Long-take scenes have been used in theMarvel Cinematic Universeto detail some of the most action-packed, intense and entertaining moments in the franchise. In filmmaking, a long take is a shot with a duration far longer than a conventional editing pace, usually either filmed in one take, or made to look like there are no cuts. Notable movies such asBirdman, 1917and theJohn Wickfranchise, among many others, have utilized this technique, and there are many examples of thisfilmmaking style in the MCU, too.
The king of long-take scenes in the MCU is Matt Murdock’s Daredevil, particularly afterNetflix’s Defenders Saga was confirmed to be canon to the MCU. However,several other heroes have also taken part in these brilliant scenes, including the likes of T’Challa’s Black Panther, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Loki. Long takes capture every nuance of the action on-screen, and detail these fantastic moments in real-time, allowing audiences to appreciate every second. These long-take scenes have contributed to some of theMCU’s most memorable and beloved moments.
10 MCU Scenes Viewers Love To Rewatch Over And Over
With the sheer amount of MCU content to rewatch at all times, these memorable scenes are ones that fans can always reliably come back to.
10Clint Barton & Kate Bishop Are Chased By The Tracksuit Mafia
Hawkeye Episode 3, “Echoes” (2021)
The dynamic betweenJeremy Renner’s Clint Barton and Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishopwas great to see develop inHawkeye, and this moment in episode 3, “Echoes,” put it on display more than most. After escaping from Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez and the Tracksuit Mafia, Barton, with his hearing aid lost, and Bishop acquire a vehicle and a high-speed chase ensues.The camera pans around inside the car, showing the audience Barton driving, Bishop working out which trick arrows to shoot, and the Tracksuit Mafia catching up from behind.
Hailee Steinfeld returned for a cameo appearance in 2023’sThe Marvels, teasing her recruitment into the Young Avengers team.
This was a very clever choice by Marvel Studios, as this long-take captured the desperation, quick-thinking and intensity of this chase. This scene was also packed full of comedy, as Kate Bishop struggled to communicate with a Clint Barton who couldn’t hear her.Hawkeyeepisode 3 delivered the first real moment of partnership between Clint Barton and his new protégé, withthis long-take car chase highlighting the new bond between them, and the tactical thinking of both the old and new Hawkeye.
9Loki & Sylvie Try To Escape From Lamentis-1
Loki Season 1, Episode 3, “Lamentis” (2021)
TheLokiseries on Disney+was one of the most popular installments in the MCU’s Phase 4, with huge praise being given to the budding friendship between Tom Hiddleston’s Loki and Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie, the God of Mischief’s own variant. When all hope seemed lost inLokiseason 1, episode 3, as Lamentis-1 was moments away from being destroyed, Loki and Sylvie teamed up to try and save the ark taking people off the moon.Upon arriving at the boarding station, Loki and Sylvie battle their way through the crowds in an incredible long take, but are ultimately unsuccessful.
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The entire city onLamentis-1 inLokiseason 1, episode 3, was built as a physical set, allowing Hiddleston and Martino to fully inhabit and react to every obstacle on their journey to the ark. This tracking shot is high-octane and full of energy, which makes the disappointment when the ark is destroyed by meteors even more prevalent.This entire episode developed the connection between Loki and Sylvie, but this final scene showed that both also have the potential to be formidable heroes, as they sought to save at least some residents of Lamentis-1.
8Matt Murdock’s 11-Minute Escape From Prison
Daredevil Season 3, Episode 4, “Blindsided” (2018)
Netflix’sDaredevilseriesbecame famous for its use of long takes, most notably in fantastic battle scenes between Charlie Cox’s titular Man Without Fear and a variety of soldiers and goons.Daredevilseason 3, episode 4, “Blindsided,” included the longest one-take scene in the entire series, with Matt Murdock’s escape from the prison housing Jasper Evans clocking in at a whopping 11 minutes. Murdock, with the help of several members of the Albanian gang, fights Kingpin’s guards inside the prison and eventually makes it out.
