10 Best MCU Characters Who Only Appeared In One Movie

It’s hard to remember characters who’ve only appeared in one Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. The films are so connected that most characters show up in several. Core heroes like Tony Stark, Captain America, Black Widow, Spider-Man, and Black Panther have all been in many different films, including both their own solo adventures and team-up movies like the Avengers series.

Characters like the Fantastic Four, Shang-Chi, and Namor were fantastic additions to the MCU with their first films, and they’re already set to return in Avengers: Doomsday, so we won’t be considering them for this list. However, there are still several characters who’ve only appeared in one MCU movie but left a memorable impression.

Some movie and TV characters have only appeared in one project, ranging from antagonists to minor roles and cameos. Despite their limited screen time, these characters often made a strong impression on viewers, and many fans would love to see them return in future installments.

10. Makkari (Eternals)

Honestly, Makkari was a total standout in Eternals, even though she didn’t get nearly enough screen time! It was tough for any of the characters to really make a huge impact with such a big cast, but she still managed to steal every scene she was in. I just wish they’d given her more to do!

Makkari was a standout character even though she didn’t have much time on screen. Her super speed is visually impressive, she’s an important representation for deaf audiences, and her connection with Druig felt like it had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’ll see that potential explored further.

9. Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2)

Justin Hammer is a really entertaining villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s a lot like Tony Stark, but less accomplished, and that’s what makes him such a compelling character. It’s clear he’s insecure and attempts to compensate by resorting to dishonest and harmful actions.

Sam Rockwell is clearly enjoying his role and bringing a unique spin to the character, differentiating him from the comic book version. Since Hammer wasn’t intended to be a major villain, leaning into a more humorous portrayal was a great choice. Rockwell delivers a charming performance and provides some much-needed comedic moments.

8. Gorr The God Butcher (Thor: Love And Thunder)

Gorr the God Butcher is a character many Marvel fans feel hasn’t been used to his full potential in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s a powerful and compelling villain in the comics, and casting Christian Bale created a lot of excitement for a truly outstanding performance.

While Christian Bale delivers a strong performance and the opening scene effectively establishes Gorr as a villain, Thor: Love and Thunder suffers from tonal inconsistencies. The film frequently undercuts Gorr’s menacing moments with lighter fare, preventing his villainy from having a lasting impact. Despite the film’s overall shortcomings, Gorr remains a standout character.

7. Hela (Thor: Ragnarok)

Hela made a huge impact the moment she appeared in Thor: Ragnarok. She casually caught Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, and then destroyed it, immediately establishing her as an incredibly powerful force.

Hela is a truly formidable opponent, even for Thor, and she easily defeats Asgard’s warriors. Cate Blanchett delivers a captivating performance as the villain, and many consider her portrayal to be among the best in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

6. Silver Surfer/Shalla Bal (The Fantastic Four: First Steps)

The heroes from The Fantastic Four: First Steps were impressive in their first movie, and they’re all scheduled to appear in Avengers: Doomsday. However, that won’t be true for Shalla Bal, who is also known as the Silver Surfer and was portrayed wonderfully by Julia Garner.

The character was portrayed effectively, with strong visuals and a compelling, sad history. Garner’s acting, especially her chemistry with Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, is a standout. She truly shines in the film’s most exciting sequence – a chase through space with the Fantastic Four.

5. The Grandmaster (Thor: Ragnarok)

One of the best parts of Thor: Ragnarok is its villain, the Grandmaster. While not as powerful or frightening as Hela, that’s what made him so effective. His storyline offered a fun break from the main plot, and it was crucial in bringing Thor, Hulk, Valkyrie, and Loki together as a team.

Jeff Goldblum is perfectly cast, bringing his unique and lovable energy to the character. He manages to make even shocking actions, like harming a family member, funny and entertaining. Every moment he’s on screen as the Grandmaster is a joy to watch and contributes to a truly great movie experience.

4. Adrian Toomes/The Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

When Spider-Man: Homecoming was first announced, many fans questioned the choice of Vulture as the villain. In the comic books, Vulture isn’t typically seen as a powerful threat, often portrayed as an older man. But the Marvel Cinematic Universe took the character in a new direction, creating a much more intimidating Vulture.

Michael Keaton is fantastic as Adrian Toomes, a character who turns to crime because he feels the world has treated him unfairly. While you don’t necessarily cheer for him, you can definitely see why he makes the choices he does. He’s also central to one of the biggest surprises in the entire movie series. Although Toomes showed up in Morbius, that film isn’t considered part of the official Marvel Cinematic Universe.

3. America Chavez (Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness)

It’s surprising we haven’t seen more of America Chavez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her ability to travel between universes would be perfect for the current Multiverse Saga, but so far, she’s only appeared in one movie.

Doctor Strange helps America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness while Wanda Maximoff tries to regain access to her children using her powers. The film gives America a compelling backstory and establishes her as a likable character. Many fans expect to see her join the Young Avengers team in the future, but this hasn’t been officially announced.

2. Peter Parker #3 (Spider-Man: No Way Home)

Similar to the Vulture, Peter Parker has been featured in several Spider-Man films, but only one is officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spider-Man: No Way Home reunited Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield with Tom Holland, and Garfield’s performance in that film is particularly noteworthy.

Garfield immediately makes a strong impression, sharing playful and witty dialogue with MJ and Ned. He delivers some of the movie’s most hilarious moments, especially when talking about his battle with the Rhino and his affection for the other Spider-Men. Importantly, he also has a powerful emotional scene where he successfully saves MJ, offering a contrast to his inability to save Gwen in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

1. Ms. Marvel (The Marvels)

While The Marvels didn’t perform well at the box office, most critics agree that Iman Vellani was the best part of the film. Even though Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris are talented, Vellani’s portrayal of Ms. Marvel really energizes every scene she’s in.

As a huge movie fan, I have to say Iman Vellani really makes The Marvels work. You can tell she genuinely loves being part of this world, and that enthusiasm shines through her character, making her super relatable. Honestly, the best parts of the movie are just watching the three leads—Carol, Monica, and Kamala—team up and hang out. Kamala, or Ms. Marvel, is the glue that holds it all together, and Vellani is a complete delight to watch. She’s just so full of energy and joy!

2026-05-09 16:01