Key Takeaways

• Marvel has a diverse library of characters with appearances in movies ranging from origin stories to special cameos.
• Stan Lee made multiple appearances in Marvel movies, potentially as the character The Watcher in the MCU.
• Characters like Black Widow, Thor, Wolverine, Iron Man, Hulk, Professor X, Spider-Man, Captain America, and Nick Fury have had numerous appearances in various movies.

Marvel has become a huge part of the superhero genre, with a plethora of comic books, games, movies, and TV shows. In terms of the cinematic impact, the brand has been even more successful since the start of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). However, the company is not restricted to the cinematic universe, releasing movies and TV shows way before Iron Man’s debut in the 2008 movie.

With the Spider-Man, X-Men, MCU, and other superhero titles out there, Marvel has created an enormous library for its many characters. In particular, the movies have focused on different superheroes or even superhero groups that range completely in personality, power, and context. Yet there are characters that just seem to appear time and time again in their own movies or as special appearances in other titles. Be it in an origin story, sequel, prequel or even post-credit scenes, some Marvel characters are a constant presence in Marvel live-action movies.

10 Honorable Mention – Stan Lee As The Watcher

An Unconfirmed Yet Common Presence In Marvel Movies

While it may be up for discussion whether Stan Lee always portrayed the same character in all his Marvel appearances (inside and out of the MCU), there is no denying the role of the writer in Marvel live-action movies. Appearing as multiple different people in most Marvel projects until his passing, Stan Lee became a “character” to look out for in the movies.

In Guardians of the Galaxy, Stan Lee played The Watcher, heavily implying that all his glimpses up to that point are the comic book character as an observer. Whether or not he is The Watcher in all the movies before and after that point is still unknown, yet his multiple appearances definitely deserve a shout-out.

9 Black Widow – 9 Movies

A Spy That Became A Huge Part Of The MCU

• All Appearances: Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame and Black Widow
• Real Name: Natasha Romanoff
• Played By: Scarlett Johanson

Scarlet Johansen’s role as Black Widow left a mark in the MCU as one of the original members of the Avengers. She was first introduced in Iron Man 2 and has since then expanded her role, coming to appear in all the Avengers movies, as well as other superhero movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and even a post-credit scene in Captain Marvel.

Despite her character facing an unfortunate yet dignified ending in Avengers: Endgame, the hero still managed to continue in the MCU for one final project. Ending it with a prequel focused on her character, Black Widow was the last movie of the heroine, appearing in nine movies overall.

8 Thor – 10 Movies

The God of Thunder Has Been Around For Four Character Movies And More

• All Appearances: Thor, Thor: The Dark World, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, Doctor Strange and Deadpool and Wolverine
• Real Name: Thor
• Played By: Chris Hemsworth

Thor is a crucial part of the Avengers as one of the main heroes in the original team-up movie and its sequels, yet he also participates in other superhero movies, including his own. As the third hero to get an origin story after Iron Man and Hulk, the Norse god has since become a fan-favorite, despite the many adjustments that were made to the character in the MCU.

The multiple versions of the character in the cinematic universe stem from his diverse role in the comics, which also feature multiple versions of Thor. Regardless, the character continues to grow in live-action movies through his MCU role, with four character-focused movies and, more recently, a quick appearance in Deadpool and Wolverine.

7 Wolverine – 10 Movies

Small And Big Appearances Make Him The Heart Of The X-Men

• All Appearances: X-Men, X2, X-Men: Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine, Logan, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Apocalypse and Deadpool and Wolverine
• Real Name: James Howlett, alias Logan
• Played By: Hugh Jackman

Long before the MCU ruled the superhero genre in cinema, the X-Men had its grip on comic book fans, with the iconic Wolverine at the center of this universe. Participating in 10 out of the 13 X-Men live-actions released, Wolverine is definitely one of Marvel’s biggest staples with Hugh Jackman as the protagonist for over 20 years. Even though some of the character appearances are shorter than others, there is no doubt that all of Jackman’s performances as Wolverine left a mark.

Jackman’s iteration of the character has permeated the X-Men movies in the original franchise, as well as its prequel series, but also in a trilogy of his own. More recently, the actor has returned to play the character starring in Deadpool and Wolverine after an emotional goodbye in Logan.

6 Iron Man – 10 Movies

The Birthplace Of The Marvel Cinematic Universe

• All Appearances: Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame
• Real Name: Tony Stark
• Played By: Robert Downey Jr.