This is a true show of Kingpin’s power and influence.
This 11-minute-long scene is grueling, powerful and shocking from beginning to end, providing only a few moments to breathe and recuperate before more soldiers attack.Although perhaps still not considered as iconic asDaredevilseason 1’s hallway fight, season 3’s prison escape is far superior toDaredevilseason 2’s stairwell battle against the Dogs of Hell. This is a true show of Kingpin’s power and influence, which is something that will surely be put center-stage again inMarvel Television’s upcomingDaredevil: Born Againseries.
7T’Challa, Okoye & Nakia Fight Klaue’s Men In South Korea
Black Panther (2018)
After becoming King of Wakanda and once again being enhanced into the Black Panther, the lateChadwick Boseman’s T’Challatraveled with Danai Gurira’s Okoye and Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia inBlack Pantherto apprehend Ulysses Klaue in South Korea. It’s not long before a huge fight breaks out in the South Korean casino, however, andwhile there are several cuts during this battle scene, there is one moment in which the camera leaps from the ground to the balcony to spotlight Okoye’s skills, before she jumps down to the ground and continues the fight.
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This moment highlighted the athleticism and sheer brutality and elegance ofOkoye and Wakanda’s Dora Milaje. Okoye doesn’t hesitate to join the fight on the ground by simply launching herself, and the camera, off the balcony once she dispatches her own enemies.Smooth camera work underlines the grace of this moment, especially with Okoye’s striking red dress flowing behind her. This is a very memorable moment that cemented 2018’sBlack Pantheras one of the MCU’s most successful and popular installments.
6Werewolf By Night Unleashes His Fury On Verussa’s Guards
Werewolf By Night (2022)
Marvel Studios' first Special Presentation, 2022’sWerewolf by Night, introduced Gael García Bernal’s Jack Russell to the MCU, and showcased his might and strength as the eponymous Werewolf by Night. After he was forced to transform into Werewolf by Night by Verussa Bloodstone, Russell unleashes his fury on the monster hunters and Verussa’s guards in Bloodstone Manor, though spares the life of Elsa Bloodstone.Werewolf by Night takes on Verussa’s guards in a beautiful and cinematic scene that features the camera barely moving.
Marvel boss Kevin Feige recently confirmed a new Special Presentation is in development for the MCU. So far, only two have been released:Werewolf by Nightto celebrate Halloween andThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Specialduring the Christmas period.
Focusing on one room with a closing door at the far end, this scene puts Jack Russell’s animalistic nature on full display, as he jumps in and out of shot and quite literally tears apart Verussa’s guards.A wonderful touch is that more and more blood spatters across the camera lens as the scene plays out, blocking much of the screen, but highlighting just how brutal and unadulterated this scene is. This was perhaps the most violentMCU project to not have a TV-MA or R-rating, and this scene showcases this violence more than many others.
5Daredevil’s Hallway Fight In The Troika Restaurant
Daredevil Season 1, Episode 2, “Cut Man” (2015)
While Matt Murdock’s 11-minute-long prison escape scene inDaredevilseason 3 is iconic, there isn’t a more memorable long-take scene from Netflix’sDaredevilthan Murdock’s very first hallway battle.Daredevilseason 1, episode 2, “Cut Man,” saw Murdock track down a young boy kidnapped by the Russian Mafia.He traces the boy to the Troika Restaurant, where he fights several members of the Russian gang in a tight hallway and its two adjoining rooms while the camera captures every moment, filmed as if one continuous sequence.
