Call of Duty has defined multiplayer shooters for two decades, with each entry bringing new campaigns, modes, and controversies. From revolutionary multiplayer in 2007 to modern cross-play, the series' peaks and valleys spark endless debate. Vote on your favorites to rank them.
What counts: Best means highest impact on the genre, best multiplayer and campaign balance, critical reception. Figures are approximate.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
Closed the original MW trilogy with huge scale. Survival mode and endless killstreak options kept engagement high. It lands here despite criticism for feeling iterative.
Release Year: 2011Metacritic: 88/10Sales: 26 MMultiplayer: 8.3/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Revolutionized the series with modern setting and tight multiplayer. The iconic 'All Ghillied Up' mission and killstreaks defined the golden era. It earns top spot for launching the modern COD phenomenon.
Release Year: 2007Metacritic: 94/10Sales: 13 MMultiplayer: 9.5/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Brought back WWII with co-op and introduced zombies mode. The Pacific theater and flamethrower moments added fresh brutality. It ranks here for pioneering co-op and horror elements.
Release Year: 2008Metacritic: 84/10Sales: 15 MMultiplayer: 8.5/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Built on the foundation with Spec Ops and record-breaking sales. The airport mission and no Russian moment became cultural touchstones. It ranks high for unmatched multiplayer maps and chaos.
Release Year: 2009Metacritic: 94/10Sales: 25 MMultiplayer: 9.2/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Returned to 80s spy thriller roots with strong co-op. The campaign's multiple endings and zombies integration shone. It ranks well for blending nostalgia with modern mechanics.
Release Year: 2020Metacritic: 76/10Sales: 20 MMultiplayer: 8/10Campaign: ✓
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Introduced the Extinction mode and large maps. The dog companion and underwater segments tried new ideas. It lands mid-pack for experimentation amid criticism.
Release Year: 2013Metacritic: 78/10Sales: 19 MMultiplayer: 7.2/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Shifted to Cold War intrigue with zombies as a breakout hit. The campaign's twists and multiplayer prestige system kept players hooked for years. It earns its place for expanding the formula successfully.
Release Year: 2010Metacritic: 87/10Sales: 30 MMultiplayer: 8.8/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
Introduced branching storylines and future warfare mix. Strike Force missions and pick-10 system offered new depth. It stands out for ambitious narrative choices and lasting multiplayer.
Release Year: 2012Metacritic: 83/10Sales: 24 MMultiplayer: 8.7/10Campaign: ✓
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Returned to classic WWII with grounded combat. War mode and headquarters social hub added fresh layers. It earns this for solid nostalgia play after sci-fi era.
Release Year: 2017Metacritic: 79/10Sales: 18 MMultiplayer: 7.9/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
Offered space combat and ship boarding with solid campaign. Zombies in Spaceland provided memorable maps. It earns placement for ambitious scope despite backlash.
Release Year: 2016Metacritic: 78/10Sales: 10 MMultiplayer: 7.5/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
Revived the series with realistic gunplay and grounded story. Gulag and night vision raids became instant classics. It earns this spot for resetting expectations after futuristic fatigue.
Release Year: 2019Metacritic: 80/10Sales: 30 MMultiplayer: 8.9/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Finest Hour (2004)
Brought console-friendly controls to the early series. The Stalingrad and North Africa campaigns offered variety. It earns a spot for console debut success.
Release Year: 2004Metacritic: 76/10Sales: 3 MMultiplayer: 6.5/10Campaign: ✓
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Focused on WWII origins with Pacific and Eastern fronts. Champion Hill mode added variety. It ranks lower for uneven execution and launch bugs.
Release Year: 2021Metacritic: 73/10Sales: 10 MMultiplayer: 6.8/10Campaign: ✓
added by Yourlist EditorialCall of Duty: Vanguard
Launched the franchise with intense WWII infantry combat. The sniper mission and tank escort sequences set the tone. It earns early ranking for foundational impact.
Release Year: 2003Metacritic: 91/10Sales: 4 MMultiplayer: 7.5/10Campaign: ✓
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Elevated the original formula with squad commands and epic battles. The tank missions and Stalingrad defense became benchmarks. It ranks high for early series excellence.
Release Year: 2005Metacritic: 86/10Sales: 5 MMultiplayer: 8/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Big Red One (2005)
Focused on one unit's story across North Africa and Europe. The personal narrative added emotional weight. It ranks for unique storytelling in early entries.
Release Year: 2005Metacritic: 78/10Sales: 2 MMultiplayer: 6.8/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
Introduced exosuits and verticality to change movement. Kevin Spacey villain and strong singleplayer stood out. It earns points for bold innovation even if divisive.
Release Year: 2014Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 14 MMultiplayer: 7.8/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
Dropped the campaign for battle royale and specialist focus. Blackout mode competed directly with Fortnite. It ranks for multiplayer depth but loses points on singleplayer absence.
Release Year: 2018Metacritic: 85/10Sales: 12 MMultiplayer: 8.4/10Campaign: —
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Call of Duty: United Offensive (2004)
Expanded the original with new campaigns and vehicles. The Kursk tank battle became a highlight. It earns this for strong expansion value.
Release Year: 2004Metacritic: 87/10Sales: 2 MMultiplayer: 7.8/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
Delivered massive multiplayer overhaul with 16 new maps. Zombies open-world shift tried innovation. It earns placement for content volume despite campaign criticism.
Release Year: 2023Metacritic: 68/10Sales: 15 MMultiplayer: 7.7/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
Pushed futuristic customization with specialists and wall-running. Zombies Chronicles revived classics. It ranks for deep multiplayer options despite mixed campaign reception.
Release Year: 2015Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 15 MMultiplayer: 8.2/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
Expanded on 2019 with DMZ mode and Gunsmith 2.0. Raid episodes and strong gunplay kept momentum. It earns this for refined mechanics and live service.
Release Year: 2022Metacritic: 72/10Sales: 25 MMultiplayer: 8.1/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: WWII Zombies Maps
Revived classic zombies with The Final Reich and beyond. The horror atmosphere and Easter eggs delivered fan service. It ranks for strong mode revival.
Release Year: 2017Metacritic: 79/10Sales: 18 MMultiplayer: 7.5/10Campaign: —
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Launched as free battle royale with Verdansk map. Gulag and loadout drops became staples. It ranks for massive player count and live service success.
Release Year: 2020Metacritic: 80/10Sales: 100 MMultiplayer: 8.5/10Campaign: —
added by Yourlist EditorialCall of Duty: Warzone
Added next-gen polish and vehicle sections to the formula. The D-Day and tank battles felt cinematic. It ranks mid for solid but unremarkable entry.
Release Year: 2006Metacritic: 80/10Sales: 6 MMultiplayer: 7/10Campaign: ✓
added by Yourlist EditorialCall of Duty 3
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (2016)
Brought back the 2007 classic with updated visuals. Multiplayer playlists revived nostalgia perfectly. It earns this for faithful remaster quality.
Release Year: 2016Metacritic: 83/10Sales: 5 MMultiplayer: 9/10Campaign: ✓
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Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies
Updated the mode with open areas and new perks. Firebase Z and Die Maschine offered strong maps. It earns this for modernizing zombies successfully.
Release Year: 2020Metacritic: 76/10Sales: 20 MMultiplayer: 8/10Campaign: —
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Somebody explain the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) votes to me. Genuinely. I want to understand.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
The criteria line matters here. Read it before you vote or you're arguing about a different list.
Wild that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) is winning this. Scroll down — the real answer is further down the board.
Missing a few names that belong in the top ten, but the top three is basically right.
Voted, but this order is going to look very different in a month once more people find it.