Considered by many the heart and soul of the MCU, Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man has been around since the very beginning as the franchise’s first movie in 2008. Not only having two sequels to his origin story, Iron Man went on to appear in multiple other movies, like The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Captain America: Civil War.

Besides character-centered movies, the hero was a main focus in all the Avengers movies, guiding the overarching narrative in the MCU. Even though Iron Man’s era in the cinematic universe ended in an emotional goodbye in Avengers: Endgame, the iconic actor Robert Downey Jr. is coming back as the feared villain, Doctor Doom.

5 Hulk – 11 Movies

A Character That Continues To Make Smashing Special Appearances

• All Appearances: Hulk, Incredible Hulk, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Iron Man 3, Captain Marvel, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Deadpool and Wolverine
• Real Name: Bruce Banner
• Played By: Eric Bana, Edward Norton, and Mark Ruffalo

While he may not have as many character-focused movies in the cinematic universe as the other members of the Avengers, Hulk has been a regular character in the cinematic universe since 2008. The Incredible Hulk is not only the second MCU movie, but it is also the hero’s second big live-action movie, as the first theatrical release in 2003 after Lou Ferringo’s show.

Currently, the character has become an integral part of the MCU, participating in a range of movies as well as the Avengers franchise. Although Mark Ruffalo has portrayed the character for the majority of the installments where Hulk appears, he actually followed Edward Norton’s recast and Eric Bana’s 2003 debut.

4 Professor X – 11 Movies

Different Iterations Of The Powerful Mind Behind The X-Men

• All Appearances: X-men, X2, X-Men: Last Stand, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Wolverine, Logan, X-Men: Apocalypse, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness and Deadpool 2
• Real Name: Charles Xavier
• Played By: Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy

There is no X-Men without Professor X, who has reigned over the movie franchise either through Patrick Stewart’s portrayal or James McAvoy’s iteration of a young Xavier. While Patrick Stewart was in all of the original X-Men franchise, appearing in Wolverine movies as well, James McAvoy was a huge part of the prequels.

Yet, both actors have dipped their toe in other franchises as the illustrious Professor X, including McAvoy’s cameo in Deadpool 2 and Patrick Stewart’s interpretation of a different version of the character in Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness.

3 Spider-Man – 11 Movies

Multiple Iterations Spread Across Diverse Adaptations

• All Appearances: Spider-Man, Spider-man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home
• Real Name: Peter Parker
• Played By: Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland

Despite having some appearances in smaller-scale movies since the 70s, the first global live-action movie iteration of Spider-Man came with Sam Raimi’s trilogy. After the success of the movies with Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield continued to carry Spider-Man’s webbed mantle with two adaptations, followed by Tom Holland’s portrayal of the character in the MCU.

While it did take a while for the character to debut in the MCU, the hero has spread his webs throughout a plethora of movies in the cinematic universe since his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War. With three movies of his own, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has also featured in event movies like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, with more confirmed appearances to come.

2 Captain America – 12 movies

A Pillar Of The MCU With A Bright Future

• All Appearances: Captain America, Captain America: First Avenger, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: The Dark World, Ant-Man, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Captain Marvel
• Real Name: Steve Rogers
• Played By: Chris Evans and Matt Salinger

Captain America is one of the pillars of the MCU, as one of the characters around since the first phase of the cinematic universe. With small and big appearances in many adaptations, the iconic superhero has thrived through Chris Evans’ interpretation of the character, appearing in his own trilogy, multiple Avengers movies, and diverse post-credit scenes.

Even though Chris Evans has hung up his shield, the hero’s legacy will continue through the hero’s friend, Sam Wilson, who will play a new version of the character in Captain America: Brave New World. Besides this, the character also had a movie released in theaters in the 90s, but it never became a global success.

1 Nick Fury – 12 Movies

A Pivotal Character In The Marvel Cinematic Universe

• All Appearances: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home and The Marvels
• Real Name: Nick Fury
• Played By: Samuel Jackson

While Nick Fury does not have a movie of his own, he has appeared in twelve MCU movies and even a couple of TV shows, serving as a connecting point in the cinematic universe. From his appearance in the original Iron Man to, more recently, The Marvels, the character has been around since the very beginning and managed to still be around, becoming the character with the most appearances in the MCU.

Even though his participation might not be the longest, they always serve a purpose, making him a crucial character, especially considering his role in creating the Avengers. With Samuel Jackson in the role of the spy, there is no denying how important the character has become to the MCU, but also to Marvel in general, making his stand even though he is not a superhero like the others.