The Infinity Saga of the MCU was nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece, weaving together 23 movies and over 10 years of storytelling into a cohesive narrative that built the Avengers from the ground up and brought them face-to-face against the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). Each new Marvel release was a cultural phenomenon, with fans lining up to buy tickets weeks before the premiere. And each new installment left audiences buzzing, gave them iconic scenes featuring their favorite Avengers, and left them desperate to know what came next.
Fast forward to today’s Multiverse Saga, and it feels like Marvel has lost its way. Almost all the original Avengers are gone or replaced. The post-credits scenes seem to go nowhere. The writing and VFX, which once set the standard, have become points of contention. But hey, let’s not dwell on the present. Today, we’re throwing it back to the good old days of the MCU. Here are the five most iconic scenes from the Infinity Saga that defined an entire generation of superhero cinema.
5. Thor Introducing Captain America to Groot in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
After years apart, Captain America (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finally reunited in Avengers: Infinity War, and their banter was just golden. Cap points out Thor’s haircut. Thor then compliments Cap’s beard and introduces him to the little tree fighting alongside them. Groot (Vin Diesel) skewers three Outriders with one of his branches and says, “I am Groot,” and Cap can’t help but think he is being introduced. So, with all the sincerity in the world, he responds with, “I am Steve Rogers.” It’s hilarious, and it’s a perfect example of what Marvel does so well — finding those moments of character-based humor in the midst of absolute chaos.
4. Scarlet Witch Officially Embracing the Avenger in Her in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
Avengers: Age of Ultron initially introduced Wanda as a villain fighting alongside Ultron. But she has a change of heart and decides to join the Avengers midway through the movie. Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) are hiding in cover and she’s guilt-stricken over everything she’s done, but Clint gives her a reality check. He tells her straight up: the city’s flying, he’s fighting robots with a bow and arrow, and none of what she did in the past matters. What matters is she’s an Avenger now and it’s all about what she does next.
And with that pep talk, Wanda truly becomes an Avenger. She walks out the door and decimates one Ultron sentry after another in one of the most badass action scenes in all of MCU history. This moment shows how powerful Wanda really is and all the good she’s got in her heart. Plus, it hits even harder knowing how her character’s fate in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
3 .Avengers’ First Encounter With Guardians of the Galaxy in Space in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
This is hands down the perfect example of MCU humor done just right. In Avengers: Infinity War, the Guardians and the Avengers finally cross paths, and both teams think the other is in cahoots with Thanos. Chaos ensues. Peter (Tom Holland) is afraid Mantis (Pom Klementieff) will lay her eggs in him. Drax (Dave Bautista) fights with Doctor Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) cape.
And it all culminates in an epic standoff. Quill (Chris Pratt) demands to know where Gamora (Zoe Saldana) is. Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) hits back with, “I’ll do you one better. Who’s Gamora?” And then, just when you think it can’t get any better, Drax chimes in with, “Why is Gamora?” This nonsensical outburst has become one of the most quoted lines in the MCU.
But it doesn’t even stop there. Doctor Strange, attempting to gain some semblance of control, asks Quill, “What master do you serve?” and Quill replies with “Jesus.” Tony questions if Quill is from Earth, and Quill being Quill, fires back with, “No, I’m from Missouri,” totally oblivious to the fact that Missouri is, in fact, on Earth. It’s just one wacky comment after another, and it’s exactly how we all imagined the Guardians meeting the Avengers. It’s moments like these that remind us why we love(d) the MCU so much.
2. Captain America Pick Up Mjolnir in ‘Avengers: Endgame’
Though Avengers: Age of Ultron might not be everyone’s favorite MCU movie, there’s one scene that really stands out: the Avengers’ post-victory party. It was a breath of fresh air to see our heroes in their downtime, where they’re just kicking back and enjoying life together. And during the party, there’s a moment where they all try to lift Thor’s hammer, convinced there’s some secret trick to it. But the real shocker comes when Cap actually manages to budge the hammer, and for a split second, you can see all life drain from Thor’s face. It’s a tense moment… until Cap decides to step back, claiming he can’t do it after all.
Fast forward to Avengers: Endgame. The tide of battle had turned against the heroes. Thanos was beating Thor to a pulp when suddenly, out of nowhere, Mjolnir came flying in and smacked Thanos in the head. At first, we all thought it was Thor pulling off some last-minute heroics, but nope — it was Cap. He finally wielded the Mjolnir! If you were lucky enough to catch Avengers: Endgame in theaters on opening weekend, this scene probably lives rent-free in your head. People were screaming, cheering, crying. No other scene in the MCU, or perhaps even in cinematic history, has ever captured the power of shared storytelling and universal fandom quite like this one.
1. The Infinity Stone Snap by Tony Stark in ‘Avengers: Endgame’
Tony Stark’s sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame is the emotional climax of the entire Infinity Saga. When Doctor Strange gives him the signal that this is the one future where they win, Tony realizes what he must do. He swoops in with his nanotech and grabs the Infinity Stones from Thanos, who’s totally caught off guard. And then, he says, “I am Iron Man,” and snaps his fingers.
It is at this moment that you realize Tony’s journey has come full circle. It’s the phrase that both launched the MCU and brought the Infinity Saga to its close. The weight of the sacrifice etched on Tony’s face, the silence as Thanos’ army crumbles to dust, and the universe saved at such a personal cost, make Iron Man’s snap one of the most powerful and tear-jerking scenes in the entire Infinity Saga. If you miss MCU from its peak time, you will want to check out these 10 visionaries who might be perfect to direct the next Avengers Saga.
Follow Us
