alone NYC, is never seen in the film.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Our space heroes have yet to make it to Earth, as their sequel also takes place in many galaxies and planets but not our own.
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
The few scenes that don’t take place in literal other worlds are in London and Ireland. No New York to see here!
- Black Panther (2018)
T’Challa’s first solo film takes place mostly in his homeland of Wakanda.
- Iron Man (2008)
Director Jon Favreau rejected any east coast locations, as he wanted to create something different than other superhero movies, although we know later on that our Marvel heroes inevitably end up heading east. The movie was filmed in Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
Keeping in tune with the first movie, the home of Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) remains on the west coast.
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
The divisive Iron Man 3 extends out to other parts of the U.S. like Miami, but still no NYC in sight.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Marvel Studios continues to expand its national horizons as this film takes place in Washington, D.C., with some scenes being filmed in Cleveland, as well.
- Ant-Man (2015)
Again, not all Marvel superheroes can live in New York. Ant-Man was mostly shot in San Francisco.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Filming took place in Georgia, California, and Hawaii.
- Thor: Ragnorok (2017)
The sequence with Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Hela (Cate Blanchett) was originally supposed to take place in New York City and was even filmed there, however it was reshot in Norway to give the scene a bit more emotion.
- Thor (2011)
The film takes place in the world of Asgard and in America, but these scenes were shot in Los Angeles and Santa Fe, New Mexico. However, the post credits scene reveals the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters. There are no exterior shots, but we know this is in New York.
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
While there are scenes inside the Avengers Headquarters which is usually in New York, these scenes were filmed in Atlanta.
- Incredible Hulk (2008)
Although most of the film was made in Toronto, Canada, the climactic battle sequence between the Hulk (played by Edward Norton in his sole Hulk appearance) and the Abomination (Tim Roth) takes place in Harlem.
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Ultron himself is created in the NYC Avengers Headquarters! Although a lot of the movie takes the heroes across the world, the movie ends right where it started in New York.
- Doctor Strange (2016)
Dr. Stephen Strange is a New York native, so much of the film takes place and was filmed in NYC. Would have been higher on the list if he wasn’t traveling to different dimensions so often!
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) grows up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and we have to acknowledge the iconic scene of Cap waking up in modern day Times Square.
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
We seem to visit every single location in the film, which includes New York. The Hulk, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and Wong all meet up here in the first half of the movie.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
You know we’ll get to see New York in a Spidey film! Locations include Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.
1. The Avengers (2012)
With scenes all over Manhattan including Central Park, the Empire State Building, and more, this movie establishes that the true home of the Avengers and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters is New York City. The battle that takes place in Midtown is still iconic to this day!
