Since new projects on the way in 2022, the MCU looks to bring more heroes and villains to the screen with that comes some amazing friendships.
Since Rhodey and Tony Stark first snarked at each other in that first Iron Man film, the MCU has been populated by some seriously strong friendships. The strongest of these bonds is something to witness and makes these superheroes end up feeling more grounded in the end.
Tony Stark & James "Rhodey" Rhodes
Tony and Rhodey have been a part of the MCU since its start in Iron Man and have been friends until Tony’s sacrifice in Iron Man 2, there’s nothing that can truly keep them apart.
Even with the crazy events that occur in Tony’s life throughout his trilogy and with the Avengers, Rhodey remains a constant help to him both as a friend and as a partner in his War Machine gear. Viewers never got to see Tony and Pepper Pott’s wedding, but it is safe to assume Rhodey was the best man in the ceremony.
Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes
Best friends since childhood, Steve and Bucky have undergone a literal century of friendship. In Captain America: The First Avenger, Bucky is seen looking out for Steve before and after he is injected with the super-soldier serum. Steve, meanwhile, goes behind enemy lines to free Bucky and is devastated at his apparent death.
In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, when Steve learns the sort of abuse that Bucky went through to become the titular assassin, he does everything he can to save him. In the end, Steve can save Bucky, but the two are separated at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Even so, the depth of their affection for each other and unshakable faith makes them one of the best friendships in the MCU.
Natasha Romanoff & Clint Barton
It is revealed in Black Widow. Clint’s actions build a sense of trust with Natasha that leads to an unbreakable friendship between the duo.
Audiences can see how strong their bond truly is as they fight one another Hawkeye.
Peter Parker & Ned Leeds
Though the MCU’s Peter Parker was introduced in Spider-Man: Homecoming. These two teenagers instantly demonstrate that they are not afraid to be their true selves when they’re together, even if those around them think them too nerdy.
When Ned discovers that Peter is Spider-Man, he quickly offers to help him, specifically asking to be his “guy in the chair". Ned continues to be a friend of Spider-Man until the end of Spider: No Way Home, where he magically forgets about Peter along with the rest of the world.
Thena & Gilgamesh
The Eternals are a group of ten with several different and complex dynamics across the group, but Thena and Gilgamesh’s relationship is the strongest of all. After Thena develops Mahd Wy’ry in Eternals, Gilgamesh volunteers to watch over Thena and commits to doing so for centuries.
The solidity of their bond is highlighted as the film progresses, showing that Gilgamesh has become a calming presence in Thena’s life when Mahd Wy’ry begins to take over. This duo deserved more screen time with one another. Fortunately, Thena was at least to get revenge on the Deviant that took Gilgamesh’s life by the end of the movie.
Shang Chi & Katy Chen
Fans learned during Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings that Shang-Chi and Katy have been best friends for ten years since Shang-Chi left home and arrived in the United States. They have a friendship that started with Katy standing up for him, which has not changed over time.
After Shang-Chi’s life begins to catch up with him, Katy only wants to learn more and be of assistance in whatever way she can with no hesitation. Katy plays a pivotal role in the final battle and will presumably continue to in the Shang-Chi sequel. Refreshingly, at least in the first film, Shang-Chi and Katy remain extremely and platonically close rather than becoming romantically involved.
Carol Danvers & Maria Rambeau
Captain Marvel allowed audiences to piece together Carol’s old life at the same time as she did. While doing so, Carol decides to talk to Maria Rambeau for some insight on the period she spent on Earth that she cannot .
Maria, with the help of her daughter Monica, shows Carol who she is through different belongings and memories from the past, leading to Carol and Monica helping each other again as if no time had ed at all. The pair of them even raised Maria's daughter Monica together, showcasing the depth of their bond. Unfortunately, the two of them haven’t been seen together since then. It was confirmed in WandaVision that Maria had ed away, but this pair was friendship goals.
Scott Lang & Luis
During his prison sentence that ended at the beginning of Ant-Man, Scott met his good friend Luis. The duo got along so well during their separate sentences that Luis was the one to pick up Scott when he was released and then even allowed Scott to live with him until he got back on his feet.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania next year.
Stephen Strange & Wong
Stephen and Wong met in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Life-changing experiences such as these demonstrate how well Stephen and Wong complement each other, both in wits and magical combat, and only strengthen the connection that they share.
Rocket Raccoon & Groot
As the only team that knew each other before the events of Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket and Groot have had a partnership that is strong and super reliable. The two mesh perfectly when working on bounties or fighting on the battlefield and their companionship doesn’t die after Groot is reborn at the end of the first film.
When Groot grows older, his relationship with Rocket is such a close one that he eventually becomes somewhat of a father figure to Groot. Director James Gunn confirmed the translation of Groot’s last word to Rocket as he turned to dust in Avengers: Infinity War was “dad.”
