With Disney’s recent announcement that the long-awaited live-action “Mulan” film will now be released on Disney+ in September for a premium price, many have been wondering, will “Black Widow” see the same fate? While the film’s release date was pushed from May to November due to the pandemic, the chances of movie theatres receiving high box office numbers is something we likely won’t see again in 2020. And with the lack of original Marvel content on Disney+, releasing “Black Widow” on the streaming service, might be the next move the company takes if the release of “Mulan” is successful.
Of course, this is all merely speculation, but it feels like it’s been so long since we’ve gotten to see a brand new MCU film (over a year!). With the heightened anticipation of the pending upcoming release of “Black Widow,” I thought it would be fun to see where the former Russian spy stacks up against the other superheroes in the MCU. Given that over the course of its 12-year run, the MCU has introduced the world to nearly 30 new and beloved heroes, it’s hard to say which stands out above the rest. Nevertheless, I put my super brain to work and narrowed down the Top 13 greatest MCU superheroes of our time.
So let’s strap on our capes and dive in!
Honourable Mentions
As I said, there are nearly 30 superheroes in the MCU, with many more likely to be introduced in the not so distant future. While many didn’t make the cut in the “best of the best” category, these names still deserve an honourable mention.
Hawkeye: Sure Hawkeye isn’t nearly as interesting as the rest of his original Avengers counterparts. But what he lacks in flash, he makes up for in heart and deserves a nod for being a founding member.
Star-Lord: He’s cool, he’s suave and he has the perfect one-liner for every occasion. In full transparency, he would’ve cracked the Top 13 if it wasn’t for his incredibly idiotic mistake in “Avengers: Infinity War.” Sorry, Star-Lord but that epic screw up really cost you.
Gamora: It took a while for Gamora to grow into her role in the Guardians of the Galaxy, but once she did, she quickly became the heart and soul of the team. Plus, she deserves recognition alone for dealing with Thanos as a father figure for so many years. This galactic woman is tougher than everyone in the galaxy combined.
Drax: Probably the most underrated character in the MCU, Drax is such a delight in every way. Despite his burly appearance, he is probably the biggest softy in the Guardians and always manages to break the tension in any situation, no matter how dire. He’s often overshadowed by the rest of the Guardians, but definitely deserves an honourable mention.
Okoye: Even though she is only a supporting hero for Black Panther, Okoye manages to stand out due to her legitimate badassery. She’s loyal and kind, sometimes to a fault, but also isn’t afraid to stand up against those who wield more power than her. She’s critical to the land of Wakanda and honestly deserves her own solo movie.
Valkyrie: Valkyrie has the potential to be one of the best MCU characters, we just need to see more of her. However, ever since her hilarious entrance into the world of Thor, she’s been an unstoppable force. She brings an element of swagger and confidence no other hero has carried before and is pretty much the coolest person you’ve ever seen ride a spaceship.
13. Ant-Man
With the superhero name of Ant-Man, you know you’re going to get made fun of… a lot, but Scott Lang embraces the ridiculous of his super suit powers and has quickly become one of the most endearing Avengers of them all. With two movies under his belt, and of course, his show-stealing appearance in “Captain America: Civil War”, Ant-Man has grown into a very lovable character for the MCU. His partnership with the Wasp has made them a super duo that opens up the possibility of many more adventures to come and as long as he keeps his charm, Ant-Man will continue to shrink his way into our hearts.
12. Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel deserves a spot on this list for paving the way for what will hopefully be many more female-led MCU superhero films in the years to come. With that being said, Captain Marvel is more than just a female superhero – she’s literally one of the most powerful beings in the universe. She played a major role in assisting The Avengers in defeating Thanos and with her origin story out of the way, Captain Marvel has the potential to be one of the greats with so many new stories for her in the horizon.
11. Rocket
No one ever expected Rocket Raccoon to be one of the breakout superheroes in the MCU, but within a matter of five minutes of back and forth fighting with Star-Lord and Gamora, he managed to win the hearts of everyone in the Galaxy. What makes Rocket standout is his range – from his wisecracking attitude to his ability to make stealing seem like an okay thing to do, to his loyalty to his fellow Guardians, especially Groot, he’s not perfect and he doesn’t want to be. However, he is someone you can rely on to have your back if you have his. Sure, he’s also kind of adorable, but he’s not afraid to use that to his advantage when battling villains and scam artists who get in his way.
10. Hulk
If it wasn’t for the mediocre and basically irrelevant “The Incredible Hulk” movie that was released in the MCU’s early days, Bruce Banner might be much higher on this list. Despite that slight hiccup, Hulk has really grown throughout his time as an Avenger, both physically and emotionally. He started as the “Hulk Smash” we all know and love, but has been able to slowly adapt to allow Bruce and Hulk to work together rather than against each other, even embracing a more comical side of the Hulk that’s never really been seen before. Hulk’s only downside is that he hasn’t been able to tell his own story since being played by Mark Ruffalo. Hopefully, Hulk will finally get his due in this new era of the MCU.
9. Iron Man
Let’s pause at this moment and address the controversy. Iron Man is beloved by so many and is a major fan favourite. However, for this writer, Iron Man has always been a hero I appreciated but never loved like the other heroes higher up on this list. Perhaps it’s his brash cocky nature, his richy rich attitude or just the fact that we were forced to choose between him and Captain America in Civil War, and I felt like Iron Man’s decisions were poor and Team Cap was the right choice. While I’ve never connected with Iron Man on the same level as many others, I do fully acknowledge that he pioneered the MCU and it’s thanks to him that The Avengers exists, and that is why he more than deserves a spot on this list.
