TheMarvel Cinematic Universeis known for its larger-than-life heroes, but in recent years, a new generation of much younger superheroes has emerged.The MCU timelineis gradually introducing its Young Avengers team, through various Phase 4 and Phase 5 projects, many of which will likely play significant roles inthe MCU’s future. Even the very youngest MCU hero will be vital as the franchise continues.
Before ranking the youngest heroes, it’s important to consider the complex timeline of the MCU. There are some MCU continuity errors, and several movies and shows take place in the future. The Blip inAvengers: Infinity War(2018), meant that some characters did not age for five years until they returned inAvengers: Endgame(2019), which is set in 2023. Thistime jump beforeAvengers: Endgamemeant that other characters were aged-up and recast. For the sake of clarity, this list ranks each character as per their most recent MCU appearance.
10Shuri/Black Panther
19-20 In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, is the genius princess of Wakanda and sister to T’Challa. She first appeared inBlack Panther(2018) as a 16-year-old, demonstrating her intelligence bydeveloping advanced Wakandan technology that even surpasses Stark Industries. By the time ofAvengers: Infinity War, she was 18 but was Blipped by Thanos, meaning she did not age during the five-year period between 2018 and 2023.
When she returns inAvengers: Endgameand later becomes the next Black Panther inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, she isbetween 19 and 20 years old. This aligns with her stepping into a more central role in Wakanda, taking on greater responsibility following T’Challa’s death. Despite her youth, she is one of the most brilliant minds in the MCU, rivaling even Tony Stark and Bruce Banner in intellect, as seen inInfinity War.
9Riri Williams/Ironheart
19 In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Riri Williams, portrayed by Dominique Thorne, is a tech prodigy who builds her own Iron Man-style suit using scrap parts. She makes her debut inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, where she is introduced as a student at MIT. Ririexplicitly states that she is 19, making her one of the youngest heroes to develop and use advanced technology on par with Tony Stark.
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Her ability to reverse-engineer Stark’s technology and build a working Ironheart suit demonstrates her exceptional intelligence and ingenuity. Unlike other teenage heroes who inherit powers or abilities,Riri’s brilliance is entirely her own, marking her as one of the most self-made young heroes in the MCU. She is set to headline her own Disney+ series,Ironheart, where her character will be explored further. Her youth and potential make her an essential figure in the MCU’s future lineup.
8Peter Parker/Spider-Man
18 In Spider-Man: No Way Home
Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is one of the most well-known young heroes in the MCU.Introduced inCaptain America: Civil Waras a 15-year-old, he quickly became a fan favorite with his witty personality and heartwarming mentorship with Tony Stark. BySpider-Man: Homecoming, he was still in high school, and his age progression followed a natural timeline.
However, Peter was Blipped inInfinity War, meaning he did not age during those five years. By the time ofSpider-Man: No Way Home, he isin his senior year of high school and preparing for college, confirming he has turned 18. His final appearance inNo Way Homeleaves him alone and independent, setting up a new chapter for his character in future MCU installments. Despite being one of the youngest heroes, Peter has endured some of the toughest trials, making him one of the most resilient.
7Cassie Lang/Stature
18 In Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Cassie Lang, Scott Lang’s daughter, has hadmultiple actresses portray her at different ages. Born in 2008, she was six years old inAnt-Man(2015), where she was portrayed as a bright and loving child who adored her father. When the Blip occurred, Cassie was one of the lucky ones who survived, allowing her to age naturally while Scott was trapped in the Quantum Realm.
By the events ofAvengers: Endgame(2023), Cassie was 15 and played by Emma Fuhrmann, greeting her father after his escape from the Quantum Realm.Kathryn Newton plays Cassie inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is set in 2026.Newton’s Cassie is 18 years oldand has her own Pym Tech-powered suit, following in her father’s footsteps as a young superhero. Her journey is just beginning, and with her newfound abilities, she is set to become a key figure in the MCU’s younger generation of heroes.
6Skaar
17-18 In She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Skaar, the son of the Hulk, makes a surprising and brief appearance inShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law. His introduction is a major surprise, given that the MCU had not previously mentioned Bruce Banner having a child. His age isa bit tricky due to the unique way time flows on Sakaar, where the Hulk spent years before returning to Earth.
WhileShe-Hulkis set approximately 10 years afterAvengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel Studios concept artist Constantine Sekeris confirmed in anInstagrampost that Skaar wasdesigned to be around 17–18 years old. Given the time dilation on Sakaar, Skaar may have grown much faster than a typical human. His future role in the MCU remains uncertain, and he has not reappeared in the timeline. However, given his connection to Hulk, he could play a major part in a potential Hulk storyline and as part of theMCU’s Young Avengers.
5Billy Maximoff/Wiccan
16 In Agatha All Along
Billy Maximoff, also known as Wiccan, was first introduced inWandaVisionas one of Wanda Maximoff’s magically created twin sons. Throughout the series, he aged rapidly from infancy to 10 years old due to Wanda’s hex. However, when the hex was undone,Billy and his brother Tommy ceased to exist.
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His soul was later reincarnated into a new reality as Billy Kaplan, who was 13 years old. InAgatha All Along, which takes place three years later, he is confirmed to be 16. Billy’s abilities mirror Wanda’s magic, giving him a unique skill set that sets him apart from other young heroes. His connection to the Young Avengers in the comicssuggests that he will play a major role in the MCU’s upcoming projects. FollowingAgatha All Along, Billy is poised to go in search of his brother.
