Every MCU Black Panther Ranked: From Forgettable to Fierce

Everyone thinks there have only been two Black Panthers on screen in the MCU: Chadwick Boseman and Letitia Wright. Not quite. The mantle has popped up in more places than you might expect, passed down across a bunch of Marvel projects. Some of these are actual MCU entries, some are animated one-offs that live outside MCU canon. Nerdy detail, but worth flagging before the ranking so no one yells at the screen.

• 8. Azari — Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (2008)
  Azari is T'Challa's son in this direct-to-video animated film. The hook: Tony Stark raises a pack of Avengers kids after the originals fall, and Azari is part of that next-gen crew. T'Challa is barely in it (seen only as a deceased parent), and Azari isn't actually Black Panther yet. The movie is compelling for what it is, but Azari's spotlight is small and his Panther future is more promise than payoff. That's why he's at the bottom.
• 7. T'Challa — Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers (2014–2015)
  This Japan-made anime ran 51 episodes and locks heroes inside little devices called DISKs, where kids summon them for fights. It sounds wild because it is. Black Panther shows up repeatedly, but more as a deployable unit than a character with an arc. When your main status is "power card," depth takes a hit, so this take lands near the back.
• 6. T'Challa — Iron Man: Armored Adventures (2009–2012)
  Teen Prince of Wakanda, still figuring out the throne thing, crosses paths with a teenage Tony Stark. The dynamic works: T'Challa brings tradition and duty; Tony brings gadget brain. It's well-animated and the setup has tons of potential, but the show never really goes all-in on T'Challa's growth. Solid, not essential.
• 5. Erik Killmonger — Black Panther (2018)
  Brief reign, massive impact. Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger defeats T'Challa in ritual combat and claims the throne and the suit, forcing Wakanda to look in the mirror. He isn't the Black Panther for long, and the character is engineered as a villain, not a traditional hero. But the ideological punch he lands on T'Challa and Wakanda is colossal.
• 4. T'Challa — Ultimate Avengers II (2006)
  One of the earliest higher-profile animated outings to put Black Panther front and center. It nails Wakanda's closed-border policy and T'Challa's tug-of-war between guarding his nation and helping the wider world as an Avenger. He gets plenty of action, including defending Wakanda from the Chitauri. The portrayal is strong if not especially layered.
• 3. T'Challa — Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2010–2012)
  This series gives us a thoughtful king who is also a scientist and a tactician. He doesn't say much; he doesn't have to. The writing digs into Wakandan politics and the headache of balancing a crown with Avengers duty, and he becomes one of the team's most dependable leaders. Cool, calm, prepared — the vibe is crystal clear, and it works.
• 2. Shuri — Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
  Letitia Wright steps into the suit after Chadwick Boseman's passing, and the movie makes that weight part of the story. Shuri's journey runs through grief, anger, and the urge for payback. Her version of the Panther leans into tech and precision, but it's driven by a fierce need to protect what's left of her world. It's a smart, emotional handoff that proves the mantle can be carried by intellect and pain, not just physical prowess.
• 1. T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) — Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, What If...?
  The definitive take. Boseman brings quiet authority, empathy, and steel, and his arc actually moves: vengeance in Civil War, a national and moral awakening in Black Panther, then a team linchpin in Infinity War and Endgame. Even the What If...? variants, like the Star-Lord T'Challa, carry the same moral center. This is the template everyone else gets measured against.

Quick reality check

Yes, the list mixes MCU entries with animated projects that are not MCU canon. The point here is who has worn the mantle on screen, not just inside the sacred timeline. If you only care about MCU-proper, slide your eyes to entries 5, 2, and 1.

Key facts: Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow

Directed by: Jay Oliva, Gary Hartle
Cast: Noah Crawford, Fred Tatasciore, Tom Kane
Release date: September 2, 2008
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%
Worldwide box office: N/A
Production: Marvel Studios
Where to watch: Amazon

Key facts: Black Panther (2018)

Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira
Release date: February 16, 2018
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Worldwide box office: $1.3 billion
Production: Marvel Studios
Where to watch: Disney+

Disagree with the order? Tell me who I shortchanged and where you'd move them.