Black Widow’s 9 MCU Appearances Ranked

Scarlett Johansson played Black Widow in a wide variety of Marvel Cinematic Universe films over the years, and because of the size of her roles in certain films or the story Natasha Romanoff had in them, some Black Widow appearances in the MCU rank higher than others. After being part of some of the MCU’s best films and leading a solo film, Johansson revealed that It’s unlikely she’ll play Black Widow again.

While one Black Widow sequel starring Johansson may be difficult, the actress is once again involved with the MCU. Unlike Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, who joined Marvel Studios to play different roles, Johansson returned to the MCU as executive producer on Rays*. If she never plays Natasha again, the MCU already has plenty of exciting appearances for the character, with some of them being better than the rest for important reasons.

9

Captain Marvel

A quick post-credits scene

Black Widow’s shortest MCU appearance on the list has to be the character’s role in Captain Marvel. The reason why there is no other option for this position is clear, as Natasha Romanoff barely appears in the film. The character was only used as connective tissue between two major Marvel releases in 2019.

Captain Marvel was one of two MCU films to be released between 2018 Avengers: Infinity War and 2019 Avengers: Endgame. Like this Ant-Man and the Waspthe film used its post-credits scene to explain how its main character could be part of Avengers: Endgame. This setup allowed Johansson to appear.

The scene in question showed a group of the remaining Avengers watching Nick Fury’s pager, which he used to contact Carol Danvers, suddenly turn off. Black Widow and Captain America look back at all the lives Thanos has taken before Captain Marvel appears at the Avengers Complex. Natasha is only there briefly, so this appearance comes last.

8

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Natasha Romanoff is involved in a romance that came out of nowhere

Avengers: Age of Ultron It’s a controversial film when it comes to Natasha Romanoff. Not only is it the worst of the MCU’s Avengers films, but it also placed Black Widow and the Hulk in a romantic plot that made little sense. The decision came from director Joss Whedon, although it was short-lived.

Throughout the film, Black Widow has her hands full. She is part of many of the film’s action scenes and has a little more of her past shown. Avengers: Age of Ultron look at your past in the Red Roomrevealing that the shadowy organization removed her reproductive organs and made her an assassin.

The film ended up being bad for the character. Natasha’s romance with Banner has little more purpose than to make her the only one who can calm the Hulk with a lullaby. Black Widow also seeing herself as a monster for not being able to have children was a bad choice, even with her assassin training adding context to the quote.

7

Avengers: Infinity War

Black Widow returns from escape

Avengers: Infinity War Does not feature Black Widow in a major role. However, her appearance in the film is above the last two because it is bigger than Johansson’s. Captain Marvel cameo and does not negatively impact the character as Avengers: Age of Ultron he did.

Following the events of Captain America: Civil WarNatasha Romanoff had been on the run with Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers and other heroes for some time. The Avengers film presented a visual change for the character, with Black Widow with blonde hair and not red, connecting to his spy origins and his need to disappear alongside his team.

Avengers: Infinity War had several moving parts, with the film featuring a large portion of the MCU’s heroes. Because of this, Black Widow ended up having little impact on the plot. However, Johansson’s Marvel character had some solid action beatswith Black Widow, Okoye and Scarlet Witch defeating Proxima Midnight being the highlight.

6

The Avengers

Black Widow shines on the team

The Avengers It was the film that completely changed the superhero landscape. It brought together all the team members after debuting in solo films or in projects involving other characters. The Avengers allowed Scarlett Johansson to showcase Black Widow’s key abilities from the start.

Black Widow doesn’t get as much focus as Captain America, Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor in the film, but The Avengers enlightened your manipulation skills. She allows herself to be captured at the beginning of the film, obtains the information she needs and easily frees herself and dominates her enemies.

Later, Natasha pretends to let Loki think he has the upper hand when she goes to interrogate him, eventually getting what she needs after tricking him. Nat takes part in cool action scenes, including Hulk’s rampage on the Helicarrier and the Battle of New York. Black Widow also had some fun dialogue with Hawkeye and Bruce Banner.

