10 MCU Moments That Will Sell The Franchise To Non-Marvel Fans

Summary

• The MCU has a wide range of scenes that showcase how and why the movies can work for those who aren’t outright fans of the franchise.
• The MCU’s fight scenes often display a tightly honed penchant for action that can easily appeal to those outside of the MCU fandom.
• Many of the more emotional or poignant moments in the MCU can work for viewers whether they’re fans of the franchise already or not.

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There are many moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that have the potential to sell the franchise even to those who don’t consider themselves Marvel fans. From the very beginning of the MCU’s movie timeline, the franchise was able to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with at the box office. In spite of the MCU’s unprecedented success over the years that followed, there are still many who would not consider themselves Marvel fans, and as such are less invested in the narrative developments of the MCU.

However, there are many moments contained within the movies and TV shows of the MCU that outline the franchise’s wider appeal. As well as boasting a natural draw for those with an interest in Marvel Comics, the MCU has also provided a wealth of powerful moments that would appeal to fans of other movie genres. With that in mind, here are 10 MCU moments that would sell the franchise to non-Marvel fans.

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10 The Avengers Meet Thor

The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers
PG-13

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Director Joss Whedon Release Date May 4, 2012 Runtime 143 Minutes

Phase 1 of the MCU culminated in The Avengers, which saw the franchise’s heroes assemble into a team for the first time. When it comes to scenes that prove the merits of the MCU to non-fans, the scene in which the other heroes first meet Thor is a great example. After capturing Loki, Thor suddenly appears and kidnaps the villain, causing the other heroes to pursue him before forcing a confrontation.

The scene is brilliantly written, and packed with excellent jokes and one-liners. The chemistry between the MCU’s first team of heroes is plain to see, as is the tension that results from their clash of personalities. It’s a scene that perfectly demonstrates the crossover potential of the MCU, as it showcases exactly why the franchise’s ability to have its heroes combine forces is a major comedic draw.

9 Shang-Chi’s Bus Showdown

Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
PG-13

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Director Destin Cretton Release Date September 3, 2021 Runtime 132 minutes

At the head of Shang-Chi’s cast of characters is the eponymous hero, who is introduced as a valet going by the name of Shaun. When he is accosted by a group of thugs on a bus, he is forced to demonstrate his true identity as a master of martial arts. The resulting sequence is unforgettably action-packed, as well as a brilliant introduction to one of the MCU’s post-Endgame heroes.

What makes the scene such a good indicator of the MCU’s quality is its martial arts appeal. The bus fight demonstrates just how well the MCU can step into different genres, delivering an epic and well-choreographed fight sequence that rivals any martial arts movie outside of the franchise. For those interested in action or martial arts, Shang-Chi’s bus scene is an excellent entry point into the MCU after Endgame.

8 Meeting The Ancient One

Doctor Strange (2016)

Doctor Strange
PG-13

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Director Scott Derrickson Release Date October 25, 2016 Runtime 126 minutes

Doctor Strange introduced a new aspect to the MCU: magic. The franchise’s full introduction of the mystic arts saw Doctor Stephen Strange lose his career as a surgeon after an injury to his hands and seek answers through the supernatural. This led him on a journey across the globe, where he eventually located Kamar-Taj and met the Ancient One, who agreed to train him in the mystic arts. The scene in which the pair first meet is a great example of how imaginative the MCU can be.

In the franchise’s first true demonstration of magic, the Ancient One sends Stephen Strange on an unexpected journey through the astral plane and the Mirror Dimension. The mind-bending visuals are brilliantly realized using CGI and other effects, showcasing just how aesthetically creative the movies of the MCU can be. The scene not only introduced a more fantastical side of the MCU, but also proved that the franchise can be more than its action set pieces.

7 Star-Lord Vs Ego

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
PG-13

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Director James Gunn Release Date April 19, 2017 Runtime 137 minutes

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continued the MCU’s foray into sci-fi with a story that saw Star-Lord learn the truth about his parentage. After learning that his father was the Celestial known as Ego, Star-Lord allows himself to trust the powerful being. However, when he learns that Ego was responsible for the death of his mother, Star-Lord faces off against the Celestial, prompting a showdown of planetary proportions.

The fight between Star-Lord and Ego sees the hero overcome his father in anger, set to the tune of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain”. The perfect marriage of song and scene helps the moment stand out as especially powerful, and the scale of the visual effects is also impressive. Finally, there’s an element of humor masking the emotional nature of Star-Lord’s outburst, which combined with the high stakes helps sell the MCU even to non-Marvel fans.

6 Rocket’s Heartbreaking Origin Story

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
PG-13

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Director James Gunn Release Date May 5, 2023 Runtime 116 Minutes

The cast of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 saw a number of new characters introduced into the MCU, but some had more of an impact than others. The film’s exploration of Rocket’s origin story introduced Lylla, Teefs, and Floor – all genetic experiments of the High Evolutionary along with Rocket. The scenes exploring their origins are both wholesome and heartbreaking, and stood out as some of the movie’s most powerfully emotional.

Even non-Marvel fans will find it impossible to deny the impactful nature of the scenes that detail Rocket’s origins. The animals’ growing sentience combined with their dreams of freedom make for tough viewing, particularly when things reach their tragic conclusion. It would be impossible not to be moved by Rocket’s origin story, even for those who don’t consider themselves fans of Marvel or of the superhero genre.

