Following the events of »Captain America - Civil War,« the Avengers are divided, with Iron Man's faction operating under the UN and Captain America's team going underground. They face their greatest threat yet when Thanos, seeking to dominate the galaxy with the Infinity Stones, targets Earth, prompting a coalition of Avengers, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Thor, and the Guardians of the Galaxy to unite against him. Directed by the Russo brothers, »Avengers: Infinity War« (2018) delivers a heart-wrenching cliffhanger as Thanos succeeds, leaving the fate of the universe uncertain until the saga's conclusion in the next installment.

Marvel Studios' films, particularly »Thor: Ragnarok,« directed by Taika Waititi, showcase the studio's ability to blend different styles into a successful and coherent meta-narrative within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This third Thor film and 17th installment in the MCU stands out as a comedic masterpiece that combines humor with subversive and socially critical tones, featuring standout performances by Chris Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hiddleston, and more. Unlike Warner Brothers' faltering DC Universe attempts, Marvel excels at entertaining mass audiences while satisfying hardcore fans, demonstrating that even a film about gods and spaceships can tackle serious themes with a light-hearted approach.

When the latest mission of the Avengers, led by Captain America, results in numerous innocent casualties, the United Nations passes the Sokovia Agreement, dividing the heroes into factions. Tony Stark (Iron Man) supports the decree, while Steve Rogers (Captain America) views it as a threat to their autonomy, leading to a split and eventual conflict between the two sides, with each superhero contributing meaningfully to the plot. »Captain America: Civil War,« directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, skillfully balances an intricate narrative and character development, drawing favorable comparisons to »Batman v Superman« while maintaining humor and self-irony, setting a new benchmark for superhero ensemble films.

In the summer of 2015, as superhero fatigue was setting in and Marvel's cinematic universe was reaching peak saturation, the studio took its biggest gamble yet with its smallest hero. Ant-Man, starring Paul Rudd as a cat burglar turned microscopic crusader, seemed destined for failure. The project had lost its original director Edgar Wright after eight years of development, the concept felt inherently silly even by comic book standards, and audiences appeared increasingly weary of origin stories. Yet somehow, this modestly-scaled film about a hero who can shrink to the size of an insect emerged as one of Marvel's most charming and significant entries, marking a crucial pivot point in the studio's approach to storytelling.

»Captain America - Wintersoldier« is a dark, serious Marvel Studios film, reminiscent of 70s spy thrillers, starring Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, who grapples with modern moral dilemmas after awakening from a long sleep. The plot revolves around Rogers and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) navigating post-alien invasion America, facing internal threats and the mysterious Winter Soldier, while dealing with themes of loyalty, justice, and national security. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film is praised for its action, genre-blending, and nuanced performances, delivering a complex and engaging cinematic experience for Marvel fans.