Many complain concerning the Marvel Cinematic Universe post-Avengers: Endgame. Whereas it is definitely not the whole lot it was once on this stage of improvement, there’s nonetheless been loads of nice tasks and characters launched that show the MCU is not lifeless. Not solely have some extremely powerful characters been introduced, however a number of the finest MCU characters in fairly a while.
Whereas nothing can evaluate to the likes of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), that does not imply that any character launched after the finale of the Infinity Saga is unhealthy. Fairly the alternative, in actual fact, and lots of are fairly good. There’s so much to like concerning the current-day MCU that ought to get individuals fairly excited concerning the future, and numerous that’s discovered within the new characters, no matter its latest missteps with sure tasks. These are one of the best MCU characters launched after Avengers: Endgame, ranked by how memorable they’re and the way a lot they stand out among the many crowded superhero house.
10
Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)
Performed by Iman Vellani
Ever since her introduction to the Marvel Comics universe in February 2014, this younger superhero has been an all-time fan-favorite. Thus, when it was time to carry her into the MCU, individuals had been fairly excited. Whereas lots of people had (and nonetheless have) points with how her powers had been tailored, it is not possible to disclaim that the character is not lovable, due to the fantastic efficiency by Iman Vellani.
Marvel followers adore Iman for her huge love for the Marvel lore, and that affection additionally interprets to the character of Ms. Marvel herself. Being a fan has given the actress a ardour and drive not like some other, and that makes her such a enjoyable particular person to observe as this character. Whether or not or not somebody enjoys the writing of Ms. Marvel or the character, it is fairly dang arduous to dislike somebody performed by an actor with this a lot love and keenness for the supply materials.
9
The Excessive Evolutionary
Performed by Chukwudi Iwuji
If there’s an instance throughout the MCU that may be thought-about one in every of the best superhero trilogies of all time, it is the Guardians of the Galaxy collection. After two superb movies, director James Gunn had numerous weight on his shoulders to cap off the trilogy in one of the simplest ways he may. One of many methods he managed to perform that is by the movie’s villain, The Excessive Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji).
Chukwudi Iwuji brings this character to life in a approach that makes him one of many MCU’s finest villains as of late. With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 being centered totally on Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), the long-running query wanted to be answered: The place did Rocket Raccoon come from? Seeing the origins play out and the issues that The Excessive Evolutionary did make him so unlikable however, on the identical time, undoubtedly Part 5’s finest villain.
8
Agatha Harkness
Performed by Kathryn Hahn
The MCU kicked off their time on Disney+ very effectively with their first miniseries, Wandavision. Whereas the second half of the present misplaced a great little bit of the fashion from the primary, the rising prominence of the villain of the collection, Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), made up for lots of house that felt empty. The explosive success of the reveal tune, “Agatha All Alongside,” is proof sufficient.
With a beautiful efficiency out of Kathryn Hahn (she is sort of iconic, in any case), individuals fell in love with Agatha fairly rapidly. Certainly, her recognition was so nice that she obtained a collection of her personal in Agatha All Along, which premiered in 2024 and obtained enthusiastic evaluations from critics and followers, a nice shock contemplating the present state of the MCU. Audiences can’t wait to see extra of Agatha, particularly now that she is alongside Billy Maximoff (Joe Locke) in his seek for his brother.
7
Billy Maximoff
Performed by Joe Locke
The largest factor that folks had been enthusiastic about for the way forward for the MCU with the introduction of Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) youngsters in Wandavision was who they might grow to be once they develop up. Whereas his brother hasn’t made an look in his older kind but, Billy Maximoff made his large MCU debut as his teen-self in Agatha All Alongside.
Billy additionally graduated to his superhero counterpart from the comedian books, Wiccan, which makes him a possible candidate for one in every of the cinematic universe’s strongest magic users alive at this level. Billy already has an enormous fan base, and it is solely going to develop as he turns into much more essential to the movies and exhibits of the Marvel Universe. When his comedian guide boyfriend, Hulkling, lastly arrives, the 2 may truly be in style sufficient to grow to be the MCU’s new golden couple.
6
Woman Dying
Performed by Aubrey Plaza
Who would not love Aubrey Plaza? For the reason that daybreak of the MCU, individuals have been asking for her to make an look and fan-casting her as a plethora of characters. On the flip facet, Woman Dying has a really comparable backstory. Ever because it was revealed that Thanos (Josh Brolin) was coming in The Avengers, speak about Woman Dying’s eventual arrival started.
