Ranking MCU Villains (Worst to Best)
I know that people like to make fun of MCU's villains. I mean I can't think of an MCU baddie who matched Nolan's Joker or Bane.
However, what if we just ranked these villains for what they were? It's clear to me that MCU loves their heroes, therefore, the villains are simply there to give our heroes cool moments to shine.
Having said that, I don't know if Yondu is a villain. Yeah he wasn't Peter Quill's biggest fan but does that make J. Jonah Jameson a villain too? I'm going with no. So let's just enjoy this list for what it is.
Rank/Villain:
28- Thanos (The Avengers [2012], Guardians of the Galaxy [2014], Avengers: Age of Ultron [2015])
Best Moment:
Bruh, you've been in 3 movies and I still haven't got but 5 lines out of you! Since the MCU wants to save Thanos' full threat for a movie coming out 6 years and 12 movies after his first appearance, it seems odd that he keeps getting used half halfheartedly. In three appearances the Mad Titan hasn't evolved past his initial evil smile at the end of The Avengers.
Rank/Villain:
27- Malekith the Accursed (Thor: The Dark World [2013])
Best Moment:
I honestly don't remember what Malekith did. I don't remember what he wanted and why he wanted it. But remember when Thor's mom actually got to throw hands? I want to say that was made possible by Malekith, so that is his best moment I guess.
Rank/Villain:
26- Baron von Strucker (Captain America: The Winter Soldier [2014], Avengers: Age of Ultron [2015])
Best Moment:
I feel like the internet made a big deal out of Strucker being cast for Age of Ultron. So me actively disliking him isn't quite his fault. I should have just went into this movie knowing nothing. That way when he does a completely 180 and confides in his RIGHT HAND MAN that he's going to surrender, I could enjoy it for the amazing moment that it is.
Rank/Villain:
25- King Laufey (Thor [2011])
Best Moment:
It is no secret that I think Chris Hemsworth is amazing as Thor, but I just can't get into Thor's movies. However, King Laufey provides an amazing moment for Thor to showcase his lust for adventure and battle. I will forever be grateful to Laufey for that. Otherwise he doesn't bring much to the table so he can't be ranked higher.
Rank/Villain:
24- The Collector (Thor: The Dark World [2013], Guardians of the Galaxy [2014])
Best Moment:
There's something cool going on with The Collector but he pretty much has the same amount of screen time in both movies he appears in. Which is to say I still feel like he's being teased for something better later even though all signs point to this all being one big missed opportunity.
Rank/Villain:
23- Algrim/Kurse (Thor: The Dark World [2013])
Best Moment:
Let me preface this by saying Adewale is great! He's a man who walked in both worlds! Before he got to do a cringe-worthy slave impression in Suicide Squad for DC, he got to mix it up with Thor and Heimdall for Marvel. The role of Algrim/Kurse doesn't amount to much but at least he posed a physical threat and made things interesting for a bit.
Rank/Villain:
22- Maya Hansen (Iron Man 3 [2013])
Best Moment:
I like Rebecca Hall so that probably accounts for her being so high up on this list considering she isn't a villain till late in the film and as such doesn't have enough cool evil moments to pick from.
Rank/Villain:
21- Nebula (Guardians of the Galaxy [2014])
Best Moment:
Considering Nebula won't even be a villain in the next film, I guess it was cool watching her fight Gamora... However, she doesn't do much and feels like another missed opportunity.
Rank/Villain:
20- Korath (Guardians of the Galaxy [2014])
Best Moment:
Korath's response to "I'm Star-Lord" will never not be funny. That goes a long way. I also respect his ability to just be another bad guy for the heroes to best and not feel like he had screen time cut. Korath's function is clear from the beginning and never pulls focus or feels under used.
Rank/Villain:
18- Brandt (Iron Man 3 [2013])
Best Moment:
Everything about Brandt's showdown with Tony is great. It's a cool action sequence that forces Tony to be inventive without the use of his suit. She also serves her purpose in the film without feeling like she didn't reach her full narrative potential.
Rank/Villain:
17- Dr. Arnim Zola (Captain America: The First Avenger [2011], Captain America: The Winter Soldier [2014])
Best Moment:
I've got two great moments for Zola. When Tommy Lee Jones interrogates him over a steak: dopeness! When Zola resurfaces in The Winter Soldier it's a true comic book moment. It gave me an organic sense of impending doom and was the best use of Zola ever!
Rank/Villain:
16- Ulysses Klaue [Avengers: Age of Ultron [2015])
Best Moment:
Klaue not being at all scared when up against Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch is a great moment for me always. The way he talks about cuttlefish is so Quentin Tarantino that I can't help but be pulled into the moment and enjoy everything to do with him.
Rank/Villain:
15- Aldrich Killian (Iron Man 3 [2013])
Best Moment:
I know Marvel is still toying with the idea that the Mandarin might still be out there. I would argue that the Mandarin works better as Aldrich Killian. I like the idea that someone who has been orchestrating all the bad things in Tony's life is a person who felt so small in comparison to him and someone who wanted to show how big they truly are. Being able to avoid all the Asian stereotypes aside, doesn't itjust make more sense?
