The Marvel Cinematic Universe wouldn’t be what it is today without the Black actors who’ve helped build it — and not just through great performances, but by embodying characters that carry serious weight on screen. They’ve given audiences new kinds of kings, leaders, inventors, warriors, and — yes — even villains to rally behind.

This list shines a light on the Black actors still holding it down across Marvel’s ever-expanding multiverse. From galaxy-hopping warriors to shield-carrying icons, their characters matter. This isn’t just because they move the plot forward, but because they move the culture forward.

And while this roundup focuses mainly on the more notable MCU players, let’s give flowers too to those who’ve made their mark: Names like Jamie Foxx, Xosha Roquemore, Jonathan Majors, Daniel Kaluuya, Djimon Hounsou, Chukwudi Iwuji, John Kani, and Carl Lumbly come to mind.

1. Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America)

Mackie brings charm, gravitas, and vulnerability to every frame. His rise from Avenger to Captain America feels earned because of his grounded, human portrayal — one that reimagines heroism through a distinctly Black American lens.

2. Don Cheadle (James “Rhodey” Rhodes/War Machine)

Cheadle exudes calm authority and sharp wit, elevating every scene he’s in. His seamless blend of sarcasm and seriousness makes Rhodey a vital moral compass in a world of chaos and ego.

3. Dominique Thorne (Riri Williams/Ironheart)

Thorne bursts onto the screen with magnetic confidence. She makes genius look cool and relatable by injecting youthful energy into the MCU, all while hinting at emotional depth that will blossom in future chapters.

4. Letitia Wright (Shuri / Black Panther)

Wright commands attention with rapid-fire delivery, infectious energy, and emotional control. Beyond just brilliance, her very believable portrayal of Shuri balances humor with the unbearable weight of loss and legacy.

5. Danai Gurira (Okoye)

Gurira acts with her entire body. Every stare, pause, and battle cry is deliberate. She radiates discipline, emotional restraint, and pride, proving that power doesn’t always need volume to be felt.

6. Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia)

Nyong’o moves with grace and clarity, even in chaos. Her performance adds both softness and lethality to Wakanda, communicating volumes on the low and carrying political nuance without sacrificing warmth or romantic realism.

7. Winston Duke (M’Baku)

Duke dominates scenes with a rare blend of brawn and comic timing. His delivery is precise and unforgettable, turning what could’ve been a caricature into one of the MCU’s most charismatic men.

8. Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie)

Thompson’s strength lies in duality. She’s tough but tender, funny but wounded. Her Valkyrie leans into exhaustion and defiance, making every line crackle with depth and a dash of rockstar edge.

9. Zendaya (MJ)

Zendaya doesn’t just play MJ — she owns the space. She infuses every moment with naturalism, awkward charm, and Gen-Z realism, grounding the fantastical in a kind of emotional truth.

10. Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa / Black Panther)

Boseman embodied majesty and moral clarity. He performed with stillness, vulnerability, and intentionality, which turned T’Challa into a mythic figure whose influence transcends cinema. His legacy is felt in every MCU corner.

11. Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger)

Jordan gave the MCU one of its most nuanced performances. Every glare, shout, and tear was layered with purpose. He didn’t play a villain. He played a wounded revolutionary.

12. Idris Elba (Heimdall)

Elba’s presence is cinematic shorthand for gravitas. Even with limited dialogue, he made Heimdall feel legendary. It’s the kind of performance that adds weight to lore with just a voice and a gaze.

13. Wesley Snipes (Blade)

Given his return in Deadpool & Wolverine, this counts. Every smirk and step delivered by Snipes exudes calculated cool. He built the blueprint for Black superhero stardom and continues to make it look pretty d**n good.

14. Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury)

Jackson gives Fury bite, humor, and gravitas. He shaped an entire universe (and the Avengers) with his voice, charisma, and side-eyes, embodying a character that’s equal parts manipulator, mentor, and Marvel’s forever wildcard.

15. Zoe Saldaña (Gamora)

Saldaña layered Gamora with bruised elegance. Her physicality is fierce, but it’s the way she carries trauma and tenderness that makes her performance resonate — even under green paint and prosthetics.

16. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo)

Ejiofor approaches Mordo with precision and restraint. His performance simmers with internal conflict, elevating a supporting role into something philosophical — a man quietly unraveling behind principle and disappointment.

17. Brian Tyree Henry (Phastos)

Henry delivers heartbreak and humanity in quiet beats. His performance brings warmth, sarcasm, and emotional complexity to a story often dominated by spectacle. He makes Phastos memorable through restraint and soul.