The Best Performances in Marvel Movies

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Among the numerous actors featured across more than 35 Marvel movies, just one has been nominated for an Academy Award in any of the four acting categories. That honor goes to Angela Bassett, who was recognized for Best Supporting Actress in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, although she did not win the award, which instead went to Jamie Lee Curtis for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

The Academy may not primarily view Marvel films as platforms for exceptional acting, and I suspect the general movie audience largely concurs. Instead, they repeatedly attend these films to witness other aspects: Exciting narratives about the perpetual struggle between good and wicked, stunning visual effects, and bonus content hidden within lengthy end credits.

However, it’s also plausible that some Marvel fans might select lesser-known, character-driven scenes as their favorite moments from the MCU. Often, the high-tech special effects, extraterrestrial threats, and radiant sky beams can overshadow the remarkable acting talent that has invested a significant portion of their careers in Marvel productions, and the emotional depth these actors bring is an essential ingredient in the studio’s success.

Today, let’s delve into a discussion about the top 15 standout performances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, arranged based on my personal (but undeniably accurate) preference. It’s possible that these roles didn’t earn Oscar recognition, but then again, some of them might have. Regardless, it’s safe to say that Marvel wouldn’t enjoy its current popularity without these stellar portrayals.

The Best Performances in Marvel Movies

15. Jeff Goldblum, Thor: Ragnarok

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are numerous extraterrestrial characters. One character who truly stands out as an alien is Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster from Thor: Ragnarok. With his peculiar mannerisms, strange weapons like the miurder staffs, and space DJ equipment, he is exceptionally alien-like. His quirky pronunciation of Asgard and chuckle afterwards adds to his oddball charm. The way Goldblum delivers the line, “Time works real different around these parts. On any other world I’d be like millions of years old, but here on Sakaar…” is a masterpiece.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe features numerous alien characters. In my opinion, Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster from Thor: Ragnarok is the most convincing extraterrestrial being due to his eccentric behavior, peculiar weapons, and space DJ equipment. His unique way of saying “Asgard” and chuckling at his unusual pronunciation makes him quite oddball. The line, “Time works real different around these parts. On any other world I’d be like millions of years old, but here on Sakaar…” delivered by Goldblum is a work of art.

14. Iman Vellani, The Marvels

In essence, The Marvels nearly landed at the bottom of my rankings within the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to one standout factor: Iman Vellani’s captivating portrayal of Ms. Marvel. She finds herself intertwined with Captain Marvel, embarks on a cosmic journey alongside her, and joins forces with Monica Rambeau, who could certainly benefit from a superhero alias. The concept is promising, but the delivery felt overwhelming and reliant on gimmicks, as the characters’ powers lead to an endless swapping of roles. Despite this chaotic and disorganized narrative, Vellani’s enthusiasm shines through; in a film this hectic and confusing, her dedication deserves recognition.

13. Stanley Tucci, Captain America: The First Avenger

In “Captain America: The First Avenger,” an exceptional Marvel cast graces the screen, with Chris Evans portraying Steve Rogers, joined by notables like Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, and Toby Jones. Among these talented individuals, my personal favorite is Stanley Tucci, who delivers a poignant performance as Dr. Erskine, the scientist responsible for creating the Super Soldier Serum and choosing Rogers as his first test subject. Unlike typical Marvel scientists who are either reckless or insane, Dr. Erskine stands out as the moral compass of the film, if not the entire Marvel Universe. A key scene featuring his eloquent discourse on the distinction between goodness and power ranks among the most profound quiet moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

12. Michael Peña, Ant-Man

The most memorable scenes in the first two “Ant-Man” films aren’t tied to the main character or his ability to shrink. Instead, they are the extended monologues delivered by Michael Peña as Scott Lang’s friend Luis, which often pause the storyline for comedic effect. When Peña starts one of these lengthy, humorous monologues, it’s always amusing, and the rest of his performance is equally charming. The fourth film, “Quantumania,” noticeably lacked his presence.

11. Sam Rockwell, Iron Man 2

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we haven’t seen Sam Rockwell’s character Justin Hammer since a short film in 2014. It’s quite disappointing because he was my top choice among the Phase One Marvel villains, mainly due to Rockwell’s unique portrayal. His performance showcased the defining qualities of a true antagonist: an ill-advised spray tan and amusing dance moves. Let’s hope Justin Hammer makes a comeback!

