The Avengers movies are the defining blockbusters of the last decade. The MCU isthe 2010s' biggest, most emblematic franchise, and these four movies are the shared universe’s crowning jewels, the peak of blockbuster cinema in the new millennium, and arguably the best comic book adaptations in the new millennium. The films center on the titular group as they face countless enemies, from Norse gods to rogue AI robots to powerful aliens with god complexes. Through it all, every Avengers movie is fun, action-packed, and thrilling, offering larger-than-life setpieces that are sure to leave audiences breathless.
However,the Avengers movies don’t get enough credit for how committed the cast is. Sure, the whole thing is a little silly, but the MCU has some of Hollywood’s best performers, and while the movies certainly focus more on spectacle than nuance, many of the actors still find incredible chances to shine despite the limitations. After all, these movies have their fair share of Oscar winners and nominees in their ranks; of course, they’ll bring their A-game. Still, some performances stand out more than others, whether because the actors effortlessly excel in their roles or because the screenplay pays more attention to their characters' development.This list will cover the best performance in every Avengers movie, discussing why they stand out among the film’s large ensemble and how they contribute to the franchise’s overall worldbuilding.
4’The Avengers' (2012) - Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Runner-up: Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow
Everyone knows the villain is the best part of a comic book movie. For proof, look no further thanTom Hiddleston’s star-making, scene-stealing, scenery-chewing performance in 2012’sThe Avengers, where he plays the God of Mischief for a second time. As the film’s main antagonist, Hiddleston is a force to be reckoned with, dominating every moment on screen through a mix ofcontrolled rage, over-the-top diva antics, and a sheer, barely contained need for chaos. Yet, Hiddleston never forgets that Loki is primarily driven by pain and debilitating insecurity, and heimbues every line with a desperation to be noticed and celebrated. It’s quite a neat trick and a large reason why Loki is so compelling.
Hiddleston makes a meal out of his role, easily becoming the film’s standout character and the second-best MCU villain. The runner-up has to beScarlett Johansson’s Black Widow. She isthe best character in the first Avengers movie, and her performance is brilliant. She keeps the Widow’s stoic facade yet slowly reveals the cracks, the lingering pain and regret hiding underneath. It’s a challenging role that doesn’t get half the recognition it deserves.
The Avengers
3’Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2015) - James Spader as Ultron
Runner-up: Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk
The MCU is often accused of having disappointing villains, and it does. However, it also has more than a few incredible foes, even if it doesn’t do nearly enough with them. Thus, it’s to the credit of the actors playing these nefarious figures that their villains are still so good, even with underdeveloped screenplays.James Spaderis the perfect example. The three-time Emmy winner is incredible as Ultron, the rogue AI built by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) to defend the Earth. As it happens, Ultron quickly blames humanity for everything that’s wrong with the world and aims to cause an extinction-level event to start again.
The plot is classic sci-fi stuff, and Ultron as a character is wasted in an overly crowded movie where he barely gets to do any actual damage — indeed, his so-called “age” is barely a few days. Yet, Spader is spectacular in the role, easily towering over the rest of the cast witha performance that blends charisma with deviousness. Spader’s Ultron ischeeky one minute, then brutal the next, a spoiled child with world-destructive capabilities who misunderstood his father’s instructions. The film features few other standout performances, with only Ruffalo standing as a very far runner-up. Overall,Avengers: Age of Ultronbelongs to Spader from start to finish, and it’s a shame the plot didn’t do as much with this twisted robot.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
2’Avengers: Infinity War' (2018) - Josh Brolin as Thanos
Runners-up: Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Zoe Saldaña as Gamorra
Of course, the best performance inAvengers: Infinity Warwould be another villain. The choice is entirely warranted,asJosh Brolin’s Thanosis the film’s de facto protagonist, and his quest to fulfill his lifelong ambition is as compelling as any of the Avengers' individual journeys. Academy Award nominee Brolin is brilliant as the Mad Titan,delivering arguably the single greatest performance in the MCU. He oscillates between collected precision and outright savagery, flawlessly executing a plan that has been decades in the making. Yet, Brolin’s greatest achievement is not making Thanos boastful or excessive; instead,the actor depicts the Mad Titan as weary and grieving, convinced he is the universe’s sole chance for long-term survival and willing to bear that pressure on his broad shoulders.
Infinity Warhas no shortage of great performances.Elizabeth Olsenis particularly compelling as Wanda Maximoff, who must deal with losing yet another loved one just three years after her twin’s death. Olsen is heartbreaking in the film’s third act, beautifully portraying Wanda’s pain. For her part,Zoe Saldañais equally great as Gamora, Thanos' adoptive daughter, who struggles between her genuine hatred for him and the misplaced affection resulting from decades of continuous interaction. Brolin isInfinity War’s greatest asset, but both Olsen and Saldaña provide worthy and captivating performances that further elevate it tothe peak of Avengers movies.
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1’Avengers: Infinity War' (2019) - Karen Gillan as Nebula
Runner-up: Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
The highly anticipated conclusion to over a decade of continuous storytelling,Avengers: Endgamepresented one last stand between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the Mad Titan.Endgamepresents a more one-dimensional version of Thanos as a full-on bad guy, but his family is still well-represented by the film’s best performance:Karen Gillanas Nebula. Thanos' adoptive daughter and Gamorra’s adoptive sister, Nebula is among the MCU’s most tragic characters, an experiment of sorts who was continuously tortured and pulled apart by Thanos. Gillan bringsa real sense of heartbreak and disillusionment to her performance, very much playing Nebula as an open wound, constantly overflowing with blood and never really closing.
It’s even more impressive thatGillan pulls double duty, playing a past version of Nebula, who is still desperate to please her father, and the present-day iteration, who is grieving her sister’s death and reconciling with her new place in the universe. Gillan is nothing short of spectacular inEndgame, and Nebula arguably has the film’s most compelling and complex arc. Sure, Downey Jr.’s Iron Man gets the big sacrifice, with the actor perfectly capturing Tony’s resignation. However, Gillan’s Nebula gets a more poignant story aboutletting go of the past and refusing to be defined by trauma. It’sa surprisingly heavy theme for the MCU, and Gillan beautifully brings it to life even while buried under piles of make-up and prosthetics.
