12 Marvel Characters Who Won Fans Over the Second They Appeared

12 Marvel Characters Who Won Fans Over the Second They Appeared

Marvel has introduced countless heroes and villains over the years, but a few instantly captured our hearts the moment they appeared on screen. Whether through humor, charm, or raw emotion, their debut scenes made it clear we were witnessing something special—and their popularity has only grown since.

1. Tony Stark (Iron Man, 2008)

Robert Downey Jr. burst onto screens as the charismatic genius billionaire who launched the entire MCU. His witty one-liners and devil-may-care attitude made Tony Stark instantly magnetic, while his vulnerability beneath the armor gave him unexpected depth.

Watching him build that first suit in a cave showed audiences a hero who relied on brains over brawn. His flaws made him relatable—arrogant yet insecure, selfish yet capable of profound sacrifice.

From that opening scene in Afghanistan, fans knew they were witnessing something revolutionary. Tony became the heart of Marvel’s cinematic universe, proving superheroes could be complex and deeply human.

2. Loki (Thor, 2011)

Tom Hiddleston’s mischievous god of mischief stole hearts despite being the villain. His complexity set him apart—Loki wasn’t just evil for evil’s sake, but driven by jealousy, longing for approval, and a desperate need to prove himself worthy.

That smirk, those piercing eyes, and his sharp wit made every scene he inhabited crackle with energy. Audiences sympathized with his pain even while he plotted against his brother.

His journey from villain to anti-hero to beloved character became one of Marvel’s greatest arcs. Loki proved that sometimes the bad guy is just misunderstood, and fans couldn’t help but root for his redemption.

3. Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy, 2014)

A walking tree who only says three words shouldn’t work as a character, yet Groot became an instant phenomenon. His gentle nature and childlike innocence contrasted beautifully with his immense strength and intimidating appearance.

Vin Diesel’s voice work brought surprising emotion to those simple words. When Groot sacrificed himself to save his friends, uttering “We are Groot,” audiences everywhere reached for tissues.

His heroic act and subsequent rebirth as Baby Groot cemented his place in pop culture. Dancing baby Groot became a merchandising goldmine, but it was that selfless sacrifice that first won our hearts completely.

4. Star-Lord (Guardians of the Galaxy, 2014)

Chris Pratt transformed from sitcom star to leading man with his portrayal of Peter Quill, the self-proclaimed legendary outlaw. Dancing to “Come and Get Your Love” while kicking alien rats established him as a different kind of hero—goofy, nostalgic, and utterly charming.

His mix tape and references to 1980s pop culture gave him a relatable vulnerability. Star-Lord wasn’t a polished superhero but a regular guy thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

That opening sequence told us everything: here was someone who refused to take himself too seriously. His humor masked deeper pain about losing his mother, making him both funny and heartbreaking.

5. Luis (Ant-Man, 2015)

Michael Peña’s motor-mouthed ex-con became an unexpected scene-stealer with his first rambling story. His signature storytelling style—where he narrates events while other actors lip-sync his voice—created some of the MCU’s funniest moments.

Luis brought pure joy and optimism to every scene. His unwavering loyalty to Scott Lang and infectious enthusiasm made him the friend everyone wishes they had.

Despite being comic relief, Luis showed genuine heart and surprising competence when it mattered. His quotable lines and energetic delivery made him instantly memorable, proving supporting characters can shine just as brightly as heroes.

6. Rocket Raccoon (Guardians of the Galaxy, 2014)

Who knew a genetically modified raccoon could make grown adults cry? Rocket’s sarcastic exterior and hair-trigger temper initially suggested comic relief, but Bradley Cooper’s performance revealed layers of trauma and loneliness beneath the fur.

His defensive aggression came from years of painful experimentation and rejection. When drunk Rocket broke down about being called vermin, audiences glimpsed his wounded soul.

