The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is packed with villains, but only a handful have had truly spectacular introductions over the 17 years that the MCU has been expanding. Every hero needs something to fight for, and while superhero movies revolve around the good guys, it's vital that the film delivers a compelling villain. Otherwise, the story can feel a little flat, and the hero doesn't get to truly shine.
Thankfully, the MCU has had a lot of experience introducing villains over its lengthy run with dozens of films and a handful of TV shows. But among the long list of major releases, there are a handful of standout villain introductions that took their respective stories to the next level. Whether that was because of a big reveal, or an unexpected connection to the hero, the MCU has had some unforgettable villain introductions.
10 Hela In Thor: Ragnarok
The first two Thor movies were underwhelming. Despite Thor fighting the Frost Giants, the Dark Elves, and even his own brother, something was missing. Fortunately, when Thor: Ragnarok flipped the script on Thor's story, it also introduced a new rival for Thor to face off against, and one that would require Thor to call in some help.
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A lot happens throughout the third film in Thor's series, but the villain of this film is undeniably Hela, Thor's secret sister who was banished by their father, Odin. Hela was a powerful warrior, and after conquering kingdoms with her father, Odin wished to rule the Nine Realms peacefully. However, having trained his daughter to revel in bloodshed, it was no wonder she had different ideas. Hela's return was a monumental moment for Thor, and one of the best villain introductions in the MCU.
9 Ego In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Speaking about messy family histories, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 sees the rag-tag heroes meet Star-Lord's biological father, who happens to be an all-powerful Celestial. Ego is a literal planet, and while he wasn't present in Peter Quill's life as a boy, he clearly wanted to connect with his son, only to have their first encounter after Quill had already become a hero with a team of his own. Despite this, Peter was dazed to finally meet his father, and almost lost sight of his found family.
However, when Ego revealed that he was behind the death of Peter's mother, he was able to snap to his senses. Ego didn't actually want to know his son, he wanted to extend his power, and Peter was just a part of that plan. The reveal may have been expected, but the film still makes the moment Ego reveals his dark side dramatic and intense.
8 Loki In The Avengers
As noted above, Loki's reveal as a villain in Thor was slightly underwhelming. However, after developing a connection with the character and teases hinting at his return, the character's presence in The Avengers was much more welcome. Tom Hiddleston's spectacular performance elevates the character from a dubious trickster into a would-be tyrant, and the first real test for The Avengers.
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Initially, the movie reveals that Erik Selvig has been possessed by some mysterious force. However, when Loki steps through the portal, and manages to recruit others like Hawkeye to his side, it's clear the god of Mischief has big plans. But beyond that, Loki is genuinely menacing in this film, forcing people into submissive positions, and ruthlessly killing people.
7 Mysterio In Spider-Man: Far From Home
Spider-Man: Far From Home made it clear that Mysterio would be the villain for the movie in marketing, but the way the film introduces Jake Gyllenhaal's Quentin Beck, before having him betray young Peter Parker is tragic and brilliant. Peter is looking for a new mentor, and still suffering from the loss of his friend Tony Stark, but when he meets Quentin Beck, he puts his faith in the wrong person. However, as is Mysterio's greatest gift, he manages to deceive Parker and gain his trust.
Sure, Mysterio in the MCU is a much less powerful figure who manipulates people through the use of projections and tech, but the character's bravado and flare in their performance adds something special to the part. Ultimately, Quentin's big reveal stands out for how brilliantly it is executed, and he manages to royally mess with Parker's life.
6 Killmonger In Black Panther
When Michael B. Jordan first appears on the screen in Black Panther, it's clear that this fiercely efficient killer and thief is important to the story. However, as his history is unveiled, and the story of his father's death reveals that he is a Wakandan, Killmonger becomes so much more effective as a villain because, in many ways, he deserves the respect and friendship of the people who abandoned him as a boy and left him an orphan.
