Life as a hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is incredibly challenging. When Tony Stark brings Peter Parker into the mix in Captain America: Civil War, Peter initially uses his abilities for minor tasks, like stopping simple crimes. But the intense battle at the German airport reveals his potential for much greater things. As Spider-Man becomes more involved, he also faces increasing danger, not just for himself but for everyone he cares about. By the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter is forced to make a heartbreaking decision: he must erase himself from the memories of his friends and family to protect them and allow them to live peaceful lives.
Look, Spider-Man’s sacrifice was tough, really tough. But honestly, when you think about everything other MCU heroes have gone through, it doesn’t even compare. It feels like the MCU likes to put its heroes through the wringer – they seem to think suffering is the only way for them to become their best selves. So, I started thinking about it, and here are what I think are the seven absolute worst things these heroes have had to survive.
7) Shuri Losing Her Family
As a huge movie fan, I was really affected by the emotional journey in the Black Panther films. The first movie starts with everyone grieving King T’Chaka, but it’s especially tough on his children, T’Challa and Shuri. They barely have time to process it when Erik Killmonger challenges everything and briefly takes control of Wakanda. Then, years later in Wakanda Forever, we’re hit with even more loss – both T’Challa and Queen Ramonda are gone, leaving Shuri completely on her own. It’s incredible to see how Shuri finds the strength to become the new Black Panther and ultimately save her people. It’s a truly powerful story.
6) Iron Man Starving in Space
Before his parents passed away, Tony Stark enjoyed a privileged life, and he later returned to his carefree ways as an adult. It wasn’t until he was kidnapped and held captive in a cave in Afghanistan that he truly understood the importance of using his intelligence for good, ultimately becoming Iron Man. However, even being a central figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe couldn’t protect him from loss – he mourned the deaths of Peter and other friends in Avengers: Infinity War. While trying to return home, his spaceship malfunctioned in deep space, leaving him stranded and without supplies. Captain Marvel rescued him just in time, but he was in critical condition.
5) Doctor Strange’s Time Loop
Though Doctor Strange is a respected figure, he isn’t very likable when we first meet him in his 2016 movie. Following a car accident, he hopes the Ancient One can fix his injured hands and restore his life as a surgeon. However, she guides him toward learning the Mystic Arts instead, and he begins his journey as a hero. Soon after starting his training, the villain Dormammu appears, and Strange, still new to his powers, uses the Time Stone to repeatedly defeat him by trapping him in a time loop. It’s unclear how many times Strange had to endure the fight before Dormammu finally gave up.
4) Nebula Being Tortured
Nebula doesn’t see herself as a hero when we first meet her in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and she isn’t interested in becoming one. Driven by years of trauma, her sole focus is inflicting pain, as it’s the only behavior she’s ever known. Her adoptive father, Thanos, relentlessly modified her with cybernetic enhancements, pushing her body beyond its limits. This abuse continued even after she left him, with Thanos torturing her for information in Infinity War. Now that Thanos is defeated, she finally has the chance to find peace on Knowhere.
3) Thor’s First Battle Against Thanos
As a huge MCU fan, I’ve always been amazed by Thor’s journey. He really transforms from this arrogant prince into a truly worthy leader throughout the films. Just when things seemed to be looking up for Asgard and his people, Thanos completely shattered everything. It was heartbreaking watching him lose Heimdall and Loki, and then to be nearly destroyed by that massive explosion… honestly, if the Guardians hadn’t arrived when they did, Infinity War could have been an even bigger disaster. It was a truly brutal moment for him and for the entire universe.
2) Bruce Banner Being the Hulk for Two Years
At the start of the attack, Hulk is aboard the Asgardian ship, returning to Earth with his team after a time on Sakaar. While Hulk was becoming a champion on that planet, Bruce Banner’s mind was inactive for two years. The movies don’t fully explain how this affected Bruce, but it likely played a big role in his choice to fully merge with the Hulk.
1) Wanda Maximoff Losing Everyone
While Wanda Maximoff is currently considered dead in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, her tragic backstory goes much deeper than her recent breakdown in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Before the events in Westview, she experienced the loss of her parents and brother, as well as her partner, yet she continued to try and heal. The MCU needs to find a way to bring Wanda back, as her story deserves a more satisfying conclusion.
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2025-12-08 18:15