Summary
After 16 years, theMCUis now stuffed with characters with unique personalities, but only a handful are definitely living 2024’s “Brat Summer.” Recently, the MCU has been preoccupied withDeadpool & Wolverine’s record-breaking summer debutand revelations thatRobert Downey Jr. will be returning to the MCUas Doctor Doom. Meanwhile, Brat Summer has dominated another section of pop culture as much of society embraces the ethos of Charli XCX’s latest album, “Brat,” but that doesn’t mean MCU characters can’t also get involved.
Before delving into which MCU characters would be enjoying a Brat Summer, it’s prudent to lay out how the originator, Charli XCX, defines “brat.” Thankfully, the pop star took to TikTok to describe it as:
“You’re just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown. But kind of like, parties through it, is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile. Like, does dumb things. But it’s brat. You’re brat. That’s brat.”
To elaborate, several online sources describe “Brat Summer” astaking risks, embracing the uncomfortable, being honest with yourself and others, and living life to the full. With that in mind, severalfan-favorite MCU charactersfit the bill perfectly, and would most definitely be living a Brat Summer in the MCU.
Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie Ranked Worst To Best
Over 17 years and 35 movies, the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies have redefined blockbuster cinema. But how do all the films stack up?
10Wong Is Always Living His Best Life
Wong Can’t Help Partying Through His Responsibilities
Wong is one of the biggest examples of MCU heroes who became surprisingly beloved after debuting inDoctor Strange. This likability is largely thanks to his carefree attitude and repartee - something which may very well be a preferred trait for the role ofSorcerer Supreme in the MCU. For evidence that Wong’s Brat Summer is well underway, however,his recent laundry list of unruly activities should be enough.
Wong became the Sorcerer Supreme after Doctor Strange was snapped out of existence in Avengers: Infinity War.
Wong has recently been seen singing karaoke after meetingShang-Chi and his beacon-emitting Ten Rings, breaking Abomination out of prison to fight him in an underground ring, and demanding that Doctor Strange leave him out of what would become one of the most egregious misuses of sorcery in the MCU despite being the Sorcerer Supreme.
More recently, of course, Wong befriended Madisynn and discovered a passion for binge-watching television at the expense of other duties. These, incidentally, includedbreaking Abomination out of prison againto move him to Kamar-Taj.
Doctor Strange
Cast
Doctor Strange follows the journey of a brilliant yet arrogant surgeon, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose career is derailed. He finds redemption under the tutelage of a mystical sorcerer, learning to harness mystical powers to protect the world from dark forces. Released in 2016, the film expands Marvel’s cinematic universe into the realm of mysticism.
9Yelena Belova Is Hilariously Authentic
Yelena Is Both Brutally Honest And A Little Volatile
Yelena Belova is the little less serious adoptive sister of Natasha Romanoff who debuted in 2021’sBlack Widowand will leadThunderbolts*castas one of the team’s most prominent members. Like Wong, she swiftly became one of the MCU’s most beloved characters for her hilarity, with plenty ofYelena memesstemming from just a couple of appearances thus far. Throughout those appearances, Yelena has shown herself to be a deadpan yet incredibly charismatic addition to the MCU lineup.
Yelena is brutally honest and at least a little bit volatile, as evidenced by her willingness to get her hands dirty inBlack Widowand rob a citizen at gunpoint. Moreover, Yelena does not let tragedy get in the way of her outwardly carefree approach to life. Despite hunting down Clint Barton with a relentless ferocity inHawkeye, her early scene meeting Kate Bishop shows her to be irreverent nonetheless as she savors Bishop’s macaroni and hot sauce.
Black Widow
Black Widow: Released in 2021, Black Widow follows Natasha Romanoff as she faces a conspiracy linked to her past. Pursued relentlessly, Natasha must confront her history as a spy and navigate fractured relationships from her previous life before becoming part of the Avengers.
8Sacred Timeline Loki Is Him At His Most Volatile
Loki Will Let Nothing Get In The Way Of His Good Time
The MCU has spotlighted two variants of Loki, the first being the one introduced inThorand killed off inAvengers: Infinity War.The second is the star of his self-titled show, who caused a branching timeline before his adventures within the TVA culminated in him becoming the God of Stories and caretaker of the multiverse in a space outside of time, condemned to spend eternity in solitude. The former, therefore, is the one that would most definitely be living out a Brat Summer if he were alive.
