Top 20 Coolest Marvel Cinematic Universe Characters
Introduction
The Marvel Cinematic Universe barely began with the
release of 2008's Iron Man, which may seem unimaginable to audiences who have
grown up with them. Comic book fans had previously been let down by
half-hearted adaptations such as Daredevil and Fantastic Four. Yes, there were
some highlights, such as Tobey Maguire's wallcrawler in the first two
Spider-Man films, which brought superhero flicks back to life after years of
being deemed box office poison. On the other hand, Iron Man was a true
game-changer: a big-budget film with a star-studded ensemble, cutting-edge
effects, and the vision to establish an extensive and ever-expanding universe
of characters that share the exact chronology and events rather than each
character being a one-off. It was genuinely innovative, and it served as a
model for a slew of imitators, including Marvel's long-time competitors DC.
They have been catching up ever since.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) continued box office popularity is perhaps the most critical factor for its success. Since 2008, viewers have been bombarded with twenty-eight films (the next Thor feature, Love And Thunder, is due out in a few months), as well as numerous spin-off TV programs like Agents Of SHIELD, Luke Cage (which I thought was terrific, by the way), and What If...? Despite their near-constant presence, these twenty-eight films have grossed more than $26 billion worldwide, indicating that our desire for all things Marvel is still unquenchable. This makes compiling a list like this pretty tricky!
Number
20: General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross
Directed by famous William Hurt, Ross first was seen on screen
in The Incredible Hulk in
2008 as the man responsible for the revival of The Super Soldier project that
led to the creation of Captain America. However, his next subject for testing
would be Bruce Banner which inadvertently gives the actor the Hulk alter-ego.
However, he attempts again, and this time it worsens when the test subject Emil
Blonsky is transformed into the terrifying Abomination and sent into a rage.
While he can retire from the military, however, he remains involved in
superhero squabbles when he announces the Sokovia Accord after the events
of Avengers: Age Of Ultron, which
splits the superhero community. While Ross is usually portrayed as a villain,
the character's arc is intriguing because he's not necessarily a villain - He
doesn't have plans for supremacy over the world or anything similar to this.
He's trying his best to do his best for his country, which Ross regards as his
duty as a patriotic citizen, much like Tony Stark's ally Rhodey who eventually
becomes War Machine. The performance of Hurt is surprising and understated,
considering his usual smug attitude in comics. Hurt makes him one of the more
intriguing characters of the MCU and one that we will not see much more of
since Hurt's death in 2022.
Number
19: Wong
Wong, who is Dr. Strange's
colleague and friend, has overcome his comic book depiction of being one who
assists Dr. Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. Benedict Wong's portrayal in the
films gives him a distinct charisma and character that gradually grows on you
and also gives viewers a glimpse of a story and characters which are in
complete contrast with the authenticity the MCU was experiencing up until that
point. Because of his popularity, his appearances continue to appear in
different series featuring characters, and also in the MCU have grown. Not only
is Wong make an appearance on screen in Shang Chi and the Legend Of The Ten
Rings and Spider-Man: No Way Home, but he even battles his fellow Avengers for
the first time in Infinity War and Endgame. He is an actual Sorcerer Supreme
following Dr. Strange's disappearance in the Blip. There's something in Wong,
whether it's his unflappable manner of speaking or his calm confidence and
sense of humor that makes Wong among the top charming and cool characters of
the MCU.
Number 18: Taneleer Tivan / the Collector
Taneleer Tivan, also referred to as the Collector, is an
intergalactic smuggler of nearly every trinket, rare and precious object within
the universe. The character was first introduced in a mid-credits appearance
within Thor:
The Dark World, Benicio Del Toro's enthralling character is
full of mystery and evident influence and power. Also, he has a style that is
unique to anyone else in the MCU until this point. The reality that he's the
twin brother of Jeff Goldblum's colorful and extravagant grandmaster character
from Thor:
Ragnarok should not come as a complete surprise. What is it
that makes him unique? Perhaps it's the notion that he was thought to be strong
enough to conceal the Infinity Stone from Thanos or the fact that he was
originally written to keep Stan Lee in his collection to play the legendary
actor's appearance for Guardians
Of The Galaxy. To me, it's the fact that he's Howard The
Duck instead, which I truly hope we'll get to get to see more of following his
harrowing solo film in 1986. I believe that we're not seeing the end of the
Collector because his presence opens an entirely new aspect of the MCU that
hasn't been explored until now.
