Heroes are really only very memorable because of the villains that stand in their way. Marvel Cinematic Universe gave us a whole gamut of villains, starting from the simply bad ones to the intricately developed antagonists, who even almost take over the movie. Some of them were sorrowful, some were terrifying, and some were so interesting that you found yourself almost rooting for them (almost). After countless debates, re-watches, and fan conflicts, here is my ranking of the 15 greatest MCU villains, going up from “quite good” to “totally legendary.”
15. Obadiah Stane (Iron Man)
Right from the get-go, Jeff Bridges has been the benchmark for MCU antagonists. Stane, who was initially Tony Stark’s business partner but later became the sinister mastermind, had a dual character of being cordial on the surface but absolutely terrifying under it. Though he wasn’t the most powerful enemy, his treachery became the basis of Marvel’s fondness for intimate, personal combat situations.
14. The High Evolutionary (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)
The villain Chukwudi Iwuji does not need a tragic background; he is simply wicked from the start. Fixated on the idea of producing “perfect” creatures, he coldly conducts experiments on the helpless ones. His unfeeling despotism makes him one of the most unsettling villains in the Marvel universe.
13. Agatha Harkness (WandaVision)
The moment Kathryn Hahn revealed her masterstroke and her quirky theme tune, fans took to her immediately. Agatha, who is campy, witty, and manipulative, not only hijacked the show for herself but also gave the MCU one of its most easily memed episodes.
12. Helmut Zemo (Captain America: Civil War, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier)
Zemo, portrayed by Daniel Brühl, proves that you don’t necessarily need powers or otherworldly gadgets to be deadly. He is powered by rage, yet through cleverness and stoicism, he manages to take down the Avengers, and that is exactly what elevates him to a higher league.
11. Namor (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
Namo, played by Tenoch Huerta, is not evil just for the sake of it. What he wants is a king who rules over a country that he knows very well will do dharma, but he will take care of his people first and foremost, even if it involves violence. Conflicted, mesmerizing, and caught between duty and disorder, Namor leaves a mark.
10. Mysterio (Spider-Man: Far From Home)
Just by means of his deceptive, charming, and cunning nature, Jake Gyllenhaal creates a perfect Quentin Beck character. Quickly becoming an illusionist because of a grudge against Stark, cutting-edge Gyllenhaal illusions are some of the most beautiful sequences to be found in the MCU. He is a traitor whose treachery cuts like fire.
9. The Winter Soldier (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
Bucky Barnes turned into an assassin without his memory. It’sis a scary thought. Covered in black and fighting at the top of his rage with brutal efficiency, the Winter Soldier is a villain in a tragic mask and a character that fans cannot dislike at the same time.
8. Green Goblin (Spider-Man: No Way Home)
Willem Dafoe is not just another version of Norman Osborn but a better one. Mad, cunning, and destructively merry, his comeback was another of Elder Spider-Man’s nightmares. Dafoe’s performance is the wildest form of chaos at its peak.
7. Hela (Thor: Ragnarok)
It is through her over-the-top and unstoppable acts that Hela is the ultimate scene-stealer whose power-hungry sister Charlize Theron tries to outdo. She shatters Mjolnir, wipes out comically huge forces, and looks dead good while doing it.
6. Wenwu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)
Wenwu is one of the MCU’s complex villains thanks to Tony Leung. A cruel warlord who was also the grieving husband and the caring father, Wenwu’s actions scared and saddened the audience. He leaves us with the memory that the villain can break your heart.
5. Agatha Harkness (once again, because she always deserves it)
Yes, Kathryn Hahn’s performance is so excellent that it gets a second mention. With her humor, menace, and charisma, she’s indelible, and the fact that she’s getting a spin-off of her own speaks volumes.
4. Scarlet Witch (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
Elizabeth Olsen brings Wanda to life as one of the scariest Marvel villains. Ravaged by loss, she ravages universes in search of her kids. Tragic and terrifying, Wanda is a reminder of how thin the line between hero and villain can be.
3. Killmonger (Black Panther)
Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger is Marvel’s most sympathetic villain. His suffering is real, his rage is legitimate, and his test makes Wakanda transform. His dying words are the MCU’s most chilling.
2. Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War / Endgame)
Josh Brolin’s Mad Titan is the definitive endgame nemesis. Calculating, composed, and completely convinced of his purpose, Thanos is a chilling combination of philosopher and despot. His snap not only destroyed the heroes, but it also reshaped the entire MCU.
1. Loki (Thor, The Avengers, Ragnarok, Infinity War, Loki)
Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is the crown jewel of Marvel. Troublesome, tragic, and perpetually intriguing, he’s the rare bad guy who becomes so much more. Whether plotting for power or meandering toward redemption, Loki is the one villain that fans can’t help but love.
From divine-level tyrants to clever manipulators, the MCU has presented us with villains as complex and interesting as its heroes. But Loki, Thanos, and Killmonger serve as a testament that, occasionally, it is the bad guys we will remember the most.