The Strongest Marvel Characters Ranked by Power (2025 Guide)

The Marvel Universe is a vast tapestry of heroes and villains, a cosmic playground where the line between mortal and god is often blurred. While moviegoers have seen the incredible power of characters like Captain Marvel and the Scarlet Witch, the comic books take power levels to an entirely new dimension.

Here, the strongest beings aren't just city-smashing brutes but reality-shaping entities that can rewrite the very fabric of existence. This guide will take you on a journey through the upper echelons of Marvel's power scale, from Earth's mightiest heroes to the omnipotent beings who oversee all of creation.

Defining "strength" in the Marvel Universe is a complex task. It's not just about who can punch the hardest. Power can manifest in a variety of ways:

• Physical Strength: Raw, brute force, like the limitless power of the Hulk.

• Cosmic Power: The ability to manipulate the fundamental forces of the universe, like the Power Cosmic wielded by Galactus.

• Reality Manipulation: The power to alter reality itself, bending the rules of physics and existence to one's will.

• Mystical Arts: Mastery of magic and sorcery, as seen with characters like Doctor Strange.

This list focuses on the absolute peak of power, characters who have demonstrated feats on a cosmic or even multiversal scale. For a look at the competition, you might also want to check out the strongest DC Comics characters from a similar guide.

MARVEL Cosmic Hierarchy: Ranking the Abstract Beings

At the very top of the Marvel food chain are beings so powerful that they exist beyond the comprehension of most heroes and villains. They are the fundamental concepts and forces of the universe given form.

1. The One-Above-All

The supreme being and creator of the Marvel Multiverse. The One-Above-All is a truly omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent entity. It is the master of all other cosmic beings and the final authority on all things. Its power is limitless and incalculable, making it an objective number one on any list of the strongest Marvel characters.

2. The Living Tribunal

The Living Tribunal is the cosmic entity tasked with safeguarding the multiverse from any threats to its balance. Its power is near-infinite, and it can negate the abilities of most other cosmic beings. The Living Tribunal's judgments are absolute and final, and its very presence can alter reality on a multiversal scale. It answers only to the One-Above-All.

3. Eternity & Infinity

Eternity is the abstract, physical embodiment of the Marvel Universe's space-time continuum. It personifies time and all reality, and is often depicted as a vast, celestial being. Its counterpart, Infinity, represents space. Together, they are two of the most powerful cosmic entities, with the ability to manipulate reality on a universal scale.

4. Beyonder

While later retconned, the original Beyonder from the Secret Wars storyline was an entity from outside the multiverse itself, so powerful that all other cosmic beings combined were left at his mercy. His power was said to be millions of times greater than the entire multiverse, and he could destroy and recreate reality on a whim. The Beyonder’s power was a concept for the writers themselves, making him one of the most overpowered characters ever created.

5. Galactus

Known as the Devourer of Worlds, Galactus is a survivor of the universe that existed before the Big Bang. He is a cosmic entity of immense power who must consume planets to sustain his life force. Wielding the Power Cosmic, Galactus can transmute matter, create life, and is a force of nature vital to the upkeep of the Marvel Universe.

The Most Powerful MARVEL Heroes and Villains

While the abstract beings operate on a cosmic level, many heroes and villains possess a level of power that puts them on a god-tier scale, capable of altering reality and threatening the entire universe.

1. Franklin Richards

As an Omega-level mutant, Franklin Richards has the power to manipulate reality on a universal scale, creating and destroying universes at will. He is so powerful that even Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, once took him on as his herald. The scope of his powers makes him one of the most formidable beings in the entire Marvel Multiverse.

2. Scarlet Witch

Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, has the power to manipulate chaos magic, giving her the ability to alter reality. Her infamous "No More Mutants" spell during the House of M storyline is one of the most significant reality-warping events in comic history. When fully unleashed, her power can rewrite history and change the destiny of entire species. She is a fascinating example of how magic and emotion can make a character a truly cosmic force.

3. The Hulk

Bruce Banner's alter ego is a being of limitless physical strength. The angrier the Hulk gets, the stronger he becomes, a power that has no theoretical ceiling. The Hulk has performed feats that defy all logic, from holding together a collapsing planet to defeating cosmic entities. He is, as he often proclaims, "the strongest one there is." The various versions of the character, from Worldbreaker Hulk to Immortal Hulk, have each pushed the boundaries of his power even further.

4. Thanos (with the Infinity Gauntlet)

While Thanos himself is an immensely powerful Eternal, his true strength lies in his strategic mind and his pursuit of power. When he assembles the six Infinity Stones into the Infinity Gauntlet, he becomes the absolute master of space, time, mind, soul, power, and reality. With this artifact, he is capable of wiping out half of all life in the universe with a single snap.

5. Thor

As the God of Thunder, Thor has always been one of Marvel's most powerful heroes. His immense Asgardian strength, durability, and control over weather and lightning make him a force to be reckoned with. When he gains the Odin Force and becomes the All-Father, his power increases exponentially, allowing him to challenge even cosmic entities.

Strongest Female Characters in the Marvel Universe

The Marvel Universe is home to a multitude of powerful female characters who have proven to be more than a match for any foe.

1. Phoenix Force

The Phoenix Force is a cosmic entity of immense psychic power that represents the force of life and passion in the universe. It is a being of pure creation and destruction, capable of incinerating entire planets and bringing life back to dead worlds. The Phoenix Force's most famous host, Jean Grey, has wielded this power to both save and threaten the entire universe.

2. Captain Marvel

Carol Danvers is an incredibly powerful hero who can absorb and manipulate cosmic energy. Her powers include superhuman strength, flight, and the ability to project powerful energy blasts. She is often considered one of the most powerful heroes in the universe, capable of facing off against cosmic threats on her own.

3. Hela

As the Asgardian Goddess of Death, Hela is the older sister of Thor and possesses a level of power that far surpasses most of Asgard. Her powers are rooted in her connection to Asgard itself, and she is capable of creating weapons from thin air and demonstrating immense superhuman strength. She is a true cosmic force of destruction.

The Ever-Changing Power Levels of the Marvel Universe

The question of who the strongest Marvel characters are will forever be debated. Power levels in comics are fluid and often depend on the storyline and the writer. However, what remains consistent is the sense of awe and wonder these characters inspire. From the omnipotent might of The One-Above-All to the raw, untamed power of the Hulk, the Marvel Universe is a testament to the incredible power of imagination.

For a deeper dive into these powerful beings and others, you can find a comprehensive list of the most powerful Marvel characters ranked on Collider. You might also be interested in our guide to the strongest DC Comics characters.

Whether you're a longtime fan or a new reader just discovering the cosmic side of things, exploring the incredible scale of these characters is a core part of the fun. So, who do you think deserves the top spot on this list? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!