Editor’s Note: The following article contains spoilers for the MCU up to and including Thor: Love and Thunder.
TheMarvel Cinematic Universeis unquestionably a juggernaut in the entertainment world. In close to 15 years of storytelling, Marvel has formed a universe rich with action and compelling characters. However, one area of storytelling the MCU is less known for is romance. The action-driven adventures of the films and shows usually leave little room for a romantic story to fully develop, but the unique structure of the universe allows its best love stories to grow over longer periods of time.
Not all the love stories in the MCU are created equally. Some blossom over years to paint a lovely portrait of a couple navigating the high-stakes world of Marvel, others are quickly introduced and just as quickly swept under a rug before the audience even knows what to make of it. Romance might not be Marvel’s strong suit, but they have provided some excellent examples of love throughout the years. Let’s take a look at the best and worst romances the MCU has to offer.
RELATED:10 MCU Characters With Fates Worse Than Death
19. Bruce Banner and Betty Ross
The Incredible Hulkis a practically forgotten entry in the MCU. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) would eventually be recast, and his classic love interest from the comics, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), would also be dropped from the overarching universe. Their chemistry is about as flat as the movie itself, and their relationship was never given a chance to develop on-screen. There’s a coy reference to Betty later when Bruce (Mark Ruffalo) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) nickname the Hulkbuster armor Veronica, a reference to a character from Archie Comics named Veronica who was best friends with a character named Betty.
18. Steve Rogers and Sharon Carter
Steve Rogers (Chris Evans)had a brief fling with Sharon Carter(Emily VanCamp) during the events ofCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandCaptain America: Civil War. They were only afforded brief moments to show some emotion to one another but never got to develop anything significant beforeAvengers: Endgametook Rogers out of the picture. Carter eventually returned inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but with the world believing Steve dead after the events ofEndgame, it’s safe to say the relationship has fizzled out. Not to mention, Rogers ended up with Carter’s aunt after going back in time. Awkward.
17. Sersi and Dane Whitman
The modern-day portion of the story inEternalshas Sersi (Gemma Chan) in a relatively new relationship with Dane Whitman (Kit Harington). Whitman is falling for the good-natured god, but her unrivaled life experience makes it difficult for them to make a true human connection. Whitman’s story will no doubt be expanded as he attempted to tell Sersi about his family history, which is teased in theEternals' post-credits scene to lead into the character’s reveal as Black Knight.The scene also teasedMahershala Ali’s Blade, so this relationship may be explored further in future stories with the Eternals and the soloBladefilm.
16. Bruce Banner and Natasha Romanoff
Avengers: Age of Ultronwas anchored bya newfound connection between Bruce Banner and Natasha Romanoff(Scarlett Johansson). She can reach through to the Hulk and subside his rage enough to help control Banner’s transformation. The movie gives the pairing their best chance to develop an emotional connection, but in the chaos of Ulton’s evil plan the relationship never fully takes off and is essentially dropped in later films. It does make one more appearance inThor: Ragnarokwhen Natasha’s video message brings Banner back after years as the beast, but one awkward exchange inAvengers: Infinity Warseemed to put the connection to rest.
15. T’ Challa and Nakia
T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is to be named king after his father’s death inCivil War, andhe wants his old flame, Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) at the coronation ceremony. That’s how audiences were first introduced to this intriguing love story. Nakia is an undercover spy for Wakanda and spends her time in the field fighting for the people away from her homeland but when T’Challa brings her on board to expand Wakanda’s humanitarian efforts, it appears they rekindle their dormant romance. Much of their love story takes place before the events ofBlack Panther, so the film does little to develop their relationship and withT’Challa not being recast after Boseman’s unfortunate passing, it’s unlikelyBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwill have a chance to expand their story.
RELATED:Lupita Nyong’o Comments on Making ‘Black Panther 2’ Without Chadwick Boseman
14. Ned Leeds and Betty Brant
InSpider-Man: Far From Home, Ned (Jacob Batalon) had his mind set on exploring Europe as a bachelor, and Betty (Angourie Rice) must have had her own expectations of the trip and had no shared interest with Ned when they boarded the plane to cross the ocean. But when they landed, much to the surprise of everyone, they had struck up an immediate romance filled with adulation. Now they were on a journey of two young love birds in a life-changing exploration through Europe. The relationship was played up more for the hilarious jokes, but it’s also so innocent and a great picture of teenage romance. However, the couple called it quits as soon as they got back to America. Young love rarely lasts, after all.
13. Stephen Strange and Christine Palmer
Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) starts his story with enough bravado and cockiness to make Tony Stark uncomfortable. Opposite him is Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) in an on/off relationship. When Strange suffered his life-changing injuries, she seemed to be the only person who wasn’t being paid a fortune to try and help him, but Strange spent most of his time pushing her away. Christine helped mend some of his injuries after a battle and Strange’s feelings for her were explored further inone of the best episodes ofWhat If…?, but inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswe see Christine has moved on from Strange and found the love of her life. She remained close enough to Strange to invite him to the wedding, but his feelings for her followed him through the multiverse. He even ran into an alternate version of Christine. Even though this version kept him at arm’s length, their bond helped Strange overcome Wanda’s quest to get her kids back at any cost.
12. Ikaris and Sersi
11. Shang-Chi and Katy
This entry is a bit of a cheat because as Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) explained to Katy’s (Awkwafina) grandma, they’re just friends. But we see the journey they go on through the events of the movie, and by the end, they begin to show a deeper connection achieved through all the turmoil. When the big battle finally concludes, they embrace with such relief that you can feel the deeper connection on screen.With a sequel toShang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Ringsin development, you can’t help but root for these two to further explore their bond and hopefully fulfill the wishes of Katy’s grandmother.
10. Marc Specter/Steven Grant and Layla El-Faouly
Here’s a relationship certainly unlike anything else in the MCU. When we meet Steven Grant (Oscar Issac) inMoon Knighthe’s an anxious gift shop worker unlucky at love. But when strange things start happening he runs into Layla (May Calamawy), his wife. Or rather, his alternate personality’s wife. She’s married to Marc Specter and has never heard of Steven. All three of them become entangled in a fight for the world against the gods of Egypt. Through it all Steven falls for Layla just as Marc did to create a two-person love triangle. The show’s ending was less than conclusive, leaving us to wonder where the newly superpowered Layla stands with Marc and Steven. Hopefully, a new season will be announced soon to give us a chance to see more of Moon Knight and Scarlet Scarab.
