Since its start with Iron Man in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought a huge number of Marvel characters to life on screen. The MCU’s movies have consistently grown the franchise, making it the most successful shared universe in film history. Beyond breaking box office records, these stories of heroes versus villains have captivated audiences worldwide, with fans particularly drawn to the many incredibly powerful characters – from immortal cosmic beings to actual gods.
As a movie critic, I’ve noticed something interesting about the Marvel Cinematic Universe: a lot of the really powerful characters aren’t always the ones grabbing headlines. Some are hiding their full potential, or their powers have been dialed back for the sake of the story. It’s easy to underestimate just how strong some of these heroes and villains truly are based on what we’ve seen so far – they’re quietly formidable, and it’s exciting to think about what they might be capable of down the line.
7) Malekith
While several strong characters have fallen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, few deaths have been as underwhelming as Malekith’s. As the villain in the often-criticized Thor: The Dark World, Malekith was a potentially formidable enemy, combining alien strength with magical powers. The film only hinted at this power by showing him using the Aether, which was later identified as the Reality Stone. Ultimately, Malekith wasn’t developed enough, and we didn’t get to see the full extent of his abilities – a missed opportunity considering how dangerous he is in the original comics.
6) The Grandmaster
As a big Marvel fan, I have to say I was a little disappointed with the Grandmaster in the MCU. Everyone always talks about how amazing he is in the comics, and Jeff Goldblum is fantastic, but the movie just didn’t capture that same feeling. It wasn’t really Goldblum’s fault, though – I think the movie was just so focused on being funny that it didn’t show how truly powerful and intimidating the Grandmaster is supposed to be. We got a fun, quirky villain, sure, but he felt more like a spoiled ruler than a god-like being.
5) Korg
Korg, the rock-skinned Kronan introduced in Thor: Ragnarok, is another MCU character whose true power hasn’t been fully shown. While he’s become known for providing comic relief, Korg is actually incredibly strong, durable, and a skilled fighter – making him a potentially powerful ally. Unfortunately, the movies have mostly used him for jokes rather than showcasing his abilities.
4) The Leader
Samuel Sterns first appeared in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, but it wasn’t until 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World that he fully became the villain known as the Leader. As the main villain in the Phase 5 movie, the Leader is incredibly intelligent, making him one of the most powerful threats the MCU has seen since Avengers: Endgame. Despite appearing as a somewhat minor and unsettling character, the Leader is actually a major danger to the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.
3) The Collector
Benicio del Toro first appeared as the Collector in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Though portrayed as the eccentric brother of the Grandmaster and a collector of rare and powerful items, the full extent of his power as one of the MCU’s most formidable aliens hasn’t been shown. The character has had limited screen time, and his true potential remains largely unexplored.
2) Sersi
The Eternals were initially presented as a promising new team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Endgame, but their movie didn’t do well, which likely stalled future plans for the characters. Each Eternal has a unique and impressive power, but Sersi’s ability to change matter at a molecular level is particularly strong – and often overlooked. This power has almost limitless potential, making Sersi a surprisingly powerful character even considering her already advanced Eternal abilities.
1) Eternity
Eternity has appeared in Marvel Cinematic Universe films, but hasn’t been fully developed as a character. A closer look reveals just how incredibly powerful he is – he’s essentially the living representation of time within the Marvel Universe. In Thor: Love and Thunder, he was presented more as a plot device than a fully realized being, leading many viewers to overlook his true power.
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2026-01-31 21:40