Top 5 Most Powerful Celestials in Marvel Comics

The Celestials are among the most powerful and enigmatic races in the Marvel Universe. These ancient, god-like beings have played a pivotal role in shaping the very fabric of existence—from creating the Eternals to engineering humanity’s potential for mutation through the X-gene. But just how powerful are these cosmic entities? In this in-depth exploration, we’ll rank the most formidable Celestials ever introduced in Marvel lore.

The Celestial Hierarchy

The Celestials exist within a complex hierarchy, with varying levels of power and cosmic authority. At the lower tier are the Aspirants—lesser Celestials who waged war against their more powerful counterparts in the early history of the universe. Among them are destructive figures like The Final Host, sent to Earth in recent stories to cleanse or judge humanity, only to be confronted by Earth’s mightiest heroes.

In the middle tier, we find standard Celestials—towering, armored beings with the power to judge, create, and destroy entire civilizations. This includes well-known figures such as Nezarr the Calculator, Ziran the Tester, and Hargen the Measurer, each with specific roles in the Celestials’ cosmic agenda.

At the top lie the Prime Celestials, or Celestial Eternals—beings of godlike magnitude who shaped the early cosmos and defined the laws of life and evolution. Notable among them is Tiamut the Dreaming Celestial, whose mere awakening threatens the stability of Earth, and Arishem the Judge, the ultimate arbiter of planetary fate.

Ranking the Most Powerful Celestials

5. Nezarr the Calculator

Nezarr is one of the most intellectually advanced Celestials, tasked with analyzing and processing vast amounts of cosmic data to determine the fate of species. Though not as physically dominant as others, Nezarr’s mind and computational power place him among the top-tier Celestials. His involvement in critical judgments across galaxies shows his high status in the cosmic hierarchy.

4. The Final Host (The Dark Celestials)

The Final Host, composed of corrupted Celestials infected by the Horde, represents one of the most dangerous threats the Marvel Universe has ever faced. Their arrival on Earth marked a turning point, as even heroes like Thor, Iron Man, and Captain Marvel struggled to combat them. While not traditional Celestials, their corrupted nature and overwhelming force earn them a place on this list.

3. The Progenitor

The Progenitor is a unique Celestial whose dying body crash-landed on Earth over four billion years ago. Its infected corpse bled into the planet, altering the biosphere and ultimately leading to the emergence of superhuman mutations, including the X-gene. Though the Progenitor was not active in the modern era, its indirect influence shaped the course of Marvel history. In the A.X.E.: Judgment Day storyline, the Progenitor is resurrected in a hybrid form and becomes a judge of all life on Earth, elevating its status to near-supreme.

2. Tiamut the Dreaming Celestial

Also known as The Dreaming Celestial, Tiamut is one of the most powerful and feared of all Celestials. Once sealed beneath San Francisco by other Celestials due to his potential for rebellion, Tiamut’s awakening nearly tore the Earth apart. His energy readings rival even those of Galactus, and his very dreams can distort reality. Tiamut’s narrative positions him as a cosmic wild card—capable of reshaping worlds, defying orders, and even challenging the Celestial host itself.

1. Arishem the Judge

At the pinnacle of Celestial power stands Arishem the Judge. As the leader of the Celestial hosts, Arishem is tasked with judging entire planets—deciding whether civilizations are worthy of survival or destined for eradication. Arishem has the authority to carry out the Second Host, which led to the destruction of countless Deviants, and his decisions have lasting consequences on the evolution of life across galaxies. His ability to revive fellow Celestials and his resistance to even the most powerful assaults make him arguably the most influential and dangerous of all Celestials.

The Celestials in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) expands into the cosmic realm, the Celestials have begun to take center stage. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, audiences were introduced to Ego the Living Planet, who was labeled a Celestial. While Ego differs from comic canon (he’s not a true Celestial in the comics), his appearance paved the way for more faithful depictions.

In Eternals (2021), the MCU presented the Celestials in full cosmic glory, with Arishem the Judge towering over Earth and explaining the purpose of the Eternals and Deviants. These depictions gave fans a true sense of the Celestials’ enormous scale and importance in the cosmic order. As the MCU continues to expand into multiversal and cosmic territories, the Celestials are expected to become key players in shaping the future of the franchise.

Conclusion

The Celestials are among the most compelling and powerful forces in the Marvel Universe. From Nezarr’s analytical genius to Tiamut’s rebellious energy and Arishem’s ultimate authority, these cosmic beings have sculpted the destiny of worlds and the emergence of superhumanity itself. With their increasing presence in the MCU and ever-deepening roles in comic events, the Celestials will continue to awe, inspire, and terrify fans for years to come.