Top 10 Marvel Moments That Left Us Speechless
#10: Liz’s Dad
Top 20 Movie Moments That Left us SPEECHLESS
“Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017) Being a teenage superhero can be stressful. In addition to trying to stop Adrian Toomes, the Vulture, Peter Parker also has to deal with high school stuff – like Homecoming Dance. When he turns up at his love interest Liz’s house, he and the audience are flabbergasted when the Vulture answers the door. Toomes is actually her father! Sure, the movie’s called “Homecoming,” so it had to tie into the plot somehow, but we didn’t think the villain would be Liz’s dad! It’s a great twist that made the Vulture not only more relatable, but arguably scarier! That scene in the car still gives us chills!
#9: A “Quick” Cameo
Top 20 Marvel Moments That Left Us Speechless
“WandaVision” (2021) “WandaVision” is quite the meta show, paying tribute to and parodying plenty of TV shows and tropes. One of these is stunt casting, and it worked like a charm! While Wanda and Vision are having an argument, Wanda has to answer the door, and who should appear but her long lost brother, Pietro Maximoff! Except, it’s Quicksilver as played by Evan Peters from the “X-Men” films! Everyone lost their minds with excitement over what this could mean with regards to the multiverse in the MCU. While the payoff was not as satisfying as the reveal (Ralph Bohner, really?), it was still a fun and surprising moment.
#8: Ego Both Gives & Is Cancer
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“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017) Ego, Peter Quill’s Celestial tool of a dad, is exposed as a villain, with a plan to spread throughout the galaxy like a cancer – making everyone a part of him. Having basically been brainwashed by Ego, this doesn’t concern Star-Lord too much and the audience kind of figured it out by then. But then he drops a bombshell – to stop himself from getting attached to Peter’s mom, Ego intentionally gave her brain cancer. The shock of this is so great, that it snaps Peter out of Ego’s control, and he just starts blasting him! If we weren’t still trying to get over this reveal, we’d be tempted to join him.
#7: The Mandarin Reveal
These Unexpected Movie Moments Left Us SPEECHLESS...
“Iron Man 3” (2013) The terrorist mastermind the Mandarin proves quite the threat to both Tony Stark/Iron Man, as well as the United States. His explosive soldiers and dark charisma gave him an air of menace. But, when Tony finally infiltrates the Mandarin’s compound, he’s dumbfounded to discover that the man he thought was the Mandarin is just a silly British actor named Trevor. The “real” Mandarin (not really, he came later) is Aldrich Killian, a scientist Tony once ditched at a party. While this twist certainly proved controversial, there’s no denying that nobody saw it coming! Who would expect using an actor of Ben Kingsley’s caliber as a misdirect?!
#6: Thanos’ Sacrifice
Gorr vs Thanos
“Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) The deaths in “Infinity War” are some of the hardest hitting in the franchise. While it was tempting to discuss Vision’s heartbreaking death, both of them, this one was arguably more surprising. After Gamora is forced to take Thanos to Vormir, the location of the Soul Stone, they’re told by its guardian, Red Skull, that Thanos must sacrifice what he loves most to obtain it. Gamora is first amused, since she believes Thanos loves no one, but she is proven tragically wrong, as Thanos cries for what he’s about to do. Despite Gamora’s attempts to deny him, Thanos throws his favorite daughter from the cliff. This death left us shook, both from grieving Gamora’s loss, and because of how committed Thanos was to his mission.
#5: A Bloodied Shield
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“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (2021) John Walker wasn’t most of our picks for a new Captain America, but as we saw more, we saw how the impossible expectations of the role wore on him. While engaging in battle with the Flag Smashers, Walker’s partner, Lemar, is accidentally killed by their leader, Karli Morgenthau. Enraged at the death of his friend, Walker pursues one of the Flag Smashers, demanding to know where Karli is. With the man at his mercy, Walker brutally kills him, as dozens look on and record it. We know Walker was under pressure, but to see him break like this and for him to tarnish Cap’s shield, once a symbol of hope, is appalling.
#4: Illuminati Demise
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022) The introduction of the Illuminati alone was a shock to the system! Old favorites returning in new roles in this universe? Patrick Stewart back as Professor X? And they cast John Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic?! But that shock was compounded soon after. Just as Dr. Strange tries to warn them, Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, pursues him into this universe. She confronts the Illuminati and proceeds to kill them all in creative and grisly ways! Well, all except for Mordo! Frankly, a fistfight with Strange is getting off easy, compared to what Wanda does to the others.
#3: Peter Who?
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“Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021) The third MCU “Spider-Man” film had surprises galore! Cameos, Easter eggs, in-jokes, callbacks – you name it, “No Way Home” has it! But that still didn’t prepare us for the emotional gut punch that is the ending. With reality coming apart and legions of Spider-Men’s enemies encroaching on New York, Peter asks Dr. Strange to make them leave the only way he knows how – a spell to make everyone forget him, not Spider-Man, mind you – Peter Parker. Peter promises to come find Ned and M.J. after they’ve forgotten, and he’s true to his word on that account. It’s rough seeing him meet them and for them to not recognize him. It’s even tougher to watch him decide not to tell them, to keep them safe.
#2: Cap Brings the Thunder
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“Avengers: Endgame” (2019) “Endgame” had so many jaw dropping, epic moments that we could have chosen. The portal scene alone had everyone shouting incoherently. But our pick goes to a moment slightly before that one. Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America face off in a 3v1 against Thanos. Things look dire for the god of thunder when the other two are seemingly out of commission and Thanos has him at his mercy. That’s when Thor’s hammer Mjolnir rises and strikes the Mad Titan in the back! It then returns to Cap’s hand! Fans were hopeful beforehand, and of course a man as good as Steve Rogers was worthy, but knowing and seeing are two different things. Easily one of the best surprises we’ve gotten yet in the MCU! Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: The Winter Soldier Killed Tony’s Parents, “Captain America: Civil War” (2016) If Anything Could Tear the Avengers Apart, It’s a Personal Tragedy Like This The Secret’s Out, “Spider-Man: Far From Home” (2019) Peter’s Reaction Just About Sums It Up Introducing Starfox, “Eternals” (2021) A Troll Introducing Thanos’ Brother, Played by Harry Styles, Was on No One’s Bingo Card! Hela Breaks Mjolnir, “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017) Thor’s Hammer Felt So Intrinsic to His Character That Its Loss Was Devastating A “Devilishly” Good Lawyer, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021) Matt Murdock Returns From Netflix Purgatory
#1: The Snap
Top 10 Marvel Moments That Will Make You Cry
“Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) Throughout “Infinity War,” Thanos proves he’s a capable and threatening villain. Even so, most viewers who hadn’t read the comics still didn’t think he would actually succeed. How naïve we were. After acquiring all the Infinity Stones, Thanos seems poised to kill half of all life in the universe. But then Thor arrives, and lands a decisive blow! Except…his aim was off. Thanos still manages to snap his fingers. He departs, and then, many of our favorite heroes dissolve into dust. It can’t be overstated how astonishing this moment is. Marvel is supposed to be the upbeat franchise! They can’t kill off half your characters like this! But they did. Temporarily, at least.
