10 MCU Villains Who Could Beat Thanos

While Thanos is undeniably formidable, it’s crucial to note that he isn’t invulnerable, and other villains might have easily outmatched him in power during the Infinity Saga. As the main antagonist of this epic storyline, Thanos indeed posed a significant danger to the Avengers.

As the Avengers battled bravely in an attempt to stop Thanos, he managed to gather all six Infinity Stones, and with a snap, erased half of all life from existence. However, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t many other malevolent characters who could have defeated Thanos.

10. Ego

Peter Quill’s dad belongs to the Celestial race, but unlike most other Celestials portrayed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he has his own unique characteristics.

Instead of wandering the cosmos like colossal beings, Ego, uniquely, desired to propagate using his own genetic code, and gradually seize control of various parts of the universe for himself. Notably, Ego is depicted as a sentient planet that generates miniature messengers to interact with earthly beings.

Though Thanos boasts immense power, it’s clear that he might tire from a battle spanning an entire planet. To make matters worse, Ego has the ability to construct massive structures merely by willing them into existence, a feat that could prove insurmountable for even Thanos.

9. Dormammu

In simpler terms, Dormammu is an enormous, fearsome entity who governs the mysterious realm known as the Dark Dimension. He possesses immense magical abilities and can exert control over ordinary people.

In the movie “Doctor Strange”, Doctor Strange encountered Dormammu in combat, but didn’t win conventionally. Instead, he devised an unconventional strategy: trapping Dormammu in an endless time loop where he was repeatedly killed.

In a battle with Thanos, this god-like entity could probably dodge any harm, and effortlessly control or eliminate him instead.

8. Celestials

Discussing cosmic entities with god-like power, it’s important to mention the mighty Celestials such as Arishem. They are among the most significant beings in the universe, boasting immense strength and influence. These colossal titans have been responsible for crafting and sustaining numerous galaxies, using young planets as nurseries to nurture and develop new Celestials.

On this scale, it seems nearly certain that even the most powerful mortal wouldn’t be able to match up to the Celestials. However, Thanos is extraordinary and may possess abilities equivalent to an Eternal. Yet, on his own, he appears incapable of defeating a seasoned Celestial.

7. Cassandra Nova

Currently, there’s a distinct group of individuals who differ significantly from typical human beings. Mostly, they represent a slight evolution of the ordinary human population, but exceptionally, some of these exceptional beings are categorized as Omega-level mutants. This label signifies that their abilities surpass those of ordinary humans by an extraordinary margin.

In the coming days, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be introducing additional powerful characters. At this moment, just a few mutants can be found. However, among them is Cassandra Nova, whose abilities seem nearly guaranteed to defeat Thanos.

Casandra possesses remarkable mental abilities, including telekinesis and clairvoyance. Her talents are significantly amplified when she’s near her target, to the point that she could plunge Thanos into a harrowing dream, and disassemble him before he even regains consciousness.

6. Hela

In the opening scene of Avengers: Endgame, Thor managed to defeat a weakened Thanos, however, it’s been established that his older sibling, Hela, demonstrates superior combat skills compared to him.

Hela, the deity of battle, possesses the power to shatter Thor’s revered hammer, Mjölnir, with her mere hands. Moreover, she has the ability to conjure and control the deceased, as well as craft swords and an assortment of weapons spontaneously.

Considering everything, Hela presents a formidable opponent for anyone to face off with. In a direct confrontation with Thanos, she’s highly likely to emerge victorious.

5. Surtur

Additionally, Hela often summons reinforcements for her endeavors. These may take the form of Fenris, her potent wolf, or Surtur, the incarnation of Armageddon itself. Notably, Surtur’s role was prophesied to bring about the destruction of Asgard, a realm inhabited by some of the most sophisticated and powerful beings from across the Nine Realms.

Surtur isn’t just a colossal being whose body can ignite and obliterate whatever it touches; he’s also an immense force that’s capable of unparalleled devastation. Even if Thanos gives it his best shot, Surtur will ultimately emerge victorious.

4. Scarlet Witch

Initially, Wanda Maximoff wasn’t portrayed as a villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Instead, she was an aspiring hero who teamed up with the Avengers. However, following a series of heartbreaking setbacks and encountering the Darkhold, Wanda underwent a significant transformation into the Scarlet Witch.

In the epic battle of Avengers: Infinity War, Wanda too engaged Thanos, showing remarkable resilience even though she was less experienced compared to her comrades. Surprisingly, her efforts against the Mad Titan were significantly more impactful than those of any of her fellow Avengers.

Equipped with newfound abilities and having honed her strength from her initial battle against Thanos, the Scarlet Witch might swiftly overcome the villain who previously instilled terror in all heroes and brought her immense sorrow.

Through the power of the Darkhold and her profound sorrow, Wanda developed a remarkable talent for channeling chaotic magic – a skill that sets her apart as a powerful sorceress. Armed with this amplified capacity, Wanda could easily eliminate Thanos.

3. Mephisto

In essence, Mephisto serves as the Marvel Universe’s equivalent to the Devil. He governs a realm reminiscent of Hell and bestows extraordinary abilities upon others to execute his purposes. These empowered individuals often create turmoil for the superheroes in the comic books.

Although Mephisto possesses immense power within the realm of existence, his interests primarily lie beyond the affairs of mortals. He tends to engage only when such situations amuse him. Consequently, it’s improbable that he would feel compelled to confront Thanos.

If the character shows any fascination with the Mad Titan, Mephisto might swiftly assert his authority. He could then transform this individual into a meek, timid being, only capable of executing Mephisto’s bidding without question.

2. The Void

In simpler terms, Bob Reynolds had an ordinary life marred by a difficult childhood. Later on, he got trapped in unhealthy routines and lost direction. But everything turned around for him when he decided to participate in scientific studies, effectively transforming himself into a research subject.

Despite the fact that the majority of other volunteers didn’t make it through the trials, it turned out that Bob was the exception. In an unexpected twist, Bob was the sole success of the experiments, and his human physique underwent a remarkable transformation into something significantly stronger.

Bob’s abilities surpass even those of the Avengers, but these extraordinary talents have come with a substantial cost. A darker aspect of Bob has emerged, evolving into a potent and autonomous entity, called the Void, that lies within his subconscious.

It seems that the Void possesses extraordinary skills unlike those of Bob’s alternate persona, Sentry. He has the power to read minds and transport individuals into a terrifying dream world, effectively separating them from reality. Thanos would be no match for the Void, and he might find it challenging to conquer his inner struggles.

1. Loki

Initially, Loki was the first adversary the Avengers encountered collectively. At that point, he leaned on Thanos, a formidable despot far stronger than him, to attempt dominion over Earth. Yet, since then, Loki’s path has undergone significant changes.

In the movie “Avengers: Infinity War,” the original Loki met his end at Thanos’ hands. However, another version of Loki emerged following the events depicted in “Avengers: Endgame.” This Loki was still very much the villain, but when he faced a glimpse of his future by the Time Variance Authority, he started to undergo a transformation in his character.

Loki managed remarkable feats and played a crucial role in preventing the Multiverse’s annihilation. To achieve this, he developed unique skills, including controlling time and existing within the same instant multiple times, in search of a solution.

In this portrayal, Loki gained such immense power that he seemed to grasp all the infinite realities as if they were mere objects in his hands, preventing the multiverse from collapsing. This newfound strength suggests a significant enhancement of his abilities, rendering him potentially strong enough to overpower Thanos within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

2025-07-05 19:49