Every MCU Character Worthy Of Lifting Mjolnir, Definitively Ranked By Powers

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Among the many characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, certain figures are capable of lifting Mjolnir, albeit with incredibly varied power levels. Introduced in Phase 1 of the MCU, Thor is one of the most powerful heroes in the franchise. His many appearances in the movies of the MCU have proven this, with his use of his iconic hammer, Mjolnir, being an iconic part of Thor’s characterization.
One of Mjolnir’s most famous traits is that it can only be lifted by those worthy of its power. Throughout the MCU’s timeline, only a select few characters have been able to lift or wield Mjolnir, and others still have been introduced to the MCU who have historically been able to wield it in the comics. With that in mind, here is every MCU character – good and bad - capable of lifting Mjolnir, definitively ranked by power.
10 Black Widow Lifted Mjolnir In The Comics Last seen: Black Widow (2021) Close Black Widow was never given the chance to wield Mjolnir in the MCU, but in the comics she was able to prove herself worthy. Though she’s the least powerful character in the franchise to be worthy of Mjolnir, she has been shown harnessing the power of Thor in alternate realities in the comics. Assessing Black Widow’s MCU characterization highlights many of the traits that appear to qualify a character as worthy of Mjolnir’s power.
One of the prerequisites is selflessness, which Black Widow clearly displays on multiple occasions, particularly when opting to sacrifice herself to stop Thanos. Another is decisiveness and leadership abilities, which, again, she displays throughout her MCU story. There are many examples of behavior that suggest the MCU’s Black Widow is more than worthy of Mjolnir just as she is in the comics, despite her being less powerful than many of its other wielders.
9 Steve Rogers Used Mjolnir During The Battle Of Earth Last seen: Avengers: Endgame (2019) Close There are many scenes which define Captain America’s MCU story, but few are as iconic as the moment where he wields Mjolnir during the Battle of Earth in Avengers: Endgame. Steve Rogers’ entire character arc revolved around him discovering the true meaning of being a hero and a leader, with him ultimately proving himself worthy of Mjolnir in his final battle with the Avengers. This is mirrored in the comics, where Captain America has lifted Thor’s hammer on many occasions.
In terms of MCU characters to lift Mjolnir, Captain America is actually one of the least powerful in his own right. He is enhanced by the super soldier serum to peak human condition, but he’s not technically superhuman in any specific way. Ultimately, it’s through sheer strength of character that Steve Rogers is worthy of lifting Mjolnir.
8 Loki Has Been Able To Lift Mjolnir In The Past Last seen: Loki season 2 Close Though he started his MCU story as Thor’s enemy, Loki’s arc within the franchise saw him undergo a massive amount of personal growth and change. Instead of the ruthlessly ambitious and selfish villain he once was, Loki gradually becomes more of an antihero. By the time Loki season 2’s ending comes around, he’s a fully-fledged hero, sacrificing himself and his freedom for the greater good of reality. It’s for this reason that he’s almost certainly capable of lifting Mjolnir.
Loki has a history of being able to lift Thor’s hammer in the comics, too. On multiple occasions, he has been shown handling his adoptive brother’s weapon, undoubtedly aided by his own status as a god and his otherworldly physiology. The MCU’s Loki is also much more of a hero, making it entirely possible that he could lift Mjolnir on merit alone after his heroic sacrifice.
7 Moon Knight Is One Of Mjolnir's Most Unlikely Wielders Last seen: Moon Knight season 1 Close As a relatively new introduction to the MCU, Moon Knight isn’t the most obvious hero to be capable of wielding Thor’s hammer. In fact, Moon Knight didn’t make his first appearance until after Mjolnir was destroyed. However, in the comics, Moon Knight has proven worthy of lifting Mjolnir, even using it against Thor on one occasion. Though he may not be the most powerful MCU character, he does possess a deceptively large array of abilities.
As the avatar of Khonshu, Moon Knight’s powers are broad, and also vary depending on which of his alters are in control of his body. When given the power of the Egyptian god, Moon Knight is essentially invulnerable and capable of many impressive feats of strength and agility. As such, he ranks above several other MCU characters who are also capable of lifting Mjolnir.
6 Jane Foster Proved Herself Worthy Of Mjolnir's Power Last seen: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) Close Jane Foster made her triumphant MCU return as part of Thor: Love and Thunder’s cast, finally assuming the mantle of the Mighty Thor. After her introduction in 2011’s Thor as the titular hero’s love interest, fans clamored for her to be given an opportunity to embrace her heroic potential. Love and Thunder finally obliged, and she was shown wielding Mjolnir in battle long after it was destroyed by Hela.
