To achieve a box office gross of over $2 billion, a movie needs to attract a massive audience worldwide, backed by intense anticipation, excellent reviews, and a compelling storyline that keeps viewers coming back for more. This feat has only been accomplished six times in the history of live-action films, with three of these successes credited to James Cameron, one to J.J. Abrams, and the remaining two to the directing duo Joe and Anthony Russo.

The Russo brothers made their mark with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, two of the most technically complicated and narratively ambitious films ever made. These movies built upon the storylines of two earlier Russo films, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, which played a crucial role in shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) leading up to the epic two-part finale. This five-year span was a pivotal chapter in the Russos’ careers, but it represents just one part of their larger body of work.

Many fans may not be aware that before their involvement with Marvel, the Russos had established themselves in television by directing shows like Community and Arrested Development. They also directed three films prior to their Marvel projects and have since directed three more, including their latest, Netflix’s The Electric State, set to release next week. Furthermore, the Russos are slated to return to the MCU for two massive Avengers movies, Doomsday in 2026 and Secret Wars in 2027.

Given their extensive filmography, we’ve compiled a ranked list of the Russo brothers’ movies. From their early works to their latest releases, here’s how their films stack up against each other:

9. You, Me and Dupree (2006)

The comedy You, Me and Dupree, starring Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson, and Matt Dillon, tells the story of a man who overstays his welcome with his newly married friends. Although it attempts to capture the true-to-life raunchy humor of films like There’s Something About Mary and Meet the Parents, it ends up being a more forgettable entry in the genre, neither a total disaster nor particularly special.

8. Welcome to Collinwood (2002)

This crime caper, featuring a cast including William H. Macy, Sam Rockwell, and Patricia Clarkson, has its moments but ultimately feels formulaic, especially when compared to the works of other notable filmmaking brothers like Joel and Ethan Coen, who were dominating the scene at the time.

7. Cherry (2021)

The Russos’ first post-Marvel film, Cherry, stars Tom Holland as a military veteran struggling with a drug addiction that leads him into a life of crime. The movie is tonally and narratively inconsistent but is worth watching for Holland’s dedicated performance. Despite its ambitious attempt, it falls short of being a home run.

6. The Electric State (2025)

In The Electric State, the Russos reunite with their Captain America and Avengers writing partners, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, to tell the story of a young woman (Millie Bobby Brown) and a scoundrel (Chris Pratt) navigating a post-robot-human war world in search of her missing brother. The film is entertaining, boasts incredible visual effects, and features a stellar cast, but its predictability holds it back from reaching its full potential.

5. The Gray Man (2022)

The Gray Man, starring Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling as dueling secret agents, is a big, over-the-top film that feels akin to being given the keys to the Fast and Furious franchise but with A-list stars. While disposable, it’s enjoyable in a fun, mindless way.

4. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Captain America: Civil War is a film that, while great, feels more like a “Civil War” movie than a “Captain America” movie. This distinction sets it apart from the Russos’ other Marvel projects, despite its undeniable quality.

3. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Avengers: Infinity War is an ambitious and audacious superhero film that succeeds in being bold thanks to the decade of excellent storytelling that precedes it. The movie’s ability to end on a cliffhanger, killing half of its characters, is a testament to the trust built with the audience over the years. It’s a spectacle with a gut-punch finale.

2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Avengers: Endgame works wonderfully as the conclusion to a decade-long saga, bringing together some of the most massive set pieces in film history alongside emotionally satisfying moments. It’s an awesome movie from start to finish and a landmark in film history. However, when considering the Russo brothers’ body of work, there’s one film that surpasses it.

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier stands out as the Russos’ best film to date. It achieves a perfect balance of superhero action, political intrigue, and complex character development, building upon earlier films in the MCU while setting itself apart in meaningful ways. This balance is what makes it shine among the Russos’ other notable works.

NA. Pieces (1997)

The Russo brothers’ directorial debut, Pieces, premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival but never received distribution. However, it was seen by Steven Soderbergh, whose admiration for the film played a significant role in launching the brothers’ careers. In a way, none of their subsequent films would have been possible without Pieces.

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