The Avengers

Author: Joss Whedon

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has changed the way movies are enjoyed, and The Avengers is a masterpiece of a comic movie. Featuring the team-up for all the previous MCU faces, plus the Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye and the incredibly locked-in performance of Scarlett Johansen as Black Widow, makes this an actor's film that also happens to be an action-adventure masterpiece. Director Joss Whedon manages to pull together a trio of fascinating stories, while allowing our superhuman heroes to seem almost, well… human. The story of an attack on Earth from beyond is pretty typical science fiction fare, but it's handled with a grace, and more than a good chunk of humour. Watching Loki as portrayed by the electric Tom Hiddleston, is a thing of delight, as he goes over-the-top, then comes back around and makes you realize he was underplaying it the whole time! As a villain, he's just about perfect, and when The Hulk gives him what-for, it is one of the most satisfying moments in recent cinematic history. Why it's on the list: The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a big part of why we're in a science fiction film explosion, and The Avengers is the best of 'em!