My favorite phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Phase 4. It has diversity and flows with each character’s story arc; despite its flaws, it is one of the best phases of them all. 

“Ms. Marvel” is one of the most recent releases to come out of Phase 4. It’s a big step for Marvel to have a Muslim-Pakistani-American actor. I’m glad to see more diverse groups of people getting more representation in one of history’s most prominent movie franchises. 

One of the first few phases of Marvel in Phase 4 is “Loki,” a series streaming on Disney Plus. It’s one of my top favorites out of all of the Phase 4 movies and shows. Loki is a top-rated show, recently renewed for a much-anticipated second season. The ending of the show introduced the multiverse to the MCU and set up other big movies such as “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Spiderman: No Way Home.”

A particular movie in Phase 4, “Black Widow,” is at the top of the list of my favorite movies. She is the first woman to get a solo film in the franchise. Sadly, “Black Widow” is her last movie in the Marvel franchise, but as Scarlett Johansson says in the film,  “Goodbye – but if you love something, you have to set it free.” In my opinion, Natasha Romanoff should have gotten three movies, but the one we got was pretty good. It shows the raw and real dangers that women and girls face every day. 

An issue with the recent batch of Marvel films is that not every movie and show in Phase 4 has connected and shown the greater plot at hand. I felt somewhat confused after watching the new projects. From my point of view, nothing seemed to click or tie into a bigger idea, and every show and movie should play a more significant part. I’m just waiting for the new Avengers movie, which I hope will make sense and somehow find a way to connect the projects of phase 4 to a bigger plot. In the past, that’s how it played out. 

In Phases 1-3, the Avengers movies featured all the main characters coming together to fight a world-ending threat. After their separate journeys, the universe’s most powerful heroes join together to fight a battle to save the world. Hopefully, that’s what the new Avengers movie will depict.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” got some mixed reviews. It was directed by Sam Raimi, who is known for his work on horror movies. The movie went in a different direction for Marvel, as the studio doesn’t usually incorporate a lot of horror into their movies and TV shows. But I liked it because it fit Wanda Maximoff’s story arc. From experiencing the immense loss of her parents to joining an organization that manipulated Maximoff and her brother Pietro Maximoff into killing innocent people, seeing the love of her life die twice, and losing her kids. These losses leave her with no one by her side and unbearable lasting trauma. It makes sense that she snapped and became the villain of her own story. 

“Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever” is also in Phase 4 and has recently been released in theaters. The passing of Chadwick Boseman, who played Black Panther, and the cultural importance of the movie had a profound impact on fans. “Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever” also sets up future Marvel projects. It was the most anticipated movie in Phase 4. 

Phase 4 is the best phase of Marvel because it has diverse representation and has a greater significant impact on fans and the franchise than the other 3. Phase 4 also continues with the story of the original six superheroes; Black Widow, Iron Man, Captain America, Hawkeye, Hulk, and Thor.