Anthony Mackie he has has been involved in some of the most interesting films of recent decades, with projects such as The Wounded Closet and 8 miles still spoken of with enormous reverence today. However, the actor has also starred in several science fiction films that push the boundaries of cinema with creative ideas, wild concepts, and unconventional narratives. He has consistently been involved in the most unique and unique stories in genre, ranging from independent films to major Hollywood blockbusters – and many of them are among Anthony Mackie’s best films of all time.
Science fiction films are often among the most polarizing and controversial films released, largely due to their bold storytelling and ambitious risks. This genre has always been about trial and experimentation – and Anthony Mackie was never afraid to test the waters with these creative ideas. While Mackie is the future of the MCU, that hasn’t stopped him from dedicating his time to several other lesser-known projects that have equally benefited from his skills and attention.
10
Eagle Eye (2008)
Directed by DJ Caruso
Eagle’s Eye tells the story of an American couple who receive a mysterious call from an unknown number that sets off a chain of events they never expected. The woman on the other end of the call instructs them to carry out a dangerous terrorist mission, controlling their every movement and forcing them into situations that put their lives in danger. It’s a thrilling adventure of crime, espionage and anxiety that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats with countless mysteries that are not resolved until the end.
However, Eagle’s Eye remains one of Anthony Mackie’s least interesting projects to date. The idea is interesting, but the execution falters at almost every stage. It fails to create the high stakes and tension needed to engage the audience, but it assumes they’re already on this wild ride that doesn’t really make much sense when the truth comes out.
9
Outside the Wire (2021)
Directed by Mikael Hafstrom
Off the wire is Netflix’s take on the Super Soldier story that has become so popular in the MCU. It tells the story of a world where androids were employed by the military to help fight nuclear war and Mackie’s character Leo finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conflict between your nation and your morals. When he is sent out of security camp into a deadly war zone, he is forced to work alongside an undercover android to ease tensions and prevent a nuclear attack that could destroy his country.
While Off the wire has many strengths in its storytelling and creative world-buildingUltimately, it’s too unoriginal to really stand out from the crowd. Despite the fun sci-fi concepts, there’s nothing that separates this from any other dystopian war thriller that exists in the same vein. Admittedly, it’s one of Anthony Mackie’s strongest performances and most engaging roles, but it’s wasted on a story that doesn’t take many risks.
8
OI (2019)
Directed by Jonathan Helpert
HEY is another Netflix original that thrusts Anthony Mackie into a post-apocalyptic world, this time in an alternate universe where Earth has become uninhabitable and humanity has set off for the stars to colonize Jupiter’s moons. The story follows a scientist named Samplayed by Margaret Qualley, who stays behind on Earth and meets Mackie’s character Micah as he leaves to board the last shuttle to Io.
It’s reminiscent of projects like Interstellar or Oblivion with its mix of immense scope and sly social commentary, which culminates in an extremely powerful third act.
Despite some setbacks along the way, IThe shocking ending justifies much of the rocky narrative with a meaningful, philosophical exploration of humanity and our purpose in the universe. It’s reminiscent of projects like Interstellar or Oblivion with its mix of immense scope and sly social commentary, which culminates in an extremely powerful third act. The road there is a little confusing and doesn’t always capture the public’s attention, but at least there is a clear message that sets the tone.
7
Real Steel (2011)
Directed by Shawn Levy
Real steel was arguably Mackie’s first mainstream sci-fi film, and despite some aspects that haven’t aged perfectly, it lived up to its reputation. The story revolves around a world where humans have been replaced by large and powerful robots in the boxing ring who fight for the competition. Mackie’s role is only supporting, but This remains one of the most interesting projects that first put him on the science fiction map.
Real steel it’s an extremely fun film; is directed by Deadpool and Wolverineis Shawn Levy, and he brings his signature style to every frame of the film. It has family drama, interesting science fiction mechanics and consistent comedy that makes the project accessible to all audiences. Although Real Steel 2 unfortunately it never happened, the original still established itself as an undisputed classic in the family science fiction genre whose legacy has continued to live on in the years since its release.
6
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Directed by Joss Whedon
Despite all the big projects that came before it, the MCU is what turned Anthony Mackie into a huge star. Sam Wilson is an excellent character who managed to remain for several yearsslowly becoming one of the MCU’s most permanent and longest-running characters. Avengers: Age of Ultron it was his second appearance in the franchise, and while it’s far from the strongest entry, there’s still a lot to enjoy about the film.
