15 Best MCU Duos

Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.What’s better than just one superhero? A superhero team-up. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has some of the best superhero pairings in the genre. Some are unlikely duos, and some are matches made in heaven, but no matter who they are or where they come from, these amazing partnerships have led to some wonderful stories and character arcs. Some are from older MCU outings, and some from the newest—like Spider-Man: Brand New Day—but regardless of which, the relationships are undeniable.

Whether the dynamic is romantic, familial, a friendship, a rivalry, or something else, the couplings in the MCU have earned a good deal of admiration from the franchise’s loyal fans. Good team-ups and relationships—platonic and romantic—not only deliver good stories but also bring out the best in each character, enhancing their story arcs and progressing them further as people. They also spawn both heartfelt and comedic moments that make for some of the most memorable moments in the long-running franchise. These are the best duos in the MCU, ranked by how memorable, entertaining, and important they are.

15

Clint Barton and Kate Bishop

Image via Disney+

Ever since Hawkeye’s (Jeremy Renner) introduction to the MCU, fans had been asking for a solo project adapting the comic book run by Matt Fraction. While it came far later than many would have liked, Hawkeye eventually debuted in 2021, giving fans exactly what they wanted, especially with the introduction of fan-favorite Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld). The Oscar nominee was especially a welcome addition, being a fan cast for the character for quite some time.

The best part of the Fraction run was the dynamic between Bishop and Clint Barton, and Steinfeld and Renner adapted it perfectly. The idea of surrogate father-daughter relationships has become quite popular in Hollywood with the success of projects like The Last of Us, but Hawkeye turned it into a true partnership, ending with them on equal ground and far better people for it. Both Hawkeyes are also quite funny, leading to some funny banter.

14

Frank Castle and Peter Parker

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Despite being one of the newest duos in the MCU, the pairing of Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Punisher (Jon Bernthal) is already winning fans over. They have a similar dynamic to the likes of Frank Castle and another red-clad vigilante, but this one is laced with a bit more of a brotherly bond. They’re consistently bickering and arguing with each other, but it’s clear that they both trust each other.

Frank welcomes Peter and Michelle Jones-Watson (Zendaya) into his personal home when the Wall-Crawler pleads for sanctuary, he shows up to help the young man fight the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) of all threats, and sits in the boy’s hospital room for quite some time just to make sure he’s okay—something he probably wouldn’t do for his Netflix counterpart. The bond these two have built throughout the newest installment in the Holland Spidey franchise is ever-lovable and has already made them an absolute fan favorite.

13

Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson

Image via Disney+

Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) represent the legacy of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), both in taking up his mantle and his effect on others. The filmmakers at Marvel Studios have been building the love-hate relationship between the two for quite some time, and when they finally got a solo project, it worked incredibly well.

This rocky relationship between the two has led to some hilarious banter that was further exploited in the Disney+ show The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. However, their banter isn’t even the best part of the partnership. Bucky and Sam’s wildly different personalities allow the other to grow and learn from each other’s perspectives on life, becoming both better heroes and, more importantly, people.

12

Vision and Wanda Maximoff

Image via Disney+

Many complain that the relationship between Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) was underdeveloped. After all, they seem to be at drastically new places in their relationship in each film, going from friends in Captain America: Civil War to the love of each other’s lives in Avengers: Infinity War. Still, it can’t be denied that this pairing is adorable and absolutely iconic, so much so that it spawned WandaVision, which became one of the best and most successful Marvel Studios Disney+ shows.

Their connection, especially in Wandavision, is very compelling. Vision’s death in Avengers: Infinity War was sad, but the fact that Wanda had to kill him was especially devastating, largely thanks to Elizabeth Olsen’s wonderful performance. Wanda and Vision’s love is bittersweet and makes it one of the most riveting in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

11

Peter Parker and Tony Stark

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

One of the fan-favorite pairings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the father-son relationship between Spider-Man and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). While many had a problem with Peter’s connection to Stark, their scenes together make the duo extremely lovable. Spider-Man’s young and spry nature pairs perfectly with the older, snippy Armored Avenger.