4Tommy Maximoff/Speed
Age Unclear After Agatha All Along
Tommy Maximoff, the twin brother of Billy Maximoff, has one of the more enigmatic introductions to the MCU’s young heroes. Like his brother, he initially appeared inWandaVision, as a magical construct in Wanda’s altered reality who is destroyed along with the hex. InAgatha All Along, Billy helps his brother’s soulfind a host body in a young boy who is drowning, but little has been revealed about him.
The age of Tommy’s new body has not been definitively stated, but it’slikely that he would be similar in age to Billy. That said, given the nature of his magical creation and the possibility of the filmmakers taking creative liberties, his exact age remains ambiguous. Despite the uncertainty, Tommy is expected to evolve into his role as the hero Speed as part of the Young Avengers.
3Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel
16 In The Marvels
Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel, a vibrant addition to the MCU and the first Muslim superhero to headline her own series. Portrayed by Iman Vellani, Kamala is introduced as a teenager navigating the trials of high school while grappling with the discovery of her own superpowers. The Disney+ seriesMs. Marvelcaptures her coming-of-age journeywith humor, heart, and a healthy dose of action.
In an interview withTotal Film, (viaThe Direct), director Nia DaCostaconfirmed that Kamala remains 16inThe Marvels. The movie picks up directly after the events ofMs. Marvel, which ended with Kamala switching places with Carol Danvers. Kamala might be one of the most crucial young heroes as she recruits Kate Bishop (who is 23) to join a team inThe Marvels' post-credits scene, specifically alluding to a Young Avengers team.
2America Chavez
14 In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
America Chavez burst onto the MCU stage inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessas a character with extraordinary abilities. Portrayed by Xochitl Gomez, America is introduced as a young, determined hero who Scarlet Witch hunts relentlessly for her ability to create portals to other dimensions in the multiverse. According to an interview withMarvel.com, America isstated to be 14 years old, which is notably younger than her comic book counterpart.
Though not an origin story,Multiverse of Madnessexplores America’s Chavez’s early development in harnessing her abilities. Indeed, America’s youthful age is integral to her character, as it emphasizes her resilience and determination to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds despite her tender years. With her character firmly rooted in the multiverse storyline, America Chavez ispoised to become a key figure in upcoming Marvel projectsas the franchise winds up its Multiverse Saga.
1Love
Approximately 10 In Thor: Love And Thunder
Love, the daughter of Gorr the God Butcher, is arguably the most unexpected addition to the MCU’s pantheon of young heroes. Introduced inThor: Love and Thunder, she is a character who encapsulates both innocence and potential amidst a universe filled with gods and titanic battles. At the end of the movie she has been adopted by Thor and is depictedleaping into battle with her step-fatherwhile wielding Stormbreaker.
Although her exact age is not explicitly stated in the film, thecasting suggests she is around 10 years old or slightly younger. Love is played by Chris Hemsworth’s daughter, who was 10 years old at the time. It’s therefore likely that she will be around, or slightly younger than, that age. Though Love has no Marvel Comics counterpart, she will likely remain a key part of Thor’s future MCU narratives.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Cast
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever explores the efforts of Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje as they strive to safeguard Wakanda from external threats following King T’Challa’s passing. Collaborating with allies like War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross, they seek to shape the nation’s future.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can’t run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.
Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania follows Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne, joined by Janet van Dyne, Hank Pym, and Cassie Lang, as they navigate the Quantum Realm. Their journey introduces them to peculiar creatures and challenges their understanding of reality, pushing their abilities to new extremes.
The Marvels
The Marvels follows Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, whose powers entwine with Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan and S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. As unintended consequences destabilize the universe, the trio must collaborate to navigate a new threat linked to a Kree revolutionary and an anomalous wormhole.
Thor: Love and Thunder
In Thor: Love and Thunder, the Norse god teams up with King Valkyrie, Korg, and the Mighty Thor, Jane Foster, to thwart Gorr the God Butcher’s quest to eradicate the gods. This cosmic adventure sees Thor confront new challenges as he navigates his return from retirement.
Agatha All Along
Agatha Harkness, after the events of “WandaVision,” seeks to regain her magical powers. Joining forces with unexpected allies, including the son of an old adversary, she battles new mystical threats while uncovering hidden secrets in the magical realm.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Tatiana Maslany stars as Jennifer Walters, AKA She-Hulk in Marvel’s Disney+ TV seriesShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.She-Hulkis a half-hour comedy series that follows the story of Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner/Hulk’s cousin. Jennifer is an attorney who must juggle her life alongside being a 6-foot-7-inch hulk. Unlike her cousin, Jennifer is capable of managing her transformation at will. With these newfound powers, Jennifer will head-up a new superhero division at an opposing law firm while trying to learn what it means to be a hero. Additional casting includes Mark Ruffalo, reprising his role as Bruce Banner/ The Hulk, with Tim Roth joining the cast as Emil Blonsky/Abomination, the villain who originally appeared inThe Incredible Hulkfilm.She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawis a part of the MCU’s Phase 4 and originally aired in August 2022.
