Action and superhero spectacle is obviously a big part of the MCU, but comedy has also been a very important element to these movies as well. Even the more serious projects like Black Panther and Captain America: The Winter Soldier have some laughs while movies like Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok feel like full-blown comedies.
This established tone has allowed many of the MCU's biggest actors to show off their comedic skills which can sometimes be surprising. However, looking at the careers of these actors, it is not just their roles as the MCU heroes that allow them to be funny.
Samuel L. Jackson - Jackie Brown (1997)
As Nick Fury, Samuel L. Jackson has always had an authoritative presence in the MCU. This fits in well with his famous onscreen demeanor as a badass who is not to be messed with. But there have also been moments when Jackson has mixed that persona with humor.
Jackson has collaborated with Quentin Tarantino on several occasions, but Jackie Brown might be their best movie together as well as Jackson's best performance. He plays the vain and hilariously aloof arms dealer Ordell Robbie. Jackson is able to combine menace, charm, and goofiness perfectly into this hilarious villain.
Anthony Mackie - The Night Before (2015)
Anthony Mackie is getting his chance to step into the spotlight within the MCU thanks to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. But he has had a very busy career outside of the MCU. Even with his many different projects, seeing him in a comedy is rare.
One notable exception is the R-rated holiday comedy The Night Before, co-starring Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The trio play friends who reunite for their annual Christmas night out which turns into a wild adventure. Mackie fits into the comedy world well, holding his own alongside the more seasoned comedic actors.
Brie Larson - 21 Jump Street (2012)
Even before Brie Larson joined the MCU as Captain Marvel, she was an Oscar winner for her harrowing performance in the drama Room. While these are the roles that most people knew her for, she has also appeared in a number of light-hearted roles as well.
In 21 Jump Street, Larson plays Molly, a high school drama student who forms a close bond with Schmidt (Jonah Hill), unaware he is actually an undercover cop. The movie is a hilarious action-comedy and while Hill and Channing Tatum get most of the fun, Larson gets some big laughs as well.
Paul Rudd - I Love You, Man (2009)
Unlike most of the other actors on this list, Paul Rudd was already very well established as a comedic actor before his days as Ant-Man in the MCU. Rudd made a long career of hilarious roles in movies such as Clueless, Anchorman, and Wet Hot American Summer.
While it's hard to narrow it down to just one, I Love You, Man may be his funniest role of all. Rudd plays Pete, a man who is about to get married and realizes he doesn't have any male friends to be his best man. He then meets Sydney (Jason Segel) and forms a strong friendship.
Jeremy Renner - Tag (2018)
Much like his role as Hawkeye in the MCU, Renner is mostly known for playing the stoic action heroes. The buddy comedy Tag had fun playing on that image of Renner while also allowing him to loosen up a bit.
Based on the hilarious true story, the movie follows a group of adult friends who maintain a connection through their decades-long game of tag. Renner plays the member of the group who is "untaggable."
Mark Ruffalo - You Can Count On Me (2000)
Before taking over the role of Bruce Banner and Hulk in the MCU, Mark Ruffalo was mostly known for small indie movies. Ruffalo showed a lot of range in a variety of roles, but one of his most underrated performances is in the comedy-drama You Can Count on Me.
Ruffalo plays the immature brother of a single mother who comes to stay with her for a while. While there are some dramatic moments as well, Ruffalo really nails the movie's grounded humor and plays the lovable aimless drifter role so well.
Chris Hemsworth - Ghostbusters (2016)
While Thor has unexpectedly become one of the funniest characters in the MCU, there was a time when Chris Hemsworth's comedic abilities took everyone by surprise. Taking a small supporting role in the Ghostbusters reboot, Hemsworth stole the show from some very funny people.
Hemsworth plays Kevin, the handsome yet dim-witted assistant working for the Ghostbusters. His comedic timing and deadpan delivery worked so well it may have influenced the decision to take Thor in a funnier direction.
Scarlett Johansson - Rough Night (2017)
Scarlett Johansson is one of the most acclaimed actors in the MCU and it will be great to see her finally headlining her own solo movie later this summer. While she has earned awards and nominations for some pretty heavy roles, she really embraced her silly side in the dark comedy Rough Night.
Johansson plays a woman on a bachelorette trip with her bridesmaids. But what starts as typical hard-partying shenanigans turns into mayhem when their stripper dies and the women panic. Despite the deadly premise, this is an outrageous R-rated comedy that feels like a female version of The Hangover.
Chris Evans - Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (2010)
It's interesting to see that Chris Evans has become an iconic cinematic hero like Captain America yet he has also shown a unique talent for playing the villain in comedies as well. He was hilariously pompous in Knives Out recently, but an even funnier role was in Edgar Wright's wild comic book adaptation, Scott Pilgrim vs the World.
The movie follows a young man who is forced to battle the evil exes of his new girlfriend, including movie star Lucas Lee (Evans). In only one scene, Evans steals the show as the cocky and smoldering jerk.