Marvel’s 20 Sexiest Heroes

Superheroes are sexy. Of course they are — after all, by definition they represent the peak of human abilities, or sometimes superhuman abilities, or sometimes not-at-all-human abilities. And Marvel Comics now have some of the sexiest heroes in film and television, both past and present, ranging from exotic aliens, powerful mutants, and even a Norse god.

Marvel has come a long way since the comic book publisher’s work started making its way to the big screen. There was a 15-chapter serial film version of “Captain America” way back in 1944, just three years after the character made his comics debut in 1941. Then there was a long, four-decade gap between that and the notorious “Howard the Duck,” which won the Razzie for Worst Picture in 1986 (spoiler alert: he didn’t make our list).

Far more successful were the “X-Men” films produced by 20th Century Fox in the 2000s, Sony’s “Spider-Man” franchise, and Disney’s expansive series of films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. TV and streaming services have even gotten in on the action with “Agents of SHIELD” on ABC and the gritty dramas “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones” and “Luke Cage” on Netflix.

So which heroic captains, avengers and defenders made our list? Click through our gallery of the 20 sexiest Marvel heroes. Did your favorite make the cut?

– By Tony Ruiz

Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)

“X-Men” (2000); “X2: X-Men United” (2003); “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006); “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009); “The Wolverine” (2013); “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014); “Logan” (2017)

Logan can be a bit of a crank, but underneath that adamantium shell beats the heart of a true romantic. Just be careful — those claws will leave a mark.

Gamora (Zoe Saldana)

“Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014); “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)

Gamora was raised by a warlord, so she knows how to take care of herself. Despite her violent upbringing, she has a soft spot for the innocent and the oppressed. It’s better to stand beside her than face off against her.

Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans)

“Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011); “The Avengers” (2012); “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014); “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015); “Captain America: Civil War” (2016)

Steve Rogers is a dream man. He’s handsome, patriotic, devoted to helping others, and he has super-strength. He also happens to look good in red, white, and blue.

Natasha Romanova/Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson)

“Iron Man 2” (2010); “The Avengers” (2012); “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014); “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015); “Captain America: Civil War” (2016)

Natasha is the classic example of a bad girl gone good. A former Russian spy, Natasha’s sexy exterior barely hides her lethal capabilities. Underestimate her at your own peril.

Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt)

“Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014); “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)

Quill is a bad boy with a soft side. The former smuggler and thief likes to talk his way out of a fight, but won’t hesitate to use force when necessary. He also has a love a music, often carrying a mixtape of ’70s and ’80s tunes in his antique Walkman.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth)

“Thor” (2011); “The Avengers” (2012); “Thor: The Dark World” (2013); “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015)

This man is literally a god. And he carries around a giant hammer. And he controls lightning. Did I mention that he’s a god?

Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)

“Jessica Jones” (Netflix)

Jessica has had traumatic experiences with men before, so she can be a bit standoffish, and even cold. But if you like a strong woman, she does have superhuman strength and the ability to fly.

David Haller/Legion (Dan Stevens)

“Legion” (FX)

Because he is a schizophrenic with multiple personalities, David may be hard to communicate with at first. But the combination of smoldering good looks and telekenesis might be irresistible.

Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.)

“Iron Man” (2008); “Iron Man 2” (2010); “The Avengers” (2012); “Iron Man 3” (2013); “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015); “Captain America: Civil War” (2016)

Tony Stark has it all: money, looks, and an arsenal of super-powered suits. He can be a bit of an egotist, but he will ultimately do what is best for humanity.

Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd)

“Ant-Man” (2015); “Captain America: Civil War” (2016)

Scott has had problems staying on the right side of the law. But who can resist a man devoted to his daughter and who has the ability to control your insect problem?

Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)

“The Avengers” (2012); “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015)

Bruce Banner is intelligent, attractive, and mild-mannered. Just don’t get him angry. Then he becomes a raging, muscle-bound giant with a really short fuse … unless that’s your thing.

Ororo Munroe/Storm (Halle Berry)

“X-Men” (2000); “X2: X-Men United” (2003); “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006); “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014)

Ororo Munroe is one of the most powerful mutants on Earth. She also has the ability to control the weather, so there’s no fear of rainy weather ruining a date night.

Luke Cage (Mike Colter)

“Jessica Jones” (Netflix); “Luke Cage” (Netflix)

Luke Cage cares about his community, and will do whatever is necessary to protect it. He also has such perfect skin that not even a bullet can damage it.

Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland)

“Spider-Man” (2002); Spider-Man 2″ (2004); “Spider-Man 3” (2007); “The Amazing Spider-Man” (2012); “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014); “Captain America: Civil War” (2016); “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017)

Peter Parker may be young, but he’s a lean, mean, crime-fighting machine. He also loves a good one-liner, so he will keep you laughing.

Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)

“Deadpool” (2016)

Wade Wilson is the ultimate bad boy. Cocky, arrogant, and quick with a sarcastic quip, he has a sensitive side underneath that red and black leather suit. As long as you don’t have a problem with regenerating body parts and significant scarring, he might be the guy for you.

Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner)

“Daredevil” (2003); “Elektra” (2005)

Elektra Natchios is nothing if not a survivor. The daughter of a murdered Greek diplomat, Elektra is a skilled fighter and assassin, and certainly doesn’t scare easily. Just don’t cross her, or you might find yourself on the wrong end of her sai.

Johnny Storm/The Human Torch (Chris Evans)

“The Fantastic Four” (2004); “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007)

Johnny Storm is hot, and he’ll be the first one to tell you. His handsomeness is matched only by his ego, and he has no problem using his status as a superhero to help him score with the ladies.

Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)

“Doctor Strange” (2016)

Stephen Strange is a genius, but he has an ego problem. However, he’s become far more humble since he discovered ancient magic that has made him an all powerful sorcerer. And he rocks a mean cape.

Jean Grey (Famke Janssen)

“X-Men” (2000); “X2: X-Men United” (2003); “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006)

Jean Grey is one of the world’s most powerful mutants, and one of the most beautiful. Just don’t awaken her dark side, which is both frightening and destructive.

Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox)

“Daredevil” (Netflix)

Matt Murdock may be a mild-mannered lawyer by day, but at night he fights crime on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen. Don’t be surprised if he comes home with a few bumps and bruises, and don’t bother trying to lie to him. Even though he’s blind, he’s super perceptive.