Top 10 Romantic Movie Roles by MCU Actors

Top 10 Roles in Romantic Movies by MCU Actors

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Roles in Romantic Movies by MCU Actors.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the best acting performances by Marvel actors or actresses in both well-reviewed and guilty pleasure romantic movies. Some of our picks feature more than one MCU Actor. And to narrow down the huge list of movies with Marvel performers, we primarily focused on films that put performers with MCU roles in notable roles.

What’s your favorite romantic movie with an MCU lead? Let us know in the comments below!

#10: James Spader
“Pretty in Pink” (1986)

Rom-com villains don’t get more punchable than Steff Mckee. He’s snobby, condescending, and loves to hear himself talk. Steff mainly resents the protagonist Andi because she refused his advances. Thankfully, a few people stand up to him before the end of the movie. Steff was played to slimy perfection by James Spader. He got the chance to play another great antagonist in the MCU when he voiced Ultron in the second “Avengers” film. Like Steff, the evil robot was arrogant and absolutely loved to hear himself talk. And Spader’s splendid vocal work made Ultron into another very punchable villain.

#9: Chris Pratt (Along with Kumail Nanjiani & Randall Park)
“The Five-Year Engagement” (2012)

Chris Pratt’s fantastic comedic timing makes him great at playing goofy and spacey characters. But he also can tone things down for more more relatively grounded roles. He managed to balance both acting styles when he played Alex in “The Five-Year Engagement”. After the goofy Alex helps delay his friend’s wedding, he commits to a serious relationship. He delivers plenty of hilarious lines throughout the film. But he’s also able to stop cracking jokes whenever his friend Tom needs encouragement or tough love. Although MCU actors like Kumail Nanjiani and Randall Park also make appearances, we had to single out Pratt for his layered performance. The blend of comic and dramatic acting he brought to Alex is still seen in roles like Starlord today.

#8: Aaron Taylor-Johnson
“Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging” (2008)

Although Aaron Taylor-Johnson gave a memorable turn as Quicksilver, he wasn't given a whole lot of screen time to shine. Luckily, he gets a lot more attention in this teen-oriented rom-com. A young girl named Georgia immediately falls for a new student named Robbie at first sight. It doesn't hurt that he loves cats, is in a band, and is extremely charming. The subtlety Taylor-Johnson brings to the role prevents Robbie from being a one-dimensional love interest. He gives a solid performance in a story that dives into deep issues that go way beyond the usual teen movie clichés. Whether you're here for the great story or to see Taylor-Johnson in the spotlight, “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging” is worth the watch.

#7: Scarlett Johansson
“Her” (2013)

“Her” is an unconventional yet oddly sweet love story. Shortly after his marriage dissolves, a man named Theodore buys an A.I.. that names herself Samantha. The two quickly hit it off and start falling in love. Although we’re used to seeing Scarlett Johansson front and center in the “Avengers” movies, her role in “Her” is a complete voiceover performance. Although she never appears in person, the relationship between Samantha and Theodore always feels real and tangible. Even when she and Theodore enjoy a picnic with Chris Pratt’s character and his human girlfriend, it feels like you’re watching four people on screen. Instead of spoiling the ending, we’ll just highly recommend you catch Johnasson’s tremendous vocal work in this critically acclaimed romance.

#6: Chris Evans (Along with Chris Pratt, Martin Freeman & Anthony Mackie)
“What’s Your Number” (2011)

When a woman named Ally needs help tracking down her exes to see if any of them are marriage material, she forms an unlikely alliance with a playboy named Colin. Chris Evans plays the promiscuous man as extremely confident and aloof. But despite his carefree attitude, he finds himself caring for and falling for Ally. The movie also manages to sneak in three other Marvel actors: Martin Freeman, Anthony Mackie, and yes, Chris Pratt again as three of Ally’s exes. While the movie wasn't a smash hit with critics, the relationship between Colin & Ally is fun and adorable. By the end of the film, he finally finds this movie’s Peggy to his Captain America.