10. Andrew Garfield, Spider-Man: No Way Home

Although Marvel initially denied it, it wasn’t entirely unexpected when Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield appeared in “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. What was surprising, however, was the extent of their involvement. In particular, Garfield seemed deeply committed to resolving his portrayal of Peter Parker, a character who didn’t get to explore a third “Amazing Spider-Man” film where he could delve into Peter’s emotional response to the death of Gwen Stacy. He channeled all those unrealized feelings into “No Way Home”. His emotional moment when he saves Zendaya’s MJ is truly heartwarming, isn’t it? That’s some top-notch acting, right there.

9. Hugh Jackman, Deadpool & Wolverine

In essence, Deadpool and Wolverine, though primarily created for self-parody within the superhero genre, offers an exceptional performance by Hugh Jackman. Recognized as one of the finest actors in comic-book films, Jackman delivers another deeply emotional portrayal as Logan, a mutant burdened with immortality and a conscience weighed down by past transgressions, which he believes renders him unredeemable. It’s unlikely that this performance surpasses his work in Logan, but considering the nature of this film, Jackman’s effort appears to be more than just a money-making venture – it’s almost a supernatural feat.

8. Clark Gregg, The Avengers

In the initial phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it wasn’t one of the superheroes that stole the spotlight, but rather Agent Phil Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D., who appeared in most of their films to assemble them into the Avengers Initiative. Clark Gregg’s portrayal of Agent Coulson added a touch of human emotion to every scene, allowing viewers to relate to him and appreciate Marvel’s superheroes, gods, and robots more deeply. It’s no surprise that Marvel chose Gregg as the main character for their first television series, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., even after his death in The Avengers.

7. Tom Hiddleston, Thor

Tom Hiddleston’s Marvel performances are consistently impressive, making him one of the most reliable actors in their entire ensemble. This excellence can be traced back to his debut as Loki in the first Thor movie in 2011, where he brought Loki’s cunning deception, jealousy, thirst for power, and desperate need to win over his adoptive father to life on screen. Since then, the character has continued to evolve, frequently causing trouble for his thunder-wielding sibling.

6. John Brolin, Avengers: Infinity War

It’s important to acknowledge that while Josh Brolin played and motion-captured Thanos, the character’s terrifying yet intriguing portrayal was a collaborative effort. Visual effects artists contributed significantly to his appearance, and the scriptwriters played a crucial role in developing the villain’s complex motivations. This collaboration resulted in one of Marvel’s most compelling antagonists, who is not only frightening but also has a thought-provoking agenda, even though his methods are questionable. In essence, he presents a persuasive case for his actions.

5. Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther

Marvel chose not to replace Chadwick Boseman following his sad demise in 2020 due to colon cancer. No actor could possibly emulate the powerful presence he brought to T’Challa, the wise ruler of Wakanda and the hero known as Black Panther. With a strong ensemble cast backing him, Boseman stood out at the heart of Black Panther with unyielding resilience. Although another actor may don the Black Panther mantle in the future, there will only ever be one T’Challa and one Chadwick Boseman.

4. Bradley Cooper, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

In the span of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, the character Rocket Raccoon, initially a minor figure in ten comics over three decades, transformed from a secondary character into a scene-stealer and eventually one of Marvel’s most emotionally resonant heroes. His backstory, filled with sorrow, makes Spider-Man’s complaints seem trivial. A significant factor contributing to Rocket’s endearing nature, even at his grumpiest, is the voice acting by Bradley Cooper, which adds a layer of wounded empathy, particularly in “Guardians Vol. 3,” where we learn about Rocket’s harrowing origin and find him at the heart of the Guardians’ narrative.

3. Florence Pugh, Thunderbolts*

Marvel will carry on as it discovers fresh, gifted actors to take over from its original cast. The departure of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow was tough, but it hurts less now that Florence Pugh has stepped into the role, becoming the MCU’s new Black Widow. In her portrayal of Yelena, Pugh infuses a deep emotional depth to Yelena’s transition from a disheartened mercenary to the leader of a band of anti-hero outlaws. She complements this transformation with a dark wit that suits Marvel’s famous one-liners perfectly.

