By Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The end is near. Well, at least "Avengers: Infinity War" is. The biggest movie of the year, and Marvel's grandest ever, comes out on April 27 and will feature 77 different characters. That's right, 77. When Marvel says this is the most ambitious crossover event in history, they aren't playing around.
Marvel's ability to develop scores of characters and successfully bring them together is at the heart of the studio's success. But we can't help but wonder, how do all the characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe stack up?
We've got you covered. Using a combination of character prominence and powers as well as the actors' portrayals of the heroes and villains, we ranked the 50 best characters in the MCU. Keep in mind that the rankings only consider the characters as they are in the MCU movies — comics, TV shows and video games had no bearing on the decisions. Fair warning, there are spoilers throughout the rankings.
50. Justin Hammer
Dude couldn't hold a candle to Tony Stark, but he was charming and had some sick dance moves. Love me some Sam Rockwell.
49. The Grandmaster
Jeff Goldblum doing ANYTHING is amazing. So it's completely unsurprising that he was amazing as the ruler of a planet who loves gladiator fights and orgies.
48. Alexander Pierce
When Marvel was able to land a legend like Robert Redford for a movie, it immediately added even more legitimacy to the MCU. He was one of the best villains Marvel ever had without ever wielding a weapon.
47. Happy Hogan
Jon Favreau didn't just direct the first two Iron Man movies, he also played the somewhat dense but very lovable Happy Hogan, Tony Stark's bodyguard and forehead of security.
46. The Red Skull
An excellent foil to Captain America in "The First Avenger," portrayed well by Hugo Weaving.
45. Baron Zemo
Zemo knew the only thing that could tear the Avengers apart was themselves. And he made it happen in "Captain America: Civil War."
44. Peggy Carter
If you don't skinny Steve Rodgers, you don't deserve super-serumed Captain America. Peggy Carter loved Cap before he was Cap. It's a shame she never got that dance with him at the Stork Club.
43. Wong
Dr. Strange's sidekick brings subtle hilarity and strength to the table, and is poised for a bigger role in "Avengers: Infinity War."
42. Pepper Potts
Tony Stark's on-again, off-again partner — though they may or may not have gotten engaged at the end of "Spider-Man: Homecoming." She's the CEO of Stark Enterprises and pretty much keeps Iron Man from going crazy.
41. Valkyrie
A breakout star from "Thor: Ragnarok," she was brilliant as a drunken warrior and ravager and is a better love interest for Thor than Jane Foster.
40. Quicksilver
His death was one of Marvel's biggest cop-outs ever, as we had about five minutes to get to know him and start caring about him. To be fair, he did save Hawkeye, so props for that.
39. Ulysses Klaue
As close to the Joker as Marvel is going to get. Andy Serkis's cackling, devil-may-care arms dealer was a highlight in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and then shined even more in "Black Panther."
38. Vulture
One of the best villains in the MCU portrayed perfectly by Michael Keaton, with an absolutely masterful twist in his plot.
37. Hela
The first female lead villain in the MCU, and an utter badass one at that. Thor had to trigger Ragnarok just to stop her.
36. Ego
Kurt Russell in the MCU? Kurt Russell in the MCU. Dude was a living planet. Kind of creepy, but kind of awesome.
35. Mantis
A newcomer to The Guardians of the Galaxy, but she made a quick impact in the gang's second film with a unique set of powers and some sneaky emotional moments.
34. M'Baku
Winston Duke was one of many breakout stars from "Black Panther," with a mix of brute strength and deadpan humor. He could definitely become an even bigger character in "Avengers: Infinity War" and the Black Panther sequel.
33. Heimdall
Where's the Soul Stone, String? Idris Elba will always be best known for playing Stringer Bell in The Wire, but his role in Thor's story line has gotten bigger and bigger.
32. Okoye
The head of the Dora Milaje, she stole just about every scene she was in and kicked some serious ass in "Black Panther." We'll definitely see a lot more of her in "Avengers: Infinity War."
31. Phil Coulson
Marvel has has few meaningful deaths. Phil Coulson was probably the biggest one. After helping bring The Avengers together with SHIELD, it took Loki killing him to give them the push they needed to save Earth.
30. Odin
The Allfather! As powerful as anyone in the MCU, and though he dragged a bit in "Thor: The Dark World," so did everyone. Anthony Hopkins was perfectly cast, and he had a beautiful send-off in "Ragnarok."
29. J.A.R.V.I.S.
Just a rather very intelligent system. Or, Paul Bettany voicing a computer that basically serves as Tony Stark's butler. Incredibly charming, and a very important character.
28. Shuri
Of all the breakout stars from "Black Panther," Letitia Wright as Princess Shuri and T'Challa's tech genius sister might be the biggest. She's precocious and powerful, and one of her brother's strongest allies.
27. Yondu
He may not be Star-Lord's father, but he was his daddy. His death scene was as emotional a moment as you'll find in the MCU.
26. Nick Fury
His post-credit scene in "Iron Man" signified that The Avengers were actually assembling. Plus, it's Samuel L. Jackson. With an eye patch. Say no more, fam.
25. Drax the Destroyer
Dave Bautista somehow went from professional wrestling to portraying a complex character who is both powerful, hilarious and heartfelt. Mans has chops.
24. Ultron
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" was somewhat underwhelming, but James Spader was menacing and deep as the genocidal robot who nearly annihilated all of mankind.
23. Nebula
The cybernetic adopted daughter of Thanos has mostly been terrible to the Guardians, but she got on their team at the end of "Vol. 2" and could be a major player in the battle against her father in Infinity War.
22. Rocket Raccoon
Ain't no thing like him, except him. Bradley Cooper brought a racoon to life and made him not only a weapons genius and excellent pilot but absolutely hilarious as well.
