10 MCU Phase 1 Moments That Defined The Franchise’s Next 15 Years

The first entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, identified as Phase 1 of the franchise, featured several moments that have defined the MCU in the years since. Beginning in 2008 with Iron Man, the MCU’s Phase 1 marked the beginning of the most successful franchise in cinematic history. In the years since, the movies of the MCU have proven both remarkably popular and incredibly financially successful, breaking multiple box office records on several occasions. Much of this success is actually owed to the very first entries into the MCU, as they set a framework for the franchise that subsequent movies continue to follow.

As the movies of Phase 1 marked the start of the franchise, they feature a wealth of moments that have shaped the MCU’s entire future. Many specific moments in the franchise’s early movies can be cited as pivotal in the MCU’s movie timeline, establishing tropes or ideas that have become standard in subsequent releases. Equally, there were also moments that served as lessons to be learned, with less well-received elements of Phase 1’s movies being avoided in the franchise in the years that followed. With that in mind, here are 10 MCU Phase 1 moments that defined the franchise’s next 15 years.

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10 Tony 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 actually shaped the franchise as a whole. Stark’s stint in captivity precipitated his entire hero arc, sparking his transformation into Iron Man and his role as the leader of the Avengers. The impact that being captured by the Ten Rings had on Stark shaped him into the hero he later became – a character who then went 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.

9 The Avengers Assemble

The Avengers (2012)

Across the many movies and TV shows of the MCU, few moments are as iconic as that in which the Avengers first appear as a bona fide team of heroes. 2012’s The Avengers brought the heroes of Phase 1 together, and the film’s climactic battle saw them finally join forces in earnest to battle Loki and the Chitauri army in the Battle of New York. The Avengers coming together set the framework for countless subsequent team-ups, blending a high-stakes story with comedy, drama, and epic action.

8 Hulk Smashes Loki

The Avengers (2012)

As the Battle of New York reaches its conclusion, Loki finds himself face-to-face with the Hulk. It finally sees the villain come face to face with an Avenger at full power, and it ends with the Hulk grabbing the Asgardian and unceremoniously smashing him repeatedly into the ground. The use of comedy at such an unexpected moment would come to define the MCU, appearing in most films from that point on. The use of levity to offset the inherent self-seriousness of the genre is a trick that will undoubtedly continue to be employed in upcoming Marvel movies, and it started back in Phase 1.

7 Captain America’s Heroic Sacrifice

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

The MCU’s Phase 1 saw multiple moments of heroic sacrifice, with both Captain America and Thor making difficult personal sacrifices in service of the greater good. Captain America’s moment in particular proved massively influential for the MCU’s future: after making the impossible choice to sacrifice himself, he awakes in the future to be faced with the impact of his decision. The heroic choice, the complex emotional fallout, and the eventual happy ending is something that has become a part of multiple narrative arcs in the MCU, but it all started with Phase 1’s own origin stories.

6 Black Widow’s Introduction

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Iron Man 2 may not be the most popular entry in Phase 1, but it featured a moment that started a specific MCU trend. The introduction of Black Widow in a supporting 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 key players. In the years since, many movies and TV shows have employed similar tactics in introducing new characters to the MCU, following Iron Man 2’s example.

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

The Avengers (2012)

The Battle of New York was a hugely pivotal moment for the MCU as a whole, but one particular moment stands out as especially influential in a conceptual sense. Bruce Banner’s reveal of the secret to controlling the Hulk comes in a single line of dialogue when he announces, “That’s my secret, Cap… I’m always angry.” It’s a dramatic and unforgettably quotable line delivered at a crucial moment, setting a precedent that many MCU movies have followed. Infinity War and Endgame both have similar moments, with characters delivering devastating or important lines before turning the tide of battle.

4 Thor’s Infinity Gauntlet Easter Egg

Thor (2011)

The MCU has become well-known for hiding Easter eggs and teasing future story developments, but back in Phase 1, the idea was still in its infancy. 2011’s Thor saw the very brief inclusion of an Infinity Gauntlet stashed in Odin’s vault, subtly confirming the existence of Infinity Stones within the franchise. The Easter egg seemingly set up the Infinity Saga arc, and despite being a incredibly minor moment, it was the first example of the MCU’s use of tiny references that teased much bigger future stories.

3 Bruce Banner & Betty Ross’ Romantic Subplot

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Incredible Hulk isn’t the most popular movie in the MCU, and one particular moment actually came to define the franchise for all the wrong reasons. The film’s dramatic exploration of a romantic subplot between Bruce Banner and Betty Ross largely distracted from the action and excitement of its story, and the poor response to the film saw this idea changed in future MCU movies. While the MCU hasn’t shied away from including romantic interests, it has avoided overly dramatic exploration of the idea, instead using them as comedic opportunities – perhaps thanks to The Incredible Hulk’s unpopular romantic scenes.

2 Nick Fury’s Post-Credits Appearance

Iron Man (2008)

One of the tropes that’s now synonymous with superhero cinema actually got its true start in the MCU’s first-ever film. Iron Man introduced Nick Fury in a post-credits scene that also confirmed the existence of other heroes, teasing the shared universe and hinting at an Avengers crossover. The use of a post-credits scene to tease an expansion of a shared movie universe has become a part of the very fabric of the MCU, and it all began with the unforgettable moment at the end of Iron Man way back in Phase 1.

1 “I Am Iron Man”

Iron Man (2008)

Perhaps the most iconic moment in all of Phase 1, the ending of Iron Man saw Tony Stark announce his superhero alter-ego to the world. The improvised moment marked a significant departure from comic book canon, and Stark’s significant role in the franchise meant it also came to define the MCU’s story in a major way. As it communicated the MCU’s willingness to distance itself from elements of the comics, the scene shaped the franchise in a major way. In that, and in a wider narrative sense, Tony Stark’s “I am Iron Man” moment came to define the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.