Who Is the Strongest in Thunderbolts? MCU’s Power Rankings Explained

As Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts premieres today, fans are already buzzing about one question: Who is the strongest member of the Thunderbolts team? While the group includes super-soldiers, assassins, and unstable anti-heroes, the clear standout in terms of raw power may surprise even die-hard MCU followers.

Let’s break down the power dynamics within the team — not just by brute strength, but by overall threat potential, resilience, and narrative impact.

1. Sentry / Bob Reynolds: The Uncontainable Force

Portrayed by Lewis Pullman, Bob Reynolds—better known as Sentry—is arguably the most powerful character ever introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date. With strength often described as “the power of a million exploding suns,” Sentry represents a godlike figure. But it’s not just his physical might that’s terrifying; it’s his dark alter ego, The Void, which embodies chaos and destruction.

Even in his fragmented mental state, Sentry’s presence dramatically shifts the team’s balance of power. No one else on the team — or in the Avengers for that matter — comes close to matching his potential.

2. Ghost (Ava Starr): The Untouchable Weapon

Hannah John-Kamen returns as Ghost, whose quantum-phasing abilities make her one of the most difficult characters to confront. Her ability to walk through walls, disappear, and destabilize objects at a molecular level isn’t just cool — it’s dangerous.

While she may not boast Sentry’s brute force, Ghost’s intangible nature renders her nearly invincible in close combat.

3. Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier: The Battle-Hardened Super-Soldier

Played by Sebastian Stan, Bucky Barnes is a fan favorite for a reason. With a vibranium arm, decades of covert ops experience, and super-soldier strength, the Winter Soldier has long operated in moral gray zones.

His role in Thunderbolts as a possible team leader means he brings not just muscle but also strategic depth to the group.

4. John Walker / U.S. Agent: Brutal and Unpredictable

Wyatt Russell’s U.S. Agent continues to walk the line between patriot and menace. His enhanced strength and military background make him a formidable fighter — arguably on par with Captain America. But it’s his impulsive nature that makes him more of a wildcard than a leader.

5. Red Guardian: Soviet Muscle with a Comic Edge

David Harbour reprises his role as Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian. He’s Russia’s super-soldier, driven by nostalgia, pride, and an unquenchable need for recognition. While slower and older than Bucky or Walker, Red Guardian still packs serious strength.

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6. Taskmaster: Perfect Precision, Human Limits

Antonia Dreykov, aka Taskmaster, played by Olga Kurylenko, doesn’t have superhuman strength — but her photographic reflexes allow her to replicate any fighting style, including Black Panther, Captain America, and Hawkeye.

While her raw power is limited, her adaptability makes her a dangerous opponent in any fight.

7. Yelena Belova: Assassin Trained to Kill

Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova may not be enhanced, but she’s a lethal operative with Black Widow-level skills and unmatched precision. Her emotional resilience and loyalty also make her the team’s moral center — or perhaps its conscience.

8. The Rest: Valentina, Mel, and Political Power Players

While characters like Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Mel (Geraldine Viswanathan), and President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) may not bring combat power to the field, their strategic influence cannot be underestimated. They pull the strings — sometimes to terrifying effect.

Final Verdict: Who Truly Holds the Power?

If strength is defined by destructive capability, then Sentry, especially when consumed by the Void, is undoubtedly the strongest member of the Thunderbolts. Yet the MCU is rarely that simple. Power also lies in influence, unpredictability, and survival — qualities seen in Ghost, Bucky, and even Valentina.