There are 88 Oscar nominees in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — see if you can name them all

Gabbi ShawMar 8, 2024, 00:28 IST

Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo are both Oscar-nominated this year.Frazer Harrison/BAFTA LA/Getty Images

There's been a lot of talk about how Marvel movies aren't the most prestigious.
But the casts of these superhero films include acclaimed actors.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (the MCU) has been at the center of film discourse for as long as the movies have existed — everyone from Martin Scorsese to Timothée Chalamet has weighed in on what superhero movies have done to cinema.

And Marvel isn't casting B-listers to play Earth's mightiest heroes. The casts of these films and TV shows are filled with Academy Award winners and nominees.

There are almost 90 Oscar nominees in the MCU to date, including 2024 nominees Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Jeffrey Wright, Annette Bening, Bradley Cooper, and Sterling K. Brown.

We've rounded up Oscar nominees and winners by MCU movie — see if you remember them all.

There are five Oscar nominees in the cast of "Iron Man" — and Robert Downey Jr. may just win his first this year.

Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Samuel L. Jackson.Jason Merritt/Getty Images; SUSAN GOLDMAN/AFP/Getty Images; Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images

"The Incredible Hulk" might not be well-regarded, but it's not for the lack of talent in its cast.

Edward Norton, William Hurt, and Tim Roth.SGranitz/WireImage/Getty Images; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images; Hulton Archive/Getty Images

"Iron Man 2" switched out one Academy Award nominee for another.

Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell.L. Cohen/WireImage/Getty Images; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images; David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, and Jeremy Renner are all in "Thor."

Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, and Jeremy Renner.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Lester Cohen/WireImag/Getty Images

Two popular minor characters in "Captain America: The First Avegner" were played actors who have been recognized by the Academy.

Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci.Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images; Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

Edward Norton was replaced with Mark Ruffalo, another Oscar nominee, as the Hulk in "Avengers."

Mark Ruffalo.Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

In "Iron Man 3," Ben Kingsley joined the MCU as the Mandarin ... or so we thought.

Ben Kingsley.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images

Legendary actor Robert Redford joined the MCU in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

Robert Redford.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images

The cast of "Guardians of the Galaxy" is one of the most-nominated in the MCU.

Djimon Honsou, John C. Reilly, Benicio del Toro, Glenn Close, and Bradley Cooper.Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images; Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images; ABC/Getty Images; Michael Buckner/Penske Media/Getty Images

When Tony Stark needed to replace the AI in his suit, he just so happened to choose the voice of Oscar-nominated actress Kerry Condon.

Kerry Condon.Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images

Two-time Oscar winner Michael Douglas plays Hank Pym in "Ant-Man" and its sequels.

Michael Douglas.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

A few Oscar winners and nominees were cast in "Captain America: Civil War."

Chadwick Boseman, Alfre Woodard, Marisa Tomei, and Jim Rash.Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images; Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images; Barry King/Liaison/Getty Images; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Four of the biggest roles in "Doctor Strange" are populated by Oscar nominees.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, and Tilda Swinton.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Lester Cohen/WireImage/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty Images

Three-time Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone played Stakar Ogord, or Starhawk, in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."

Sylvester Stallone.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

The main villain of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is Academy Award nominee Michael Keaton. But did you know the AI in Peter's suit is voiced by an Academy Award winner?

Michael Keaton and Jennifer Connelly.Christopher Polk/Getty Images; Keffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images

In "Thor: Ragnarok," the villain is played by two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett. But she's not the only one with some hardware in the cast.

Cate Blanchett, Jefff Goldblum, Taika Waititi, and Matt Damon.Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images

"Black Panther" made MCU history when it became the first Marvel film to be nominated for best picture. It makes sense with this much talent in the cast.

Lupita Nyong'o, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Sterling K. Brown.Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images; Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images; Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Vince Bucci/Getty Images; Michael Buckner/Penske Media/Getty Images

Josh Brolin made his first credited appearance as Thanos in "Avengers: Infinity War."

Josh Brolin.Jeff Vespa/WireImage/Getty Images

Michelle Pfeiffer and Laurence Fishburne joined the MCU in "Ant-Man and the Wasp."

Michelle Pfeiffer and Laurnce Fishburne.Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images; KMazur/WireImage/Getty Images

The titular Captain Marvel was played by Oscar winner Brie Larson. Other Oscar nominees joined her in the cast.

Brie Larson, Annette Bening, and Jude Law.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images; Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Jake Gyllenhaal and J. K. Simmons were cast in "Spider-Man: Far From Home."

Jake Gyllenhaal and J. K. Simmons.SGranitz/WireImage/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The Disney+ shows also cast highly talented people. In the cast of "Loki" alone, there are two Oscar nominees and one winner.

Owen Wilson, Richard E. Grant, and Ke Huy Quan.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

In "Black Widow," we met two more highly accomplished assassins played by Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz.

Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz.Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Jeff Vespa/WireImage/Getty Images

Animated series "What If...?" is narrated by Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright.

Jeffrey Wright.Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" made history as the first MCU movie about an Asian superhero, so they pulled out the big guns with Michelle Yeoh.

Michelle Yeoh and Stephanie Hsu.MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images

When "Hawkeye" premiered on Disney+, it was clear that the torch was getting passed from one nominee to another.

Hailee Steinfeld and Vera Farmiga.Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

Five of the 10 Eternals have been nominated for Oscars.

Angelina Jolie, Barry Keoghan, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, and Salma Hayek.Fotos International/Long Photography/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Craig Sjodin/Getty Images; Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images

Since "Spider-Man: No Way Home" brought in characters from different universes, multiple Oscar nominees were pulled into the film.

