The 20 Funniest Characters in the MCU

For decades now, the superhero subgenre has implemented elements of action movies, fantasy, and science fiction to create special products enjoyed by millions around the world. And after all the offerings from the likes of the DC Extended Universe or even in the X-Men franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has consistently proved to be the most popular series that superhero movies have to offer.

They perhaps stand out partly due to the mostly perfect implementation of comedy. Nearly every character featured herein can make you laugh in seamless fashion, and they each bring their own stamp of originality. With plenty to pick from, these are the twenty funniest characters in the MCU, ranked.

20 Groot

Voiced by Vin Diesel, the fan-favorite character Groot was first introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). Director James Gunn in a lot of ways reinvigorated the franchise with his unique brand of humor, and the character at hand provided more than enough laughs in that film alone to warrant a spot on the list.

Funniest Moments

With just three words, Groot makes audiences laugh time and time again, having shown up six times in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the aforementioned installment. Every time, his repeated one-liner (if you want to call it that) facilitates hilarious moments that still hold up today. No matter his size, this talking tree will always hit audiences right in the funny bone.

In The Incredible Hulk (2008) — the second-ever MCU movie following the masterful Iron Man (2008) — Bruce Banner is portrayed by Edward Norton. Most fans loved the portrayal, while Norton’s behind-the-scenes antics led to a replacement: Mark Ruffalo. The latter actor has shown up in the MCU six times in total, with Ruffalo’s portrayal of Banner being his most famous character in his critically acclaimed career.

Funniest Moments

Even when Hulk is smashing, his humor shines as a prominent character trait. Frankly, his rage-induced superpower provides comedic relief from the first phase of Marvel movies in titles like The Avengers (2012) and through to the third phase with Avengers: Endgame (2019). But of course, Banner himself has wit about him, with Ruffalo’s career-defining performances providing charisma to a character already so endearing.

18 James “Rhodey” Rhodes

Although James “Rhodey” Rhodes was once played by Terrance Howard in the original Iron Man film, that talented American actor was quickly replaced by one of his famous contemporaries: Don Cheadle. And while Howard provided valiant efforts as Tony Stark’s right-hand man, who’s also known as “War Machine” once he dons his suit, there’s no denying that Cheadle had more tangible comedic chops as Rhodey.

Funniest Moments

A long-time comedic actor, Don Cheadle has been making audiences laugh since the mid-90s. And while Rhodey is never quite the funniest guy in the room, Cheadle’s comedic prowess is on full display. With six appearances under his belt, this is the most popular character of his career. That’s thanks to the jokes from the MCU screenwriters. But in many ways, Cheadle made Rhodey his own.

17 Michelle “MJ” Jones

Perhaps the funniest love interest from any superhero movie ever, Michelle “MJ” Jones is of course a character who frequently shows up alongside Peter Parker, who’s also known as Spider-Man. The character at hand is portrayed by Zendaya, with that world-famous American actress playing MJ to an absolute tee since her first appearance in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).

Funniest Moments

A master of deadpan humor, Zendaya redefines MJ in a way refreshing for comic book fans everywhere. If there were any skeptics of her being cast, those naysayers were silenced following her first scene in Homecoming. And after the hilarious moments she’s had in both Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), she’s become an undeniable fan-favorite.

16 Katy

Portrayed by Awkwafina in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), the character Katy is far more prominent in her respective plot than many characters on the list. Alongside Simu Liu as Shang Chi, the character at hand provides unforgettable moments of comedy that are perfectly juxtaposed by engaging action and beautiful visuals.

Funniest Moments

After debuting in Neighbors 2: Sorority Uprising (2016), the actress who plays Katy began appearing in numerous high-quality comedies, carefully honing her craft. This is easily among Awkwafina’s most uproarious performances, as she steals the comedic show in Shang Chi and is fondly remembered by fans as one of the universe’s most refreshing personalities. Therefore, Katy makes the list with relative ease.

15 Loki

With perhaps the greatest development arc in the MCU as a whole, Loki is a well-written character through and through, not just with regard to the zingers he lets loose throughout every plot in which he’s featured. Played by Tom Hiddleston, this is the brother of Thor, known around the world as a dastardly trickster God whose mind games rival the quickness of his wit.

Funniest Moments

From the dynamic rapport he shares with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor to his individual moments of hilarity — his mocking of Captain America, for instance — Loki’s without a doubt among the funniest characters the MCU can offer. He even got a spinoff show of the same name after his untimely death in Endgame, and with good reason. Hiddleston nails the role far too well for it to be left anywhere near the wayside.

14 Happy Hogan

Played by Jon Favreau, the character Happy Hogan first shows up in Iron Man, helping mark the beginning of the MCU. Favreau also directed the overall product, and returned as both director and actor for the immediate sequel: Iron Man 2 (2010). Since, Favreau has played Happy on six other occasions, most prominently in the Spider-Man series of movies as the love interest of Aunt May.

Funniest Moments

His relationship with May Parker alone makes for hilarious moments all throughout the Spider-Man series, with the prior character he was typically found alongside being Tony Stark in the Iron-Man films. Happy shares a hilarious dynamic with both of the aforementioned superheroes, and his individual lines of dialogue hold up well today. He’s undoubtedly among the funniest.

13 Darcy Lewis

Played by Kat Dennings, the character Darcy Lewis can first be seen in Thor (2011), directed by Kenneth Branagh. That particular entry in the MCU holds up as one of the funniest movies the franchise has to offer, with Darcy standing out as a force of comedic genius. Dennings appeared in the immediate sequel, Thor: The Dark World (2013), then again reprised the role a decade later in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).

Funniest Moments

Amid moments of intense action or scenes of sappy romance, Darcy hits audiences with unexpected one-liners that hold up wonderfully even a decade down the line. Dennings had been honing her comedic chops for years when she first showed up as Darcy, evident in the first two Thor movies with several hilarious moments. And even if she’s just a supporting figure, she’s without a doubt among the MCU’s funniest characters.

12 Ned Leeds

The best friend of Peter Parker and the “Guy in the Chair” for Spider-Man, the endlessly funny Ned Leeds is portrayed by Jacob Batalon. Though not a name likely to ring any bells, he’s an actor to look out for if not for his performances as Ned alone. Three Spider-Man movies, three appearances by Batalon, and three straight-up hilarious experiences every time he’s on the screen.

Funniest Moments

With a star-struck persona and juvenile mind, Ned makes audiences shed tears of laughter nearly every time he opens his mouth. Whether he’s interacting with Peter, Mary Jane, or even Doctor Strange, this character always has the funniest things to say at the most opportune times. Although he left off in something of a distant place re: his friendship with Peter, the series is in good comedic hands as long as Ned is a part.

11 Luis

Portrayed by Michael Peña, a legendary comic actor in his own right, Luis has appeared only twice throughout the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. And even then, he ranks among the funniest characters. Many moments featuring Luis could have materialized in your head when you read his name on the list, as he’s among the highlights of not just Ant-Man (2015), but also Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Funniest Moments

Toward the beginnings of the first two Ant-Man movies, Luis rattles off hilarious, expository monologues that will resonate no matter how many times fans revisit the franchise. And while his soliloquy from the first movie (featuring flashbacks and one-liners galore) outshines the second in terms of shock-factor and overall hilarity, both moments make Luis one of the all-time funniest characters in the MCU.

10 Rocket Raccoon

With many famous Hollywood comedies under his belt, Bradley Cooper is among the funniest actors the MCU has to offer, and he shines through and through as Rocket Raccoon. He provides pitch-perfect vocal intonations, and manages to even share great chemistry with each of his fellow Avengers. But of course, Rocket is primarily known as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Funniest Moments

In the first Guardians movie, Rocket is portrayed in an utterly hilarious light, and in fairly seamless fashion. Bradley Cooper is the perfect voice for the role, implementing slight nuances to each performance as Rocket Raccoon that make the character a consistent favorite for film fans across the world. No matter how many times he shows up alongside the Guardians or anyone else, Rocket will always be one of the funniest characters in the franchise.

9 Sam Wilson

Also known as Falcon while Captain America was still around, Sam Wilson is portrayed in the MCU by acclaimed actor Anthonie Mackie. Known for critically acclaimed stints like The Hurt Locker (2009), he landed the role of Sam in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), and since, he’s appeared five other times.

Funniest Moments

After the first season of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, this character became one of the most fan-favorite faces in the entire MCU. He showcases a tangible comedic prowess alongside Sebastain Stan, who plays the Winter Soldier, also called Bucky. Their back-and-forth rapport is also present throughout many films in the franchise, and that will likely be the case for as long as Mackie portrays Sam.

8 Mantis

One of many characters for whom stupidity was implemented directly into their personality, Mantis joins the Guardians of the Galaxy during the plot of Vol. 2. She’s been featured with the team ever since, with actress Pom Klementieff being the woman behind the makeup. This is easily the most famous role of her career thus far, and that’s entirely due to her prowess as a comedian.

Funniest Moments

Audiences never know what to expect when Mantis is on the screen, and that could refer to her physical reactions or to her verbal responses. But with well-written character dynamics and keen comedic timing, Mantis also hits home thanks to the crew of her respective film. She provides endless entertainment of comedic regards, and deserves to go down among the funniest in the franchise.

7 Drax the Destroyer

For many fans, Drax the Destroyer may be the funniest character in all of the MCU. He’s played by Dave Bautista, having appeared in all three Guardians of the Galaxy movies as well as Infinity War, Endgame, and even Thor: Love and Thunder. Fans can’t get enough of Drax, and justifiably so.