2. Michael B. Jordan, Black Panther

In collaboration, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan often produce remarkable outcomes. In the movie “Black Panther”, Jordan takes on the role of the antagonist, yet his captivating presence and intricately layered character make it hard not to become engrossed in his bid to seize the Wakandan throne from T’Challa as part of a quest for vengeance. What makes this even more impressive is that Jordan portrays this character, named Erik Killmonger, with such conviction that at times he begs the audience to address him by his preferred name, Erik, rather than Mr. Killmonger, who was his father.

1. Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man

Pondering over this question, I can’t help but wonder: If director Jon Favreau hadn’t been able to persuade Marvel Studios to cast Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark (and they were initially reluctant for quite some time), would the film have any chance of success? And if the film had failed, would that have been the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe right then and there?

Downey’s portrayal of Tony Stark was pivotal in setting the tone for the entire MCU. He skillfully concealed his wounded inner self behind a constant barrage of witty remarks, using humor as a shield on his journey from selfish arms dealer to selfless superhero. Even though Tony is no longer with us, Downey continues to serve as a benchmark against which all other MCU actors are compared.

The 10 Best Action Movies of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Avengement (2019)

Over the past 15 years, no one has starred in as many straight-forward action movies as Scott Adkins. He’s been part of big-budget Hollywood productions (like when he played one of Mads Mikkelsen’s henchmen in Doctor Strange), but most of his career has been spent in the realm of direct-to-video and now direct-to-streaming action films. A perfect representation of his no-nonsense, high-impact acting style can be found in Avengement, where Adkins, alongside regular collaborator director Jesse V. Johnson, portrays an ex-convict on a highly personal quest for revenge against his own brother. Despite the somewhat comical title, this is a gritty and rough movie that you’ll enjoy.

9. The Fall Guy (2024)

In a similar vein, just like an antique muscle car with faulty brakes, “The Fall Guy” gains momentum and never seems to slow down. Its peak moments carry the same spirited enthusiasm as an old-time Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical, “Let’s put on a show!”. It’s so full of heartfelt homage to cinematic marvel that it inspires you to either create your own film or indulge in one.

However, the term “movie magic” might not fully encapsulate its essence. For the audience, when a movie captivates like “The Fall Guy”, it seems magical. But for the filmmakers, crafting that enchantment involves elements of deception and hard work, much of which is attributed to the unsung heroes behind the scenes – the technical crew, whom “The Fall Guy” honors. At one instance, Emily Blunt’s character Jody Moreno tells Ryan Gosling’s stuntman Colt Seavers that she wants their action sequences to convey the concept, “How far would you go for the one you love?” If “the one” represents the euphoria of excellent cinema, then that passion drives this highly enjoyable film.

8. Rebel Ridge (2024)

In 2024, Aaron Pierre was expected to be the center of attention in Hollywood due to his compelling portrayal as an upright Marine entangled with corrupt cops in the film “Rebel Ridge”. However, among the dozen new movies on Netflix that September, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. This doesn’t diminish Pierre’s exceptional performance or the fact that Jeremy Saulnier, renowned director of “Blue Ruin” and “Green Room”, delivered another masterful action movie. The film, reminiscent of “First Blood” but reflecting our contemporary world, deviates from traditional action tropes as its Marine martial arts instructor protagonist, falsely accused by a crooked police chief, tries to peacefully resolve situations whenever possible. Fortunately for the viewers, he is not always successful.

In 2024, Aaron Pierre’s performance in “Rebel Ridge” was anticipated to make waves in the movie world, but it didn’t quite reach that level of fame amidst a dozen new Netflix releases that September. Despite this, Jeremy Saulnier’s latest action movie, which resembles “First Blood” set in our modern society, was still impressive and bucked traditional action film trends by featuring a Marine martial arts instructor as the hero, who seeks non-violent solutions to problems when he can, although he sometimes fails.

7. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum (2019)

The entirety of “John Wick: Chapter 3” is breathtaking, yet the movie’s initial 40 minutes, during which Keanu Reeves’ relentless assassin escapes New York City (both physically by running, biking, and riding horses, and metaphorically by brutally killing a man with a book), might just be the most powerful, unyielding cinematic work of the past decade. John Wick, though you may have been excommunicated, you’ve indelibly etched yourself in my heart. I have a strong feeling we’ll be reuniting soon, if not on the big screen, then certainly on this list.

6. Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)

Discussing the intricate and thrilling plot twists, as well as the jaw-dropping stunts of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, which surpassed even those seen in previous films like Rogue Nation; director Christopher McQuarrie outdid himself. However, all these elements are merely embellishments for what truly sets Mission: Impossible – Fallout apart.

In an era where popular culture often leans towards cynicism, Tom Cruise stands out as a genuine artist. He could have relied on stuntmen or special effects to perform his actions, but he chooses not to because he genuinely cares about his films and his audience. This unwavering passion permeates every frame of this unapologetically entertaining and sincere action movie. For instance, Cruise suffered a broken ankle while performing the stunt depicted in this image, yet he completed it and it was included in the final film.

This text highlights Tom Cruise’s dedication to his craft and his audience, which is evident in every scene of Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

5. Bad Black (2016)

Despite the raw and unpolished nature of the action in the Ugandan film titled “Bad Black,” it’s far from being a chaotic comedy like Tommy Wiseau’s works. Instead, it delivers an intense rush of adrenaline that strikes you right at the heart. The director, Nabwana I.G.G., kicks off with a thrilling 10-minute chase and gunfight through the streets of Wakaliga, and the pace seldom slows down for the following hour. The editing is fast-paced yet coherent, the stunts are remarkably athletic, the portrayal of life in Uganda is intriguing, and the enthusiasm of everyone involved is truly contagious. Watching this movie offers one of the most enjoyable cinematic experiences you can have. In essence, it’s not so bad that it’s good – it’s so good that it’s “Bad Black.

4. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

In the John Wick series, whether it’s finale or not with Chapter 4, it undeniably reached its peak moment – quite literally so in the movie’s end, where Keanu Reeves’ character John Wick climbs an enormous stairway leading to the Sacré-Cœur church in Paris. With a runtime of three hours, packed with action sequences that could fill up three movies, John Wick: Chapter 4 sees its protagonist traversing the globe, desperately seeking a means to bring an end to his longstanding conflict with the High Table. Once again, Reeves demonstrates his skill as a graceful and emotional anti-hero, this time accompanied by the series’ strongest ensemble of action stars yet, including Scott Adkins, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, and notably, Donnie Yen as the blind swordsman/assassin Caine. It remains unclear how Reeves and director Chad Stahelski could possibly surpass this, but I’d be thrilled to witness them attempting another masterpiece.

3. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

In the 2020s, it seemed almost impossible to imagine a more inconsequential film than a sequel to “Top Gun”. However, against all odds, director Joseph Kosinski and actor-producer Tom Cruise demonstrated tremendous determination and dedication to traditional cinematic skills, resulting in a “Top Gun” sequel that was not just thrilling and enjoyable but also resonated with our contemporary world – although not politically, it certainly spoke to the desire for visually stunning spectacles only possible on a massive screen. In today’s context, such a perspective could be seen as unorthodox or even daring.

2. RRR (2022)

In simpler terms, the film “RRR” is an extravagant three-hour spectacle from India that delights your brain with a combination of action, romance, music, and drama. It’s like a modern take on an old John Woo action movie, set in South Asia, featuring two strong characters – Bheem (played by N.T. Rama Rao Jr.) and Rama (Ram Charan) – who are initially enemies but become unlikely allies due to a chance encounter. Bheem is a warrior from the Gond tribe, while Rama serves in the British Empire’s military forces. They cross paths in Delhi when Bheem is searching for a kidnapped girl and Rama is tasked with finding the man looking for her. Despite being on opposite sides of the law, a strange coincidence brings them together. The film is incredibly bold in its attempt to keep audiences engaged, and the way it intertwines action and dance is truly remarkable.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road” stands out as the best car chase movie of the past decade, even reaching back to the century. Its action sequences are impressive, but it’s more than that. “Fury Road” is also one of the most spiritually profound and even Biblical films of the last ten years. It follows a group of heroic women, led by the iconic Imperator Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron), on a journey through the desert, reminiscent of an exodus from Sodom and Gomorrah in search of a new Eden. Tom Hardy’s character, Max, guides them like a mad Moses. Although he helps them find sanctuary, he can never be part of it himself. George Miller’s masterpiece shows that action films can be both exciting and intelligent. If someone argues otherwise, you should look them straight in the eye and say, “That’s ridiculous.

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2025-04-30 18:28