Rank/Villain:
14- Darren Cross/Yellowjacket (Ant-Man [2015])
Best Moment:
I don't actively dislike Darren Cross. He just feels unfinished. But that SUIT THO! Seriously I do like the suit, however, the motivation seemed solid to me. Darren and Hope wanted so much to be Hank's number one disciple and to see some nobody crook take their spot was enough for me to believe both of them in this movie. That's more than I could say for other main villains on this list.
Rank/Villain:
13- Batroc the Leaper (Captain America: The Winter Soldier [2014])
Best Moment:
I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING BUT THIS FIGHT! It is filled with energy and both Batroc and our hero get to look cool. He's another fully realized bad guy for our hero to best without having to go any further. I dig it every time!
Rank/Villain:
12- Ivan Vanko/Whiplash (Iron Man 2 [2010])
Best Moment:
This is the whole Jared Leto's Joker before Jared Leto's Joker. I hear tell a lot of work was put into Ivan Vanko that just didn't factor into what we saw on screen leaving a disgruntled actor. Well from what I saw, at least he's memorable. I got what he wanted and he had enough striking imagery throughout the film for me to probably be able to list off the major beats in his story off the top of my head. Faint praise, I know.
Rank/Villain:
11- Emil Blonsky/Abomination (The Incredible Hulk [2008])
Best Moment:
There is something to be said for keeping it simple. Emil Blonsky wasn't some guy who was holding onto a grudge like a Tony Stark villain. He just wanted another shot at the guy who bested him in battle and things went wrong. Boom! LET THEM FIGHT!
Rank/Villain:
10- Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger (Iron Man [2008])
Best Moment:
He's probably this high up because of nostalgia. First MCU film and all. I mean even if there wasn't such a thing as a trailer that shows you everything or... the original comics..., you just knew that Obadiah Stane would be a bad guy before the credits roll. However, the surprise factor wasn't important, it was just the execution of telling the story of a man who was going to turn on his surrogate son.
Rank/Villain:
9- Trevor Slattery/"The Mandarin" (Iron Man 3 [2013])
Best Moment:
I have written about the virtues of this twist in the past. I have not changed my mind on that. In a world where everything can be spoiled months to even a year before a movie comes out, good for Marvel for keeping this twist a secret. But that's not all! Once Trevor is revealed you still get to have fun with him and I like that a lot.
Rank/Villain:
8- Alexander Pierce (Captain America: The Winter Soldier [2014])
Best Moment:
I suppose this is like Iron Monger only there was just something so cool about Pierce. He didn't seem to ever be out of control and he was just the right amount of cold. Yes it was obvious he was going to be the bad guy, but it's Robert Redford, man! The fact that he'd show up and not phone this performance in goes a long way.
Rank/Villain:
7- Brock Rumlow/Crossbones (Captain America: The Winter Soldier [2014], Captain America: Civil War [2016])
Best Moment:
The tenacity of Rumlow cannot be ignored. He gives it his all in both movies and I legitimately felt he could kill Captain America in Civil War. Another Abomination vs Hulk situation with better choreography I suppose.
Rank/Villain:
6- Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2 [2010])
Best Moment:
If you don't like watching Sam Rockwell operate, I don't know what to tell you. However, if you're like me and the rest of the world, Justin Hammer was a delight to watch in an otherwise weaker entry in the MCU. I know people don't like Jim Carrey's Riddler but I do. Reason being, he is trying to be Bruce Wayne in an effort to out do Bruce Wayne, and I'm all for Justin doing the same in this film with less archness.
Rank/Villain:
5- Winter Soldier (Captain America: The Winter Soldier [2014], Captain America: Civil War [2016])
Best Moment:
The Winter Soldier doesn't say much but what he represents to Steve says everything! The Winter Soldier is a product of Steve's inability to save his friend. What a great emotional hurdle to get over! Yes Steve has to stop his friend, Bucky, but can he ever fully see him the way the rest of the world does? That's good conflict, bruh-bruh. That's GOOD CONFLICT!
Rank/Villain:
4- Zemo (Captain America: Civil War [2016])
Best Moment:
People think Zemo was too subtle but the important take away is he won. He had solid logic and a plan that you could track if you pay attention throughout. But more importantly, HE WON! He knew he couldn't stop the Avengers in hand to hand combat, but he knew the Avengers could stop the Avengers. Sorry Lex, this is how you do it! BUT! He is not exciting enough to watch to get higher on this list.
Rank/Villain:
3- Red Skull (Captain America: The First Avenger [2011])
Best Moment:
I like that Red Skull is jealous of Captain America for getting the power he wanted when he initially took he serum. I like that, on his end, how could some scrawny kid be able to accomplish what he wasn't able to accomplish. I like that they built up the animosity both Cap and Red Skull have for each other throughout. And visually, this villain just works for me, he's cool man.
Rank/Villain:
2- Ultron (Avengers: Age of Ultron [2015])
Best Moment:
Just because the overall movie isn't the best, doesn't mean Ultron isn't one of the coolest villains. It's his small ticks. His rebellious teen to his Tony Stark father. His pure lack of empathy for humans. It all comes together to make a unique character that you can keep going back to and see something fun.
Rank/Villain:
1- Loki (Thor [2011], The Avengers [2012], Thor: The Dark World [2013])
Best Moment:
I don't think they're going to top the amount of character development they've done with Loki. What's really smart about this character is that no matter how much you can grow to sympathize with him, he'll always be in direct conflict with his brother, making him the antagonist until he's dead. That, my friends, is a recipe for longevity.
-YG