Funniest Moments

Even amid the most heated of battles, Drax can make the audience laugh. Several lines of his come to mind when determining the funniest Drax moment throughout all of his appearances. Bautista delivers his off-the-wall lines with straight-faced expressions and perfect vocal tones. And frankly, Bautista will resonate in comedic fashion whenever he plays Drax the Destroyer. He’s a surefire pick for the list.

6 Korg

Whether it’s Thor: Ragnarök (2017) or Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), the character Korg provides some of the most uproarious lines of dialogue from any MCU movie there is. Portrayed by Taika Waititi through motion capture, this stone man first appeared in Ragnarök as a gladiator on Sakaar. From there, he joins up with Thor and stops Hella from overtaking Asgard.

Funniest Moments

In terms of comedic value in Ragnarök and Love and Thunder, this character perhaps takes the cake. Even in Avengers: Endgame (2019), when Bruce and Rocket go to New Asgard to check in on Thor’s emotional status, Korg absolutely steals the show by arguing on an online video game with a player called NoobMaster69. No matter the absurdity of the scene, Korg is always good for some laughs.

5 Scott Lang

Perhaps the funniest actor in the entire MCU is Paul Rudd, who plays Scott Lang to an absolute tee. With other iconic comedies like Clueless (1995), Anchorman (2004), and Role Models (2008) under his belt, Rudd has been making audiences laugh for decades on end. Even then, his portrayal of Scott Lang — more commonly known as Ant-Man, at least when he’s combating crime — is among the most pinpoint of his career.

Funniest Moments

Much of Scott’s humor stems from the prowess of his portrayal. But at the same time, Ant-Man (2015) featured a fantastic lineup of screenwriters that developed some of the funniest jokes in the franchise. Rudd helped pen the script alongside famous filmmakers like Edgar Wright and Adam McKay. This character’s humor holds up with each subsequent movie, and he’ll always provide laughs.

4 Thor Odinson

Played by Chris Hemsworth, the God of Thunder is among the most powerful members of the Avengers, wielding the mighty hammer Mjölnir and channeling the power of the Gods, utilizing lightning to game-changing effects. But Thor is also notable for providing an idiosyncratic blend of humor that can only be found in Asgard.

Related: Thor: Every Appearance in the MCU, Ranked

Funniest Moments

The juxtaposition of Gods and mortals that Thor brings to the average family’s dinner table provides comedy just on paper. He smashes glasses when he wants another drink, he plays Fortnite when he’s depressed, and he speaks as if he was taught English by William Shakespeare himself. Even if inadvertent, Thor always finds light and give audiences a laugh. He deserves to be ranked among the funniest MCU characters.

3 Peter Parker

At this point, multiple actors have technically played Peter Parker within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thanks to the existence of the Multiverse featured in Spider-Man: No Way Home, both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield have shown up as the friendly neighborhood web-slinger. But perhaps the funniest portrayal of the pack goes to Tom Holland, the newest member of the Spidey team.

Related: Why Tom Holland’s Spider-Man May Be the Best Iteration

Funniest Moments

He’s young, daring, and he loves to quote old movies. Sure, the films that Peter reference are generally from the eighties, maybe the seventies at the earliest. Not old in the grand scheme of cinema. But that’s what makes Peter’s love for pop culture so hilarious alongside older-generation characters like Tony Stark. They share one of the funniest rapports in the franchise — and by himself, Peter is still an absolute riot.

2 Peter Quill

The leader (arguably) of the Guardians of the Galaxy, a Missourian named Peter Quill, this character is played to perfection by American actor Chris Pratt. He’s also known as Star Lord, and although he isn’t the most confident leader the MCU has to offer, Quill is easily among the funniest. He’s shown up numerous times since the first Guardians movie by James Gunn, and his presence is always welcome.

Related: Best Chris Pratt Movies and TV Shows, Ranked

Funniest Moments

Quill’s dim-witted demeanor and ignorance of general bliss gives audiences a much-needed laugh amid intergalactic chase scenes and sprawling battle sequences. Nearly every line out of Quill’s mouth is backed by an element of comedy, with the same being said for the majority of his Guardians counterparts. But Quill is arguably the funniest of the bunch, and he’s among the most hilarious MCU characters in general.

1 Tony Stark

Also called Iron Man, the character Tony Stark is renowned for his Herculean efforts in saving the world alongside the Avengers. But frankly, Tony Stark is just as revered for his indelible brand of sarcastic humor as he is for being a superhero. And in the MCU, the charismatic demeanor and keen comedic timing of Robert Downey Jr. resulted in some of the franchise’s most uproarious one-liners.

Related: MCU: Tony Stark’s Best Appearances in the Franchise, Ranked

Funniest Moments

In an alternate timeline, it’s likely that Tony Stark dabbled in stand-up comedy. His quick wit and way with words created a specific blend of sarcastic humor that made fans laugh every step of the way. He’s undoubtedly among the funniest characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and in comic book movies in general. Even after his death, that will always be the case.