10 Best Female Characters in the MCU, Ranked by How Well They Are Written

As a huge MCU fan, I’ve definitely seen the criticisms over the years – and a lot of them are fair. One thing that really bothers me is how female characters have often been treated. Too often, they’ve been brought in just to support the male heroes, as love interests, or simply to move the plot along. It’s frustrating because so few have been given the chance to really develop – to mess up, learn, and change as people. Still, looking back, the MCU has, surprisingly, created a few female characters who are more than just plot devices. But who are those standout women, the ones who actually got the development they deserved?

We’ve ranked the top 10 female characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from least to most compelling, based on how well their stories have developed. Some characters have grown significantly throughout the films, while others show promise but still need more development. Here’s our list!

10) Okoye

Okoye made a strong impression when she first appeared in Black Panther. She’s a well-defined, self-assured character who immediately earns the audience’s respect. However, compared to other characters, her story hasn’t been fully developed. While her loyalty to Wakanda, strong moral code, and dedication are great within the world of the film, they often limit her to a supporting role.

Even though Okoye has a larger role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, she still primarily represents Wakanda’s ideals rather than experiencing significant personal growth. The story doesn’t really force her to face challenges that would make her change as a person. This leads to a character who is reliable, admirable, and well-acted, but ultimately doesn’t evolve much. When evaluating characters based on their development, this lack of change is a key factor.

9) Carol Danvers

Carol Danvers, the character introduced in Captain Marvel, was initially well-developed, fitting nicely within the framework of her backstory. However, compared to other female heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, her portrayal isn’t as strong. The issue isn’t a lack of potential for the character, but rather some disappointing choices made by the filmmakers, particularly in how her story continued, including in The Marvels.

The story idea for her character – focusing on lost memories, being controlled, and finding herself again – is actually quite strong. However, the Marvel movies tend to portray her as an unstoppable power rather than a relatable person struggling with internal issues. Because she’s usually written as overwhelmingly powerful, it’s hard to connect with her vulnerabilities, which makes her character less compelling. She shines when the story lets her make mistakes, question herself, or face genuine challenges, but those moments don’t happen often enough. This imbalance is why she doesn’t resonate as much as characters with more realistic struggles.

8) Gamora

Gamora’s story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a compelling example of someone overcoming a difficult past, particularly in the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies, with Avengers: Infinity War bringing that journey to a powerful conclusion. Her complicated relationship with Thanos – marked by manipulation, control, and deep-seated guilt – makes her choices feel emotionally resonant and gives her story a realistic sense of stakes. Gamora isn’t simply fighting against a villain; she’s fighting to take control of her own life after years of being controlled by someone who profoundly shaped who she is.

The issue arises when the Marvel Cinematic Universe effectively starts Gamora’s story over after Avengers: Endgame. The new Gamora shown in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 isn’t meant to be the same character we’d been following, and as a result, she doesn’t receive the same depth of emotional connection or story development. Although this decision makes logical sense, it weakens the power of the original Gamora’s growth. She remains a strong character, but her story loses its impact just when it should be the most rewarding.

7) Kamala Khan

Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel, sometimes seems overlooked, possibly because she arrived on the scene when Marvel Studios wasn’t as hugely popular as it once was. However, the success of the Ms. Marvel series and her bigger part in The Marvels have shown she’s a much more significant character than many initially thought. Plus, rumors suggest she’ll be involved in future major films like Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, hinting that her story is still developing.

Kamala’s success stems from the show letting her be authentically herself. The writing captures the energy, doubts, and complexities of being a teenager, making her very easy to connect with. It’s also commendable how the series prioritizes family, culture, and identity as core parts of her journey, rather than just adding them as background details. While her story is still developing and intentionally less intense than some others, it’s already achieving its goals, which is why she currently ranks in the middle. So far, she hasn’t encountered a major challenge that has fundamentally changed her character.

6) Agatha Harkness

Agatha Harkness quickly became a fan favorite after her breakout role in WandaVision, despite initially being a character who could have been a minor, forgettable part of the story. Luckily, Marvel made a great decision by developing her into a truly memorable villain, culminating in the popular song, Agatha All Along. This was a risk that paid off. Agatha is compelling because she’s a funny, cruel, and ambitious character, and the show always maintains the right tone when portraying her.

Agatha has always been more than just a foil for Wanda. Right from the start, she’s been driven by her own curiosity, desire for power, and unique perspective on magic – qualities we’ve seen developed in her own show. This gives her character much more emotional range and makes her more interesting to watch. However, a lot of what makes Agatha so captivating still comes down to the actress’s performance and her undeniable charisma, rather than a significant change in her character’s journey. While her backstory has been fleshed out, her core personality remains the same.

