When it comes to romance in big franchises like the MCU, fans don’t always agree on everything. People always have their individual favorite couple and ships. Plus, many of the most popular fan-favorite ships aren’t even canon relationships in the franchise. While there are always going to be people who both hate and love the same relationship, there are some general fan trends and perception when it comes to romance in the MCU films. Some couples made little sense while others seemed perfect for each other.
We’ve put together a list of the five couples MCU fans have overall supported and the five they have overall rejected.
10. REJECT: BRUCE BANNER AND NATASHA ROMANOFF
This is one of the few pairings that a large majority of MCU fans aren’t fond of. The main reason for this is that there isn’t a lot of basis for it. There is no comic foundation for the pairing, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. In fact, it was only in Avengers: Age Of Ultron that the couple existed, and the rest of the MCU films were spent trying to ignore or distance that relationship. The subplot between the two of them where Natasha felt like a monster for not being able to have children was also one many fans hated.
9. SUPPORT: TONY STARK AND PEPPER POTTS
Tony and Pepper might not have always been great together, especially because Tony had a lot of growing up to do. Tony Stark has had quite the journey in the MCU into becoming a more stable, reliable person. While they might have had a bit of an off and on relationship at first, their marriage as seen briefly in Avengers: Endgame seemed to be a stable and happy one. Plus, they were both adorable parents to their daughter, Morgan.
8. REJECT: STEVE ROGERS AND SHARON CARTER
This is another relationship that many in the MCU felt forced and unnecessary. Many fans felt it was a shoehorned romance that was put in just so it was clear that Steve and Bucky weren’t dating. The way this relationship was handled is unfortunate seeing as how there is a comic book foundation for it. The films just didn’t establish the couple enough or give Sharon Carter her due. The awkwardness of the relationship just didn’t read right at all for many fans.
7. SUPPORT: STEVE ROGERS AND PEGGY CARTER
This couple is one that fans have supported overall over the years, although there has been some contention with them after Endgame. While many fans love Peggy Carter, they feel that Steve going back in time to marry her was out of character for both of them. They also felt it didn’t make sense given the laws of time travel. But, at the same time, many people thought their dynamic in Captain America: The First Avenger was charming, and they enjoy seeing these two together.
6. REJECT: THOR AND JANE FOSTER
This is another race in the MCU that had a lot of potential but just wasn’t handled right. The character of Jane Foster fell a little flat at times, and their relationship wasn’t given enough development.
Luckily, with Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, heading up Thor: Love and Thunder, there will be time to focus more on her character and give dimension to her. This also opens the possibility of a more compelling and believable romance between these two.
5. SUPPORT: STEVE ROGERS AND BUCKY BARNES
Now, this is clearly not a canon ship that exists in the MCU. However, the pairing has had such a huge following in fandom to the point where most entertainment and comic sites address it as an understandable reading of these two and their relationship. Many fans felt the storyline between these two would be read romantically if it weren’t for the fact they were both men.
Many more have been frustrated that the MCU hasn’t had any canonically queer characters. Thankfully, the MCU is finally fixing this problem by introducing Valkyrie as the first canon LGBT+ character in the MCU.
4. REJECT: SCARLET WITCH AND VISION
This is another relationship in the MCU that exists strongly in the comics. But, as many of these couples have shown, just because it’s in the comics doesn’t mean it works on screen. These two characters always seemed a bit underdeveloped in the franchise, so focusing so much on their romance in Avengers: Infinity War didn’t have quite the emotional punch it could have. There also just isn’t that much chemistry between these two.
3. SUPPORT: SCOTT LANG AND HOPE VAN DYNE
Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne are a cute couple in the MCU. While they might have had a bit of a slow start, they become a dynamic duo in Ant-Man and the Wasp. They both bring likable performances, and there's not much to dislike here. Plus, it’s refreshing to see a superhero who is divorced and to see him have a positive relationship with his ex-wife as well as see Hope happily fit into their new family.
2. REJECT: STEPHEN STRANGE AND CHRISTINE PALMER
Doctor Strange might have had potential as a film, but it many ways it didn’t hold up to other MCU origin stories. The relationship between Stephen and Christine is likely part of the reason. There was really no reason to have this romance as Christine was only there as a love interest and then dropped in later movies. It’s a shame too because both Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachal McAdams are capable actors.
1. SUPPORT: T’CHALLA AND NAKIA
T’Challa and Nakia are an example of romance done right in the MCU. This couple proves that there doesn’t even need to be a lot of time spent or build up to make a romance believable. The reason these two work is that they have great chemistry but are both interesting characters outside of the romance. Nakia has a purpose and important role to play in the film outside of just being Black Panther’s love interest. Plus, the film is able to establish these two have a history and close relationship in a way that’s believable but doesn’t take a lot of time. It’s definitely easy to root for these two.