The pairing also allows for some incredible growth for both. One of Spidey’s best arcs in the MCU is learning to step out of the shadow of Iron Man and focus on the little guy in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Peter Parker also taught Tony how to be a father before he had his daughter in Avengers: Endgame. The two share a surprisingly heartwarming mentor-mentee bond, and they both mature greatly because of it.

10

Hulk and Thor Odinson

Image via Marvel Studios

From the first moment that the green alter-ego of Bruce Banner met Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in The Avengers, a rivalry spawned. However, their dynamic evolved considerably from their fight on the Helicarrier to their meeting in Thor: Ragnarok on Sakaar. And through it all, the rivalry between the two strongest Avengers has been a fun ride.

What’s great about these two is that, much like Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, they love and hate each other at the same time. This unique dynamic is best displayed through their pairing in Thor: Ragnarok, where they’re constantly arguing about who is stronger and trying to one-up each other. But when it comes down to the wire, the two will always be there to support one another.

9

Reed Richards and Sue Storm

Image via Marvel Studios

In the Marvel Comics universe, Reed Richards and Sue Storm have always been one of the biggest power couples out there. They are the heads of “Marvel’s First Family,” and their strong bond is a huge part of what brings The Fantastic Four together. While audiences haven’t had much time yet to spend with these two in the MCU, The Fantastic Four: First Steps manages to build their relationship to be an extremely strong one in just one flick.

The MCU’s Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) have already been through so much together, and it’s hard not to fall in love with their adorable love story. Moving into Avengers: Doomsday, fans already can’t wait to see more of what they do together, and how they manage the threat of Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) together.

8

James “Rhodey” Rhodes and Tony Stark

Image via Marvel Studios

The friendship between James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Terrance Howard and Don Cheadle) and Tony Stark is one for the ages. No matter what shenanigans the billionaire is up to, Rhodey is there. What makes their friendship so special is that it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. However, they stick with each other, even when Rhodes needs to beat up his drunk friend to whip him into shape.

The greatest friendships are those that not only support each other positively but also hold each other accountable and push each other to grow and learn from their mistakes. Rhodes has been around, doing that for Tony for quite some time. They have been through thick and thin, and theirs is the longest-lasting relationship in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

7

Clint Barton and Natasha Romanov

Image via Marvel Studios

Another one of the longest-lasting relationships in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is between Hawkeye and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). The two are so close that she’s one of the only people on the planet who knows about Clint’s family. They’re the two secret agents and decidedly human characters in the original Avengers lineup, and their history connects them in an absurdly compelling way.

Their history is hinted at and spoken about quite a bit throughout the franchise, but when we get more of a look into it with Black Widow, it adds so much to the context behind their friendship. Together, Clint and Natasha have been through so much, and it shows. Clint’s mourning at Natasha’s well-earned sacrifice in Endgame is quite heartbreaking and another example of how close they were.

6

Frank Castle and Matt Murdock

Image via Disney+

While it was up in the air how much the Netflix Daredevil show was actually part of the MCU for a while, the release of Daredevil: Born Again has made it a full inclusion in the cinematic universe. The duo of Daredevil (Charlie Cox) and The Punisher (Jon Bernthal), introduced all the way back in Daredevil Season 2, was not only one of the best duos back then, but has had time to grow into one of the best of the best.

What makes this such a fun pairing is the idea that they’re consistently helping each other out, regardless of the fact that they so very much don’t have much love for each other—with respect driving their partnership through conflict. Their inherent disagreements about how to operate as heroes make their time together so interesting and provide genuine conflict, as The Man Without Fear typically has to actively keep this gun-toting anti-hero from murdering people. Anyone who’s seen these two together always loves to see them come together in any way, shape, or form.