Soldiers have played an integral role in theMCUsince the franchise’s beginning. The characters in the military have generated controversy at times. They have also allowed fans to ponder more significant questions about the connection between military service, covert operations, and private enterprise. Each soldier in the MCU brings their service record to the larger world and uses these experiences as inspiration to fight otherworldly threats.
Ultimately, the soldiers introduced in the MCU are neither all good nor all bad.Instead, they each allow for nuanced storytelling. Some soldiers, such as Okoye (Danai Gurira), serve fictional countries. Other soldiers, like Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), originate in real-world history. Even if these characters are no longer actively in any armed forces, their service impacts their own stories and the stories of those around them.The best soldiers in the MCUbring grounded qualities to their respective characters.
10The Red Guardian
David Harbour
The Red Guardian is a Cold War soldier who served in the Soviet armed forces and was introduced inBlack Widow. Like the Jennings family inThe Americans, he was sent undercover to the United States. There, he posed as an all-American husband and father and became the adoptive father of Natasha Romanov (Scarlett Johansson) and Yelena Balova (Florence Pugh). He was instrumental in dismantling the Red Room, which was responsible for the Black Widow program and the brainwashing of students for years.
As a soldier, theRed Guardian is a comedic figure. What makes him charming is that he is so deeply out of his element when he’s introduced to audiences. There is something poetic about following the journey of this old soldier who is past his prime. The fact that he refuses to accept his limitations makes Red Guardian compelling to follow.His flaws make him relatable and make him an imperfect yet effective soldier.
Black Widow
Black Widowis available to stream on Disney+.
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9Yelena Balova
Florence Pugh
Yelena may not be a soldier in the conventional sense of the term. However, because she was brainwashed to be under the direct control of Soviet General Dreykov, she had to follow a military chain of command. After her sister Natasha defected,Yelena continued her role as a Black Widowbefore breaking her brainwashing.Yelena eventually reunites with her family to destroy the remnants of the Red Room to ensure no other girls will be trained as Black Widows.Her story is tragic because she did not choose this service for herself.
What makes Yelena such a strong soldier is her unwavering sense of purpose.Her emotional connection to her sister is what drives everything she does. Unfortunately, this deep love is often Yelena’s greatest weakness. Because Yelena’s love for her sister is so strong, she is often driven to take action against her own interests, such as targeting Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), who is ultimately her ally. More often than not, however, Yelena is able to channel her love and grief to do what she needs to do for herself and those closest to her.
Hawkeyeis available to stream on Disney+.
8James Rhodes
Don Cheadle
Before becoming War Machine,Rhody was a United States Air Force Colonel. He balanced his military career with his friendship with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). After being critically injured in the events ofCaptain America: Civil War, Rhody continued to be a crucial member of the Avengers. He has served as a mentor to any new members of the team, using his signature rye humor to build rapport.
While War Machine’s military career transitioned to the private sector, he was always a soldier first.His character permits viewers to consider the implications of a military that is so entwined with private enterprise, for good and evil.Rhody is not always the most sympathetic soldier. In fact, many of his choices are downright baffling. However, he has his charms and is always just trying his best. In many ways, Rhody is the long-suffering babysitter of the Avengers and just tries to keep everyone alive.
Iron Man 2
Iron Man 2is available to stream on Disney+.
7Sam Wilson
Anthony Mackie
Sam Wilson is the newest Captain America. After being introduced as the Falcon, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) presented the Captain America shield to Wilson, making him the newest version of this character. Wilson is a United States Air Force veteran. During his tenure as the Falcon and as Captain America, he has served as a leader of the Avengers. Wilson has been a crucial member of the team as they confront both domestic and alien threats.
There remains much to explore about Sam Wilson’s service and how it impacted his character.What is clear is that Wilson wants to believe in the best in people and inspire them to be the best versions of themselves.He is well-placed to become the leader that the new version of the Avengers will need since he has experience with the original team but is rooted in the modern world.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldieris available to stream on Disney+.
6Peggy Carter
Hayley Atwell
Agent Peggy Carter had a lengthy military career and was affiliated with multiple agencies throughout her professional life. She began as a code breaker at Bletchley Park and eventually became the director of SHIELD. Throughout Carter’s career, she was involved with many clandestine projects involving the super soldier program. An alternate version of this character,Captain Carter, appeared several times in the MCUinWhat If…?andDr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
What makes Peggy Carter such a strong soldier is her determination to succeed regardless of the obstacles in her way.As a woman in a position of power, she faced so much pressure. Additionally, the fact that she consistently reckons with the ethics of her choices adds a layer of authenticity to the character. Her imperfections are what make her so compelling to watch time and again. Even when she is wrong, her desire to serve always comes through.
