The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films are often criticized for all being similar. And it's true that, overall, there are elements that come up fairly regularly. The proof is in these 12 recurring plot ideas in the MCU. 12 events that come up fairly regularly in MCU films. These processes highlight the genre's commonplaces and a form of lazy writing.
12) A flashback or a prologue
MCU films often begin with a flashback or a prologue. The MCU likes to rewind its story before it even begins (or halfway through). There are plenty of examples. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 opens with Kurt Russell in the 1980s, Iron Man 2 starts with a flashback around Whiplash, Black Panther tells the Oakland prologue with Killmonger, the youth of Shang-Chi, the murder of Tony's parents by Bucky, etc, etc... A fairly classic method and infinitely reusable which allows to connect the dots between the different opuses of the MCU. It is also a simple and extremely used means in the seventh art to easily give depth and a background to the characters presented. It is also, very often, a plot twist and an admission of failure in terms of plot progression.
11) Self-centered heroes
Very often, before our protagonists become superheroes, they are self-centered characters. Especially in Phase 1 of the MCU. Tony Stark in Iron Man, Odinson in Thor, Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange, all these characters, self-centered, full of themselves, feel immortal, invincible and unattainable. It takes a tragedy, an accident, a shock, for these characters to wake up and work to become the best versions of themselves. In Iron Man, Tony Stark is kidnapped in Afghanistan and held prisoner; in Thor, Odin disinherits his son and takes away his power as the God of Thunder; and in Doctor Strange, it takes a violent car accident for Stephen to question himself.
10) A villain who isn't really bad
The MCU is full of supervillains who aren't really supervillains. Killmonger in Black Panther, the Phantom in Ant-Man and the Wasp, Loki, Whiplash in Iron Man 2, The Taskmaster in Black Widow, they all have good reasons for becoming evil. The MCU has decided to opt for more nuanced, more modern antagonists, in line with the comics. Most of the time, the villains in Marvel movies have good reasons for becoming evil. And most of the time, these villains become good over time. The proof is in Thunderbolts!
9) Some funny sidekicks
Happy in Iron Man, Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy, Ned in Spider-Man, Luis in Ant-Man, Korg in Thor: Ragnarok, the MCU is full of more or less convincing sidekicks. A classic of the superhero genre as a whole.
8) Stan Lee's cameos
Honestly, we kind of miss Stan Lee's cameos. How could we forget the iconic appearances of Stan the Man over the years? Stan Lee's cameos had become a tradition, an inseparable element of Marvel movies, and a little treat we eagerly awaited. We miss you, Stan!
7) A big final battle
Obviously, any self-respecting superhero movie must end with a big final battle. A titanic clash between several factions, often accompanied by an army or two. An opposition that often results in the destruction of an entire city. New York in Avengers, Sokovia in Age of Ultron, Washington D.C. in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, London in Thor: The Dark World. Frankly, an MCU film that doesn't end with the destruction of a city, more or less large, doesn't exist.
6) A fake death
We know it, we keep repeating it, dying in the Marvel universe is a feat. It feels like no one ever dies in this universe. Bucky in Captain America: The First Avenger, Gamora in Infinity War, Odin in Thor, all the characters in Infinity War. The MCU doesn't know how to kill off its characters and spends its time bringing them back one way or another. Don't believe us? Ask Loki!
5) An iconic shot
Obviously, a good superhero recipe always contains one or two iconic shots of the superhero team. The circular shot in the first Avengers, the Avengers running to Wakanda in Infinity War, the all-female shot of Endgame, every MCU movie, and more broadly every superhero movie, must have its iconic shot!
4) Improving a costume
Generally, from one movie to the next, our favorite heroes undergo improvements. They are either physical or they concern their costumes. There are many examples. Iron Man changes armor about three times per movie, Spider-Man has countless upgrades to his suits, Sam Wilson had a drastic upgrade to his suit when he got Captain America's shield, Bucky had a vibranium arm, etc., etc. 3) A big portal
Often, in superhero movies, characters always find a way to teleport to save time. Obviously, it would take time if our heroes had to travel on foot, by car, or even by ship to the four corners of the galaxy. So to overcome this story problem, the writers use portals. Lots of portals. Portals everywhere all the time! Loki in the first Avengers, Thanos in Infinity War and Endgame, the TVA in Loki, Dr. Strange and Wong throughout the MCU, America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, portals in the MCU are absolutely everywhere! 2) An unexpected cameo. Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Abomination in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Quicksilver in WandaVision, Matt Damon in Thor: Ragnarok, David Hasselhoff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the MCU has always had a knack for giving us massive and unexpected appearances.
1) The post-credits scenes
It's the basis of the basis. Marvel Studios has literally created a movement with the use of post-credits scenes. A process that already existed before, certainly, but which was rarely used. The MCU has created a form of tradition, of instant identification. Post-credits scenes are now inseparable from MCU films. So much so that other franchises have copied this mode of operation. Sony took up this process with its Spider-Man films, Pirates of the Caribbean started doing the same thing, the DCEU too. In short, Marvel has created a movement in the Hollywood industry.
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