8. Black Widow
The first female superhero introduced in the MCU, she’s been a pioneer for many over the years and has been such an iconic embodiment of a kick-ass female action superhero. What makes Black Widow so unique, despite only getting her first solo movie 10 years after being introduced to the Marvel movie world, is that her backstory is one of such darkness and difficulty. Being able to turn her life around from former Russian spy to upstanding superhero has been such a fun journey to watch and hopefully “Black Widow” will dive deeper into who she was and how she lived the final years of her life before her death in “Avengers: Endgame.” While this film will likely be the last time we get to see Black Widow in action, we will always remember her for her willingness to put everything on the line to protect her loved ones. A true Queen!
7. Groot
When you’re a superhero who is able to kick some serious butt, but also look absolutely adorable while it doing it – you know you’re a star! Out of all of the Guardians, Groot is rightfully the most popular of the bunch and all he had to say to win all of our hearts was “I Am Groot.” Sure, Baby Groot is on all the merchandise but Adult Groot was just as sweet, in large part due to his undying loyalty to Rocket and the rest of his team. His sacrifice in the first “Guardians of the Galaxy” is such a heartbreaking moment and it’s hard not to cry happy tears when he resurrects as Baby Groot. When we last saw him, he was Teenage Groot, and sure he may have caught an attitude, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t willing to fight to protect the galaxy in his own special way.
6. Winter Soldier
Bucky Barnes has been through it all – death, brain washing, trying to kill your best friend, trying to convince your best friend you are no longer a killer, being eviscerated by Thanos’ snap before ultimately coming back to life just to say goodbye to your best friend. Nevertheless, these trials and tribulations are what make Bucky so great. He has withstood so much and has been a part of the MCU since the beginning but still manages to have so much untapped potential. He’s often overshadowed by bigger names, but the Winter Soldier is not someone you should be sleeping on, and I personally can’t wait for more of his story to unfold in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”.
5. Scarlet Witch
If there is one MCU superhero who people don’t talk about enough – it’s Scarlet Witch. She is truly a force to be reckoned with and is a top contender for the strongest and most powerful Avenger. Perhaps, it’s the insanely talented Elizabeth Olson or just the backstory of a young girl who isn’t quite sure how to handle all the power she is given, but every time Scarlet Witch opens up from her quiet demeanor, you listen because everything she has to say means something and everything she does, she does for a reason. All this to say, all hail Scarlet Witch!
4. Black Panther
Black Panther is one of the few MCU characters who had such a phenomenal cultural impact and for that reason alone he deserves a high spot on this list. The King of Wakanda led the “Black Panther” film on a journey no other superhero film has seen before, even winning a Screen Actors Guild for Best Ensemble Cast. What makes T’Challa such a standout though is his dedication to his people and dedication to doing what is right, no matter how much it affects him. Unlike the other quippy Avengers, Black Panther brings a suave, debonair demeanor to the MCU, a different kind of charm that was original and unique, and symbolizes what MCU superheroes can be moving forward. Wakanda Forever!
3. Spider-Man
Back in my childhood days, I always thought Spider-Man was one of the most overrated superheroes. I truly did not understand the hype. But then, Tom Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man swung into my life and my entire outlook on the character immediately changed. The MCU Peter Parker is such a geek charming that makes the teen superhero such a joy to watch. What makes Spider-Man standout amongst the rest of the Avengers and the Guardians is that he doesn’t have all the answers and he doesn’t pretend to either. He’s a young kid with powers who is struggling to balance his teenage life with his superhero duties. Peter Parker always wears his heart on his sleeve and whenever he’s struggling, we can’t help but cry for somebody to help him. He’s a superhero with a heart of gold, and what more can you ask for from your “friendly neighborhood” Spider-Man?
2. Captain America
On paper, Captain America should’ve probably been the most boring Avenger in town. His righteous values and “yes we can” attitude could have been incredibly overbearing, but, somehow the MCU’s Steve Rogers manages to make these holier than thou qualities endearing and super compelling. His pure heart and leadership is what makes the Avengers work, but also gets him into trouble from time to time. He’s never willing to give up on anyone he loves no matter what they’ve done in the past and rightfully so, he’s become an icon of true justice. Captain America in the MCU is the perfect blend of traditional superhero with new world flare and every time he fights a bad guy or tries to protect one of his friends, we can’t help but feel everything he’s feeling at that moment. And that’s what makes him such a super hero. #TeamCap
1. Thor
When you hear the word superhero, how can you not think of Thor? He’s the physical embodiment of super, but that doesn’t mean the God of Thunder isn’t flawed and that’s what makes him the best MCU superhero of the lot. In all honesty, the first two Thor films didn’t show Thor at his best, but once “Thor: Ragnarok” came into the world, we got to see the real Thor – a Thor that was often the butt of the joke. Charming, but also ridiculously zany all wrapped up into one chiseled body, Thor became the superhero we all knew he could be and it’s made him the definite highlight of any film he’s in. Fortunately, he’s one of the few original Avengers still remaining, which means there is even more room for Thor to grow as a hero and get even better, which at this point may not be humanly possible (but hey, he is a god after all so he can make anything possible).
Who do you think is the best MCU superhero of all-time? Let us know in the comments below or on any of our social media channels. And make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
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