In 2008,Iron Manblasted into theatres and Tony Stark deliver the goods the hearts of audiences around the world . Now , 11 years and 21 movies later , Tony Stark is taking to the filmdom again —   but a few things have changed along the way . From increased nonage agency to more relatable scoundrel , theMCUhas germinate with the time , changing its formula to better muse the shifting tastes and increasing social awareness of New society .

But film do not justrespondto cultural drift — they also have a central purpose increatingthem . As Uncle Ben has read far too many fourth dimension on the big screen , with great power fare great responsibility , and Marvel seems to take its character as a ethnical influencer very in earnest ,   helping to pave the elbow room towards a more progressive era of filmmaking .

Here are eight ways Marvel has switch sinceIron Man(for the good ) .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

Social Commentary

When you go to a superhero movie , you probably expect to see bighearted detonation and alien invasion — not poignant social commentary on the ill that plague modern society . But late Marvel celluloid have been exploring deep themes than optical maser - eyes , sweep up plot line that come up to social issues like racism , sexism and inequality . Black Pantherexplored the generational effect of racism in America andCaptain Marvelput the female experience in the glare , demonstrating how differently men and women are treat on a day-by-day basis and the ways this affects people .

Although earlier Marvel films may have offered the casual comment on the importance of bravery and teamwork , the MCU has become increasingly progressive , exploring not just on how we can become the best versions of ourselves , but also how we can create a more just and equal society for those we partake this major planet with .

Better Villains

Back in the early days of the MCU , most of the villains were wild megalomaniac design on one of two   thing — power or revenge ( or both ) . As lovely   as it is to keep an eye on psychopathic super - villains wreak havoc for mayhem ’s interest , when almost every pic features an antagonist with similar motivations , thing   can start to feel a bit repetitive . However , some of the more recent   Marvel movies have steered away from   these stereotypical villains , instead make relatable antagonists with complex   motivations   for our Hero to confront off against .

InSpider - Man : Homecoming , the Vulture was a family man who turned to law-breaking because he could n’t make enough money as a member of the working form . InBlack Panther , it was the   injury and racialism that Killmonger get as a child that drove him to embrace violence as a way of life . And although Thanos is definitely a megalomaniac , he too is force back by a complex account , striving to balance the universe by preventing the same crisis that decimated his household planet . Superhero movies are define by their villains , and recently , Marvel has been define itself with antagonists who are as relatable and complicated as they are downright potent .

Minority representation

For most of the preceding 11 years , the MCU has been as white ( and as male ) as the first 43 Presidents of the United States . With the exclusion of Black Widow , all of the main heroes were white men , and if a individual of color did star in a film , they were usually confined to the by-line as a sidekick or a author of comic relief , like Colonel Rhodes inIron Manor Luis inAnt - Man . Female characters were either love interest , damoiselle in hurt , or over - sexualize heroines clothe in form - check onesies .

Higher Quality Writing

AlthoughIron ManandThe Avengerswere great films , it ’s intemperate to deny that some of the early movie of the MCU have   less than prima composition . The first two installments of theThorfranchise were underwhelming at best , and bothCaptain America : The First AvengerandIron Man 2met with mixed reexamination from critics .

But ever since 2014 , Marvel seems to have   put great focus on writing   and it almost feels like the MCU can do no wrong . FromCaptain America : Civil WartoThor : RagnaroktoBlack Panther , almost every plus to the MCU in the last four year has boast   a compelling storyline and well - written dialogue , proving that superhero films can have more to them than press scenes and special effects .

More Humor

Although the early Marvel movie were surely funny , they did n’t utilise witticism to the same extent   as more recent photographic film . Early MCU films may have sprinkled in a few laugh here and there , but at their core , they were still primarily action - risky venture movies focused on the drama of the hero ’s journeying .

However , fromGuardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2toThor : Ragnarok , some   of the more recent additions to the MCU have feel primarily like comedies that just so happen to star superheroes . Whether it ’s Drax preaching about invisibility or Spider - Man making fifteen soda water civilisation references per minute , Marvel pic have become as well known for their hilarious dialogue   as their superheroes .

Fewer “cringe” moments

In the last few decades , Hollywood has undergo drastic changes . Even just ten years ago , the huge majority of picture show objectified women , with female character often scantily clad and almost always tied to a romantic subplot .

The MCU has come a long means since its early days in 2008 , but even Marvel is n’t gratuitous of it own cringe - desirable moments . Black Widow was almost always objectified when she was first introduced to the MCU , and   in one of the lowest moments of the MCU , the author chose to hush up the Ancient One inDoctor Strange , a theatrical role who is Tibetan in the comic strip . But as the years have passed , Marvel has become more and more   reform-minded , ferment towards more equality on the big blind . InAvengers : Infinity War , the only timewecringed was during that infamous Snap .

Exploring Different Genres

In the beginning , most of the Marvel films follow a similar recipe , telling the story of a troubled protagonist   who finds   courage and saves the daytime . But as the MCU continued to enlarge , the writer initiate to branch out and incorporate aspects of   different genres into their pic . Although all of the Marvel movies   fall under the comic book   genre , some recent summation to the franchise have feel like more than simple superhero flicks .

Captain America : The Winter Soldierfelt as much like a spy thriller as a superhero film , andSpider - Man : Homecomingechoed the nostalgia and innocence of come - of - historic period motion picture likeFerris Bueller ’s Day OffandThe Breakfast Club(films the director separate the mold to watch as " prep " ) . Movies   likeThor : RagnarokandAnt - Manare comedic gold , drawing as many jape as films likeThe HangoverorBridesmaids . As Marvel continues to expand , it will for certain stay to explore different writing style . Who jazz ? Someday , we might even have a superhero western .

More focus on lesser-known heroes

Before lesser - known heroes like Ant - Man , Doctor Strange and Black Panther creep , magicked and clawed their way into theatres , the MCU focused on the big - name bomber of Marvel , bringing renowned friend like Iron Man , Thor and Captain America to the big screens . However , as the on-going success of the MCU became obvious , Marvel was able to stir its focus to the smalltime torpedo of the comic , make characters   like Jessica Jones , Valkyrie and the Wasp household names .

As Marvel proceed to mine   the funny books for new story to tell , the MCU will keep   broadening in cathode-ray oscilloscope , putting the spotlight on   not just muscly   men like Thor and Captain America , but also on businesswomen like Hope Van Dyne , scientists   like Princess Shuri and warrior like Valkyrie .   Not all of us can relate to the original six Avengers , whether because we do n’t search like them , or because we just don’tfeellike them — the world has as many awkward high schoolers and eccentric legal philosophy students   as brave soldiers and suave billionaire . But as the MCU continues to add different genders , races and personalities to its roll of characters more and more mass , from little young woman to quirky grad student , will feel represented . We all can be heroes .

NEXT:10 Key MCU Moments To commemorate For Avengers : Endgame

A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

How Rachel Zegler’s

iron man change movies

Captain marvel

Black Panther Kilmonger.

Valkyrie

Civil war

Drax laughing

ancient one

Spider Man coming of age

Shuri Black Panther Ancestral Plane

Movies

Iron Man