21. Vision
We haven't known the Mind Stone-powered android long, but he's made quite an impression in just a few movies. Dude has an Infinity Stone in is head, it's hard to stunt on him. Though we can get mad at him for paralyzing War Machine in "Civil War."
20. Falcon
Captain America's best friend who isn't named Bucky Barnes. His wing jet pack gets cooler and cooler in every movie, even if Ant-Man did take him out the first time they met.
19. Ant-Man
Who doesn't love Paul Rudd? You? You're lying. He's adorable as Ant-Man, and pretty dope as Giant-Man.
18. War Machine
Iron Man didn't think he needed a sidekick. He was wrong. Don Cheadle is excellent as Lt. James Rhodes, and him being paralyzed in "Civil War" was one of the most poignant moments in the entire MCU. No one pilots Tony Stark's armor better than him, but Rhodey comes close.
17. Gamora
The favorite daughter of Thanos, Star-Lord's love interest and an absolutely brutal assassin. She may not be the leader of the Guardians, but she's probably the toughest.
16. Hawkeye
Dude is basically just an archer, right? Wrong. He's the human component that keeps the Avengers balanced. At least, that's what they say. We haven't seen him in any of the marketing for "Infinity War," leading some to believe we won't see him until the sequel.
15. Dr. Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch is perfectly cast as the Sorcerer Supreme. His solo film was solid, he was hilarious in his "Ragnarok" cameo and the dude has the Time Stone. Incredibly powerful, and essential in the battle against Thanos.
14. Scarlet Witch
Incredibly powerful, and the character whose actions triggered "Civil War." The more she masters her powers, the better chance the Avengers have against Thanos.
13. Killmonger
All hail King Killmonger. The best MCU villain since Loki honestly outshined Black Panther in his own film. He's charismatic, menacing and has the best motivation of maybe any Marvel baddie. Is this your king?
12. Star-Lord
Chris Pratt's breakout role essentially as Marvel's version of Han Solo and the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy has further established himself as a superstar. He's part celestial and part smart-ass.
11. Black Widow
The most prominent female character in the MCU, she's been shining since her debut in "Iron Man 2" and is an essential member of the Avengers. There's been talk of her own solo film years, which we are very much here for.
10. Thanos
We got a glimpse of him at the end of "The Avengers," then even more of him in "Guardians of the Galaxy." But still, we don't know a whole lot about the Mad Titan. It's a bold strategy for Marvel, as it will make his big reveal in Infinity War either amazingly epic or completely disappointing. Either way, dude is the most powerful being in the universe and is gunning to fill the Infinity Gauntlet. He's not to be trifled with.
9. Black Panther
His movie was the most culturally significant superhero film of all time, creating a global phenomenon. He's the king of Wakanda, the most technologically advanced country in the world, and he's also it's protector granted superhuman abilities. Long live the king, indeed.
8. Groot
I am Groot? No, WE are Groot. The only thing crazier than Marvel taking a group of unknown misfits in Guardians of the Galaxy and making it a massive success? The fact that a talking tree who says just three words has become the most popular character of the Groot. Big Groot, baby Groot, doesn't matter. We love Groot.
7. The Winter Soldier
Being Captain America's best friend is cool enough. How about having the same super solider serum, crazy Hydra training and a metal arm? He was the main catalyst for the conflict in "Civil War," making him one of the most important characters in the MCU without question.
6. The Incredible Hulk
After Edward Norton portrayed him in Hulk's solo film, Mark Ruffalo stepped in and gave him emotional depth in "The Avengers" — "That's my secret, Cap, I'm always angry," is the most iconic lines from arguably the most iconic scene in the MCU. And then he threw Loki around like a rag doll?!? Amazing.
5. Spider-Man
Adding Marvel's signature character late in the game could have been a disaster after "Spider-Man 3" with Tobey Maguire was a trainwreck and "The Amazing Spider-Man" with Andrew Garfield was lukewarm at best. Instead, Marvel masterfully spun him into the "Civil War" storyline, made an inspired choice by casting Tom Holland, and aced the reboot with "Spider-Man: Homecoming" with a younger, fresher take on Peter Parker. By the end of Infinity War, he'll be the face of the MCU.
4. Loki
The best villain in the MCU, and it's not close. Though at this point, it's fair to say Thor's adopted brother is more of an anti-hero. Tom Hiddelston is as good an actor as you'll find in these movies. Just his reaction shots in "The Avengers" alone are incredible. He's a complex, powerful character with nuanced motivation.
3. Thor
His first two movies were underwhelming, but the God of Thunder has been excellent throughout his MCU run. Chris Hemsworth is perfect for the part, his powers and hammer are dope, and making the character's tone less serious and more humerous made "Ragnarok" one of the best films in the MCU.
2. Captain America
The first Avenger. The team's leader and moral compass. At least, until he went rogue in "Civil War." He has the best trilogy of the three main Avengers including an excellent origin and complex relationships with the most important characters in the MCU. His shield is iconic, as is his outfit. Chris Evans was born to play this role and he kills it. Want to argue with him? He could do this all day.
1. Iron Man
If you had told me 10 years ago that Iron Man was going to be the character that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that Robert Downey Jr. would be playing him, I would have laughed. Iron Man was a B-list character at the time, and RDJ's career was in ruins. Fast forward to today, and the joke is on us. Downey's career has been resuscitated much like Tony Stark was saved by Iron Man's miniature arc reactor. His blend of narcissism, charm and wit personifies the character. He's box office gold, with every movie he appears in almost guaranteed to thrive.
That doesn't even touch on the fact that he's a complex character who funds and designs everything for the Avengers. The Avengers wouldn't exist without Iron Man, and neither would the MCU.
Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.