5) Yelena Belova

Yelena Belova’s story is quickly becoming one of the most interesting in the MCU, and she’s unique because she felt like a complete character from the start. She’s funny, a bit world-weary, and her motivations are driven by a painful past. Her connection to Natasha Romanoff isn’t just a plot device—it’s a genuinely compelling and complex relationship. Audiences connect with Yelena easily, and on a deeper level than just surface appeal.

One of the best choices the writers made was avoiding the easy route of simply making Yelena the ‘new Black Widow.’ This really helps establish her as a strong, independent character. However, even though she’s very well-written, Yelena’s future depends on where her story goes next. While Thunderbolts does show some development, she mostly acts as a catalyst in the plot rather than dealing with her own personal issues. Currently, her story feels like it has potential, but it’s not fully realized yet.

4) Jessica Jones

Since its release in 2015, Jessica Jones has remained incredibly popular with fans, and for good reason. The show stands out because it portrays her with a remarkable level of honesty, something rarely seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It doesn’t shy away from difficult experiences – in fact, it often puts trauma at the heart of the story – and it avoids the trap of glossing over pain or offering simple fixes. This realistic and unflinching approach is what truly resonates with viewers and creates such a strong emotional connection.

Look, Jessica Jones is a mess – sarcastic, often making terrible choices, and honestly, not always easy to like. But that’s the point! Everything she does makes sense given her history, and that consistency is what really makes her compelling. What I appreciate most is that the writers aren’t trying to fix her. It’s about her learning to live with her trauma, which feels incredibly realistic and mature. Honestly, her biggest problem has always been that she felt a little isolated. With her upcoming appearance in Daredevil: Born Again, I’m really hoping they can finally weave her more fully into the larger Marvel universe. At this stage, I want to see how she reacts to new challenges, not just revisit her internal struggles.

3) Peggy Carter

Peggy Carter has been a significant presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in five major films and making several smaller cameos. She also starred in her own series, Agent Carter, though its place in the official timeline is debated. Regardless, Peggy stands out as a well-written female character because she’s strong without being perfect. She deals with challenges like discrimination, grief, and setbacks, but always maintains her independence and strong moral compass.

Peggy Carter’s development feels natural and deliberate, even with her limited screen time. Each return to the story feels meaningful and justified, not just something that has to happen. Beyond her own growth, she also significantly influences Steve Rogers, a central character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her story is complete and impactful, even without considering her own show. The main critique is that her journey, while strong, isn’t particularly dramatic or emotionally charged.

2) Natasha Romanoff

It’s sad to think about Natasha Romanoff’s death, but she truly evolved alongside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ultimately having one of its most compelling character journeys. She started in Iron Man 2 as a typical “femme fatale” spy, but quickly became much more. Over time, she was defined by her feelings of guilt, her compassion for others, and her willingness to sacrifice everything – and that’s why her story deserved to be told in Black Widow.

I’ve always loved Natasha Romanoff’s arc in the MCU. It really started to shine with The Avengers, but Captain America: The Winter Soldier is where we truly saw her grappling with her past and actively choosing to do good with the weight of it. What I find so compelling is that she doesn’t try to pretend her history didn’t happen – she owns it and uses it to inform her choices. That’s why her sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, while heartbreaking, felt earned and inevitable. It wasn’t just a plot twist; it felt like the natural culmination of everything her character had been building towards. Honestly, my only frustration is that it took so long for the MCU to really give her the spotlight she deserved and let her be the central character of her own story.

1) Wanda Maximoff

Wanda Maximoff is widely considered the most compelling female character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and for good reason. Her story arc is bold and takes chances. Though she first appeared in Avengers: Age of Ultron and played a role in subsequent Avengers films, it was WandaVision that truly solidified her status. After that series, Wanda wasn’t just a team member – she became the central figure in a story that wasn’t afraid to explore difficult themes, moral ambiguities, and raw emotions.

I’m completely captivated by Wanda Maximoff. She’s flawed – she messes up, she causes pain, and she doesn’t always ask for forgiveness, but she always fights for what she believes in. Seeing her struggle is heartbreaking, and honestly, it’s so easy to understand why she does what she does. But it’s more than just why she’s hurting; her pain drives the entire story. What I love is that the MCU isn’t afraid to show a powerful woman grappling with grief and figuring out who she is, even if it makes her complicated and unpredictable. It makes her so compelling! Honestly, I can’t think of another female character in the MCU who’s been given this kind of depth and a story that’s been explored for so long.

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2026-02-12 01:15