#5: Paul Rudd (Along with, J. K. Simmons, Jon Favreau & Lou Ferrigno)
“I Love You, Man” (2009)

Throughout 2009’s “I Love You, Man,” Marvel actors J. K. Simmons, Jon Favreau, and the OG Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno, all make appearances. And while it’s fun to see Ant-Man and a Hulk work together in a rom-com, the story is really about a bromance. When Paul Rudd’s Peter finds himself without a best man for his upcoming wedding, he grows closer to Jason Segal’s funny and unpredictable Sydney. The movie does a great job at getting us invested in their budding friendship. It also manages to both embrace and play with rom-com clichés. Paul Rudd and Jason Segal's chemistry and comedic timing make “ I Love You, Man” a movie we absolutely
adore.

#4: Scarlett Johansson & Chris Evans
“The Nanny Diaries” (2007)

Both Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson have appeared in multiple rom-coms. Sometimes they even appear alongside other Marvel actors. So, it was only a matter of time before they played opposite each other in a love story. If you're an MCU fan that shipped Black Widow and Captain America, “The Nanny Diaries” is the movie for you. Scarlett Johansson plays a nanny named Annie. During her assignment, she meets Chris Evans’ character and appropriately nicknames him the Harvard Hottie. The two actors have immediate chemistry with each other. And they bring a sense of realism to the story by having their characters acknowledge each other's flaws. The sweet and natural feel of their relationship will have you cheering every time they kiss.

#3: Marisa Tomei & Robert Downey Jr.
“Only You” (1994)

Before playing Aunt May in the MCU, Marisa Tomei played a woman named Faith who believed she was destined to marry a man named Damon Bradley. During Faith's search, she runs into a man played by Robert Downey Jr. who claims that he's the one she's been looking for. Although the sparks immediately fly between them, there's a couple of problems. Faith is engaged to be married and Robert Downey Jr's character is not Damon Bradley. Fortunately, this sweet couple overcomes their issues and ends up together. Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. make for a spectacular on-screen couple. If Iron Man had stayed single in the MCU, maybe he and Aunt May could’ve given romance a shot.

#2: Paul Rudd
“Clueless” (1995)

If someone was asked to name the most 90’s rom-com they could think of, “Clueless” would probably be at the top of their list. Although the movie is mainly about Cher and her iconic outfits, Paul Rudd plays an essential role as Josh. He's quickly established as a charming young student who knows exactly what he wants to do with his life. Although he butts heads with Cher, he shows that he really does care about her. As he helps her become a better person, she helps him with his legal pursuits. If Josh ever became a lawyer, we’d love to have seen him help Ant-Man with his legal troubles.

Before we propose our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Paul Bettany & Jon Favreau, “Wimbledon” (2004)
Vision & Happy Star in This Tennis Rom-Com

Gwyneth Paltrow & Mark Ruffalo, “View from the Top” (2003)
Pepper Potts Falls for the Hulk

Rachel McAdams & Owen Wilson (Along with Corey Stoll & Tom Hiddleston), “Midnight in Paris” (2011)
Loki & Actors from “Dr. Strange” &“Ant-Man” Walk into a Bar...

Tilda Swinton & Tom Hiddleston, “Only Lovers Left Alive” (2013)
The Ancient One & Trickster God Fall in Love

Zendaya, “Malcolm & Marie” (2021)
“Spider-Man”’s M.J. Leads This Black-and-White Romance

#1: Mark Ruffalo & Judy Greer (Along with Brie Larson & Andy Serkis)
“13 Going on 30” (2004)

In this classic rom-com, 13-year-old Jenna is flung seventeen years into the future after accidentally using wishing dust that her friend Matt gave her. This happens following her humiliation by the Six Chicks - one of whom is played by Captain Marvel herself, Brie Larson. The newly 30-year-old Jenna then discovers she works with Judy Greer’s Lucy and Andy Serkis’ Richard. While both actors had roles in “Ant-Man” and “Black Panther” respectively, the biggest MCU actor is Mark Ruffalo’s Matt. He brought plenty of dry wit and sarcasm to the role. But underneath his cynical exterior, Matt is charming, sweet, and hopelessly in love with Jenna. Ruffalo's great chemistry with Garner, earnest performance, and thriller dance moves helped make this movie iconic. Fifteen years later, Ruffalo played around with time travel again when he appeared as Smart Hulk in “Avengers Endgame.”