MCU’s Thor Trilogy: The 10 Best Characters

As one of the original Avengers, Thor has anchored a trilogy of films that have vacillated in quality with Thor: The Dark World ranking among the MCU’s worst films and Thor: Ragnarok being considered among the best. But regardless of the quality of the movie, the Thor films have consistently been filled with great characters.

Because the films involve travel throughout the Nine Realms, they contain all kinds of different characters from across the universe. Given that the franchise takes inspiration from Shakesperean dramas, it is no surprise that they are often larger than life. The Thor movies are filled with memorable Asgardian warriors, charismatic villains, and memorable secondary characters.

10 The Grandmaster

Appearing in Thor: Ragnarok, the Grandmaster is the eccentric ruler of Sakaar. He uses his power to indulge in a lavish lifestyle, punish those who wrong him, and force prisoners to fight for his own entertainment. He is selfish, over-the-top, and capable of unspeakable cruelty.

While a character that brutal and tyrannical should be unlikable, Grandmaster’s charisma and odd mannerisms give him a unique charm. He is an awful dictator, but it is hard not to be won over by the entertaining and mysterious character.

9 Heimdall

As the all-seeing guard of the Bifrost Bridge, Heimdall possesses an impressive powerset. While he could have abused this immense power for selfish gain, Heimdall repeatedly proved the strength of his character by always choosing to use his abilities to do what was in the best interest of Asgard and the Nine Realms, even when that meant disobeying Odin and risking punishment.

Even his final act was selfless as he channeled the Bifrost Bridge one last time in order to save Hulk, an act that caused Thanos to kill Heimdall.

8 Odin

Odin is one of the most complicated and layered characters in the MCU. He is stern and cold, often harshly criticizing his sons and withholding his affection. Additionally, Hela reveals to Thor the brutality and violence of Odin’s conquest and subjugation of the Nine Realms.

Odin could easily be considered a villain, but he also shows signs of a more endearing side of his personality. He acknowledges his failures just before his passing, showing humility and self-awareness not previously demonstrated. His spirit also returns in Thor’s greatest moment of need to provide the encouragement and inspiration that he never showed while alive.

7 Frigga

As the kindest and most caring member of the royal family, Frigga is often forced to play peacekeeper and do her best to keep the family together. Unlike Odin, she is frequently supportive and encouraging of Thor and Loki.

She is willing to sacrifice her own life in order to protect Jane Foster and the Aether. Even after her death, Frigga continues to be a major influence on Thor and Loki as she reminds Thor of his true identity in Avengers: Endgame and the projection of her death clearly has an emotional impact on the God of Mischief in Loki.

6 Jane Foster

As one of Midgard’s leading astrophysicists, Jane Foster is one of the most intelligent characters in the MCU. Her experiences with Thor and travel to Asgard only expand her knowledge as she learns to synthesize her understanding of science and magic.

Her relationship with Thor also reveals her loving and compassionate side, showing her to be a kind and likable person. Whether dealing with Dark Elves or The Destroyer, Jane Foster constantly proves her bravery and ability by helping defeat whatever enemy she faces.

5 Korg

In Thor: Ragnarok, Korg manages to steal every scene that he appears in. Despite his monstrous appearance and immense physical strength, the rock-like creature is surprisingly thoughtful and kind-hearted.

His dry delivery and quirky sense of humor easily make him one of the funnest, if not the funniest, characters in the entire trilogy. While he is not the deepest or most important character, he is an entertaining character who is a delightful addition to every scene he is in, making him one of the most likable characters in the trilogy.

4 Hela

Hela is arguably Thor’s worst sibling, beating out Loki as the most villainous member of the family. Her insatiable thirst for war and domination makes her a ruthless killer. She is incredibly powerful, killing nearly all of the Valkyrie, single-handedly taking down the army of Asgard, and crushing the near-indestructible Mjolnir with her bare hands.

Her relentless will to rule Asgard leads Thor to allow Surtur to destroy the planet in order to stop her. Hela’s flair for the dramatic and her unmatched fighting ability make her an entertaining character.

3 Valkyrie

Valkyrie, or Brunnhilde, is a complicated character who has been through a lot. During her time on Sakaar, Valkyrie is clearly haunted by her past as she attempts to forget the war with Hela that decimated her people and left her without a homeworld.

But once she finds a renewed sense of purpose by teaming up with the Revengers, she demonstrates the courage, leadership, and loyalty that originally made her a great Valkyrie. All of these qualities make her not only a natural choice to take over as the ruler of New Asgard, but an interesting character who ranks as the Thor trilogy’s finest and fiercest female warrior.

2 Thor

As one of the few characters to receive a trilogy of films in the MCU, Thor has undergone a compelling character arc as he has transformed from a selfish hothead into a selfless and confident leader. This growth has come through many losses and failures, all of which Thor has used to become a better person. Thor has always possessed great fighting ability but has continued to gain emotional maturity.

With increasing moral character, a sympathetic emotional journey, and the ability to persist through loss, Thor has become an endearing and likable character. Additionally, Thor: Ragnarok unlocked the God of Thunder’s comedic potential, which will be further mined in his next movie, Thor: Love and Thunder.

1 Loki

For many fans, the most entertaining and compelling character in the Thor trilogy has always been Loki. The character perfectly walks the line between sympathetic and villainous, serving as a key Avengers villain while also assisting his brother when the situation is dire enough to call for it.

Loki is dramatic, ambitious, and ultimately in search of love and acceptance. His complicated relationship with his family has provided the MCU with many memorable moments such as the seaside reunion between Odin and his two sons. Regardless of the bad things he has done, fans are constantly rooting for him to find peace and happiness. There’s a reason why among all of Thor’s supporting characters, Loki is the only one to receive his own television show.

About The Author