As arguably one of (if not) the most successful franchises in silverscreen history – those box office numbers don’t lie – the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), anchored by the ensemble-casted Avengers movies, has been an emotional rollercoaster during its initial four phases.

Ever since the MCU kicked off in 2008 with the original Iron Manfilm, the franchise has garnered countless diehard fans. And when things go well for the good guys, or a callback to another beloved scene goes down onscreen, those fans get electrified – like a lightning bolt from Thor’s hammer. When this happens in the theaters, standard moviegoing etiquette (read: sitting quietly and not disturbing the experience for others) goes out the window. Instead, the crowd erupts with hoots and hollers and celebratory popcorn tossing into the air.

For a few of the most-memorable, most cheer-worthy moments in MCU history (so far), keep reading.

Spoiler Alert: You’ve Been Warned.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

12 Girl Power - Avengers: Endgame

     Marvel Studios

Amidst the final battle of Avengers: Endgame, there’s a moment in which all female Avengers unite to deliver some serious damage to Thanos’ army. Even some non-official Avengers joined in the female frenzy, like Valkyrie (of Asgard), Nakia (of Wakanda), Pepper Potts (in an Iron Man suit), and Mantis (of Guardians of the Galaxy).

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

11 “I’m something of a scientist myself.” - Spider-Man: No Way Home

         Sony Pictures Releasing

The line, originally delivered by Willem Dafoe, from 2002’s Tobey Maguire-starring Spider-Man has become an enduring staple in meme culture. And Dafoe got to repeat the line, to the delight of fans, when he reprised the role of Green Goblin in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home.

10 Hulk Smash(es Loki) - The Avengers

Everyone knows Hulks signature superpower: smashing. And so, when it appeared that Loki had the upper hand in The Avengers (2012), Hulk delivered a serious reality check to the God of Mischief. Even Loki, ever the cool and collected character, was shocked by Hulk’s sheer smashing power.

9 Daredevil’s Big Screen Debut - Spider-Man: No Way Home

The MCU is full of crossovers and cameos. And in Spider-Man: No Way Home, a film full of characters coming back to make surprise appearances thanks to the multiverse, fans got to see Charlie Cox, eponymous star of the Daredevil TV series, make his official big screen debut.

8 Steve Rogers Gets Jacked - Captain America: The First Avenger

Before he was administered the Super Soldier Serum, Steve Rogers was a puny, albeit excessively fearless, Average Joe willing to do anything to stop evil. But then he was physically transformed in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), and fans got a first-look at Chris Evans’ hunky physique.

7 Captain Marvel Arrives in Style - Avengers: Endgame

When the chips were down, and the good guys were losing steam in the epic final battle of Avengers: Endgame, Captain Marvel, often considered one of the most powerful Avengers, showed up to offer some serious backup. She entered the battlefield by blasting through – and taking down – one of Thanos’ giant battleships. A huge win for the good guys.

6 Hulk Shows up to Fight Thor - Thor: Ragnarok

In Thor: Ragnorok, the titular hero finds himself stranded and enslaved on the wild world of Sakaar. After the Grandmaster (played by Jeff Goldblum) realizes Thor’s god-level combat abilities, he throws him into the gladiator pit. To Thor’s (and the audience’s) surprise, he has to fight his friend and fellow Avenger, The Hulk. However, Hulk isn’t as excited to see his old friend as Thor is.

5 “Wakanda Forever!” - Avengers: Infinity War

Catchphrases are common in the MCU. And Black Panther’s signature saying – “Wakanda Forever!” – is always a fan favorite. When Thanos’ forces infiltrate Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War, the various tribes put aside their differences to fight their common enemy and protect their home. But before they charge towards the incoming army of intergalactic monsters, Black Panther delivers his beloved battle cry to pump up his fellow fighters (and the crowd).

4 Harry Styles’ Surprise Appearance as Starfox - Eternals

     Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures 

The MCU is famous for its post-credits scenes. They give a glimpse at what’s to come in the franchise, leaving fans hanging on a cliff and anticipating the next installment. One of the more cheer-worthy post-credits scenes came with 2021’s Eternals. That was when heartthrob-popstar-turned-actor, Harry Styles, made his first appearance as Starfox (aka Eros), another Eternal and (shockingly) Thanos’ brother. After just a taste, now comes the mouthwatering speculation as to when Starfox will make his full-course-meal return to the MCU.

3 The Avengers Assemble for the First Time - The Avengers

​​​​​​The original six Avengers (Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Hawkeye) had some trouble before they officially came together as a team. They bickered; they were resistant to working with each other; they were resistant to Nick Fury’s vision of “earth’s mightiest heroes.” But that all changed with 2012’s Avengers, when the Chitauri, led by Loki and the Tesseract, invaded earth. The Avengers united as a team for the first time, and one epic scene shows them all together, battle-ready, before they go out to save the city (and the universe).

2 The Portal Scene - Avengers: Endgame

     Marvel StudiosDisney

Many moments in the MCU see the heroes facing overwhelming odds. But, what usually follows, is some development in which the tables turn, and the good guys get the upper hand. That was the case in Avengers: Endgame when, before facing Thanos and his massive alien army, Dr. Strange and the other sorcerers opened portals to bring in reinforcements – including the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Wakandans, and more.

1 Iron Man’s Snap - Avengers: Endgame

     Disney, Marvel Studios

As the heavily-anticipated climax to The Infinity Saga, Iron Man sacrificed it all in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. He snatched the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos, used the stones to decimate Thanos’ army, and then delivered his signature line: “I am Iron Man.” Although sadly, this meant the death of Iron Man in the process.