29 Examples of Theme and Symbolism in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Marvel Cinematic Universe gets a lot of flak. We’ve heard it all before: The movies feel like they’re off an assembly line, mostly made up of CGI characters throwing CGI do-dads at one another, and replacing genuine thrills with cameos from some guys who were also in a different movie that one time. 

But is that really all that’s going on in the Marvel universe? Or is there secretly some substance and unifying themes buried under all of that glossy, evenly lit popcorn spectacle? We’d argue there is! 

Phase Four of the MCU, in particular, has two main themes that permeates each of the feature films and television series: Doubles and legacy. Following the events of 2019’s Endgame, it makes sense that the various characters would be left wondering what’s next, and what they’ll leave behind. Also multiverses. So many multiverses.