Despite some viewers feeling that Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn’t as strong as its predecessors, it demonstrated that the franchise still had the ability to deliver unexpected moments. For instance, the title of one movie, such as Thunderbolts, was kept secret until the film’s climax. However, this wasn’t the only shocking revelation in an MCU film. Since its inception, the Marvel Universe has been full of surprises, and we’ll be exploring the most memorable twists here. We didn’t just focus on the MCU though; we also looked at plot twists from films that were released before Iron Man, as well as those that fell under the umbrella of the Marvel universe but weren’t part of it during its inception.
To qualify as a twist, something unexpected must occur that significantly alters the storyline. For instance, in “Spider-Man 2”, Doctor Octopus’ self-sacrifice was more of a character development conclusion rather than a plot twist. A true twist involves a reveal where our expectations are subverted, such as when a seemingly friendly character is ultimately revealed to be hostile or malicious. It’s essential that we believe one thing before the storyline takes an unexpected turn. Cameos that surprise us do not necessarily constitute twists; they may simply add depth to existing characters. Keep in mind that spoilers are ahead.
10) Doctor Strange Has a Third Eye Now in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
In an unexpected move, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness featured John Krasinski as Reed Richards, which wasn’t exactly a plot twist. Yet, the film’s concluding scene did indeed deliver a surprising turn.
As a devoted movie enthusiast, I watched as Doctor Strange engaged in a fierce battle against Sinister Strange, who had been mysteriously adorned with a third eye on his forehead, courtesy of the Darkhold’s influence. In an unexpected turn, our beloved Doctor Strange retreated from the confrontation alive. However, the film’s climactic scene revealed a shocking twist: after delving into the Darkhold and traversing dreams through a dead body, the familiar Doctor Strange we’ve come to cherish gained a third eye of his own. It was a surprising development, but it left me somewhat underwhelmed due to some less-than-stellar CGI effects.
9) Yashida Is the Silver Samurai in The Wolverine
In the film “The Wolverine,” we encounter Ichirō Yashida fairly early, during the Nagasaki bombing in 1945, when Logan rescues him. As the movie progresses, a dying Yashida seems to bid farewell to Logan. He offers to relieve Logan of his immortality, considering it a gift (an offer that Logan doesn’t entirely oppose). Interestingly, the Silver Samurai, initially appearing as just a large robot with a sword, is actually Yashida himself in disguise. Yashida’s desire for Logan’s immortality has driven him to become a villain, which is quite an unexpected response to being saved in one’s youth.
8) Scud’s a Bad Guy in Blade II
While Guillermo del Toro’s other films might be more acclaimed, it’s important to note that _Blade II_ surpasses its strong predecessor and is generally considered an enhancement by many viewers.
Similarly to its previous version (to be discussed later), Blade II includes an unexpected villain unveiling. In this instance, it’s Norman Reedus’ character Scud, whom we assume for the majority of the film to be a trustworthy assistant to Blade and Abraham Whistler.
7) Not Such a Great Mentor in Iron Man
Initially in the movie “Iron Man“, it seems like Raza, the head of the Ten Rings, is the primary antagonist. However, this assumption proves incorrect as he merely serves as a secondary character, with the real villain hiding in the shadows.
Obadiah Stane, Tony Stark’s mentor, confidant, and second-in-command at Stark Industries, is actually the main antagonist. This twist remains effective even today not because it’s shocking, but because Jeff Bridges portrays Stane so convincingly as a man who betrays Tony Stark, the son of his late friend, for nothing more than money and power.
6) Ikaris Is the Villain in Eternals
In my opinion, although not typically ranked among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most powerful stories, the film “Eternals” does boast one of its more impactful plot twists: The revelation that Ikaris, the commander of the Eternals, is actually the antagonist they must defeat. Interestingly enough, the notion that all of them were artificially created by the Celestials also serves as a compelling twist (for those unfamiliar with the comics).