DaredevilSeason 1
DaredevilSeason 2
DaredevilSeason 3
She-Hulk: Attorney at LawEpisode 8 & 9
EchoEpisode 1
March 2025
Disney+
This was the first example of a long take being used to highlight Daredevils' action skills, athleticism, but also real grittiness and groundedness. Murdock and the goons he was fighting all expressed exhaustion throughout this scene, and nobody stayed down from a simple punch.This fight was raw, real and heavy-hitting, and hugely satisfying when Daredevil eventually defeated all the gang members and rescued the boy. There’s no doubt a hallway scene such as this will beseen again inDaredevil: Born Again, especially after it was alluded to inShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
4The Avengers Defend New York Together
The Avengers (2012)
It’s easy to forget that Marvel Studios' very first crossover movie also included a long take, but this moment inThe Avengersis one of themost iconic scenes in the MCU’s entire history. Shortly after the Hulk emerges and takes down a Leviathan and the Avengers band together in the legendary circle team-up moment in 2012’sThe Avengers,a tracking shot spotlights each member of the new team as they battle Chitauri soldiers in the streets and skies of New York City. This highlighted each Avengers' unique set of skills perfectly.
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Black Widow took on Chitauri soldiers to catch a ride up to the roof of Stark Tower, while Hawkeye stood on a New York rooftop firing arrows in all directions. Captain America and Iron Man fought together on the ground, with the latter using Cap’s shield to reflect his energy beam, while Thor and the Hulk took down a Leviathan together.This was an epic long-take scene inThe Avengers, marking the first time the Avengers had all worked together towards a common goal, and cementing them as a new permanent fixture in the MCU.
3Daredevil Fights Echo For The First Time
Echo Episode 1, “Chafa” (2024)
While Matt Murdock had some incredible long takes on Netflix, he also took part in one notable one during his cameo appearance in 2024’sEcho, the MCU’s first Marvel Spotlight series.Echo’spremiere caught up with Maya Lopez shortly after Thanos snapped his fingers, while she was working for her father figure, Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin. On a mission,Kingpin’s men are attacked by Matt Murdock’s Daredevil, but while the Man Without Fear finds it easy to take down the regular goons, Maya Lopez is more of a challenge.
Alaqua Cox made her acting debut in 2021’sHawkeye, and developed one of the MCU’s most exciting new characters inEcho, though it’s unclear when she’ll return to the MCU.
Both soon realize that the other is impaired, with Maya Lopez being deaf and Matt Murdock being blind. They use this knowledge to their advantage, culminating in a very cleverly thought-out, considered and kinetic scene, packed full of action and intensity.This delivered perhaps one of the MCU’s best cameos, and could have set the benchmark for cameo appearances going forward, utilizing other MCU characters in short and snappy moments, rather than having extended appearances.Daredevil and Echo’s relationshipmay develop after this spar, which would be fantastic to see, now that the latter is also a hero.
2Deadpool & Wolverine Take On The Deadpool Corps
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
In the MCU’s most recent installment, a long take was used during Deadpool and Wolverine’s battle against the multiversal Deadpool Corps. Following Nicepool’s hilarious and tragic demise inDeadpool & Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s titular heroes take onDeadpool’s other variants, including the likes of Lady Deadpool, Cowboypool, Kidpool, Zenpool, Deadpool 2099 and many more.The camera follows the pair as they tear their way through the Deadpool Corps, providing a fantastic opportunity to show off their brutal techniques and comic-accurate costumes.
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1The Guardians Of The Galaxy Battle The High Evolutionary’s Hell Spawn
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
While all of these long-take scenes and others that haven’t been mentioned have become some of the most memorable and beloved moments in the MCU’s history, 2023’sGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3could be argued to include the best one yet.After infiltrating the High Evolutionary’s laboratory, the Guardians of the Galaxy band together one final time to take down the harrowing and sinister supervillain. They battle theHigh Evolutionary’s Hell Spawnin a tight corridor, each getting their moment to shine in a scene similar to that inThe Avengers.
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Dee Bradley Baker
This hallway fight highlights Rocket and Groot’s brutality, Peter Quill’s tactical mind, Nebula’s versatile physicality, Drax’s brute strength and Gamora’s athletic and gymnastic skill.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3marked the final adventurefor the original line-up of the titular cosmic team, soit was incredibly cathartic to see them fight together one last time in this well-choreographed and beautiful scene of violence and aggression. James Gunn using a long take here means this scene will go down in history as one of the most powerful moments in theMarvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