5 Cap In The Elevator

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier
PG-13

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Director Joe Russo , Anthony Russo Release Date April 4, 2014 Runtime 136 minutes

The superhero genre and action sequences go hand in hand, but the super-powered nature of the MCU’s heroes means its action is largely dependent upon CGI. However, not every MCU action sequence is so outlandish, as evidenced by Captain America: The Winter Soldier. There are few scenes considered as iconic as the elevator scene, in which Cap finds himself surrounded by Hydra sleeper agents and fighting impossible odds in a crowded enclosed space.

The scene is such a popular one for a good reason. The action is fast-paced and brutal, perfectly choreographed and realized. It’s a scene that puts Captain America:The Winter Soldier on par with any action movie, and showcases exactly what the franchise is capable of. Any action fans who don’t consider themselves Marvel fans are likely to be won over by Cap’s elevator fight, as it’s such a great example of what the MCU has to offer.

4 Spider-Man’s Haunting Death

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Avengers: Infinity War
PG-13

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Director Joe Russo , Anthony Russo Release Date April 27, 2018 Runtime 149 minutes

Avengers: Infinity War remains one of the MCU’s most significant movies, as it saw the Avengers lose to Thanos in the most spectacular fashion. Thanos’ snap killed half of the MCU’s Avengers, making for a truly unforgettable moment for MCU fans. However, even non-Marvel fans are likely to be moved by the scene, not least because it’s so well performed by the actors involved.

No hero’s death is as emotionally impactful as Spider-Man’s, who finds himself stranded on Titan with Iron Man and a handful of other Avengers. His pleas for Iron Man’s help are deeply upsetting, and the fear Tom Holland is able to put into his performance is truly impressive. The death of Spider-Man is more than just a big moment for Marvel fans: it’s a devastating ending to a particularly dark moment in the franchise’s story that has universal appeal.

3 T’Challa’s Wakandan Coronation

Black Panther (2018)

Black Panther
PG-13

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Director Ryan Coogler Release Date February 16, 2018 Runtime 134 Minutes

Another of the MCU’s great action sequences comes in Black Panther. Early in the movie, T’Challa is challenged to ritual combat by M’Baku ahead of his coronation as the new king of Wakanda. The moment is more than just a simple fight scene: it outlines key aspects of Wakanda’s culture, serving as an example of great worldbuilding that doesn’t have a heavy focus on exposition.

The scene features some brilliant action and acting from both Chadwick Boseman and Winston Duke. However, it’s the wider context of the scene and its place in the franchise that really help it sell the MCU to non-Marvel fans, as it showcases its capacity for variety and diversity. The scene is an excellent example of how the MCU can offer variety even within the confines of the superhero genre, and, as such, has the potential to appeal to a wider audience.

2 Iron Man Suits Up

Iron Man (2008)

Iron Man
PG-13

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Director Jon Favreau Release Date May 2, 2008 Runtime 126 minutes

In its capacity as the MCU’s first ever movie, Iron Man did a great deal to make the franchise so accessible to non-Marvel fans. In many ways, it set the tone for the entire MCU, and boasts many great and memorable moments. The scene in which Tony Stark takes the Mark II suit for its first test flight is still one of the MCU’s greatest hero introductions, and is likely to win over even non-Marvel fans to the franchise’s potential.

The scene captures the spirit of Iron Man as a character, putting the audience in the hero’s shoes. Seeing the flight from Stark’s perspective is a great way to help the audience establish personal stakes in the hero’s story. The scene highlights exactly why the movies are able to bring Marvel’s heroes to life in a way that captures the imaginations of such a wide audience, including those who may not consider themselves Marvel fans.

1 Infiltrating The Lemurian Star

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

One of the most underrated scenes in the entire MCU comes at the beginning of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, when Cap, Black Widow, and a team of SHIELD agents infiltrate the Lemurian Star. Their assault on the ship features a number of excellent action sequences, including a showdown between Steve Rogers and Georges Batroc. Even non-Marvel fans are likely to see the appeal of the scene, as it outlines much of the franchise’s general appeal.

The assault on the Lemurian Star doesn’t feature unnecessary levity, but simply great action. It combines the essence of a spy thriller with hard-hitting action in a way that perfectly communicates the MCU’s potential. It’s a scene that has every chance of winning over even the most staunchly opposed non-Marvel fan to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its singular ability to entertain on multiple levels.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.

Upcoming Films Deadpool & Wolverine , Captain America: Brave New World , Thunderbolts (2025) , Blade (2025) , The Fantastic Four (2025) , Avengers: The Kang Dynasty , Avengers: Secret Wars Upcoming TV Shows Agatha: Coven of Chaos , Ironheart , Daredevil: Born Again , Wakanda , Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man , Marvel Zombies , Wonder Man , Vision Quest

Upcoming Marvel Movies	Release Date
Deadpool & Wolverine	July 26, 2024
Captain America: Brave New World	February 14, 2025
Thunderbolts*	May 2, 2025
Fantastic Four	July 25, 2025
Blade	November 7, 2025
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty	May 1, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars	May 7, 2027

Source: https://www.lsu.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment