If there is one constant with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s that characters are more than likely to make multiple appearances throughout the vast catalog of projects. It might be the most exciting aspect to fans; eagerly waiting to see which of their favorite characters will show up next. Anyone can show up at any time at any place in the MCU because every storyline ties together in some way.
Since the MCU started back in 2008 with the original Iron Man, we have been gifted a whopping 41 films and shows to dive into and dissect. Numerous characters and storylines have been introduced in the last 14 years, with characters from all different backgrounds making multiple appearances. The original six members of Earth’s mightiest heroes teamed up for the first time in 2012’s The Avengers, and each hero has made some seriously memorable appearances since. Here are the Phase 1 Avengers ranked by number of appearances in the MCU.
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6 The Hulk/Bruce Banner (6 Appearances)
Marvel Studios
While the character of the Hulk, a.k.a Bruce Banner, has been part of the MCU since 2008, Mark Ruffalo’s iteration of the character has only been around since 2012, leaving him with the least amount of appearances of all the Phase 1 Avengers. He has appeared in Marvel’s The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, starred alongside Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Ragnarok, and most recently joined forces with his cousin in the Disney+ show She-Hulk.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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5 Hawkeye/Clint Barton (7 Appearances)
Although he is one of the original six Avengers, Hawkeye, a.k.a Clint Barton, has only made seven appearances in the MCU. He had a brief cameo in Thor before becoming one of the main Avengers in Marvel’s The Avengers. He then came back in Avengers: Age of Ultron, followed by joining Team Cap in Captain America: Civil War. Clint is seen once again in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Most recently, he starred in his own Disney+ show Hawkeye last November.
4 Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (8 Appearances)
Black Widow is a character that feels like she has been in every project because she has been such a huge part of the MCU, but she has actually only been in eight projects. Her iconic first appearance was in Iron Man 2 where she went undercover as Natalie Rushman. She was also in all four Avengers movies, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, and lastly her own film, Black Widow.
3 Thor (9 Appearances)
Marvel Studios / Disney
Our favorite Asgardian funnyman has been a staple of the MCU since he was introduced in 2011. Quickly becoming a fan-favorite, especially after Taika Waititi took over the direction of his movies, Thor has made appearances in an impressive nine projects. He has starred in Thor, Marvel’s The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, a cameo in Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and this year’s Thor: Love and Thunder.
2 Captain America/Steve Rogers (9 Appearances)
Marvel StudiosDisney
Whether you were Team Cap or not, there is no denying that Captain America has been an integral part of the MCU. Alongside Iron Man, Cap has led the Avengers through battle after battle and never stopped fighting for what he believed was right. Much like fellow Avenger Thor, Captain America has been in nine MCU projects, starting out with Captain America: The First Avenger. Cap was of course in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, Marvel’s The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, a brief cameo in Thor: The Dark World, and one more cameo in Spider-Man: Homecoming. He is an undeniably large part of the Marvel universe.
1 Iron Man/Tony Stark (10 Appearances)
It should not come as a surprise to anyone that Iron Man has the most appearances out of all the Phase 1 Avengers. Tony Stark is essentially the father of the MCU. Without the first Iron Man movie in 2008, the MCU would not be what it is today. We would not have four phases of stories and characters without him. No matter what anyone’s feelings may be about Tony, Iron Man is at the center of Marvel.
He has been in ten MCU projects since its inception with Iron Man. He then had a cameo at the end of The Incredible Hulk and then came back to his individual franchise with Iron Man 2. He helped lead the original six in Marvel’s The Avengers. He finished off his franchise with Iron Man 3. We see Tony in Avengers: Age of Ultron and then again in Captain America: Civil War. He mentors Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Tony teams up with the rest of the Marvel heroes to try to stop Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and reverses the snap, ultimately sacrificing himself, in his last MCU appearance, Avengers: Endgame.
