The Marvel Cinematic Universe is adding new characters to its ranks constantly, especially as the ongoing Multiverse Saga vows to introduce the fan-favorite X-Men and Fantastic Four to the beloved franchise, signaling a new Golden Age of superhero movies.
While fans are certainly excited about the characters yet to arrive in the MCU, the ones that are currently center stage in the franchise are quite lovable themselves. Although nearly every MCU character is beloved in some way, there are some that audiences couldn't help but grow obsessed with after only a single appearance.
Groot
Groot is a core member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Hailing from Planet X, the sentient tree-like creature has appeared numerous times throughout the MCU, including as an ally to the Avengers during their conflicts with Thanos. However, the beloved character made his very first appearance way back in 2014 in James Gunn's first Guardians of the Galaxy film.
From his very first scene, Groot showed that he wasn't quite like the other Guardians, proving to be less emotionally closed-off than his future teammates. Throughout the film, Groot gave viewers very little reason not to fall in love with him and even sacrificed his life for the group of friends he had only just met. Transforming into the adorable Baby Groot at the end of the film certainly didn't hurt his chances of becoming an instant favorite among Marvel fans.
Tony Stark
Tony Stark, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., is arguably the protagonist of the Infinity Saga, leading the franchise for over a decade before dying a heroic death in Avengers: Endgame. While many fans remember his later years fondly, Tony got off to a terrific start in 2008's Iron Man, the very first installment of the MCU.
Despite his surly and often sarcastic personality, there was always something intrinsically likable about Tony Stark. Aided greatly by the iconic performance of Robert Downey Jr., Stark instantly became a character that the audience was not only interested in, but also personally invested in. His subsequent nine appearances in the franchise prove that Stark's popularity didn't wane with time.
Man-Thing
Dr. Ted Sallis, a.k.a. the Man-Thing, is a monstrous entity relatively new to the MCU scene, signaling the beginning of Marvel's darker turn toward projects involving creatures of the night. The swampy creature made his debut very recently in Marvel's first special presentation, Werewolf by Night.
The Man-Thing may only have a handful of scenes in Werewolf by Night, but his surprisingly tender personality already has fans lobbying for another appearance from the MCU newcomer. His friendship with Jack Russell, played by Gael García Bernal, proves to be a particularly delightful facet of his character, whom fans have already claimed as their own.
Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi is one of Phase 4's best new heroes, who is portrayed by newcomer Simu Liu. The martial arts master is expected to play a major role in the franchise's future, especially following the success of his debut film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as well as its director, Destin Daniel Cretton, who will go on to helm Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
Even though his comic book counterpart is somewhat unknown to many Marvel fans, the MCU's Shang-Chi became an instant favorite, particularly due to Liu's brilliant portrayal of the character. His witty personality and winning chemistry with Awkwafina's Katy make him surprisingly relatable, despite his decidedly unusual life.
T'Challa
The late Chadwick Boseman will always be remembered for his many emotionally resonant roles throughout the years. One of his very greatest characters was T'Challa, the King of Wakanda and the Black Panther. While Boseman would portray the character four times throughout his tenure in the MCU, he made his very first appearance in Captain America: Civil War.
From his very first scene, there was something about T'Challa that was intensely intriguing. Boseman brought with his performance a level of regalness that heightened the character, even amidst a massive ensemble cast. No matter what direction Wakanda Forever goes, there will always be a piece of Wakanda missing without the presence of Boseman's King T'Challa.
Loki
Tom Hiddleston's Loki has proven to be one of the MCU's most beloved villains, appearing in numerous projects over the years, including his self-titled spinoff series. While he has since become somewhat of an antihero, the god of mischief was anything but heroic in his very first appearance in 2011's Thor film.
Loki quickly became a fan-favorite character, not only in the Thor franchise but in the entire MCU. The god of mischief's tragic backstory and desperate desire for approval from his adoptive father resonated with fans, who also hailed Tom Hiddleston's casting as one of the best character-actor matchups in the entire franchise. Loki's popularity has only grown in the last decade, making him one of the most in-demand characters in Marvel history.
Phil Coulson
Clark Gregg's S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson can be described as "the glue," of Marvel's early years, appearing in four of the six films in Phase 1. The beloved secret agent managed to forge a personal relationship with all six of the original Avengers, beginning with Tony Stark himself in 2008's Iron Man.
Phil Coulson may have only appeared briefly in Iron Man, but Clark Gregg's personable nature and modest charm quickly made the character a standout. While future appearances would give the character more depth, Agent Coulson needed only one to win Marvel fans' hearts, eventually leading to his very own spinoff show, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which ran for seven seasons on ABC.
Ned Leeds
Ned Leeds, portrayed by Jacob Batalon, is the loyal best friend of Spider-Man and a tech whiz attending Midtown High. The character became an integral piece of Spider-Man's MCU story, even appearing in several Avengers films. He made his very first appearance alongside many other members of Spidey's supporting cast in the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Homecoming established Ned as the perfect best friend, going to great lengths--including personal sacrifice--to keep Peter's identity as Spider-Man secret throughout the film. In addition, Ned's humor and unquenchable spirit make him one of the MCU's most beloved personalities yet.
Korg
Korg is a member of the Kronan species, which is comprised entirely of rocks. The former Sakaraan gladiator has become one of Thor's most loyal companions through the years and is voiced by Taika Waititi, the director of Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, the former of which marks Korg's very first MCU appearance.
While many Marvel fans might not have expected a pile of rocks to steal their hearts, Korg immediately proved them wrong. The Kronan's unusual manner of speech and adorable accent keep him close to fans' hearts. It doesn't hurt that Waititi's performance in the role is pitch-perfect.
Kate Bishop
In an age of new heroes taking on the mantles of the original Avengers, Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop is easily one of the best-liked legacy characters in the MCU. The skilled archer is currently training to take over Clint Barton's role as Hawkeye, as depicted in the Disney+ series of the same name, which currently stands as Bishop's only MCU appearance.
While establishing a character meant to take up the mantle of a beloved hero is always tricky, the introduction of Kate Bishop was spot on. Steinfeld's casting fulfilled many fans' dreams after years of speculation that she would get the role, immediately earning the character points among the fanbase. In Hawkeye, Bishop not only proves her skill with a bow but also shows herself to be a complex and humorous character, certainly one worth watching for many more years to come.