Mjolnir considered Jane Foster worthy enough to reform, with the shards coming back together in order for her to become bestowed with the power of Thor. Though the MCU did not explore the extent of her power, even in comparison to Thor himself, it’s clear that she possesses all of the same abilities while wielding Mjolnir. As such, she’s one of the most powerful humans to wield Mjolnir in the MCU.
5 Vision's Ability To Lift Mjolnir Caused Debate Last seen: WandaVision season 1 Close First introduced in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Vision serves as a prominent and powerful member of the Avengers in the latter part of the MCU’s Infinity Saga. Powered by the Mind Stone, Vision’s vibranium body makes him remarkably durable and strong, and he is able to render himself intangible, shoot beams of energy from his head, and fly. He’s also one of the few Avengers to have lifted Mjolnir in the MCU.
Vision is able to earn the trust of the Avengers by casually lifting Mjolnir. He is later shown wielding it in battle against Ultron’s forces, marking him as an especially powerful hero. Vision’s versatile mix of abilities combined with the power imbued by the Mind Stone make him powerful enough alone, but combined with his ability to lift Mjolnir – controversial among the Avengers as it may have been – he"s an incredibly formidable hero.
4 Storm Is Worthy Of Using Mjolnir In The Comics Storm Has Yet To Make Her MCU Debut Close The trailer for What If...? season 3 revealed a number of details about the third installment of the animated series, including the MCU debut of Storm alongside members of the Avengers. The trailer also showed Storm wielding Mjolnir, seemingly confirming that she will lift Thor’s hammer in the animated series. This is in line with several stories from the comics, where Storm has been established as one of Marvel’s heroes truly worthy of the powerful weapon.
Storm’s power level in the MCU might not have been established ahead of her debut, but the character is one of the most powerful mutants in the Marvel universe. Her ability to control weather systems qualifies her as an Omega-level mutant, and has earned her a god-like status among her native tribe. Storm is a hugely important and powerful Marvel hero, and is set to wield Mjolnir in her MCU debut.
3 Mjolnir Is Thor's Most Iconic Weapon Last seen: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) Close Since his introduction in his 2011 solo movie, Thor’s MCU story has seen him grow from a somewhat naive prince of Asgard to a true hero of outstanding strength and compassion. He’s the most iconic wielder of Mjolnir, and is considered its true owner. Throughout several MCU stories, Thor is seen using Mjolnir in battle and to help him fly, wielding it on many occasions throughout the Infinity and Multiverse Sagas.
As the God of Thunder, Thor is one of the MCU’s most powerful heroes. His Asgardian physiology makes him remarkably strong and durable, and his ability to control lightning is independent of Mjolnir’s own power. Even among a race of gods, Thor is considered a powerful and influential figure, marking him as one of the MCU’s most powerful and prominent figures to lift Mjolnir.
2 Hela Was Able To Hold Mjolnir With Ease Last seen: Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Close Hela made her MCU debut in Thor: Ragnarok, and immediately established just how powerful she was in comparison to the heroes of the franchise. Following Odin’s death, Hela was able to break free from imprisonment and made her plan to conquer Asgard evident. Upon being attacked by Thor, she stopped Mjolnir mid-attack, briefly holding the weapon before destroying it with ease. It’s later revealed via a hidden mural in Asgard that Mjolnir once belonged to Hela, and that she wielded it at Odin’s side.
Throughout Ragnarok, it’s made clear that Hela is more powerful on an individual basis than Thor. In fact, she’s stronger than Thor, Loki, Hulk, and Valkyrie combined, as she’s able to resist their attacks and still gain the upper hand over the God of Thunder. It’s only thanks to Surtur and the destruction of Asgard that Hela is defeated, making her stronger than Thor in the power ranking of Mjolnir-wielders.
1 Odin Was More Than Worthy Of Mjolnir Last seen: Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Close As the king of Asgard, Odin wields huge power. It’s established that he earned his rule through conquest, and the All-Father exercises his power on a handful of occasions throughout his MCU story. He’s shown handling Mjolnir on a couple of occasions, but the context of Thor’s use of the hammer establishes that Odin is more than worthy of it. In fact, he’s the one that bestowed the enchantment of worthiness on it, putting a specific prerequisite on anyone seeking to use its power.
Odin’s powerset is broad, and includes enhanced speed, strength, and longevity even greater than most Asgardians. It’s his ability to access the Odinforce that’s most powerful, however, as it allows him to manipulate the magical energies of the universe. As such, Odin is by far the most powerful character to have lifted Mjolnir in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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