Here's the thing about Once Upon a Time: it started SO strong with such a cool concept from the creators of Lost. To that end, the format of each episode has similar constructions with a core character focus, frequent flashbacks to their fairytale pasts and how they connect to their present, as well as some really cool twists and ongoing mysteries (there's also a TON of Lost Easter eggs and references, and even actors who starred in both series). As a lover of Lost, this was initially a great replacement show, though it eventually fell apart with each new season. The problem was that my character investment got so deep that I had to keep watching even as the show gradually devolved.

Easily one of the best X-Men movies. The opportunity to see both the original cast and younger casts of X-Men in the same movie is exceptional. While of course DOFP has its plot holes and continuity errors Fox's X-Men universe is infamously known for, it's still a pretty creative and in-universe way to reboot the X-Men franchise with a new generation of actors by using one of the most beloved X-Men stories from the original comics.

The Wolverine has some of the coolest moments for Hugh Jackman's Logan. Primarily taking place in Japan, Wolverine's battle with the Yakuza on top of a bullet train is still one of my favorite superhero fight sequences of all time. While James Mangold rightfully gets a lot more credit for the masterpiece that was Logan, there's a lot to love from his first Wolverine movie as well, including Logan's struggle to let go of Jean Grey's death from The Last Stand.

One of my all-time favorite MCU movies. Winter Soldier takes great advantage of Steve Rogers' recent time displacement by having him operate in the modern world post-Avengers where the concepts of right and wrong have become far more ambiguous and compromised. This results in some incredible dynamics, especially following the movie's big reveal about SHIELD and Hydra. Winter Soldier definitely proved to Marvel Studios that playing with other genres (like a political/espionage thriller) can absolutely work in the MCU.

I truly believe Logan is one of the best comic book movies of all time. It doesn't rely on Easter eggs, major cameos, or a greater universe beyond its own existence. While all those have their place and can be exciting, it was truly refreshing and equally heartbreaking to simply see a beloved character in Hugh Jackman's Wolverine getting a final and deeply personal adventure after a long life of pain, rage, loss, and ultimately love at the very end of his story. (At the same time, was very happy with how Logan was integrated into DP&W as well).

Dial of Destiny is a prime example of "good but not great". Indy 5 does what it set out to do: to give Harrison Ford's Dr. Jones a nice ending that's fulfilling and happy. There are some dynamic action sequences, including the WWII flashback which opens the movie, though the villain could have been much better as well as the overall plot could have been a little more nuanced and dimensional. That said, Indy 5 is much better than Crystal Skull, which feels like a win in and of itself.

I've never understood why Age of Ultron gets such a bad rap. It's criminally underrated considering James Spader was the voice of Ultron, the Avengers were united and in their prime, amazing new heroes were introduced with Wanda, Pietro, and Vision, and there was even time for a Hulkbuster battle! The movie has some epic twists, and also serves as a key building block for the Infinity Saga's future. The only real problem was Ultron's apparent demise at the end, which felt like a massive waste of his potential.

I've still got a lot of love for The Force Awakens, even if it has somewhat been diminished in the light of the full sequel trilogy. Back in 2015, Force Awakens was full of exciting promise, and the movie itself is visually spectacular, particularly with the return of the Millennium Falcon which hadn't been seen on-screen in over 30 years. Harrison Ford's return and interactions with the new cast were perfect, as were the performances from Ridley, Boyega, and Isaac. It's just a shame that the sequels as a whole were executed so poorly, especially when The Force Awakens provided such a strong foundation.

I thought Spider-Man: Far From Home was a powerful epilogue for Avengers: Endgame, showing Peter Parkerg grappling with his mentor's death while learning how to become his own hero while facing the pressures to become "The Next Iron Man". I also think Jake Gyllenhaal's casting as Mysterio was truly inspired, and the movie's final twist is STILL one of the best MCU post-credits scenes of all time. The shock was REAL.

From its very first teaser with Robin's "F--- Batman" line, we knew that Titans' entire goal was going to be dark and edgy. While that didn't always land and the series as a whole is fraught with issues, major props go to casting for the entire team of heroes, including its guest appearances. Robin's evolution to Nightwing is also a notable standout, even if it does come at the expense of the rest of the team.

Gunn's The Suicide Squad is an absolute thrill ride. Featuring prime moments of comedy, there are also moments of pure tear-jerking heart that Gunn is known for. When I think about this movie, I get even more excited that Gunn is guiding the next chapter of DC movies on-screen beginning with 2025's Superman and a whole new universe of possibilities.

I can't handle how awesome and hilarious this movie was. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman's chemistry was firing on all cylinders, including some truly heart-wrenching moments amid all the prime comedy. So many out-of-you-seat moments too. It was great being part of a cheering theater again for a major MCU win.

Moon Knight is one of my favorite MCU series by far. Bringing Marc Spector and his alters to life was superbly done, and Oscar Isaac nails it with his dual performances. Excited and hoping we get to see more down the line, either with a second season or in a supernatural team-up (Midnight Sons!).

