27 Marvel Actors Who Gave It Their All (And More) During These Devastating And Memorable Scenes

    Tom Holland deserves an award for when Peter was trapped under the rubble in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

    Nora Dominick
    by Nora Dominick

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which sad Marvel moments showcase how incredible the MCU actors are. Here are some of the best responses:

    There are some massive MCU spoilers ahead!

    1. First, in Thor, when Loki found out that he wasn't a true Asgardian and confronted Odin, and even though it was his first MCU movie, Tom Hiddleston proved to be one of the best actors.

    Loki begging Odin to tell him why he really took him home
    Marvel

    "The raw emotion that Tom Hiddleston gave in this scene was amazing, and it went from heartbreak to anger effortlessly."

    —tiffanyalexandraw

    2. In Avengers: Endgame, when Pepper put on a brave face when Tony was dying, and Gwyneth Paltrow just delivered during this scene.

    Pepper telling Tony, "We're gonna be okay. You can rest now"
    Marvel

    "For me, it has to be this scene in Endgame. It’s a small moment, but it’s powerful. Gwyneth Paltrow gave such an amazing and heartbreaking performance. I get emotional even thinking about her acting during this scene!"

    —kassidyf3

    3. In Black Panther, when Killmonger told T'Challa where to bury him after their fight, thus allowing Michael B. Jordan to prove he played one of the best and most complex MCU villains.

    Killmonger telling T'Challa to bury him in the ocean like his ancestors because even they knew "death was better than bondage"
    Marvel

    "When Michael B. Jordan said, 'Just bury me in the ocean with my ancestors,' it gave me chills and still does."

    —Shahbano Malik

    4. In Spider-Man: Homecoming, when Peter was trapped under the rubble, which led to an awardworthy performance from Tom Holland.

    Peter crying and pleading with someone to find him and saying he's stuck
    Sony / Marvel

    "This scene absolutely destroyed me in theaters. It was also so moving how Peter was able to remind himself of his strength and perseverance in order to save himself. Tom Holland really showed his talent right from the start."

    —Megan Hash

    5. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, when Bucky realized he was free of Hydra's control, and Sebastian Stan gave one of his best performances.

    Ayo telling Bucky, "You are free" as Bucky sobs
    Marvel / Disney+

    "The fact that Sebastian Stan didn't get an Emmy nomination for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is a crime against humanity. The Wakanda scene is legit some of the best acting I've ever seen in my entire life, and he was just so good throughout the show. He's severely underrated."

    —sweetsudipa84

    6. In Avengers: Infinity War, when Wanda heartbreakingly had to kill Vision in order to destroy the Mind Stone, and Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany showed us how brilliant they are together.

    Vision telling Wanda, "It shouldn't be you, but it is. It's alright. You could never hurt me. I just feel you"
    Marvel

    "Definitely Wanda having to kill Vision. I feel like she didn’t get much attention before WandaVision, but Elizabeth Olsen has always been such a phenomenal actor. She's so expressive and brings so much to this role."

    —Kaityantoine

    7. In Avengers: Endgame, when Scott returned from the Quantum Realm five years later, which led to one of Paul Rudd's most heartbreaking moments ever.

    Scott and Cassie hugging
    Marvel

    "Paul Rudd conveys so much emotion with the simple line, 'You're so big.' This was such an emotional scene in a film filled with so many emotional moments."

    —WandaVisionary

    8. In Black Widow, when Yelena visited Natasha's grave, and Florence Pugh performed this moment so perfectly, as only she could.

    Yelena putting her head on Natasha's grave and whistling
    Marvel

    "Florence Pugh did such a wonderful job portraying Yelena throughout the movie, but this scene hurts the most."

    —bellekyral

    9. In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., when Fitz was operating on Daisy as Leopold, and Ian de Caestecker proved to be the emotional heart at the center of the series.

    Leopold yelling at Fitz while he cries
    ABC / Marvel

    "His acting in this scene (and the entire episode) was UNREAL."

    —vkatiev

    10. In Avengers: Endgame, when Natasha sacrificed herself on Vormir so Clint wouldn't have to, and Scarlett Johansson was simply amazing in this scene.

    Natasha telling Clint to let her go
    Marvel

    "Scarlett Johansson's acting during Black Widow's death scene was extraordinary. In her final moments, Natasha was obviously scared, but trying to comfort Clint at the same time. Her emotion was incredible. It moves me to tears every time!"

    —whatevs123

    11. In Iron Man 3, when Tony had several panic attacks, and Robert Downey Jr. was able to convey them in an honest way.

    Harley telling Tony to breathe
    Marvel

    "RDJ did a great job portraying Tony's panic attacks, and seeing such a powerful character go through the same things as me was really inspiring."

    —Skeletor31

    12. In Captain America: Civil War, when Steve attended Peggy's funeral, and Chris Evans broke down in tears.

    Steve crying while carrying Peggy's casket
    Marvel

    "Chris Evans' acting is phenomenal here. You can feel the heartbreak Steve is going through in those scenes!"

    —anonymous79

    13. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, when Steve told Bucky to "finish it" while they were fighting, and Chris Evans demonstrated why he will always be the greatest Captain America.

    Steve saying, "Because I'm with you to the end of the line"
    Marvel

    "Not only does Chris Evans have a great performance here, but Bucky's face in return broke my heart."

    —lalala1640

    14. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, when Yondu died after saving Peter from his father, and Michael Rooker made literally everyone in the movie theater weep.

    Yondu saying he was lucky to have Peter as a son
    Marvel

    "It conveyed so much emotion, the acting was phenomenal, and the music just tied it all together. For a movie that runs on a lot of humor, it was so impactful to have this sad moment, and being honest — I cried a little."