It’s nearly clear what Ikaris aimed for, which was essentially fulfilling its purpose. However, this objective required the extinction of Earth’s population, and not only was he seemingly okay with this, but he also executed the former “Prime Eternal,” Ajak, to make this plan a reality.
5) The Snap in Avengers: Infinity War
As a movie aficionado, I must confess that the revelation of “The Snap” in Avengers: Infinity War was more of an unexpected plot progression than a jaw-dropping twist. While some might argue otherwise, it’s hard to deny that not every viewer predicted this game-changing moment. After all, who could have foreseen Thanos’ snap of fingers bringing half the universe to dust?
What proportion of movie villains achieve their objective, particularly when their aim is to eradicate half of all existence across the universe? This outcome is heartbreaking, and it’s an ending that the Marvel Cinematic Universe might struggle to surpass.
4) Blade’s Mom Is a Villain in Blade
It seems unlikely that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Blade movie will be made, but we can still enjoy the Wesley Snipes trilogy (or, if sticking to cinematic adaptations, the first two-thirds of the Wesley Snipes trilogy). The initial film is a fantastic representation of the ’90s and serves as a foundational Marvel movie, with its final act delivering a shockingly impactful twist.
In the first three acts of the story, all I knew about Blade’s mother, Vanessa Brooks (played by Sanaa Lathan), was that she gave birth to him and appeared to have perished. However, an unexpected twist unfolds: Vanessa wasn’t dead; instead, she had been bitten by Deacon Frost while pregnant with me. The shocking revelation that Vanessa is alive carries a double impact. On one hand, it’s astounding that she survived. But what really stabs deep is the choices she made. As it turns out, she had been in a relationship with Frost all along, willingly participating in his scheme to drain my blood for world domination. To add insult to injury, she attempted to seduce me, her own son, to aid this sinister plan. This betrayal cuts deeply, as a supporter of Blade.
3) Trevor Slattery Is a Goofball, Not a Terrorist in Iron Man 3
Many individuals find the unexpected revelation about the Mandarin being merely an inebriated, womanizing amateur actor in “Iron Man 3” to be so poorly executed that it borders on comical. To a certain extent, their criticism is justified.
However, it’s not necessarily stupid to portray Guy Pearce spitting fire from his mouth like a businessman-turned-dragon; it’s simply unusual and captivating. And regardless of one’s feelings towards the twist, it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t somewhat predictable.
2) Serious Daddy Issues in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
It’s not hard to understand why Peter Quill might have had doubts about the man who claimed to be his father in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The reason isn’t that he isn’t his dad, but quite the opposite – his father is a truly monstrous character.
As a devoted movie buff, I can’t help but reflect on some of the most poignant moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Among these, the revelation about Peter’s mother’s death by Ego stands out as particularly gut-wrenching. Ever since that fateful day when he was a child, Peter has been grappling with the pain of his mother’s demise. To discover later that it was orchestrated by the very man with whom he had just forged a seemingly tender bond leaves one momentarily breathless. Add to this the fact that Ego is portrayed by the charming Kurt Russell, and it might just be the MCU’s most heart-rending scene yet.
1) Liz’s Dad Is the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming
When Michael Keaton’s character Adrian Toomes first opens the door in Spider-Man: Homecoming, revealing Peter Parker, the scene is quite surprising as it unfolds in cinemas. Prior to this moment, Parker has been preparing for his prom with Aunt May, he’s asked out the girl he’s had feelings for, and he’s feeling quite self-assured.
In my perspective as a movie reviewer, I’d rephrase it like this: I found myself deeply immersed in the storyline, particularly when our protagonist grappled with the burden of meeting what he perceived to be Tony Stark’s standards. This struggle was evident in his relentless pursuit of Toomes and his criminal associates dealing in arms. The suspense peaked when Toomes himself unexpectedly appeared at Liz’s doorstep, a moment that sent chills down young Parker’s spine, as his heart raced with anticipation one second, and fear the next.
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2025-07-17 23:12