Andrew Garfield, Jamie Foxx, and Willem Dafoe.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images; SGranitz/WireImage/Getty Images; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Ethan Hawke played the villainous Arthur Darrow in the mind-bending "Moon Knight."

Ethan Hawke.Jason Merritt/Getty Images/Getty Images

Charlize Theron had a post-credits cameo in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

Charlize Theron.Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Three more Oscar nominees joined the MCU in "Thor: Love and Thunder."

Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, and Melissa McCarthy.Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images; HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

"Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" introduced Bill Murray to the MCU.

Bill Murray.Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" introduced an Oscar nominee as the voice of a dog.

Maria Bakalova.Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images

Not even Olivia Colman could save "Secret Invasion."

Olivia Colman.Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic/Getty Images

Now for the projects that haven't been released yet but have confirmed casts. Hugh Jackman will make his highly anticipated MCU debut as Wolverine this year in "Wolverine & Deadpool."

Hugh Jackman.Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

Now for the projects that haven't been released yet but have confirmed casts. Hugh Jackman will make his highly anticipated MCU debut as Wolverine this year in "Wolverine & Deadpool."

At some point in 2024, "Ironheart" will release on Disney+, starring Oscar nominee Sacha Baron Cohen.

Sacha Baron Cohen.Rick Rycroft-Pool/Getty Images

After the death of William Hurt, the role of Thunderbolt Ross was recast with Harrison Ford in 2025's "Captain America: Brave New World."

Harrison Ford.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

One of the newly announced members of the Fantastic Four is Academy Award nominee Vanessa Kirby.

Vanessa Kirby.Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images

Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali was announced as the star of "Blade" years ago, but the film has been long-delayed.

Mahershala Ali.Dan MacMedan/Getty Images

We don't know exactly who Ed Harris is playing in "Wonder Man," but we're excited.

Ed Harris.SGranitz/WireImage/Getty Images

Every movie Margot Robbie has been in, ranked from worst to best by critics

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There are 88 Oscar nominees in the Marvel Cinematic Universe &mdash; see if you can name them all

There are five Oscar nominees in the cast of "Iron Man" — and Robert Downey Jr. may just win his first this year.

"The Incredible Hulk" might not be well-regarded, but it's not for the lack of talent in its cast.

"Iron Man 2" switched out one Academy Award nominee for another.

Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, and Jeremy Renner are all in "Thor."

Two popular minor characters in "Captain America: The First Avegner" were played actors who have been recognized by the Academy.

Edward Norton was replaced with Mark Ruffalo, another Oscar nominee, as the Hulk in "Avengers."

In "Iron Man 3," Ben Kingsley joined the MCU as the Mandarin ... or so we thought.

Legendary actor Robert Redford joined the MCU in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

The cast of "Guardians of the Galaxy" is one of the most-nominated in the MCU.

When Tony Stark needed to replace the AI in his suit, he just so happened to choose the voice of Oscar-nominated actress Kerry Condon.

Two-time Oscar winner Michael Douglas plays Hank Pym in "Ant-Man" and its sequels.

A few Oscar winners and nominees were cast in "Captain America: Civil War."

Four of the biggest roles in "Doctor Strange" are populated by Oscar nominees.

Three-time Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone played Stakar Ogord, or Starhawk, in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."

The main villain of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is Academy Award nominee Michael Keaton. But did you know the AI in Peter's suit is voiced by an Academy Award winner?

In "Thor: Ragnarok," the villain is played by two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett. But she's not the only one with some hardware in the cast.

"Black Panther" made MCU history when it became the first Marvel film to be nominated for best picture. It makes sense with this much talent in the cast.

Josh Brolin made his first credited appearance as Thanos in "Avengers: Infinity War."

Michelle Pfeiffer and Laurence Fishburne joined the MCU in "Ant-Man and the Wasp."

The titular Captain Marvel was played by Oscar winner Brie Larson. Other Oscar nominees joined her in the cast.

Jake Gyllenhaal and J. K. Simmons were cast in "Spider-Man: Far From Home."

The Disney+ shows also cast highly talented people. In the cast of "Loki" alone, there are two Oscar nominees and one winner.

In "Black Widow," we met two more highly accomplished assassins played by Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz.

Animated series "What If...?" is narrated by Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright.

"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" made history as the first MCU movie about an Asian superhero, so they pulled out the big guns with Michelle Yeoh.

When "Hawkeye" premiered on Disney+, it was clear that the torch was getting passed from one nominee to another.

Five of the 10 Eternals have been nominated for Oscars.

Since "Spider-Man: No Way Home" brought in characters from different universes, multiple Oscar nominees were pulled into the film.

Ethan Hawke played the villainous Arthur Darrow in the mind-bending "Moon Knight."

Charlize Theron had a post-credits cameo in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

Three more Oscar nominees joined the MCU in "Thor: Love and Thunder."

"Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" introduced Bill Murray to the MCU.

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" introduced an Oscar nominee as the voice of a dog.

Not even Olivia Colman could save "Secret Invasion."

Now for the projects that haven't been released yet but have confirmed casts. Hugh Jackman will make his highly anticipated MCU debut as Wolverine this year in "Wolverine & Deadpool."

At some point in 2024, "Ironheart" will release on Disney+, starring Oscar nominee Sacha Baron Cohen.

After the death of William Hurt, the role of Thunderbolt Ross was recast with Harrison Ford in 2025's "Captain America: Brave New World."

One of the newly announced members of the Fantastic Four is Academy Award nominee Vanessa Kirby.

Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali was announced as the star of "Blade" years ago, but the film has been long-delayed.

We don't know exactly who Ed Harris is playing in "Wonder Man," but we're excited.

There are 88 Oscar nominees in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — see if you can name them all