    —semi-thoughtful

    15. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, when Wanda broke down after Pietro died, and Elizabeth Olsen said so much without saying a single word.

    Wanda dropping to her knees, crying, and emitting her power
    Marvel

    "Honestly, any Wanda scene could win an award, but I think the most powerful one was when Pietro was shot and Wanda’s power killed almost all of Ultron’s minions. It really shows how powerful she is and how much she loved him. Elizabeth Olsen continues to be amazing."

    —Kxllynxcxlx

    16. In Black Panther, when T'Challa reunited with his father in the ancestral plane, and Chadwick Boseman showcased his dynamic range as an actor.

    T'Challa telling his dad he isn't ready to live without him
    Marvel

    "Chadwick Boseman was such an amazing actor in every movie he was in. It is still just so freaking sad that he is gone."

    —marykh2

    17. In Avengers: Infinity War, when Gamora realized that Thanos was about to sacrifice her on Vormir, and Zoe Saldana gifted us with this wordless heartbreak.

    Gamora trying to stab herself and the knife turning into bubbles
    Marvel

    "Zoe Saldana brought so much to this role, especially during this moment and all of Infinity War."

    —elsag4ff6cf02e

    18. In Avengers: Infinity War, when Peter was dusted and begged Tony to let him stay, and this was just one of many times Tom Holland's crying face made us sob.

    Peter repeating "I don't wanna go" while hugging Tony
    Marvel

    "When Peter was about to get dusted and he was crying to Tony, it was so genuine. It reminded you that Peter is supposed to be a child, and he reacts the way a scared kid would. It was one of those moments when Marvel made their characters realistic and relatable. Also, Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland are just astonishing together."

    —k432086fbe

    19. In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., when the team said goodbye to Bobbi and Hunter with a "spy's goodbye," and Adrianne Palicki and Nick Blood broke us just by nodding their heads.

    Bobbi and Hunter raising shots with May and Mack, who are across the bar
    Marvel / ABC

    "The 'spy’s goodbye' is even worse, since no one could talk to them, and for all they knew, that would be the last time they ever saw them."

    —hazzasalty

    20. In WandaVision, when Wanda described to Vision how her grief is like drowning over and over again, and not to sound like a broken record, but Elizabeth Olsen crushed it.

    Wanda explaining to Vision how her grief feels like a wave that keeps knocking her down and "It's just gonna drown me"
    Marvel / Disney+

    "I know people usually mention when Vision said, 'What is grief if not love persevering,' but what really got to me during that scene was how Wanda described her grief as merciless and drowning her. It was such an accurate and well-written portrayal of grief. Also, seeing how Vision was the one person there for her when she was at her worst just broke me. We all could use a Vision during tough times."

    —It’sJess!

    21. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, when Sam wiped the blood off the shield, and Anthony Mackie's pain spoke volumes.

    Sam getting emotional while cleaning blood off of Captain America's shield
    Marvel / Disney+

    Suggested by: j1z1

    22. In The Avengers, when Bruce reveals that he tried to kill himself shortly after he became the Hulk for the first time, which might be one of Mark Ruffalo's best performances in the MCU.

    Bruce explaining how he shot himself and the Hulk spit the bullet back out
    Marvel

    "Literally no one talks about the fact that Bruce just admitted to attempting suicide. That moment always breaks my heart, but no one acknowledges it."

    —dogluver15

    23. In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., when Daisy said goodbye to Coulson before he died at the end of Season 5, and it's just another reason that Chloe Bennet and Clark Gregg deserve more praise for their work on this show.

    Coulson telling Daisy he left her a note and he's proud of her, then the two of them saying "I love you" and hugging
    Marvel / ABC

    "When Daisy knew it was the last time she would ever see him because he was dying, it broke me. When Coulson tells her he's so proud of her, I cried. It was such a sweet moment, and it really showed how much of a father figure he was to her."

    —carolinelee7185

    24. In Avengers: Endgame, when Thor got to see his mom alive again, and Chris Hemsworth showed how powerful it can be to just hold tears in your eyes.

    Thor telling his mom he really needs to talk to her
    Marvel

    "Thor struggles throughout Endgame, and getting to see his mom again was such a happy-sad moment. Chris Hemsworth did a great job conveying years of hurt in a single scene while still trying to be comedic."

    —Kayla Harrington

    25. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, when Drax told Mantis about his family and Mantis sensed his sadness — this scene proved how amazing Pom Klementieff is.

    Drax telling Mantis his daughter was innocent like her, and then Mantis starts crying
    Marvel

    "When the tears immediately start streaming from her eyes? No one? Just me? Okey doke."

    —jvkrencisz

    26. In Avengers: Infinity War, when Okoye watched as T'Challa was dusted right in front of her, and Danai Gurira was able to convey so much pain and loss.

    Okoye holding back tears as T'Challa disappears while holding her hand
    Marvel

    "Even on The Walking Dead, Danai just knew how to make audiences cry, and she continues to do it in the MCU. This is such a small moment in the grand scheme of the movie, but man, it hurts."

    —Nora Dominick

    27. And finally, in Spider-Man: Far From Home, when Happy saw Peter working on his new Spider-Man suit after they both opened up about losing Tony, and Jon Favreau just knew how to make everyone emotional with a single look.

    Happy smiling at Peter
    Marvel / Sony

    "This scene between Happy and Peter gets me every time."

    —PeppermintMel

    We can't fit everyone into one post, so what other MCU actors had such great performances, they made sad scenes more emotional? Tell us in the comments below!

    Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.