5

Iron Man 2

Black Widow’s debut in the MCU

Iron Man 2 It’s easily one of the worst films in the MCU. While this may lead to confusion regarding the film’s placement on the list, Black Widow plays a rather important role in the film. Iron Man 2 It was Scarlett Johansson’s MCU debut, and she didn’t disappoint.

Black Widow first appears in disguise, posing as Natalie Rushman, employee of Stark Industries. The character would become Tony Stark’s secretary, flirting with him at Stark’s birthday party, which was just an act under orders from S.H.I.E.L.D. so that Nick Fury could monitor Iron Man closely.

Natasha Romanoff had her own Daredevil-style hallway fight scene even before Charlie Cox’s hero debuted in his Netflix series, with Black Widow easily dispatching Justin Hammer’s security detail. Romanoff manages to give Rhodey back control of the War Machine armor, playing a direct role in Rhodey and Stark’s ability to defeat Ivan Vanko.

4

Captain America: Civil War

Black Widow is forced to choose a side

Captain America: Civil War presented an interesting role for Black Widow. The film’s main conflict revolved around the creation of the Sokovia Accords, which meant that the heroes had to sign up for government oversight. A group of characters led by Captain America fundamentally disagreed with this, but Natasha Romanoff was initially on Iron Man’s side.

The film shows that Romanoff was never sure which path to choose – or at least that’s what it seems like. There are two interpretations of Natasha’s heel turn in the film. Black Widow ends up betraying Iron Man’s Team during the film’s big fight at the airport. She hits Black Panther with shots from her electroshock gun, allowing Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes to escape.

Natasha could have changed her mind, believing that Captain America was no greater threat than the other “Winter Soldiers”. However, Black Widow could also always have secretly been on Steve’s sideas their spying skills and their friendship could have led to this.

3

Avengers: Endgame

Black Widow makes the ultimate sacrifice

Natasha Romanoff’s three biggest appearances in the MCU begin with her final appearance in the Avengers. After not playing as large a role in the team’s films as most of their fellow heroes, Black Widow is crucial to Avengers: Endgameplot. This comes in two different forms.

Avengers: Endgame begins with the heroes killing Thanos. After a five-year time jump, it is revealed that Black Widow leads the Avengerskeeping tabs on the heroes who survived and helping direct them to those in need. Natasha Romanoff did this alongside Captain America, showing that their deep bond remained.

Black Widow’s other important connection in the MCU was with Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye. It was explored in one of the film’s most moving moments, as Natasha and Clint Barton fought to see who would sacrifice themselves for the other. Black Widow ended up being the one who died, and without her sacrifice, the heroes wouldn’t have been able to defeat Thanos and bring back everyone who was lost, making her one of the Avengers: Endgamemost important characters.

2

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Black Widow and Captain America make a great duo

Black Widow also played a major role in another film that ranks among the MCU’s best. 2014 Captain America: The Winter Soldier established the friendship between Black Widow and Captain America. While Steve Rogers was the main character in the film, Natasha Romanoff had a lot to do, being his partner in crime throughout the film.

Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans showed how much chemistry they had in the film. The actors got along so well together that many wanted Captain America and Black Widow to be together instead of her romance with the Hulk. Still, Natasha’s role in the film went far beyond a possible romantic interest.

Black Widow once again has dynamic action scenes, also featuring many investigative moments that show off her espionage skills. She manipulates Pierce with ease and then makes the difficult decision to reveal SHIELD’s secrets to the world, destroying the organization that changed his life to take down HYDRA.

1

Black Widow

Natasha Romanoff finally gets her solo movie

Finally, the Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff’s best appearance in the MCU It has to be your first and only solo project. Except for her and Hawkeye, every other original member of the Avengers has led a film during Phase 1 of the MCU. After several years, Johansson starred in 2021. Black Widow.

The Black Widow movie did what fans had been asking for for a long time. It explored Natasha Romanoff’s backstoryshowing how her fake family evolved to become a real family, the impact the Red Room had on her from a young age, and more. This was the film that really managed to peel back Natasha’s layers.

Black Widow allows Johansson to do what she does best as the character for the last time. There are creative action sequences, hard-hitting emotional moments, great set pieces, and lots of humor and heart. The film takes first place on the list because it is the only MCU project completely dedicated to Black Widow, and she stands out in it.

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