Unlock the Ultimate MCU Power Ranking: Which Marvel Movie Truly Packs a Knockout Punch?
Following the death of franchise star Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was never going to be an easy movie to make—or an easy movie to watch. But while it’s uncertain if Wakanda Forever is a better movie than the original (we put the two films back-to-back on our list because it’s just so hard to choose), it feels pretty reasonable to say that director Ryan Coogler has outdone himself with Wakanda Forever. In this sequel, he not only manages to pay tribute to his late star, but also push the story forward, give his remaining characterssome significant character development, and continue expanding on the world of Wakanda in a way that Marvel’s other sub-franchises don’t dream of.
With T’Challa’s (Boseman) death rolled into the plot of the movie, Wakanda Forever instead focuses on its characters grief, and the process of mourning and moving on from their late king. Coogler gives it its time, but makes sure to again include the same kinds of exciting set pieces and action sequences that made the first Black Panther so much fun. And the new characters bring it too: Tenoch Huerta is a revelation as the anti-hero Namor (and the scenes in his underwater kingdom of Talokan are stunning), and Riri Williams has us all champing at the bit to see Ironheart hit Disney+ next year.
Above all, the most valuable person involved with Wakanda Forever has to be Ryan Coogler. This is a movie with far more in common with something like The Batman or Dune than most of the zippy Marvel films on the rest of this list.
MCU understanding needed? As long as you’ve seen the first Black Panther you should be good to go.
23. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
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