When it comes to Marvel’s cosmic hierarchy, few beings inspire as much awe—or dread—as the Celestials. These towering, armor-clad titans aren’t just cosmic giants; they’re creators, judges, and destroyers who have shaped galaxies since the dawn of time. Across the comics and the MCU, their presence has left an unmistakable mark on the Marvel universe, determining the fate of entire worlds with a single gesture. From powerful half-Celestial hybrids to the Prime Judge himself, here are ten of the most formidable Celestials ever to appear in Marvel history.
10. Mantis (MCU) – The Empath Who Can Drop a Titan
Mantis doesn’t have the typical Celestial firepower, but being the daughter of Ego means she has half-Celestial heritage. Her power is her empathic touch—cooling down raging minds and even knocking cosmic heavy-hitters like Thanos into sleep. In comparison to full Celestials, her powers are understated, but don’t be fooled. Sometimes the greatest power comes in the softest package.
9. Star-Lord (MCU) – A Celestial for Five Minutes
For a brief moment of glory in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Peter Quill opened up his Celestial potential. He tapped into raw power, exchanged blows with Ego, and even became a giant Pac-Man. But when Ego perished, so did his ability. Star-Lord’s cosmic godhood was short-lived, but it demonstrated just how menacing human-Celestial hybrids could be.
8. The Star Child – A New Kind of Celestial
Unlike his ancient relatives, the Star Child was born—literally—instead of being made. Found by Leonardo da Vinci and brought up by the Brotherhood of the Shield, this Celestial baby already displays mind-bending powers, such as stellar energy projection and time travel. He’s a novice now, but his hidden potential could one day shake up the Marvel multiverse.
7. Apocalypse – Mutant Supercharged by Celestial Tech
En Sabah Nur, also known as Apocalypse, isn’t technically a Celestial, but he’s been augmented with their technology—and that is horrifying. His armor, which is a gift from the Celestials, bestows him with almost unlimited power and the capacity to redefine mutantkind itself. His connection to these space deities muddies the waters between mutant villain and cosmic-level threat.
6. Ashema the Listener – The Compassionate Celestial
Whereas the majority of Celestials are cold, unbiased judges, Ashema demonstrated that she could be compassionate. With the duty of judging Franklin Richards, she saved Earth by blending the whole world into herself. Her heart makes her different from the others, as it demonstrates that, among the most terrifying entities within the universe, mercy is a kind of power.
5. Jemiah the Analyzer – The Celestial Historian
Each pantheon requires its scholar, and for the Celestials, that is Jemiah. He chronicled the Fractal Scriptures—basically their scriptures—and played a big role in wars against universe-altering powers such as Knull, the god of the symbiotes. His mind, coupled with Celestial-strength, makes him one of their most vital members.
4. Ziran the Tester – The Gene Judge
Ziran’s position is sinister: he assesses the genetic value of developing species. Pass, and you live. Fail? Whole civilizations can be eradicated. Ziran has been a part of several Celestial Hosts and fought some of Marvel’s most powerful beings, so his impact on evolution throughout the universe is incalculable.
3. Hargen the Measurer – Civilization’s Shaper
Beneath the modest name, Hargen is among the Celestials who shaped Earth itself. Famous for having betrayed the Dreaming Celestial, his choices have sent huge ripple effects throughout history. Measuring mountains might seem mild-but when you measure civilizations according to Celestial norms, the stakes are apocalyptic.
2. Tiamut the Dreaming Celestial – A God in Chains
Tiamut’s name alone inspires terror. In the MCU’s Eternals, his birth from the interior of Earth almost killed the planet—and even as a half-formed, frozen creature, his corpse reshaped geopolitics by becoming a source of adamantium. In comics, Tiamut was so powerful that his kind imprisoned him. When he awakens, the universe shakes.
1. Arishem the Judge – The Prime Celestial
Looming over the rest of them is Arishem, the final arbiter of existence and extinction. In comics and on film, Arishem forges stars, galaxies, and civilizations, and he’s the mastermind who created the Eternals and Deviants. His verdicts determine whether worlds flourish or perish. In short: in Marvel’s cosmic pecking order, Arishem is judge, jury, and executioner.
The Celestials are not simply giant giants—they’re the designers of Marvel’s cosmic landscape. Some bring kindness, others bring ruin, but they all redefine “power” on a cosmic level. Whether in comics or the MCU, these entities demonstrate that when Celestials appear, the universe as a whole has a reason to listen up.