Every Major MCU Phase 5 Villain Ranked Worst to Best

Marvel Studios unveiled a variety of potent antagonists during Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, yet not all were equally popular among fans. Kicking off in early 2023 with the premiere of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the following six live-action movies and TV series continued to push the boundaries of the franchise, offering fresh perspectives but also sparking much debate. As Phase 5 wraps up with the simultaneous launch of Thunderbolts* in cinemas and Ironheart on Disney+, both bringing forth memorable new adversaries.

During Phase 5, several significant and formidable villains were introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, although some of these antagonists raised a few eyebrows. A total of 14 villains played pivotal roles during the live-action episodes of Phase 5, with a number of them set to reappear in future instalments. However, we’re yet to see a return from some truly exceptional bad guys. The beginning of Phase 6 saw the introduction of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but it’s possible that certain villains from Phase 5 could potentially rival even the planet-eater.

14) Gravik

In the television series “Secret Invasion” of 2023, which has a 53% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Gravik, the Skrull rebellion leader played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, made his debut as the primary antagonist. However, this show is the lowest-rated MCU TV series to date, which may have impacted its reception. Previously working under Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Gravik turned against him when he discovered that Fury and Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) wouldn’t help find a new home for the Skrulls. Gravik aimed to take over Earth, but unfortunately, he was eliminated during a CGI fight against G’iah (Emilia Clarke), who shared similar powers as a Super Skrull. Overall, Gravik’s performance in Phase 5 of the MCU didn’t meet expectations.

13) Dar-Benn

Although The Marvels, released in 2023, received favorable reviews from both audiences and critics, it underperformed at the box office, making it the lowest-grossing film by Marvel Studios to date. Consequently, many viewers missed out on seeing Kree villain Dar-Benn (played by Zawe Ashton), who embarked on a quest for the powerful Quantum Bands. In contrast to characters like Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), Dar-Benn lacked charm and allure, and her meaningful and profound mission to save Hala, the Kree homeworld, was unfortunately overshadowed and misconstrued as a desire for ultimate power.

12) Thaddeus Ross’ Red Hulk

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, transformed into the Red Hulk after 17 years in 2025’s “Captain America: Brave New World.” It was quite unexpected for Ross to embody his comic book counterpart’s role as the Hulk. However, this transition didn’t create the desired impact. The Red Hulk had the potential to be the main adversary in a standalone film, but was overshadowed in the crowded “Brave New World,” which marked Anthony Mackie’s debut as Sam Wilson’s Captain America on the big screen. There is anticipation for the Red Hulk to reappear and receive more focus in future installments.

11) Samuel Sterns’ Leader

In the movie “Captain America: Brave New World”, The Red Hulk wasn’t the sole antagonist; instead, it brought back another villain from the Hulk series who had been absent for 17 years. Samuel Sterns, portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson, was exposed to Bruce Banner’s radioactive blood in “The Incredible Hulk” (2008). This transformation allowed him to appear in “Brave New World” as the Leader, although he wasn’t explicitly called that in the film. However, this portrayal of the Leader differed from comic book versions, causing some controversy. Despite these differences, it was fascinating to witness his exceptional intelligence and manipulative skills on display.

10) Ravonna Renslayer

Initially introduced in the first season of Loki, Ravonna Renslayer (portrayed by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) was depicted as a judge within the Time Variance Authority. However, it was unveiled in season 2 of 2023 that she had sided with He Who Remains (Jonathan Majors) during the Multiversal War. In Marvel Comics, Ravonna is Kang’s love interest, and her character development in Loki season 2 was a delight to witness. Despite committing one of the most sinister acts in the MCU, Ravonna’s enigmatic finale and Kang’s absence from the MCU raise questions about her future prospects. Compared to other villains slated for Phase 5, Ravonna may not possess the same level of natural power.

9) Benjamin Poindexter’s Bullseye

In the revamped “Daredevil: Born Again” series, which now serves as a direct sequel to the original Defenders Saga, the character of Benjamin Poindexter’s Bullseye (portrayed by Wilson Bethel) emerged as a crucial addition. Previously, Bullseye posed a significant threat in “Daredevil” season 3 and reappeared in “Born Again” with the intention of killing Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) and ultimately attempting to harm Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio). Bethel’s return as Bullseye in “Daredevil: Born Again” season 2 signifies an expanded role for his character, offering more action and focus, setting the stage for him to play a more significant antagonist part within the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the future.

