The Marvel Cinematic Universe has given us some of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. While many of these characters have been male, the women of the MCU have been equally as important and integral to the franchise's success. From powerful superheroes to deadly assassins and brilliant scientists, the women of the MCU have proven time and time again that they are just as capable and complex as their male counterparts.
Today, we will be counting down the top 10 greatest women of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ranked based on their impact on the franchise, character development, and overall popularity. Some of these women may have taken a backseat in certain films, but their contributions to the larger MCU narrative cannot be ignored. We will delve into their abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and defining moments to showcase what makes them so significant to the MCU and its fans.
From Black Widow to Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch to Gamora, these women have inspired generations of comic book fans and movie-goers alike. So, without further ado, let's dive into the 10 greatest women of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Let’s scroll down and check them out!
#1.
Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (‘Avengers’)
Scarlett Johansson appeared in multiple Marvel movies, including “Iron Man2 “(2010), “The Avengers” (2012), “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014), “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015), “Captain America: Civil War” (2016), “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018), “Captain Marvel” (in an end credit cameo) and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019). The character is known as a Russian spy and a foe of Iron Man. Later, she defected to the US and turned into an agent of the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D. and played a key role as a member of the elite superhero team, Avengers.
#2.
Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (‘Captain Marvel’)
Carol Danvers is regarded as Marvel's most notable female hero and one of the most powerful characters in the series. She portrayed a test pilot whose engine explodes and left her with powerful energy-manipulation capabilities when erasing her memory in last year's origin movie "Captain Marvel." In "Avengers: Endgame," she cooperated with the remaining superheroes and took part in the fight to stop Thanos once and for ever.
#3.
Scarlet Witch (‘Avengers’)
Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen in the MCU, made an appearance in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014), "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015) and "Captain America: Civil War" (2016), "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018) and "Avengers: Endgame" (2019). Olsen will return with the role in the upcoming Disney+ series "WandaVision" this year, and in the upcoming film "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" the following year.
The character was originally a human mutant before being retconned as a human mutate. She is a rare character who appears in both Fox and Marvel films, along with her brother Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Her primary abilities are phenomenal telekinesis and telepathy, which she acquired after being exposed to the Mind Stone.
#4.
Shuri (‘Black Panther’)
Shuri is a princess in the fictitious African kingdom of Wakanda in "Black Panther." She is the daughter of T'Chaka and the sister of T'Challa, the nation's chief. She is a skilled martial artist, a master of advanced technologies, and possesses transmorphic abilities. In the MCU, she is portrayed by Letitia Wright, who appears in "Black Panther" (2018), "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018), and "Avengers: Endgame," where she is resurrected and fights Thanos. She'll be in the untitled sequel to "Black Panther."
#5.
Dark Phoenix/Dr. Jean Grey (‘X-Men’)
Beginning with the first "X-Men" film in 2000, actress Famke Janssen played the medical doctor as an adult.
Jean Grey is a member of the human subspecies known as mutants, who have superhuman abilities. She possesses telepathic and telekinetic abilities and is a nurturing figure. She is Cyclops' fiancée, but she is also Wolverine's unrequited love interest. Janssen played the character again in "X2." (2003), "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006), "The Wolverine" (2013), and "X-Men: Days of Future Past." Sophie Turner portrays a teen Jean in "X-Men Apocalypse" (2016). Turner played the role again in "Dark Phoenix" (2019).
#6.
Storm (‘X-Men’)
This mutant from the "X-Men" comic-book series was the first major female character of African descent in comics. She and her super-powered companions fight for peace and equality for mutants and humans. Her abilities include the ability to control the weather and temperature. Halle Berry played the character in the first "X-Men" film in 2000, which was followed by "X2" (2003), "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006), and "X-Men: Days of Future Past." Alexandra Shipp played a younger version of the character in "X-Men: Apocalypse" (2016), "Deadpool 2" (2018), and "Dark Phoenix" (2019).
#7.
Mary Jane Watson (‘Spider-Man’)
In Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy (2002-2007), Kirsten Dunst played Peter Parker's high school crush opposite Toby Maguire. Mary Jane is an aspiring actress whose father is an abusive alcoholic. She is dating Peter's best friend, Harry Osborn, but she is also attracted to Spider-Man, his alter ego after he saves her from the Green Goblin and a gang of thugs. In the first sequel, Mary Jane is dissatisfied with her relationship with Peter, but she suspects he and Spider-Man are the same person. Peter proposes to Mary Jane in the previous film, but her future is complicated by career setbacks. He falls in love with Gwen Stacy and experiences behavioral changes as a result of an outside force. Zoe Kravitz gave the voice of Mary Jane in 2018's "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," which earned a Best Animated Film Award.
#8.
Anne Weying/She-Venom (‘Venom’)
Michelle Williams starred as Anne Weying in the 2018 film "Venom," as the ex-fiancee of investigative journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy aka Venom). Brock becomes a host for an alien symbiote, which gives him superpowers. According to the Easter egg preview of her hosting her own symbiote, Williams will most likely appear as She-Venom at some point. She will reprise her role in "Venom 2," which will be released on October 2, this year, and could lead to a "She-Venom" spin-off at some point.
#9.
Okoye (‘Black Panther’)
Okoye, played by "The Walking Dead" star Danai Gurrira in 2018's big-screen superhero adventure "Black Panther," is a beast of a fighter as the general of the Dora Milaje army of female bodyguards as well as the head of Wakanda's armed forces and intel. She backs T'Challa (Chadwick Bowman), whose reign as king is overthrown by Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). She aids the rightful ruler in regaining control of the hidden kingdom. A sequel, directed and written by Ryan Coogler, is set to be released in May 2022.
#10.
Gamora (‘Guardians of the Galaxy’)
Gamora, played by Zoe Zaldana in this 2014 comedy, is an orphan from the alien world who wants to atone for her past crimes after being a personal assassin to Thanos, her adoptive father. She insisted on being the green character through makeup rather than special effects. The actress describes her character as a "very lethal warrior," but what saves her is also what dooms her. She has a strong sense of justice." Gamora has appeared in "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018) and "Avengers: Endgame" (2019) in addition to the 2017 sequel. Ariana Greenblatt played a younger version of the character in "Infinity War."
Do you agree with the rank of the list? Please tell us your opinion in the comments!
Source: Marvel/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
Source: Moviestore/Shutterstock
Source: Marvel/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
Source: Marvel Studios/REX/Shutterstock