That combination of crude humor and heartbreaking vulnerability made him impossible not to love. Rocket’s loyalty to his makeshift family showed that even the most damaged among us deserves love and belonging.

7. Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Captain America: Civil War, 2016)

Tom Holland swung into the MCU with perfect timing, literally catching Captain America’s shield mid-battle. His youthful energy and nervous rambling immediately distinguished him from previous Spider-Man portrayals.

“Hey everyone” became an iconic greeting as he joined the airport fight. Holland captured Peter’s awkward teenage excitement about meeting his heroes while trying to impress Tony Stark.

His homemade suit and genuine enthusiasm reminded fans why Spider-Man resonates—he’s just a kid trying to do the right thing. That combination of humor, heart, and heroism made audiences fall for Spider-Man all over again.

8. Wong (Doctor Strange, 2016)

Benedict Wong’s portrayal of the Master of the Mystic Arts began with stern discipline but quickly revealed comedic gold. His deadpan reactions to Strange’s arrogance and his obsession with Beyoncé created unexpected laughs.

Wong wasn’t just comic relief—his competence and loyalty made him indispensable. He served as Strange’s moral compass while maintaining his own distinct personality.

His evolution from strict librarian to karaoke enthusiast showed wonderful range. Fans adored how Wong balanced serious sorcery with relatable human moments, making him one of Marvel’s most consistently entertaining supporting characters across multiple films and series.

9. Korg (Thor: Ragnarok, 2017)

Director Taika Waititi voiced this gentle Kronan warrior with a New Zealand accent, creating instant comedy magic. Korg’s soft-spoken politeness contrasted hilariously with his rocky, intimidating appearance.

His casual commentary about failed revolutions and printing enough pamphlets delivered some of Ragnarok’s biggest laughs. Korg turned exposition into entertainment with his matter-of-fact delivery of absurd situations.

Despite being made of rocks, Korg possessed remarkable emotional intelligence and kindness. His friendship with Miek and unwavering support of Thor made him more than a punchline—he became a beloved companion whose presence guaranteed smiles.

10. Jimmy Woo (Ant-Man and the Wasp, 2018)

With genuine charm and perfect comedic timing, Randall Park brought life to the FBI agent assigned to monitor Scott Lang. His mix of earnest professionalism and endearing awkwardness made Jimmy instantly likable, even as he tried to catch the heroes.

That close-up magic trick scene became legendary—Jimmy’s childlike wonder over card tricks revealed his sweet nature. He wasn’t a villain but a decent guy just doing his job.

His triumphant return in WandaVision cemented him as a fan favorite. Watching Jimmy investigate the Hex with determination and compassion proved he was always hero material—just waiting for his moment to shine.

11. Agatha Harkness (WandaVision, 2021)

Kathryn Hahn’s nosy neighbor act fooled everyone until that purple magic revealed her true identity. “It was Agatha all along” became an instant earworm, with fans obsessively replaying her villainous theme song.

Her campy villainy and theatrical flair made Agatha deliciously entertaining. Hahn chewed scenery with gleeful abandon, winking at the camera while delivering exposition that somehow never felt boring.

Agatha balanced menace with humor perfectly—threatening yet magnetic. Her centuries of magical knowledge and morally gray motivations made her complex enough to deserve her own upcoming series, proving villain popularity can rival any hero.

12. Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel (Ms. Marvel, 2022)

Iman Vellani embodied pure superhero fandom as the MCU’s first Pakistani-American superhero. Kamala’s animated imagination sequences and fannish enthusiasm made her instantly relatable to anyone who ever dreamed of having powers.

Her bedroom shrine to Captain Marvel and hand-drawn comic panels showed genuine love for heroes. Watching Kamala navigate family expectations while discovering her abilities felt authentic and refreshing.

She brought much-needed youthful perspective to the MCU’s expanding roster. Kamala’s infectious energy and cultural representation resonated deeply, proving superhero stories work best when they reflect diverse experiences and celebrate passionate fans turned heroes.