8) Parker Robbins’ Hood

In the final episode of Phase 5’s series “Ironheart,” a new villain, the Hood, makes his live-action debut. This character was initially introduced in the animated series “What If…?”, season 3. The Hood, once worn by Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), transformed him into a selfish, repulsive rich man, but the garment’s power caused further changes, leading to the loss of all his allies. The Hood draws energy from the Dark Dimension, granting immense power with magical abilities and invisibility, but it also corrupted Parker, turning him into a demonic figure. Now, there’s a possibility that Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), who obtained the Hood in “Ironheart’s” finale, could suffer a similar fate.

7) Kang the Conqueror

It’s too bad that Kang the Conqueror hasn’t risen higher on this list. Originally slated as the main antagonist for Marvel’s Multiverse Saga, Kang, played by Jonathan Majors, made appearances throughout Phases 4 and 5. However, Majors’ arrest, conviction, and dismissal from Marvel in 2023 put Kang’s future in doubt, leading Marvel to prioritize Doctor Doom (portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.) instead. Although Kang was portrayed as powerful, he and his variants were ultimately defeated rather easily in the film Quantumania, making them seem less threatening than anticipated.

6) Mephisto

The final episode of Ironheart, titled “The Past Is the Past,” unmasked Parker Robbins’ secret backer as the legendary Marvel villain, Mephisto (portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen). For years, fans have speculated and hinted about Mephisto in the MCU, with his first clear reference coming from Agatha All Along and his debut in Ironheart. As the ruler of Hell, Mephisto possesses immense power and is one of Marvel’s most formidable adversaries. He has a history of making deals that are both manipulative and risky with various characters within the MCU, such as monarchs, popes, a Beatle, and of course, Parker Robbins and Riri Williams. The future for Mephisto is intriguing, but his further appearances in the MCU have yet to be confirmed.

5) Death

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s upcoming series, Agatha All Along (2024), Death, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, made her first appearance as the main adversary. Previously, she was in a relationship with Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), but their bond has since grown strained due to Death’s kidnapping of Agatha’s son, Nicholas Scratch (Abel Lysenko). Death possesses immense and bewildering power, yet her character development in Agatha All Along fell short. We eagerly anticipate more from Aubrey Plaza within the MCU, hoping to witness interactions between Death and a wider array of characters beyond just the witches.

4) Cassandra Nova

In the year 2024, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” taking them to the Void at the End of Time. Here, they encountered Cassandra Nova, portrayed by Emma Corrin, who is the malevolent sister of Professor X in Marvel Comics. Cassandra was exceptionally wicked and eerily terrifying, employing manipulations and mind tricks to control numerous individuals, even Deadpool’s Corps. Her captivating charm and personality elevated her as one of Phase 5’s most formidable villains.

3) The High Evolutionary

James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” series introduced some exceptional antagonists like Ronan the Accuser, Ego the Living Planet, and Thanos, the Mad Titan. However, the titular team’s next Phase 5 escapade in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” unveiled their most ruthless and terrifying adversary yet – the High Evolutionary (played by Chukwudi Iwuji). This character was known for conducting cruel experiments on living creatures with the aim of creating an ideal society. When his attempts failed, he showed no remorse in carrying out genocide to start fresh. Iwuji delivered a stellar performance that made the High Evolutionary appear invincible.

2) Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin

Since Matt Murdock, portrayed by Charlie Cox, first appeared in Netflix’s Daredevil series, he has faced off against Wilson Fisk, more commonly known as the Kingpin. Vincent D’Onofrio reprised his role in the main Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in shows like Hawkeye, Echo, and upcoming series Daredevil: Born Again. In this new series, Fisk is elected as the Mayor of New York City, granting him near-limitless power. This becomes even more pronounced when he imposes martial law and outlaws vigilantism, targeting many heroes within the MCU’s street-level scene. Fisk’s ruthlessness, violence, aggressive nature, and immense ego make him one of the most menacing and frightening adversaries in the MCU, without any superhuman abilities.

1) The Void

In Phase 5, none of the antagonists compare to the uniqueness, dominance, and intimidation factor of the Void. Making his debut in 2025’s Thunderbolts, Lewis Pullman portrayed Robert Reynolds, who transformed into the Sentry following experimental procedures by OXE. This process also awakened his darker persona, the enigmatic Void. The Void possesses the ability to plunge individuals into their deepest, darkest memories, and showcases telekinetic, physical strength, and matter-altering powers. The New Avengers managed to halt the Void by persuading Reynolds to battle his own self in his mind, but they would have been powerless against such a formidable adversary otherwise.

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2025-07-26 23:43