What If…?
What If…?is available to stream on Disney+.
5Steve Rogers
Chris Evans
The MCU’s flagship soldier, Steve Rogers, is a foundational character. As a founding member of the Avengers, he was a leader who had great influence over his teammates. He took his role as a soldier seriously even though his personal war ended decades before his super-powered adventures. As part of the Super Soldier program, he went from a scrawny kid from Brooklyn to the powerhouse that led the Avengers through so many critical moments.
What makes Captain America such a magnetic soldier to follow is his character development throughout his tenure. The core of his character is a man living outside of time.He embodies the values of a different generation, even though he does his best to adapt to the modern world. This extends to his service. Watching the conflict within himself because of his values as a soldier is what makes him charming. He may not always be sympathetic in his decisions. However, it’s always clear he tries to do right by his conscience.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avengeris available to stream on Disney+.
4Natasha Romanoff
Scarlett Johansson
Natasha Romanoff was trained as a Black Widowlike her sister Yelena. While this program may not have been an official part of the Soviet military complex, it was critical to their operations in this universe. When first introduced in the MCU, Natasha was a spy and assassin. While she eventually became a crucial part of the Avengers, Natasha always maintained a fierce independence that allowed her the freedom that she always chased after.
What makes Natasha so intriguing as a soldier is the fact that she is an amplified version of someone with a service record. While she always did her best to maintain her independence after being used as a pawn for so long, she always wanted to protect others.Natasha’s quest for freedom made her a protector of anyone she encountered who was in danger.
Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgameis available to stream on Disney+.
3Bucky Barnes
Sebastian Stan
Bucky Barnes is one of the most tragic figures in the MCU, in large part because he is a soldier. His service in World War II was marred by being taken prisoner. While he was presumed killed in action, he was, in fact, captured by the Soviets and turned into the Winter Soldier. As a soldier, Bucky endured the unendurable. Through everything, he came out a fiercely compassionate person who never stopped trying to reconnect to his own humanity.Bucky Barnes' future in the MCU is unknown.
Bucky’s identity is shaped by his military service. His journey to fight the brainwashing he endured is a compelling one.The fact that he has to forge a new identity outside the super-soldier persona he was forced to embody makes him an engaging character to follow.This unlearning is what makes Bucky so endearing. Watching him constantly reckon with the actions he took while a brainwashed super-soldier makes him so much more relatable as he truly tries to become a better version of himself.
Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil Waris available to stream on Disney+
2Isaiah Bradley
Carl Lumbly
Isaiah Bradley is one of the first official super soldiers, who was introduced inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After that, he was subjected to human experimentation and was tasked with eliminating the Winter Soldier. After his service, Isaiah Bradley was imprisoned and then released after he faked his own death. When he’s introduced to the MCU, he is living a quiet life surrounded by his family. Isaiah Bradley makes clear that his years of military service took their toll.
While this character’s appearance in the MCU is brief, he provides a foundation for the MCU as it exists today. Isaiah Bradley also adds a layer of complexity to the Super Soldier program and compels fans to consider the ramifications of such a critical part of the franchise. He paved the way, against his will, for future super soldiers who were used by militaries and governments around the world.There would be no Captain America without Isaiah Bradley.Isaiah Bradley is an original Captain America.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
The Falcon and the Winter Soldieris available to stream on Disney+.
Danai Gurira
Wakanda’s most important soldier, Okoye, was introduced inBlack Pantheras the leader of the Dora Milaje.Okoye is tasked with protecting Wakanda’s bordersand plays a critical role in protecting the people of Earth from otherworldly threats like Thanos. She is essentially a member of the royal family, as they trust her so completely. It is easy to see why Okoye has this trust, as she always has the best interests of her nation at heart.
The fact that Okoye is a soldier informs her relationships, making her the MCU’s ultimate soldier. What makes Okoye such a superior soldier is that she is willing to question anything official and always tries to do what is right.This selflessness is what makes Okoye among the most effective soldiers in the MCU. It is clear that she is always willing to fight for the greater good. Okoye is led by love in all of her actions and makes everyone around her stronger.
