### The Ultimate Ranking of MCU Villains: From Forgettable to Formidable
Reflecting on the **Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)**, it’s amusing to note how this grand tale of heroism began with a wealthy billionaire overcoming his unscrupulous business ally. Yet, the MCU has developed into something much more extensive than Obadiah Stane and his iron-fisted tactics. With over 30 films and growing, the villains have become increasingly daunting—and more unforgettable.
To mark the debut of *Captain America: Brave New World*, let’s take a look back at the antagonists who paved the way.
How do Samuel Sterns, Sidewinder, and Thunderbolt Ross stack up against icons like Loki, Thanos, and Killmonger? Discover in our ultimate ranking of MCU villains, starting with the least noteworthy and concluding with the most renowned.
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### **48. Malekith (*Thor: The Dark World*)**
*”Accursed” is indeed fitting.*
Who? Precisely.
— *Angie Han, former Deputy Entertainment Editor*
### **47. Samuel Sterns (*Captain America: Brave New World*)**
Initially a gentle scientist in *The Incredible Hulk*, Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) evolves into a supervillain following his exposure to Bruce Banner’s gamma-irradiated blood. With mind-control abilities and future-predicting skills, he should be chilling. Sadly, his grotesque look and lack of influence make him one of the MCU’s least captivating villains.
— *Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor*
### **46. Dormammu (*Doctor Strange*)**
A foe so ambiguous that even the film fails to clarify his significance. If you need to delve into the comics for context on his importance, that’s an issue.
— *A.H.*
### **45. Ivan Vanko (*Iron Man 2*)**
Sporting gold teeth, a thick Russian accent, and a pet cockatoo, Vanko comes across as more of a caricature than a real character.
— *A.H.*
### **44. The Dweller-in-Darkness (*Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings*)**
A CGI creature seemingly designed solely for merchandise sales. At least it merely wants to snack—relatable enough.
— *Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter*
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### **43-36: The Forgettable Foes**
– **Aldrich Killian (*Iron Man 3*)** – A letdown as the brains behind the Mandarin twist.
– **Ronan the Accuser (*Guardians of the Galaxy*)** – Underutilized potential for Lee Pace.
– **Justin Hammer (*Iron Man 2*)** – An inferior Tony Stark, yet Sam Rockwell brings charm to his role.
– **Abomination (*The Incredible Hulk*)** – An intriguing setup that deteriorates into a standard CGI fight.
– **Ayesha (*Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*)** – A superiority complex dipped in gold but lacking depth.
– **Dar-Benn (*The Marvels*)** – A cosmic antagonist that fails to resonate.
– **Yon-Rogg (*Captain Marvel*)** – A fragile male captor whose fate is immensely gratifying.
– **Obadiah Stane (*Iron Man*)** – The inaugural MCU villain, but far from the finest.
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### **35-25: The Middle of the Pack**
– **Goliath & Ghost (*Ant-Man and the Wasp*)** – More misunderstood than genuinely villainous.
– **Kaecilius (*Doctor Strange*)** – Missed potential, despite Mads Mikkelsen’s skill.
– **Arishem the Judge (*Eternals*)** – A cosmic entity too distanced to be truly threatening.
– **Thunderbolt Ross (*The Incredible Hulk & Captain America: Brave New World*)** – A military figure turned president, yet his villainy lacks consistency.
– **Adam Warlock (*Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*)** – More of a confused himbo than a true antagonist.
– **Dreykov (*Black Widow*)** – Sinister in theory, but not especially memorable.
– **Yellowjacket (*Ant-Man*)** – A run-of-the-mill corporate antagonist.
– **M.O.D.O.K. (*Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*)** – A comedic villain, though at least he’s amusing.
– **Trevor/The Mandarin (*Iron Man 3*)** – A clever twist, but not a real villain.
– **Sidewinder (*Captain America: Brave New World*)** – Giancarlo Esposito enhances this otherwise minor character.
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### **24-10: The Standouts**
– **Taskmaster (*Black Widow*)** – A silent yet lethal