Number
17: James 'Bucky' Barnes / The Winter Soldier
The death in comics is not always permanent unless you're
a guardian or parent of a certain hero, such as Peter Parker's Uncle Ben. It
wasn't until 2005 that Marvel decided to revive Captain America's long-time
allies Bucky Barnes, however, with an added twist, making him an amnesiac
killer working for Soviet Russia as well as later HYDRA. Filmgoers didn't need
to wait long to see Bucky returned to take on Cap in the sequel to the Captain
America film The
Winter Soldier, and we're thankful for that because he's an
amazing character. With a terrifying appearance, shifting loyalties, an
uplifting storyline, and many ways to smack anyone's back, Sebastian Stan's
rogue Cyborg assassin is Captain America's equal, but with many more shades of
grey than Steve Rogers' goody-two-shoes. Alongside the good guys of the past in
the epic conflict that is Endgame, The Winter Soldier allows audience members
who have experienced a lot of trauma throughout their lives to see themselves
as Barnes. Instead of just being a baddie who switches sides, he can be
regarded as an inspiring character with an opportunity to become superior to
the faceless counterpart Rogers ever will be.
Number
16: Thanos
It's not the only purple villain in Marvel's canon, but
definitely, the evilest; Thanos is arguably the principal character in the MCU
for the initial three phases. His plan to spread across the galaxy for mass
massacre through the use of the Six Infinity Stones forms the crux of the
entire saga, which brings together both who are good and bad for one or
opposing. The performance of Josh Brolin (for the most part, in the end anyway)
and no amount of CG will hide his talent. And, unlike many villains in films,
He actually wins, beating the good guys while achieving all he wanted prior to
his death by an angry Thor. What I found particularly interesting was that
despite his obvious negative intentions, he doesn't consider himself to be an
evil person. For him, his mission is to restore balance to the universe by
cutting the number of lifeforms within it, thereby stopping overpopulation. His
misguided quest is with a noble motive, but anyone who observes the actions he
takes toward his children Nebula and Gamora can dispel the belief that Thanos
is noble. Infatuated by his passion and utter disregard for in pursuit of his
goals, making him an extremely dangerous character in the eyes of many and is
one of the greatest franchise villains.
Number
15: Gamora
In terms of Gamora, her green-skinned Guardian of the
Galaxy has created a huge impact in the MCU along with her sly companions. Zoe
Saldana's unassuming swordsman is perhaps the most skilled player on the team
and has none of the shortcomings that plague other members but generally
displays an impressive level of tactical awareness and extremely high levels of
combat skills. Also, she brings a vital female-led dynamic to the group, which
will only get better with the introduction to Mantis in the sequel. While she
may not be the most entertaining person to be around, she’s certainly one you'd
like to have on your side. She's the rare example of a female character who is
empowered; that was a problem for Marvel even before the MCU existed. The MCU
required Marvel eleven years after her first appearance to offer Black Widow
her own solo movie, despite the demands of fans in support of an action film.
DC was able to surpass Marvel by a mile with their release of Wonder
Woman. Gamora, however, has a group, and a solo film isn't
likely, but that should not detract from the fact that she is atoning for her crimes
as well as paying the price for doing that.
Number
14: Clint Barton / Hawkeye
Quite often, Marvel doesn't get it the right first time,
as was the case in the character of Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton, also known as
the greatest archer in the world, Hawkeye. In the first movie, Thor,
Hawkeye was a dull and almost robotic appearance that was not helped by the
fact that he was forced into a robot bad guy in the movie Loki In Avengers
Assemble. Fortunately, the character became
significantly better over time. The character became more human due to the
appearance later of his family and wife, which gave him a unique style of
character in the Avengers in that he's a simple person who is doing his job
that just happens to save the world. The fact that he isn't a superhero makes
him more relatable to the audience and is easier to cheer for as we all know
how an encounter between Hulk and whoever is going to happen; however, it's not
so simple for Barton and makes him more interesting and exciting. The
relationship he has with Natasha Romanov and their shared history is begging to
get explored as a subsequent production (pleeeease, Marvel?), and, while it's
true that his Phase 4 TV series didn't provide him with the respect he
deserves, but it did highlight his character and willingness to take the
spotlight. In stark contrast to the such as… Well, Tony Stark.