While I have a hard time picking my favorite MCU movie (let alone Avengers crossovers), Infinity War truly does stand apart as something truly unique and impressive. In my mind, Thor's "Bring Me Thanos!" moment is just as epic and powerful as Captain America's "Worthy" scene with Mjolnir in Endgame. The Battle of Wakanda intercut with the Battle on Titan is truly amazing as it all builds up to the tragic and unforgettable moment that was The Snap.

Captain America: Civil War is basically Avengers 2.5, and that's why I love it so much.

Coming from The Russo Brothers, Civil War deals with the public's concerns over recent events involving the Avengers such as Age of Ultron's Battle of Sokovia and more events where massive destruction took place. Creating the Sokovia Accords where the UN would have oversight over the Avengers, this new legislation divides Earth's Mightiest Heroes with Captain America being against the Accords and Iron Man being in .

Boasting a large cast as big as any Avengers movie at the time, the lines drawn in Civil War and the teams of heroes that clash are incredible, as well as the MCU debuts of both Black Panther and Spider-Man. Civil War also serves to be an effective bridge between the second and third Avengers movies, dividing its heroes when they should have been united.

That said, the focal point throughout is still Steve Rogers' Captain America and his refusal to bend when he so firmly believes that he's fighting for is right. To see that clash with Iron Man's desire to finally be held able even if it means sacrificing certain freedoms was amazing to see in the MCU, making it one of my favorite Marvel movies to this day.

2017's Thor: Ragnarok works because it's SUCH an amazing departure from the MCU's first two Thor films. It's absolutely in my Top 10 favorite MCU films of all time.

Coming from director Taika Waititi, the third Thor movie is infused with some incredible humor and character dynamics for the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) that had never been seen before, while also mixing his status as a Norse god with an intergalactic space opera adventure alongside Bruce Banner's Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and of course his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

There's so much to love about Thor: Ragnarok, including the gladiatorial face-off between Thor and Hulk, the MCU debut of the Goddess of Death Hela (Cate Blanchett), as well as Thor and Loki getting to reconcile ahead of 2018's Avengers: Infinity War.

Although Waititi's next Thor movie Love and Thunder in 2022 arguably took what worked in Ragnarok and took it too far with some controversial results, it doesn't change the fact that Thor: Ragranok was exactly what was needed for the character at the time, setting Thor up perfectly to become one of the most epic heroes in Avengers: Infinity War.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 absolutely broke me in the best way possible. While some of these cosmic MCU characters will likely make returns in the future, GOTG Vol. 3 is an incredible send-off for the team as it had existed under the direction of James Gunn (now a head of DC Studios). Culminating the trilogy which began with the first GOTG in 2014, Vol. 3 brings everything full circle. While the movie provides great arcs for each character, Vol 3 also proves that the real has truly been Rocket Racoon's all along.

Great performances, a captivating villain with Chukwudi Iwuji's High Evolutionary, and an amazing soundtrack/mixtape rivaling the previous two movies, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is one of my favorite MCU movie post-Avengers: Endgame. It's a beautifully tragic, hilarious, and heartwarming chapter to end James Gunn's time in the MCU with one of the best teams of heroes.

The first live-action Star Wars series on Disney+, The Mandalorian will always be one of my favorite shows. Starring Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, the Mandalorian bounty hunter's entire life is forever altered when he's hired by the fracture Empire to retrieve Grogu (aka the one and only "Baby Yoda"). However, Djarin decides to keep the child under his care and return him to his people (the Jedi), kickstarting a grand adventure for the duo during the New Republic Era that has since spanned 3 seasons with an movie on the way (The Mandalorian & Grogu).

Coming from Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, The Mandalorian is an amazing Star Wars show even in its weakest moments (which are few). Although a good chunk of Din Djarin and Grogu's post-season 2 arc is found in The Book of Boba Fett ahead of the third season, their adventures together are incredibly exciting nonetheless as they transform into an adoptive father and son duo traveling the galaxy between the original and sequel trilogies of films.

Featuring exciting character appearances, dynamic villains (like Giancarlo Esposito Moff Gideon), expansions of canonical Mandalorian lore, and more, there's a reason why The Mandalorian has become the cultural phenomenon it has (while also being a personal favorite).

Spider-Man: No Way Home is a perfect example of when multiverse movies are at their absolute best. The opportunity to see all three live-action Spider-Men alongside a collection of their villains is chock full of prime nostalgia for those who grew up watching Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man and Andrew Garfield's Webslinger. However, the third chapter of the "Home" trilogy also takes the time for Tom Holland's MCU Spider-Man to further grow as his own hero.

Filled with incredibly exciting moments that made movie theater audiences cheer and lose their minds, 2021's No Way Home will always be cited as one of the best MCU movie post-Avengers: Endgame. It also holds a special place in my heart as a massive lover of Spider-Man and every version that has come to the big screen. It truly is a love letter to Spider-Man as a whole and everything that's come before, while also setting up a dynamic future for the MCU's Peter Parker going forward.