The 10 Best Animal Sidekicks In The MCU, Ranked | ScreenRant
The MCU is populated with extraordinary people like Thor, Hulk, and Spider-Man who can fight the battles that regular humans never could. But there are also plenty of extraordinary animals fighting with them, aiding the heroes in their quest to save the universe or helping others to try to destroy it.
These above-average animals run the gamut, from regular Earth animals to sentient creatures just as intelligent as humans, even to variants of Asgardian gods! These animal sidekicks all share a common trait of being immensely popular with the Marvel fanbase, who enjoy seeing these creatures looking cute while being involved in intergalactic conflicts.
10 Cosmo the Space Dog (Guardians Of The Galaxy)
Cosmo the Space Dog had little more than a cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy, appearing as one of the many trophies in the Collector's assembly. Though fans have seen little from him since, Cosmo may still be roaming around the ruins of Knowhere, seeking a new owner to take him in.
While Cosmo's role in the MCU is very small, he does have a comic book history among the Guardians of the Galaxy. First introduced in 2008, Cosmo actually had telepathic powers that allowed him to take over security on Knowhere before joining the Guardians. He also appears in the Guardians of the Galaxy 2021 video game as an NPC who helps out Star-Lord on his quest to save the universe.
9 Howard the Duck (Guardians Of The Galaxy)
Howard the Duck has slowly been appearing more and more in the MCU. First making a cameo in both Guardians films, he then made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in the final battle of Avengers: Endgame. But certain episodes of What If...? featured the talking duck much more prominently, even giving him a love interest, reminding us a little too much of his failed Marvel solo film from 1986.
Although Howard has a storied history with Marvel fans, the character has been generally well-received in his small role as part of the MCU. It would not be out of the realm of possibility for him to make more appearances down the line--even in another stab at a Howard the Duck film (with less "Quack-Fu" this time, hopefully).
8 Antony (Ant-Man)
There is something about giving an animal a name that immediately attaches someone to it. Make that name a pun, and the effect is all the more. That is exactly what happened when Scott Lang decided to name his arthropodic steed Antony in the first Ant-Man film. This only made it all the more heartbreaking when Antony fell in the final battle.
Antony may not have had a long tenure as a part of the MCU, but his legacy lasts all the same, with Scott continuing his habit of naming ants that all seem to die rather quickly afterward, with Ant-tonio Banderas, another ant that was swiftly eaten by a seagull.
7 War Rhinos (Black Panther)
Despite the film's stellar reviews from fans and critics alike, one aspect of Black Panther that received quite a bit of ridicule was the third-act introduction of the Wakandan War Rhinos. The Rhinos did make a quick appearance earlier in the film as a part of W'Kabi's herd but finally saw action when Killmonger tried to put down T'Challa's rebellion.
The Rhinos may not have been beloved by fans, but they did impress audiences with their formidable fighting skills in the film's climactic battle. Even the Dora Milaje (with the exception of Okoye) were reasonably daunted by the creatures' stampede, which nearly foiled their quest to dethrone the maniacal Killmonger.
6 Throg (Loki)
Throg makes a very brief but fun cameo in the fifth episode of Loki. Trapped in a jar buried deep in the grounds of the Void, Throg seems locked in an eternal struggle to break free and reclaim Mjölnir, which is only inches away from his froggy fingertips. Throg is not seen again, but it is safe to say that he remained in the Void to this day.
One fun tidbit about Throg is that he was actually voiced by Thor actor Chris Hemsworth and that he apparently had a larger role in the Loki fight scene that was cut. One has to wonder how, in Throg's universe, Thor wound up becoming a frog. Whether he was transformed by his mischievous brother or simply came from a universe in which all beings were animals like himself, fans may never know.
5 Morris (Shang-Chi)
Morris is one of the newest editions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making his feature debut in last month's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Morris is a Dijiang, a mythical creature from the legendary city/pocket dimension of Ta Lo, and a pet to Trevor Slattery, a man formerly known as the Mandarin.
This chicken-pig hybrid without a discernable head is somehow an adorable addition to a film already packed with new Marvel characters that are sure to become fan favorites. Whether or not he and his Dijiang cohorts will return in future installments of the MCU has yet to be seen but since he's already spawned a Shang-Chi branded adorable plush toy, it's a safe bet the audience hasn't seen the last of the adorable creature.
4 Goose (Captain Marvel)
Goose is Carol Danvers and Nick Fury's accompaniment into space in Captain Marvel, helping them to defeat the Kree soldiers that sought to stop Carol from unleashing her true potential. Though Goose appears as just a cat, he is far more--he is actually an alien Flerken capable of gobbling up enemies and even an Infinity Stone!
Unfortunately, Goose has not been seen since his first outing with Captain Marvel and Fury. Because his last appearance took place in the '90s, it is possible that he has passed away by the present point in the MCU. However, Flerken lifespans may prove to be much longer than an average cat's so it's possible audiences haven't seen the last of the wily feline.
3 Fenris (Thor: Ragnarok)
Fenris is a giant wolf who spent millennia chained in a pit beneath Odin's palace on Asgard. When his master Hela returned for the throne, she resurrected and freed her favorite pet, unleashing him to once again wreak havoc on the Nine Realms--a reign that was cut short by the Incredible Hulk.
Fenris Wolf is not only a fantastically ferocious beast, but also has deep ties to Norse mythology, wherein his release by the god Loki is prophesied to mark the beginning of Ragnarok, the death of all the gods. While his release does help bring about the events of Ragnarok in the films, the event proves far less disastrous than in legend, with several of the gods escaping with the city's citizens.
2 Alligator Loki (Loki)
One of the many variants of the Asgardian god of mischief introduced in the Loki Disney+ series came in the form of a reptile! Alligator Loki appeared to Tom Hiddleston's Loki in the Void at the end of time and stuck around long enough to chomp off the hand of President Loki, kicking off one big Loki fight.
Alligator Loki stole fans' hearts merely by being around, making it fair to say that he is one of the best alligators in film and television. Though it is unlikely that this variant will ever make a second appearance, fans can rest easy knowing that he remains safe and well-fed in the endless Void.
1 Rocket Raccoon (Guardians Of The Galaxy)
The Guardians of the Galaxy's own "Trash Panda" is the one and only best of all the MCU's animal sidekicks. Though he frequently insists that he is not a raccoon, the name "Rocket Raccoon" somewhat gives away his true origins. Rocket has been a major member of the Guardians and the Avengers in his tenure in the MCU, and his future seems promising.
Though he is surly and sarcastic, Rocket cares deeply for his friends and family, especially Groot. He is known to fight with ferocity when he has to and is always ready to turn random knickknacks into a bomb capable of blowing up a moon. Without a doubt, Rocket makes for the best animal sidekick so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.