Number
13: Steve Rogers / Captain America
On the surface, the appearance of this character is a
sham in our day and age. An insignificant Brooklyn street child transformed
into a super-soldier in the Second World War, frozen in ice and waking in the
present and displaying his flag, never-say-die-to-death attitude seems a bit
stale in the age of characters with psychological challenges and realistic
characters. But this rendition of Cap is more than a comic-book stereotype. The
films make use of the comic's origins with a clever way of admitting his
character as nothing more than a piece of patriotic propaganda in the 1940s.
Then, they reinvented the role of an old man driven by duty and devotion to his
country and friends. Importantly, he's saner as he did in the past, so his
appeal is now global as a simple advocate for goodness, rather than merely
appeal to Republicans. I particularly loved the film Winter Solider, which
shows Cap doubt his convictions when SHIELD is destroyed through the power of
HYRDA and, of course, that awe-inspiring moment when he's so pure in his heart
that Thor can use his hammer, Mjolnir. His ardent and never-ending optimism can
be frustrating or cause him to feel unreal at times, but Rogers has been a
great character in these films. One I'm hoping we don't see the last one of.
Number
12: Tony Stark / Iron Man
If you've read this far, you've likely realized that the
one thing I love about my character is a compelling story or arc to help to develop
and change as they age. One of the first characters to accomplish this, without
doubt, is Tony Stark, wonderfully portrayed by Robert Downey Jr as a
self-centered, acerbic multimillionaire who realizes the harm his weapons have
caused on the planet after having an encounter with death. Despite his battle
with evil as a technologically-savvy Iron Man, Stark forgoes his anonymity (due
to his massive ego) and is not afraid to stand out from his adversaries
regardless of whether they be caught in the crossfire. In Iron
Man 3, We see an entirely different Stark who is suffering
from anxiety and perhaps realizing that the threat that Earth faces is larger
than any person could have imagined. As a ringleader and flag-bearer to Iron
Man, as well as a flag-bearer for the Avengers, Iron Man is an amazing
character. He has the tools and gadgets to fight virtually all (who would not
love the Hulkbuster armor in Age Of Ultron?) However, Iron Man also reminds us
that we are all human and can do things that you can only imagine but still
maintain strong humor that cannot make it harder to attract audiences.
Number
11: Thor
When it comes to
character arcs, here's a different one. Chris Hemsworth isn't just the stunning
physical representation of the god of thunder, but He also embodies the inner
character on the surface, transforming what began as an arrogant,
cod-Shakespearean bit of mischief into one of the most enjoyable characters of
the MCU. I'll admit that I wasn't too sold on his two solo films, but His
appearances in the Avengers franchise and the third movie Ragnarokcompletely
altered my perspective. It was like Thor was a character with a sense of humor
that instantly made him loved by the audience, not to mention his battle scenes
with his eternal foe Loki and his loss of faith during Ragnarokwhich
will make Thor seem much more like a human Asgardian. Now we're at a point
when, if we do get to meet Thor as a character, we're going to have a great
time. If you had asked me at the beginning of the MCU what Thor would make the
cut as the only character to achieve four solo films, I wouldn't have imagined
it was Thor. The proof lies in the performance of Hemsworth. It's clear that
he's enjoying the role, which speaks for itself.
Number
10: Drax The Destroyer
Let's be honest; it's more of an individual preference
than any other. I enjoy Drax, who is the wrestler played by former WWE star
Dave Bautista, because of the fact that he's nothing like. If someone else had
made an animated film based on Drax, he'd appear to be just a dumb muscle -
take a look at the character of Jeep Swanson's portrayal of Bane in the
possibly worst superhero film ever made, Batman
& Robin. Fortunately, Marvel didn't go down this
route and instead gave him a persona that went beyond the stereotype of an
"angry big man." The innocence of his child and inability to
comprehend the meaning behind the metaphors, the joy that he gets from everyday
things. All these things are what make Drax extremely funny and an essential
member of Guardians of the Galaxy. Bautista's performance is equally impressive
and has surprised many, including myself, who were not expecting to see much
from the actor. I've never been happier to be full of praise when I first
saw Guardians
Of The Galaxy and laughed throughout. Despite his looks and a
sly reputation, he's actually more of a softie. And as his teammates, they are
great fun to hang out with.
