Marvel Movies You Can Stream Before Avengers: Endgame
Prepare for the epic Avengers conclusion with these Marvel standouts streaming on Netflix
There is one thing that is dying with the strong trend of movies going to streaming services, and that is the theater experience. I have been lucky enough to find friends that like going to the theater for smaller movies, but the day when a random movie surprises and becomes a blockbuster hit like Jaws or The Matrix is less likely by the year, which is why using intellectual properties like the Marvel Comics is important. It keeps the theater experience alive. These movies are the catalyst that smaller movies need to keep theater as their home.
These big event type movies have brought about some of my favorite movie-going experiences. Dressing up and going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 while being a freshman in college will always be a fond memory. Star Wars coming back into our lives with The Force Awakens was truly special. In both scenarios I was surrounded by people who dropped their insecurities for a bit. These nerdy things sometimes have a stigma of being immature and some of those critiques are true, but enjoying these stories through the cinema is not one of them.
Avengers: Endgame comes out this weekend and it brings about our next big movie event and probably the biggest one this year. In honor of this truly massive event, Drew and I will be recommending our favorite Marvel movies… that are streaming.
Drew recommends…
Thor: Ragnarok (streaming on Netflix)
The first two Thor movies were semi-successful but a little dull, so Marvel did something different for Ragnarok: They let Thor be funny. Bringing in idiosyncratic director Taika Waititi was an unexpected and shrewd move, as Marvel allowed Waititi free rein over the Thor character. Because of this, Thor: Ragnarok feels fresh, loose, and wonderfully unique.
If you haven’t seen the first two Thors (or many Marvel movies at all), that’s okay. You can jump right in with Ragnarok and you’ll be entertained and delighted. The plot mechanics don’t mean as much here; it’s more about the action and humor. Chris Hemsworth has surprising comedic timing, as anyone who saw Ghostbusters (2016) can attest, and he turns in a very funny performance as Thor sans his mighty hammer and long hair. As Hulk, Mark Ruffalo makes for an excellent sparring partner in Ragnarok, and Tessa Thompson is incredibly charismatic as Valkyrie. Even the supporting actors are having a ball. It’s strange to see Cate Blanchett, one of our finest dramatic actresses, giving a campy performance as Thor’s evil sister, but she is clearly all-in on the part. Finally, Jeff Goldblum, who’s always a delight to see on screen, brings his witty and hilarious persona to the table.
Thor: Ragnarok is simply a bright and vibrant good time. The action and fight scenes are similar to other Marvel movies, but they take place against backgrounds that just look different from most comic book movies. The gladiator scene mid-way through is a good example of what makes Ragnarok so fun and different. As Thor sees that his opponent is the Hulk, he excitedly exclaims, “He’s a friend from work!”
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (streaming on Netflix)
There is probably no Thor: Ragnarok without Guardians of the Galaxy. The original Guardians movie set the Marvel template for the funny and irreverent superhero romp. In the sequel, we get more of our favorite characters joking around and having a great time.
Chris Pratt continues his run as a quippy leading man playing Peter Quill. But maybe the most impressive performances are from the rest of the Guardians. Zoe Saldana is a talented enough actor to bring emotional heft despite her ridiculous green makeup. As Rocket Raccoon, Bradley Cooper has a real knack for hilarious voice acting (this behind-the-scenes video of Cooper delivering his lines will brighten your day). And Vin Diesel returns this time as Baby Groot, to audiences’ great delight.
But it’s not all jokes and witty banter. Both Guardians movies are beloved partly because they possess real heart underneath the humor and CGI battles. For a casual Marvel fan like myself, precisely understanding the plot doesn’t matter as much as the relationships between the Guardians, and the film gives some space for that. Watching these characters interact makes for a wildly entertaining two hours.
Plus, if you like 70s music, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 provides a killer soundtrack for this space adventure. Fleetwood Mac, Electric Light Orchestra, George Harrison, and Cat Stevens all play during key scenes. What’s not to like about a movie that gives you that?
Billy recommends…
Avengers: Infinity War (streaming on Netflix)
Only one movie has met my expectations more than Avengers: Infinity War. That movie is La La Land. Both movies, in very different ways, had me so hyped when I walked in. La La Land had me excited because of the talent involved. For a nerdy film fan like myself that movie hit all the buttons perfectly. Somehow all my hyped expectations were demolished with that film. I loved it and still do. Avengers: Infinity War had that exact same effect, but for totally different reasons.
Sure, I love all of the actors in this movie and the director combo of Joe and Anthony Russo have made two of my favorite comic book movies prior to Infinity War, but what made me excited most of all was the time and investment I have made into the 18 movies prior. All of those movies are not my favorite movies of all-time. Some of them I don’t like at all. What makes these movies special is the event that comes with them.
Everything about Infinity War is exactly what I needed to satisfy the film nerd side of me and the THAT THING WENT BOOM side of me. What the Russo brothers do better than most directors is bring emotion with the action in every scene. Throughout, because of the way they directed the actors, we believe the stakes of this movie, particularly a scene where we have an amazing sequence with actors Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany.
I will not spoil what happens in that scene, but it encapsulates so many aspects to a great film in a matter of seconds. We see beautiful acting that conveys the severity of what the story has told us. Upon the movie ending I was so happy. The whole theater seemed to love it and I just got to go on a journey with a community of people that were feeling the same things I was. I cannot wait to do this all again with the premiere of Avengers: Endgame this weekend.
Our Top 3 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies
Drew:
Black Panther
Thor: Ragnarok
The Avengers
Billy:
Captain America: Civil War
Avengers: Infinity War
Iron Man
Streaming TV Corner
What we’re watching this week
Drew: Killing Eve (streaming on Hulu)
If you need a stylish and addictive show to binge over a weekend, boy, do I have the pick for you. This female-led spy thriller is a globe-trotting pleasure to watch. Sandra Oh plays Eve Polastri, a British MI5 officer tasked with catching Villanelle (Jodie Comer), a talented hired assassin. The two women become obsessed with each other as Eve finds herself drawn to Villanelle’s charming and spontaneous intelligence, despite her clearly psychopathic behavior.
Not only does Killing Eve have incredible performances, but everything from the dialogue to the music is quite distinct and original. Season two is currently airing on BBC America, but you can binge the first season on Hulu right now.
Billy: Catastrophe (streaming on Amazon Prime)
I binged four seasons of this show in a week. It was embarrassing. This show follows a man and woman who hook up while Rob Norris (Rob Delaney) is in London on business. Upon getting back to the United States the woman he hooked up with, Sharon Morris (Sharon Horgan), tells Rob that she is pregnant. We get an incredibly funny and sincere show with Catastrophe. They touch topics as serious as alcoholism and as silly as pillow talk. Check this one out. It’s cute.
The Office Episode of the Week
Drew: “Drug Testing” (S2 E20)
This is the one where Dwight finds a joint in the office parking lot and schedules a drug test to find the culprit. However, Michael thinks he may have accidentally gotten high at an Alicia Keys concert (I mean, who among us… right?). After Michael tries to prove how anti-drug he is in a classic pointless conference room meeting (“This year more people will use cocaine than will read a book to their children”), he forces a conflicted Dwight to give him his clean urine. Actual quote from Dwight: “I want him to have all the urine he needs.”
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