The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) might be the behemoth that brought many actors into the spotlight, but it is by no means the limit of their talents. Many stars of this expansive franchise have delivered stunning performances in films and television series outside the realm of superheroes. Here are 10 of the best Marvel performances outside of the MCU:

1.Robert Downey Jr. in “Chaplin” (1992) – Long before he donned the Iron Man suit, Robert Downey Jr. earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of iconic silent film star Charlie Chaplin.

2.Chris Evans in “Snowpiercer” (2013) – Chris Evans, best known as Captain America, showcased gritty intensity in Bong Joon-ho’s dystopian thriller where he played a rebel fighting against class oppression on a globally circulating train.

3.Scarlett Johansson in “Marriage Story” (2019) – Delivering a raw and emotional performance, Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of Nicole, a woman undergoing a harrowing divorce, proved her dramatic capabilities far beyond Black Widow’s acrobatics.

4.Chadwick Boseman in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (2020) – As ambitious trumpeter Levee, Chadwick Boseman displayed a powerful swansong outside his Black Panther role and received a posthumous Oscar nod.

5.Elizabeth Olsen in “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (2011) – Preceding her role as Wanda Maximoff, Olsen captivated audiences with her breakout role as a troubled woman escaping from a cult.

6.Tom Hiddleston in “The Night Manager” (2016) – Tom Hiddleston won critical acclaim and several awards for his turn as a former soldier turned luxury hotel manager drawn into espionage in this BBC miniseries.

7.Benedict Cumberbatch in “The Imitation Game” (2014) – Starring as Alan Turing, the mathematician who cracked Enigma during World War II, Cumberbatch delivered a profoundly nuanced performance, earning an Oscar nomination.

8.Paul Rudd in “The Fundamentals of Caring” (2016) – Known for his comedic chops as Ant-Man, Rudd showed off his dramatic side as a caregiver forming an unlikely bond with a teenager with muscular dystrophy.

9.Mark Ruffalo in “Spotlight” (2015) – Playing real-life journalist Mike Rezendes, Mark Ruffalo helped tell the riveting story of The Boston Globe’s investigation into child abuse in the Catholic Church, earning him an Oscar nomination.

10.Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker” (2008) – Before taking on the mantle of Hawkeye, Jeremy Renner portrayed Sergeant First Class William James in this intense war drama about bomb disposal during the Iraq War, which won six Academy Awards including Best Picture.