Avengers: Age of Ultron follows the titular team of superheroes as they are drawn into a battle against Ultron, an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark who goes rogue and sets out on a mission to conquer the world with his army of Iron Man clones. Although the story isn’t as engaging as some other MCU games, Age of Ultron shines thanks to the chemistry between the huge cast. Despite being the lowest grossing Avengers film, this sequence was crucial to building the relationship between these beloved characters.
5
If You Were the Last (2023)
Directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa
If you were the last features one of Anthony Mackie’s few leading roles in a sci-fi project and immediately raises the question of why he doesn’t have more. The film follows two NASA scientists whose space shuttle goes off course between Jupiter and Saturn, leaving them stranded with no way to communicate with mission control. Their inevitable boredom leads to a blossoming romance between the scientistswho feel attracted to each other in the face of complete isolation.
The unique blend of science fiction and romance is exactly what makes If you were the last such an interesting project. The basic synopsis of two astronauts trapped in space may seem scary at first glance, but the film manages to transform it into something tender and intimate, which few science fiction films can do. The on-screen chemistry between Mackie and Zoe Chao is also brilliant, making these characters feel truly real and authentic.
4
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo
In addition to being one of the highest-grossing films of all time, Avengers: Endgame It’s a great film in its own right. The culmination of the MCU’s Infinity Saga is a sweeping and sprawling epic that brings together loose threads from more than fifteen years of narrativeuniting them almost with a sci-fi adventure that offsets each character’s individual journey with care and respect.
It’s a by-the-book time travel heist, but it’s the long-awaited rewards that really make it Avengers: Endgame a phenomenal experience for longtime fans of this franchise.
The story follows the Avengers’ attempts to bring back 50% of the universe that was wiped out during the previous film’s dramatic conclusion, using time travel to recover the Infinity Stones before Thanos destroyed them. It’s a very by-the-book time travel heistbut it’s the long-awaited rewards that really make Avengers: Endgame a phenomenal experience for longtime fans of this franchise.
3
Synchronic (2019)
Directed by Aaron Moorhead
Synchronous tells the story of two successful paramedics who begin an investigation into a series of apparently connected deaths that are happening in a small American town. Their trail leads them to a dangerous new drug that has hallucinatory qualities, turning their lives upside down and making them obsessed with solving the mystery of these suspicious deaths.
What Synchronous does it effortlessly combining the familiar narrative of crime thrillers with a more cerebral and experimental sci-fi atmosphere which constantly keeps the public at a distance. There is a strong argument to be made that Synchronous is Mackie’s best non-MCU film, simply because it’s so ambitious and bold in everything it does. Synchronous it has an incredible ending that no one could have predicted, bringing all these ideas together in a way that makes perfect sense.
2
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo
Avengers: Infinity War is the precursor of Avengers: Endgamebut it’s actually a much stronger narrative in its own right. The film follows the Avengers’ attempts to stop Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones and using them to destroy 50% of all life in the universe. IIt’s a very simple storybut this simplicity allows the writers to streamline this narrative and include all the character beats necessary to set up the culmination of their journeys in the next film.
It can’t have been easy to bring all these characters together after fifteen years of world-building and interconnected narratives, but the Russo brothers make it all look easy. With such a tight script, stunning visuals and so many beloved characters, It’s hard to imagine any other way this franchise could (sort of) come to an end in a more satisfactory way.
1
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo
Although the two most recent Avengers films are widely considered the highlight of the MCU, it is Captain America: The Winter Soldier which truly deserves recognition for being the single best film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is also Mackie’s first appearance in the franchise and the story in which he plays the most important role. The narrative follows Captain America’s attempts to take down the corruption that spreads within S.H.I.E.L.D. while simultaneously battling a dangerous threat from Rogers’ past.
While The Winter Soldier may not be as strictly sci-fi as some of Mackie’s other projects, this film introduces several grounded sci-fi concepts into a more holistic, politically charged thriller that just uses these superheroes as a backdrop to explore government corruption, military trauma and the power of loyalty and friendship. It’s easily the most relevant and important story in the MCU yet, and Anthony Mackie the involvement really elevates the film to another level.