Number
9: Rocket Raccoon
When it comes to the
Guardians, Bradley Cooper's homicidal trash panda is an unforgettable character
in every aspect of MCU. Alongside his companion Groot, Rocket is an interesting
and fascinating character that raises many questions. Where did he originate?
Who created him? What adventures have he and Groot been through before, and
what exactly makes Rocket so skilled with any boomstick? I'd like to know more
about the past of Rocket and his past, even if we can have more time with
Rocket. Rocket is not only Rocket talented with amazing skill in the field, a
pilot's skills, and the ability to cause chaos, but he also boasts an
incredibly funny sense of humor (second with Deadpool,
I believe) which compliments his colleagues in the Guardians well. The reason
Disney hasn't rolled out an animated prequel series featuring the two
characters, I'm not sure. Me, though I'm sure that Rocket's vulgar language
might be part of this.
Number
8: T'Challa / Black Panther
It's difficult to put into words the importance of
Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of his character Black Panther. The first
African-American superhero directs a film of this magnitude, Black
Pantheris, an amazing appreciation of Africa as well
as its inhabitants. Moreover, it was wildly successful, becoming the ninth
highest-grossing movie in the history of cinema for a time. The reason for this
is definitely due to Boseman's performance in which he brings force, dignity,
and strength to the character of the King of Wakanda, that is drawn from his
isolated kingdom to fight enemies that are threatening the whole world. While
Stan Lee denied the character was connected to protests against civil rights in
the US at the time (the character first appeared in comics in 1966), it's
impossible to miss the message conveyed in this comic. Marvel has had a
long-standing issue with diversity, particularly within the MCU, but T'Challa's
dazzling introduction and appearances thereafter make him a significant
contemporary, stylish, and stylish new addition to the MCU's collection of
characters. Boseman's tragic death in 2020 is believed to mean that we've
witnessed the end of the Wakandan King. This is sad; however, at least we were
left with a desire for more.
Number
7: Shuri
It's a bit odd, however, that T'Challa himself wasn't the
most fun actor in the film. The younger sibling Shuri who is played by Leticia
Wright is much more enjoyable. A brilliant mind in technology combined with a
determined approach to life makes Shuri one of only a few people who talk about
the king's shortcomings, and he is grudgingly accepted. Shuri's inclusion on
this list doesn't come due to her personality but also her joyful attitude to
life. In spite of her enormous and evident intelligence (she is said to be the
smartest character in the MCU), She is a person of the earth and likable and
isn't afraid to take on a challenge when things get rough. Like Q can be the James
Bond of Q, James Bond, Shuri offers viewers a glimpse of what's to come in the
film with her inventions and gadgets, and as other characters from Black Panther like
Danai Gurira's Okoye Shuri is a source of inspiration for black women who
haven't been represented in films for far in the past. Shuri's appearance was
one the best moments in Black Panther, and her return during Infinity Warand Endgamemeans
she'll be a constant in the MCU in the future.
Number
6: Peter Quill / Star Lord
From his first memorable
appearance on stage dancing to the tune ' Come and Take Your Love from
Redbone, Chris Pratt's charming character of a space pirate Peter Quill is a
wonderful character to build any film on. If he's chatting to his Walkman or
engaging in a debate with colleagues Guardians regarding how to proceed, or
engaging in a battle with enemies in a simple dance contest, Quill is a bundle
of anarchic energy that's hard to resist. In contrast to the other Guardians,
Quill has a human background (to start at the very least) and has very little
in the way of expertise and equipment - he's got an adjustable helmet, a rocket
boots, as well as some lasers, but that's all. However, more importantly, Quill
is a hero that is not motivated by morality or justice but by the feeling of
hard, cold cash. His relationship with his father, Yondu, is strained, but it
gets genuinely touching at the conclusion of Vol. 2 after Yondu passes away.
Quill is fascinating, funny, and lots of fun. Even his musical tastes are a
blast!
