Through 17 years of its existence, in which there have been 37 movies and more than a dozen shows, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced a dazzling array of antagonists. From sentient robots to multiversal entities, each villain has brought something unique to the table. Some of these bad guys have managed to make a lasting impression, while others were completely wasted in all capacities. So, let's dive in with us as we explore the 7 Greatest Marvel Villains so far in the MCU.
7. Killmonger
Appearing only in the Black Panther movies, Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger won audiences everywhere due to his fantastically nuanced performance of a child abandoned by Wakanda who grows up to get his revenge. With a tragic backstory and fiery vengeance seething within, Killmonger successfully took over Wakanda and almost managed to kill the Black Panther himself. It is truly a shame that he was killed off at the end, as he would have made a fantastic recurring villain.
READ NEXT: The 7 Greatest Superhero Movies Of All Time
6. Hela
The 7 Greatest Marvel Villains
Odin’s oldest child and Thor’s elder sister, Hela, is a villain unlike any other. Always ready for combat, Hela and her father drowned entire civilizations in blood and death before Odin grew old and had a change of heart. Tenacious and cunning, Hela’s powers are far greater than those of Thor (who is considered one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel universe). As a result, Hela not only easily beat Thor but also managed to blind him in one eye. Oh, and she also managed to destroy the famed Mgolnir with only one hand. The last time we saw Hela, she was desperately trying to stave off the mighty Surtur during Ragnarok.
READ NEXT: Why Are Marvel Movies Underperforming Financially?
5. Kang
Developed to be the next big bad after Thanos, Kang the Conqueror first appeared in the Disney+ series Loki and then was the main antagonist for Ant-Man threequel Quantumania. Played by Jonathan Majors, Kang is a multiversal threat with a dazzling assortment of powers few can comprehend. Able to do almost anything, Kang and his variants were supposed to be the big bad of the next two Avengers flicks before an unfortunate series of events led to the firing of Majors. Even though Kang was written out, he remained a formidable threat for the brief time he was in the MCU, formidable enough that even the TVA was afraid of him.
READ NEXT: The 7 Strongest MCU Characters Ranked
4. Kingpin
The 7 Greatest Marvel Villains
A violent crime lord from New York, Kingpin towers over his foes due to his fairly large physique. He is a master manipulator, frequently using two unsuspecting parties against each other, and has enough money and influence to infiltrate any law enforcement and intelligence agency. Vincent D'Onofrio has played the titular character in several MCU shows, and his unhinged take on the villain has earned quite a few admirers. Although not a cosmic or universal threat like most of the characters on this list, Kingpin manages to make the cut through his sheer tenacity and his penchant for horrific violence.
READ NEXT: The X-Men Will Return In 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday
3. Baron Zemo
The only person to have successfully destroyed the Avengers, Baron Zemo’s character is even more impressive considering the fact that he has no special powers. Armed with only his wealth and his desire for revenge, Zemo is what happens when collateral damage comes to bite the heroes back. Daniel Bruhl made a fantastic Zemo, and his highly insightful ideas into the ideas of superheroes and supersoldiers made the MCU a little bit better. After appearing in one film and one series, we can take comfort in the fact that Zemo is still out there and might return sooner than we think.
READ NEXT: Will We Ever Get A Third Hellboy With Ron Perlman?
2. Hydra
The 7 Greatest Marvel Villains
Not exactly an individual but an organization that has caused quite a bit of damage in the MCU, Hydra is the evil counterpart to SHIELD and thus, strives for world domination through super soldier serums, genetic experiments, and infiltration. Although Captain America and the Avengers have defeated Hydra and its leaders several times, the organization’s decentralized nature means it always manages a comeback. From trying to control Infinity Stones to taking over SHIELD from within, Hydra has caused untold death and destruction in the MCU.
READ NEXT: The 8 Greatest Batman Actors Ranked
1. Thanos
The Ultimate big bad of the Infinity Saga, Thanos, The Mad Titan, is the greatest threat the MCU has ever faced so far. Cold, calculating, and packed with both power and intellect, this fearsome creature has fought every single Avenger and won. His devastating victory forced the Avengers to cheat, using time travel to gain the upper hand against the Mad Titan. Thanos almost won a second time as well, forcing Tony Stark to sacrifice himself in order to assure his defeat. Not only has he managed to kill Loki and Hiemdall, but Thanos’s cruelty and strategic initiative forced an entire universe to come together and beat him.
So these are 7 of the greatest villains so far in the MCU (in our opinion). We know everybody has their own preferences, and we would like to know yours. So, please dive into the comments below to let us know if we forgot anyone and why you think a particular MCU baddie deserves a spot on this list.
