Fans Rank the Top 10 Smartest Characters in the MCU!

In Marvel Comics, some characters wield world-shattering powers, others possess immense strength, and some rely on their intelligence.

Recently, fans on Ranker compiled a list to find out who the smartest characters in the MCU are. While some names may be familiar, others might surprise you. Let’s dive in!

10. Loki

Loki is renowned as one of the MCU’s greatest tricksters, and his remarkable intelligence is key to his many feats. He cleverly faked his own death multiple times and seized the throne of Asgard without shedding a single drop of blood.

9. Professor Erik Selvig

Professor Selvig has been a prominent figure in theoretical science since the 1970s, starting as a professor at Culver University with Hank Pym and Bruce Banner. As a top expert in cosmic energy within the MCU, his extensive knowledge of theoretical astrophysics and aptitude for understanding complex concepts made him a valuable collaborator for S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers.

8. Peter Parker

Peter Parker may be young, but he demonstrates impressive scientific talent in the MCU, just like in the comics. Not only is he part of his school’s academic decathlon team, but he also developed his own web fluid from common materials that replicates a spider’s web. His technical prowess has earned him comparisons to Tony Stark, giving him access to top-secret scientific and engineering projects—all while he’s still a teenager.

7. Rocket Raccoon

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence, and Rocket certainly exemplifies this. Known primarily for his sharp sarcasm, Rocket also proves to be one of the MCU’s smartest characters, as shown in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. His intelligence is partly due to the cybernetic enhancements installed by the High Evolutionary, which is one of the reasons the High Evolutionary sought him out.

6. Vision

Vision didn’t begin as the all-knowing superbot we know today. He started as J.A.R.V.I.S., Tony Stark’s A.I., and was later transferred into a body originally intended for Ultron. With the addition of the Mind Stone, he became the hybrid character we recognize. While Vision’s intelligence is artificial, having an Infinity Stone as part of your mind certainly places him at the top of the intelligence scale.

5. Doctor Strange

Before mastering the mystical arts, Stephen Strange was already a brilliant neurosurgeon. His transformation into Doctor Strange highlighted his unconventional thinking. His most impressive intellectual achievement is undoubtedly outsmarting Dormammu within his own realm.

4. Shuri

By the time we encounter Shuri in Black Panther, she is deeply embedded in Wakanda’s advanced technological society. As a princess, she creates groundbreaking technology for T’Challa, including the Vibranium Panther Habit. Although I question her high ranking, she has plenty of opportunities to prove her worth now that she’s the MCU’s Black Panther.

3. Hank Pym

Hank Pym rose to prominence with his discovery of Pym Particles and initially served as the original Ant-Man with S.H.I.E.L.D. After his wife was trapped in the Quantum Realm, he retired from superhero life and established Pym Technologies, amassing billions while seemingly leaving his research behind. Pym is the mastermind behind nearly all of the technology used by the Ant-Family.

2. Bruce Banner

Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk, is not only one of the physically strongest but also one of the smartest characters in the MCU. With an M.D. and a Ph.D., he is a renowned scientist who used gamma radiation on himself. Despite the risks, he successfully harnessed its effects to his benefit.

1. Tony Stark

Tony Stark is not just a bold CEO and billionaire; he’s also one of the brightest minds in the MCU. Running a leading tech company and designing both software and hardware highlight his exceptional abilities. Beyond his famous Iron Man suit, Stark created a time-space GPS in Avengers: Endgame that allows for accurate time and space travel.

You can check out the full list on Ranker.

Do you agree with this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!