Number
5: Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
In 2010, the first time she was introduced was Iron
Man 2. Was a former Russian agent Natasha Romanoff - also
known as the Black Widow - is one of the longest-serving Avengers Avengers and
played a key role in Infinity War and Endgame. A
master martial artist, she is the actual head of the Avengers after the events
of The Blip and leads efforts together with the remaining members to reverse
Thanos, the work of Thanos. Despite all her heroism, Natasha is still plagued
by guilt for her actions while working as a KGB assassin for several years, and
then she decides to sacrifice herself to help her fellow Avengers in their
fight against the evil titan. Romanoff is a regular appearance in the MCU as
she has appeared in the MCU alongside Captain America, Iron Man, and the other
Avengers until finally receiving her own film that
served as an end for the film of Romanoff's Black Widow before introducing
Yelena Belova as a brand new Black Widow, this time as played by Florence Pugh.
As great as Florence Pugh is in the role, Scarlet Johansson will always be the
most popular choice as Black Widow. She brought the right level of sexiness,
athleticism, and power to the role and provided us with a heroine who was more
than just a piece of eyesores. It's a shame there are not more women depicted.
Number 4: Groot
What could something
that can be described as a tree with a sense and very limited in its vocabulary
be so high on the list? It's a bit puzzling, but it isn't too difficult to
conclude that Groot was a fantastic character, voiced with the voice of Vin Diesel,
and was the most memorable character in The Guardians of the Galaxy. Most of
the time, he is apathetic and content to go in the flow of things; Groot can
become a nightmare when the circumstance requires and could be the most
dangerous of the group. However, Groot is extremely marketable, especially when
he returns back to Baby Groot after the first film. Groot's one-sided teasing
with Rocket is fun to watch, even though Groot isn't bringing many suggestions
to the table. A charming and hilarious character, Groot is great fun regardless
of the persona he appears in and has a personality that is unique to anyone
other. The one thing I didn't love was when he did not say his sole phrase,
" I
am Groot. " However, honestly, it's just more fun than I
would like to have a grudge against him.
Number
3: Nick Fury
Because it's Samuel L.
Jackson.
Number 2: Loki
Because it's Tom Hiddlestone.
Additionally, Loki has emerged as one of the MCU's most
loved characters and, certainly, the most well-known villain. Loki, the Norse
God of Mischief, has been a problem for good-hearted people all over the world
since he first appeared in the 2011 film Thor and before making his
mark during Avengers
Assemble. In addition, Loki is unforgettable and gifted with
amazing dialogue, but his playful humor and sly nature make him fascinating.
Most importantly, Loki is not just a one-trick pony, but he also experiences
his own redemption after fighting with the brother Thor to beat Hela in a bid
the save of saving Asgard. Hiddlestone's impetuous performance was written just
right for Loki, which makes Loki an explosive and volatile character, but one
that you could not put your eyes away from. However, you secretly wanted to be
a fan of Loki because he's much more intriguing and entertaining than Thor and,
with his range of abilities, more thrilling also.
Number
1: Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch
I've re-visited the subject of character arcs many times
in this article, but none has had the impact as the one in the case of Scarlet
Witch, Wanda Maximoff. The twins, who are mutants to her older brother Pietro
Maximoff, the Maximoffs first appear in the mid-credits sequence during The Winter Soldier as
two captives of HYDRA being tested before being released as enemies from their
fellow Avengers during Age Of Ultron. A character with the greatest power
in the MCU, Wanda ends up changing sides and joining the Avengers after the
demise of her father. The relationship she has with Vision is among the few
genuine romances to be seen within the MCU, and her reaction to the death of
Vision during Infinity War is devastating. It's true that
this character could be a bit silly in a time of realistic portrayals of the
characters (and it's a good thing they changed her appearance to make it more
modern than her superhero counterpart). However, Elizabeth Olson's performance
is impressive, which makes her appear real and relatable despite her
character's extraordinary capabilities. If you've never seen the TV show WandaVision and
would like to, give it a shot as it's among the most emotional things Marvel
has ever produced. If anything, her adoring fan base, and story arc ensure
she'll remain the mainstay of the MCU for years to come and proves that heroes
of all kinds, male or female, have the ability to suffer unbearable pain and be
a shining light in the end.