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Killmonger spent decades becoming a perfect soldier and killer, and by the time he returns to his ancestral home, he is more than ready to challenge the king. Killmonger's entrance into the MCU feels like a turning point, as this seemingly ruthless man was shaped by the supposed heroes, and his stance was valid. However, his aggressive tactics and his ruthlessness were ultimately his downfall.
5 Vulture In Spider-Man: Homecoming
Spider-Man has always been one of the most popular heroes in popular media. However, when he made his debut in the MCU, Tom Holland's Peter Parker had to contend with two incredible adaptations of the Spider-Man story. Fortunately, the MCU was able to introduce a new villain for live-action who helped to make the story stand out.
The incredible Michael Keaton was clearly set up as the menacing Adrian Toomes, aka Vulture. After the destruction of The Battle of New York, Toomes was due to help clean up the city, but Toomes and his crew were pushed aside by government officials. Toomes still managed to get his hands on powerful alien tech, which led to him becoming the Vulture, but when Toomes was also revealed to be the father of Peter's romantic interest, Elizabeth "Liz" Allan, it was a mind-blowing reveal.
4 Ultron In Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Ultron's position as a villain was no surprise considering the title of the movie or the history of the character in comics, but that in no way lessens the impact this character's introduction had in the MCU. With Tony Stark growing more paranoid about Earth's safety, he recklessly turns to technology to create a solution, but his work manages to exceed his own understanding when he builds the powerful AI, Ultron.
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Initially, Ultron was supposed to keep humanity safe from external threats, but after seeing how much the humans harm each other, Ultron adjusted its directive. But more than that, the way Ultron gained consciousness plays out in the film, with this AI killing JARVIS as one of its first independent acts, is brutal, despite being a bunch of electrical signals at the time.
3 The Void In Thunderbolts*
Bob Reynolds is an unassuming man with a troubled past when he first appears in Thunderbolts*. Sure, he is weird, and the fact he appears in a top-secret government building in a hospital gown is odd, but Bob still feels like someone who just kind of stumbled into the picture. However, Bob has aspirations of being something more, and when presented with an opportunity to protect and save his friends, he runs towards it without hesitation.
Then, after his powers are revealed, and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine convinces him to be her new hero, Bob stands tall as the Sentry. However, the Golden Guardian of Good begins to see that Valentina's intentions may not be as pure as she professes, which leads to her activating his kill switch. However, Bob's dark side bubbles to the surface to reveal the terrifying Void in one of the most epic villain reveals of the entire MCU.
2 Agatha Harkness In WandaVision
From the big screen to the small screen, one of the most complex characters in the MCU has to be Agatha Harkness. Agatha is a villain. Make no mistake. She has the blood of dozens or possibly even hundreds of witches on her hands, and she is always ready to twist the truth to preserve herself. But when she first appears in WandaVision, she just seems like a nosey neighbor, Agnes.
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As it turns out, Agnes was never really under Wanda's spell. Being a witch herself, Agatha sensed Wanda Maximoff's powers, and she wanted to absorb them for herself. But always up for a good time, Agatha decided to go undercover, and integrate herself into Westview under Wanda's nose. When she does reveal herself, Agatha makes one of the absolute best villain entrances to the MCU to date.
1 Winter Soldier In Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Steve Rogers is a man outside of time. Originally living through World War II, Steve sacrificed himself to save New York from destruction. However, when he woke up decades later, everyone he knew and loved was either dead and gone, or on death's doorstep. But even before this, Steve saw his best friend, Bucky Barnes, fall to his death during a mission.
However, Bucky survived the fall, and, thanks to HYDRA, he survived to reunite with his old friend. Except, Bucky spent decades brainwashed into becoming the terrifying assassin, the Winter Soldier. With the super soldier serum in his veins, Bucky was nearly unstoppable, and his aging was slowed, which allowed him to reunite with Steve in the modern day. However, Steve had to spend some time helping his friend who exactly he was before they had a happy reunion in the MCU.
