With a plethora of Marvel films available on Disney Plus nowadays, it's so easy to binge-watch tons of favorites over and over again. Picking favorites is always tricky and coming up with the best performances of each character is even harder. Here's an attempt at picking the favorite performances for each of the most significant Marvel characters in cinema, many of which can be found on Disney Plus!
Best Performance: Black Panther (2018)
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
One of the more meaningful Marvel Cinematic Universe features, it seems like one of the only entries to have larger implications in the world since Iron Man. It's also anchored by some of the best MCU performances, at the center of which is the amazing Chadwick Boseman as the title character.
Best Performance: The Avengers (2012)
Directed by: Joss Whedon
Natasha Romanoff seemed to get sidelined more and more as time went on, ending the run in a Black Widow movie that seemed like more of an aside than a major feature. The Avengers was the last time she really got to shine.
Best Performance: Avengers Endgame (2019)
Directed by: Anthony & Joe Russo
This main staple of the MCU started life as the sheer will of man, but his role grew to be something devastatingly meaningful by the end as the complex de facto leader of The Avengers.
Best Performance: Iron Man (2008)
Directed by: Jon Favreau
The film that started the MCU, Robert Downey Jr. lends his natural charisma to the role, which had an unexpected depth that became a joy for actor-focused lovers in the future.
Best Performance: The Avengers (2012)
Directed by: Joss Whedon
The central villain of The Avengers has only grown as a fan favorite from here, but this was the initial reason to get behind Loki in the first place.
Best Performance: Logan (2017)
Directed by: James Mangold
This is definitely Hugh Jackman's movie, but it's also a perfect send-off for Patrick Stewart's performance of Charles Xavier, which from day one he has imbued with poise and nuance.
Available for rental only!
Best Performance: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Directed by: Jon Watts
Tom Holland's Spider-Man has gripped viewers more and more with each film appearance, and his most recent showing in No Way Home proved his significance as the essential, classic form of the beloved comic book character.
Available on Starz and rental only!
Best Performance: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Directed by: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman\
The unexpected addition of the Miles Morales version of Spider-Man into film history was far more impactful that the filmmakers could have anticipated, and needless to say we're all psyched for his return in 2023.
Available for rental only!
Best Performance: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Thor is another beloved character thanks to Chris Hemsworth's natural charm and humorous timing that matches Robert Downey Jr.'s, and his solo outing in Thor: Ragnarok finally gave the world a Thor-focused film to love.
Best Performance: Logan (2017)
Directed by: James Mangold
Would any Marvel acting list be complete without the irreplaceable Hugh Jackman? His iconic take on Wolverine was transformative, and an essential part of superhero history.
Available for rental only!
Enjoy!