Sacred timeline Loki underwent multiple redemption arcs in the wake of his villainous turn inThorandThe Avengers. Nevertheless,his supposed self-sacrifice inThor: The Dark Worldwas immediately followed by a period of decadence as he usurped and imitated his father, Odin.
His volatility would then repeatedly manifest inThor: Ragnarokas he double-crossed his brother twice more before Thanos would finally put an end to his chaotic ways. Suffice it to say, the God of Mischief is at his most mischievous on the Sacred Timeline and would relish being “brat.”
Thor
Thor, released in 2011, introduces Chris Hemsworth as the titular Norse god. Banished to Earth by his father Odin, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, Thor must live among humans and learn humility. As he adapts to his new circumstances, a threat from Asgard, led by his brother Loki, endangers Earth.
7Paradox Makes A Brat-Like First Impression
Paradox Does Plenty Of Dumb Things
Warning! This entry contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.Paradox is unlike any other TVA agent thus far introduced in the MCU. Being put in charge of an entire sector of the multiverse has gone to his head as he recklessly resolves to make an exceptionally “dumb” decision: construct the Time Ripper and make clandestine deals with the Void’s contingent of X-Men villains. This would ultimately lead to the near-destruction of the entire multiverse - which, of course, he is supposed to help maintain.
Paradox’s “brat” energy stems from his almost flippant treatment of the entire situation. The dire state of affairs during the movie’s climax is ostensibly becausehe is too impatient to deal with the TVA’s tedious new protocols, preferring the more efficient old methods.Matthew Macfadyen excels at turning Paradoxinto the more traditional definition of a brat as he claps back at Deadpool’s attempts to save his universe with slang like “B-t-dubs,” flying in the face of his prim-and-proper aesthetic.
Deadpool & Wolverine
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
6King Valkyrie Exudes A Carefree Spirit
No Longer As Messy But Still Just As Fun
Valkyrie is the tour de force whom Thor deemed worthy to rule Asgard following his abdication. Multiple demonstrations of valor, cunning, and leadership prove that this was a solid choice, and King Valkyrie has already proven that she is pretty great at her job after overseeing the flourishing of New Asgard and taking in Skrull refugees.Thor: Love & Thunderalso showed, however, that she is not necessarily comfortable in politics, andpines after the more high-octane lifestyle she knew before.
Valkyrie was certainly at her messiest at the beginning ofThor: Ragnarok, experiencing a pretty significant breakdown after becoming the only surviving Valkyrie in Asgard and partying through it a little too hard. While it is certainly for the best that her booze-swilling days are behind her,Thor: Love & Thundershowed that she still harbors a more rowdy side that she relished in nurturing in their pursuit of Gorr. Furthermore, King Valkyrie remains one of the most honest and straight-talking characters in the MCU.
Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarok, released on July 28, 2025, is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It features Chris Hemsworth as Thor, who is imprisoned on the other side of the universe, racing against time to return to Asgard to prevent Ragnarok and confront the formidable Hela.
5Katy Chen Knows How To Enjoy Herself
Katy Chen Is All About Breaking Out Of Her Comfort Zone
The fact that she also sports some conspicuously brat-colored pants during her visit to Macau also feels like a somewhat prescient wardrobe choice for a character that would definitely be embracing brat summer.
Katy Chen is Shang-Chi’s best friend from San Francisco who wastes no time embarking on a mind-bending quest alongside him in their MCU debut,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Despite boasting no superpowers to speak of, Katy’s willingness to break out of her comfort zone is one of her most defining character traits. This culminates in her picking up archery within a few days and helping to slaythe Dweller in Darkness- a giant soul-eating dragon beast - in the movie’s climax.
Throughout her MCU debut,Katy repeatedly throws caution to the wind. This ranges from joining Shang-Chi (and later Wong) for some ill-advised drinks and karaoke on a weeknight to helping to slay the aforementioned eldritch horror through sheer gusto. The fact that she also sports some conspicuously brat-colored pants during her visit to Macau also feels like a somewhat prescient wardrobe choice for a character that would definitely be embracing brat summer.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: This film introduces Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Confronted by his past, he becomes entangled with the mysterious Ten Rings organization, which challenges his identity and abilities. Released in 2021, the movie explores themes of family and legacy.
4Trevor Slattery Continues To “Party Through It All”
Trevor Is Messy, Embraces The Uncomfortable, And Parties Hard
Although his MCU debut inIron Man 3was controversial as he was essentially a human rug-pull that deprived audiences of seeing Iron Man clash with one of his most iconic and longstanding rivals, Trevor was impossible to dislike.His penchant for partying was immediately evidentas he was seen chugging beers and admitting to taking the acting job as the Mandarin in exchange for a free flow of illicit substances. This may contribute to the blissful ignorance he maintains in the face of the pretty cataclysmic circumstances he continues to find himself in.
