10 Best Villain Performances in the MCU, Ranked (#3 Hasn’t Even Been in a Movie Yet)

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe boasts a fantastic collection of supervillains, some of the best ever seen in comic book movies. These villains have been responsible for many of the most exciting and unforgettable scenes in the franchise. Top actors have brought these iconic Marvel Comics baddies to life, proving that every great hero needs a truly compelling villain – and the MCU has plenty of them.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has featured some truly outstanding villain performances from actors like Michael Keaton, Hugo Weaving, Alaqua Cox, and Mads Mikkelsen. While many have impressed, we’ve picked out ten of the very best. These actors went up against Marvel’s biggest heroes – including Thor, Black Panther, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Daredevil – and consistently delivered captivating scenes. As we look forward to future MCU villains, let’s celebrate those who’ve already made a lasting impact.

10) Cate Blanchett as Hela

Cate Blanchett, a two-time Oscar winner, decided to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2017’s *Thor: Ragnarok* after encouragement from her children and a strong desire to collaborate with director Taika Waititi. She brilliantly portrayed Hela, the Asgardian Goddess of Death, becoming a truly memorable villain. Hela was the first significant female antagonist in the MCU, and Blanchett’s performance-full of drama, physical power, intensity, and humor-made the character both terrifying and surprisingly enjoyable. She brought a unique blend of wickedness and wit to the role.

9) Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger

Michael B. Jordan’s portrayal of Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (also known as N’Jadaka) in the 2018 film *Black Panther* is widely considered a standout performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Killmonger’s methods were extreme, his desire to share Wakanda’s wealth and technology with the world was understandable. However, his arrogance and explosive anger made him a difficult character to like. Jordan brilliantly captured Killmonger’s pain, strength, unpredictability, and family history, effectively distancing the character from his earlier role as the Human Torch in the 2015 film *Fantastic Four*.

8) Elizabeth Olsen as the Scarlet Witch

Elizabeth Olsen’s character, Wanda Maximoff, has had a complex journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Initially introduced as a villain in *Avengers: Age of Ultron*, she later became an antagonist again in *WandaVision* and *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*. Throughout it all, Olsen powerfully portrayed Wanda’s pain and impressive abilities. As one of the MCU’s most popular actors, many fans are hoping to see Olsen return to the role, even after her character seemingly died in 2022 – ideally as a hero who finds redemption.

7) Daniel Brühl as Baron Zemo

Baron Helmut Zemo first appeared in the 2016 film *Captain America: Civil War* and quickly established himself as a uniquely dangerous villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – one of the few able to create conflict and fracture the Avengers. While played by Daniel Brühl, who doesn’t rely on superpowers, Zemo is a master manipulator, and Brühl portrays his scheming and influence with chilling effectiveness. Initially presented as purely evil, *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier* revealed a more nuanced character – driven by a deep-seated grudge against super-powered individuals and their dominance – and Brühl skillfully captured this complexity.

6) Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness

Many fans consider 2021’s *WandaVision* to be one of the best Marvel Cinematic Universe shows, and Kathryn Hahn’s portrayal of Agatha Harkness, the original Salem witch, was a major reason why. From her knowing perspective within the *WandaVision* storyline to her memorable reveal in the song “Agatha All Along,” and her complex character development in the 2024 series *Agatha All Along*, Hahn has made Agatha one of the MCU’s most popular characters. Fans are eager to see Hahn reprise the role soon.

5) Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary

Following battles with major threats like Ronan, Ego, and Thanos, the Guardians of the Galaxy faced their most compelling villain in 2023’s *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*. Chukwudi Iwuji, previously collaborating with James Gunn on *Peacemaker*, joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the High Evolutionary. His portrayal of this powerful and unpredictable cosmic villain was truly remarkable. Iwuji brought an intense energy and strength to the role, and even when the character was at his most extreme, he conveyed a surprising depth of emotion and a tragic past.

4) Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova

The 2024 film *Deadpool & Wolverine* successfully introduced the popular antiheroes to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe and also revealed a villain many fans thought would never appear on screen. Cassandra Nova, a twisted reflection of Professor X, was brought to life brilliantly by Emma Corrin, who fully embraced the character’s unsettling and cruel nature. Corrin underwent a striking physical transformation, including finger extensions and a shaved head (covered with a bald cap), to create a truly eerie appearance. Their combination of a soft voice and powerful presence made Cassandra Nova a genuinely frightening and memorable villain in Phase 5 of the MCU.

3) Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin

It’s surprising that Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin, hasn’t faced an MCU hero in a major movie yet. Vincent D’Onofrio’s portrayal of the character – a powerful and intimidating crime boss who also serves as New York’s mayor – has made him a well-known figure, and he’d be a great villain for a big-screen story. D’Onofrio has played Kingpin for ten years, and his performance has only gotten more impressive. The character has been a formidable enemy for Daredevil and Hawkeye, and he’s proven incredibly difficult to defeat. D’Onofrio brilliantly captures Kingpin’s strength, emotional depth, and complex backstory, making him a highlight in many MCU scenes.

2) Josh Brolin as Thanos

Josh Brolin quickly became a standout star, and it was exciting to see him join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thanos, the Mad Titan. In *Avengers: Infinity War* and *Avengers: Endgame*, Thanos really got to take center stage, and Brolin brought a surprising amount of humanity and feeling to the character, making him a villain audiences could almost sympathize with. From the pain of sacrificing Gamora to his rage at Nebula and his powerful presence against the Avengers, Brolin’s performance was incredibly moving, and fans are hoping he’ll have more opportunities to play Thanos in future Marvel films.

1) Tom Hiddleston as Loki

Tom Hiddleston is best known for playing Loki, the mischievous Asgardian god who has evolved into a hero within the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga. He originally captured Loki’s villainous side in *Thor* and *The Avengers*, bringing a dramatic flair to the character. Over time, Hiddleston has showcased Loki’s comedic side while also delivering powerful emotional performances and impressive physical energy, making Loki a fan favorite. With Loki set to appear in *Avengers: Doomsday*, Tom Hiddleston will have even more opportunities to demonstrate his talent in future Marvel films.

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2025-09-19 16:16