While the Marvel Cinematic Universe might be full of superheroes and supervillains and involve matters of saving the universe, there are also many different romantic relationships in the franchise that round out the story. Some of these relationships are more influential to the plot and to character development than others as some barely last for more than a scene or two while others last for years.
In this list, we look at all of the main relationships across the many movies and television series so far and rank them based on how long they lasted. But, as many of these relationships were on again and off again, ranking them can get a bit complex.
Steve Rogers and Sharon Carter
One of the most universally disliked canon relationships in the MCU was between Steve and Sharon. Fans were already attached to Steve and Peggy or Steve and Bucky, so it just felt unnecessary to try to give him a new love interest.
It was made even weirder because Sharon is Peggy’s great-niece. This relationship really only lasted for as long as the only kiss in Captain America: Civil War.
Natasha Romanoff and Bruce Banner
This is another romantic relationship that many fans weren’t too pleased about because it seems to come out of nowhere. And, while Joss Whedon explored the relationship when he directed Avengers: Age of Ultron, other creators dropped the storyline pretty much entirely with no explanation.
This was probably for the best however because it didn’t seem right for the characters.
Thor and Jane Foster
While Thor and Jane are a relationship with a basis in the comics, the MCU version fell a little bit flat at times. So, while these two were together for the first two Thor movies, it didn’t seem too strange when their relationship didn’t carry through in other movies.
While Natalie Portman is a beloved actress, this pairing just wasn’t the best when it came to chemistry.
Wanda Maximoff and Vision
Wanda and Vision do have a strong relationship, but because of Thanos killing Vision, it didn’t last very long really. However, this is made rather complicated by what happens in Wandavision.
Wanda is able to bring Vision back, sort of. However, she has to lose him once again. Because of this, they really are only together for a few years in aggregate.
T’Challa and Nakia
T’Challa and Nakia are a couple that was only shown in one movie, and because of the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, this relationship probably won’t last any longer than that. It’s explained that T’Challa and Nakia have history together, but they aren’t dating at the time of Black Panther.
However, they do seem to decide to make it work again at the end of the movie, and they really are a very endearing pairing that fans rooted for because both characters are so likable.
Peter Quill and Gamora
In the MCU, there are a lot of different situations that wouldn’t happen in the real world. With supervillains and magic and such, characters die but are brought back in various ways.
So, while Peter and Gamora have been dating in the Guardians movies, Gamora’s tragic death in Infinity War ended the relationship. However, Gamora is back in the story but it’s the version of herself from the past before she met Star-lord.
Peter Parker and MJ
Spider-Man and MJ are a rather iconic and well-known comic book romantic couple, but they have only just started a romantic relationship in the MCU. So, while on the one hand, they could be lower on this list, it does seem likely that it will be implied that they are together for a while.
Their relationship is definitely very fitting given their age, and it’s very cute and reflects high school romance.
Tony Stark and Pepper Potts
While Tony and Pepper have one of the most long-explored relationships in the entire MCU, their union is cut short when Tony Stark dies while saving the universe at the end of Avengers: Endgame.
It also takes them a while to get together officially, and when they do, it’s off and on at first. But, they do eventually get married and have Morgan, so it’s rather sad when Tony dies.
Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter
Steve and Peggy are another couple that has a rather complicated storyline when it comes to their time together. They got to know each other somewhat and shared a kiss, but then Steve was frozen under the ice.
They weren’t ever together again because of the time gap, but they end up together when Steve goes back to the past. They are implied to be together for many years after this.
Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne
While Scott and Hope seem like opposites at first, they end up making a rather good couple.
While we don’t know exactly what the future will look like for these two, they are reunited at the end of Avengers: Endgame, and it makes sense to assume that they will be together for many years as a couple after this.
Clint Barton and Laura Barton
While a lot of relationships in the MCU don’t last very long and have a rather complex storyline of loss and being reunited, Clint and Laura have a mostly stable relationship, at least up until the Thanos snap.
They have been married for many years and have children together at the time of Avengers: Age of Ultron, and when the Blip is undone, they are able to be together again.
Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes
While Steve and Bucky might not be canon in a romantic sense, these two are together as really close friends that mean the world to each other. They were best friends for their entire lives, and while Steve thinks he loses Bucky forever, he learns that he’s alive and then saves him from HYDRA.
So, while they weren’t around each other for this entire time, they remained friends into a new century.