Disclaimer: These are my personal five favorites. In no way am I saying they are the best; this is only an opinion.
5. Red Skull
Many fans give Hugo Weaving's character a lot of flack, but hey, this is my list. While I personally think he should have been given more screen time in The First Avenger (to expound on his distaste for Captain America himself), I think he was given just enough for us to understand what he's doing. I like this villain because, like all Nazis, he truly believes in what he's doing, though what he's doing is inhumane. He wants to be like the gods of Norse mythology, and knows that science is the path to accomplishing this. But during the course of his mission we also see a vulnerable side to him; I think many of you didn't catch that. When he asked Cap what made him special enough for Project: Rebirth, it wasn't just an opportunity to give our hero a memorable one-liner. This question and the preceding dialogue show that deep down, he was genuinely hurt that Dr. Erskine didn't believe in him. After all, a leader who has accomplished so much should be worthy of the super-soldier formula. His ideals were unwavering, just like Captain America's, which is why he was so fun for me to watch.
4. Kingpin
Wilson Fisk and Daredevil's relationship isn't dissimilar from Red Skull and Cap's. Both are the right yin to the other's yang, especially in an origin story. The difference is while Red Skull is trying to be the baddest of the bad, Fisk truly wants to make his city a better place to inhabit. But selfish impulses get in the way of that. We're talking about a guy who murdered someone just for visiting his mother. In him we see a childlike rage that's all too relatable. His demise may be a tad unrealistic (evil people with money and power almost always get their way), but his acting out of this rage is something that was Grade A entertainment to watch.
3. Grant Ward
If we're being honest, I would have put this guy at number one, but I figured y'all would finally break down and crucify me if I put him in front of Ultron and Loki. Seriously though, when is this guy ever not interesting? For most of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season one, he was kind of this bland version of James Bond, the well only barely triggering our curiosity. But ever since Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he's kept all of us guessing. You can call him "evil Ward" if you like, but there's no denying that his every move was called into question, for evil or for good. The season two finale was something of wonder, finally seeing him actually embrace his inner bastard. He keeps us all on the edge of our seat, and in season three, I want to see him wreck havoc on S.H.I.E.L.D.
2. Ultron
Another villain who has received an undeserving amount of flack. This is a character who managed to be both funny and menacing, both intelligent and childish. Listening to this dude rant is arguably one of the best parts of Age of Ultron. A lot of people have pointed out that Ultron took after Tony Stark a bit too obviously, but I'd say that there were also hints of Bruce Banner. The theme of rage and fear has always been intertwined with the Hulk throughout the years, and these were attributes given to Ultron as well. As the Vision said, Ultron has pain, and that pain is what drove him to do everything he did. He didn't want to kill the human race... or did he? All these rants, all the rambling dialogue was more of an excuse for him to indulge his desires--even if his two best friends were humans. I think his return is inevitable, and I am eagerly anticipating it.
1. Loki
Was anybody else going to make it to number one? Loki, the overrated one. Loki, the cliched one. I've heard it all before. That he's not as good of a villain as everybody says. That he's beginning to bore the audience. And I have only one thing to say to that: [frick] you. Loki's pain is not only justified, it's something you root for him to conquer. From the scene where he realizes he's a Frost Giant in Thor to his argument with Frigga in The Dark World, you see him wrestling with the fact that he's not good enough. How many people do you think feel like that in the real world? I know I've struggled with it. You put those traits and feelings in a character who creates illusions and has a badass English accent, and my friends, you have created the best Marvel villain the world has ever seen.
Honorable Mention
Everyone liked Jeff Bridges' take on Iron Monger, although I wish we would have seen him have a bigger effect on Tony after the battle. Whether you liked the decision or not, Trevor Slattery's alter ego of the Mandarin had us all sold. Solid acting on Ben Kingsley's part, and Aldrich Killian was quite menacing himself. Crossbones prick-teased us with hints of his villainous future, and Kyle MacLachlan's Mister Hyde was unforgettable. While Marvel hasn't always handled their villains in the best way, they most certainly haven't done too terrible of a job! Also, I would of course added Thanos to this list, but I felt given the lack of screentime he's gotten I'd wait until his character has been developed a bit more.
And that's all I've got to say about that! Who are your favorite Marvel villains? Let me know in the comment section below!