Comic book movies: The top 20 hero performances

Credit: Marvel Studios

1. Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man

Some people will say that Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t deserve to be number one because he’s playing a character much like his real life persona. Even if you feel that way, you can’t deny his greatness. When the MCU started, Marvel needed a big hit to get the momentum going on their movie franchise. They took a risk with Robert Downey Jr. and he brought in more fans to the franchise than they could have imagined. It wasn’t just the first Iron Man either. Tony Stark is possibly the most popular character in the MCU. He’s suave, tough and has the coolest armor. His arrogance may be a bit much, but it’s part of his charm. No one could have pulled off this role as well as RDJ.

Of all the actors on this list, no one made a character come to life like RDJ. He made Stark’s personality pop. In Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man Homecoming, we saw a Tony Stark, who wasn’t the joking and cool guy we normally see. He had more moments of seriousness and intensity than we’ve seen so far. RDJ evolved in each of the nine MCU movies he was in (ten if you count his cameo in The Incredible Hulk). Watching his growth as a character has been phenomenal. It’s one thing to have a perfect performance in every Marvel movie he’s in, but it’s another to improve on perfection, which he did.

Who would you have added to the list? Who should be taken off? Let me know in the comments below!