Within the comics, the entity of Death, aka Lady Death, is the only real motive that the Mad Titan snapped his fingers. He was head over heels in love along with her and wished to kill half of the universe to impress her. Nonetheless, when it turned clear that Josh Brolin’s Thanos did not have the identical reasoning, individuals had been clamoring to know when the MCU’s model of Dying was going to point out up and beneath what circumstances. Her large reveal in Agatha All Alongside was an enormous second and made headlines in every single place. Everybody loves Aubrey Plaza, and everybody loves Woman Dying. What may very well be higher?
5
Xu Wenwu
Performed by Tony Leung Chiu-wai
After teasing the villain generally known as The Mandarin in Iron Man 3 earlier than in the end subverting expectations and letting a lot of longtime fans down, individuals had misplaced religion that they’d ever see a great depiction of the character within the films. They obtained precisely what they’d hoped for, nonetheless, when he turned not solely the villain of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings but additionally Shang-Chi’s (Simu Liu) father.
Not solely is he among the finest post-Avengers: Endgame villains, however Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) was such a well-written and compelling character that he did not even really feel like a mean, stereotypical villain. This refreshing method not solely made him not simply attention-grabbing but additionally let audiences truly care about him and get emotionally invested in his scheme, which in the end turned him right into a tragic determine.
4
Moon Knight/Mr. Knight (Marc Spector/Steven Grant/Jake Lockley)
Performed by Oscar Isaac
A significant fan-favorite character to debut on a Disney+ miniseries is Moon Knight (Oscar Isaac). Folks have been begging for a second season because the first got here out (though it appears that evidently dream is unlikely in the mean time), they usually actually hope he no less than makes an appearance in Avengers: Secret Wars.
The way in which that Oscar Isaac brings all of those identities inside this hero’s thoughts to life is stellar. Every of the troubled but fascinating character’s three personalities is vastly completely different from one another whereas being the identical man, and that is true expertise proper there. Audiences actually responded to this character, regardless of his comparatively brief stint within the MCU. His Egyptian roots, being the Fist of Konshu, make him distinctive in comparison with different heroes within the MCU.
3
Xu Shang-Chi
Performed by Simu Liu
The success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a significant toss-up for Marvel Studios: The studio’s first foray into that includes an Asian superhero was both going to be superb or an absolute flop. Fortunately for the solid and crew, it was very profitable. Whereas an enormous a part of that is the execution of the martial arts, the titular protagonist was excellently delivered to the display screen.
At first of the film, he’s a very mysterious guy, with a historical past and household baggage that’s slowly unpeeled all through the plot. This slower method made the story tremendous partaking for viewers and helped them purchase into Shang-Chi’s basic hero’s journey. He is additionally extraordinarily badass and succesful, which everybody loves in a great protagonist, particularly a superhero.
2
Yelena Belova
Performed by Florence Pugh
Whereas individuals had been dissatisfied that Black Widow got here so late within the MCU (particularly after Natasha was already lifeless from Avengers: Endgame), the most important spotlight of the film got here within the type of the beautiful Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova. She’s solely grown in recognition over time as a result of she has the identical expertise and badassery as her sister whereas additionally being a super-charming and humorous character in a approach that the extra cynical Natasha by no means actually was.
If Yelena weren’t an incredible character, Marvel Studios wouldn’t have put her on the forefront of the subsequent large staff of their cinematic universe, 2025’s highly anticipated superhero team-up Thunderbolts*. They may have simply trusted that main function to Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), however Yelena being the primary participant is the proof within the pudding that she’s one of many subsequent large greats (if she is not one already).
1
Hawkeye (Kate Bishop)
Performed by Hailee Steinfeld
Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) has been making an attempt to retire and hold up the bow since Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2015, however he simply can not seem to. Fortunately, this resourceful archer has a brand new child on the block who Marvel Comics followers have been asking to look on this cinematic universe for many years. Within the books, Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) is without doubt one of the most beloved legacy heroes, and her function within the MCU appears promising.
The good factor about her being within the MCU is that Oscar-nominee Hailee Steinfeld was the highest fan solid because the dialogue started. When Hawkeye got here out, and he or she was solid to play her, individuals’s goals truly got here true. If the particular person taking part in her would not already make her a high fan-favorite, Kate’s relatable wit, appeal, and profound talent make her the right particular person to assist lead the subsequent period of the MCU. She’s the prime option to be the leader of a potential Young Avengers team, and that is only the start.