Trevor will return to the MCU in the Wonder Man show, which has yet to receive a release date.
Trevor’s admittedly deserved stint in prison also wasn’t enough to suppress his lust for life. Instead, he became a celebrity - much to the chagrin of fellow inmate Justin Hammer - and embraced the turmoil with characteristic optimism by quite literally continuing to “party through it.” He was most recently seen in Ta Lo, where he remained after witnessing some of the most mind-bending sights in the preceding battle, and would no doubt be continuing to do “dumb things” all the same.
Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 pits genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist Tony Stark (Iron Man) against the Mandarin, an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his world destroyed by his mysterious antagonist, he embarks on a dangerous quest to find those responsible. His journey will test his character at every turn. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him and determine whether or not the suit makes the man or if Tony himself is the hero.
3Grandmaster Turned Sakaar Into Planet Brat
Grandmaster Parties Through Life
Grandmaster’s whole MO surrounds his hedonistic lifestyle as the dictatorial ruler of Sakaar. His jubilantly carefree approach to forcing enslaved outsiders into gladiatorial death matches is something that was perfectly encapsulated by Jeff Goldblum’s inspired casting. He even approaches his downfall in the wake of Thor’s escape with a lovable sense of irreverence.
Grandmaster is the second Elder of the Universe to be introduced in the MCU after Benicio Del Toro’s Collector.
Grandmaster spends most of his time inThor: Ragnarokenjoying himselfwithin what he has essentially molded into a planet of perpetual Brat Summer. He does show slight volatility as he melt-sticks his own cousin without batting an eye, though he seems perpetually untroubled. As for what Grandmaster is doing in the wake of his deposition, as an Elder of the Universe he has most likely survived and continues to live his best life in some other capacity that the Multiverse Saga will hopefully reveal down the line.
2Madisynn Encompasses All Things Brat
Madisynn Is Brat But Has Yet To Have A Breakdown
Madisynn is a minor character who debuted in a single episode ofShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawas the very definition of “brat” before it became a thing. Her scenes are few but memorable, andnearly all involve her nursing a cocktail as she stumbles blissfully through a string of unfortunate decisions. The way in which she shrugs off making a deal with a demon called Jake after being sent to a hellish dimension by the charlatan Donny Blaze is even the kind of brat behavior that nothing during brat summer could top.
Madisynn is an original MCU character but was written into Marvel Comics canon after her unforgettable small-screen debut in 2022.
Given their shared brat-related habits, her friendship with “Wongers” is perhaps not as unlikely as it would first appear. Both have proven that they are risk-takers willing to live life to the full, whether it’s tussling with a hulk in an underground fighting ring or selling six drops of blood to a goat demon. Given neither has been seen sinceShe-Hulk: Attorney At Law, it is still hopeful that the MCU will reveal that they have been enjoying Brat Summer together in the intervening months.
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.
1Deadpool Would Be Relishing Brat Summer
Deadpool Is Pure “Brat”
If it had been released just months later, there is no doubt that Deadpool would have mentioned Brat Summer in his MCU debut,Deadpool & Wolverine. Deadpool’s R-rated franchise has made no attempts to quash his overly hedonistic lifestyle while also depicting him saying and doing plenty of “dumb things,” having a breakdown, delivering cutting harsh truths through fourth-wall breaks, and savoring the ridiculous circumstances he is embroiled in. All considered,Deadpool is the most brat MCU hero.
Deadpool & Wolverinesaw Deadpool save his universe by introducing a new friend into his ever-growing inner circle - the titular Wolverine himself. Given all they’ve been through together, their rediscovered lust for life should be at its peak as Deadpool has started to rekindle his relationships and helped Wolverine achieve redemption. The fact thatDeadpool & Wolverinecanonically takes placein the summer of 2024 in their universe (while theMCU’s Sacred Timeline is currently in 2026) is just the icing on the lime-green cake.
Deadpool
The Merc With The Mouth gets his very own film in Deadpool, an action-adventure comedy movie starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular hero. When mercenary Wade Wilson discovers he has an aggressive type of cancer that threatens to cut his life short, he decides to take a shady offer from a businessman who promises to cure him. Tortured and left for dead, the treatment makes Wade immortal - and a little bit twisted - as he seeks out his tormentors for revenge.
