SPIDER-MAN: Every Villain The MCU's Peter Parker Has Faced Ranked From Worst To Best

SPIDER-MAN: Every Villain The MCU's Peter Parker Has Faced Ranked From Worst To Best

We're looking back at Marvel Studios' Spider-Man trilogy, ranking each of the villains he's faced (not Thanos!) in those solo outings from worst to best. Find out which sinister foe comes out on top here!

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Apr 16, 2023 11:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Spider-Man

Over the course of three solo movies set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tom Holland's Peter Parker has faced some truly spectacular - and sinister - villains.

Until those Variants were brought into this shared world, Marvel Studios made it a priority to use bad guys we hadn't seen on screen before, and they've all challenged this iconic superhero in new and exciting ways.

Spider-Man: No Way Home upped the ante by pitting the teenager against a quintet of baddies, and between that and Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home, it's been a challenging few years for poor Peter. Luckily, he's overcome the odds, but not without being pushed to his limits...just like his comic book counterpart!

In this feature, we rank the main villains Spider-Man has faced in the MCU from worst to best, from the baddies who have made only a minor impact to those who managed to steal the show from the wall-crawling wonder.

To find out who comes out on top of this sinister ranking, simply click on the "Next" button below. 
 

8. Mac Gargan

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As of right now, we're still struggling to figure out why Marvel bothered to include Mac Gargan in Spider-Man: Homecoming. After a blink-and-you-'ll-miss-it cameo during the Staten Ferry sequence, he returned in the mid-credits scene scarred, broken and anxious to get revenge on Spidey.

Nothing has happened since then, though, and we're hoping there's a chance he'll be the villain - or at least one of them - in Spider-Man 4. With any luck, Marvel Studios can pick up where this stinger left off and find a compelling way to explain how Mac becomes trapped in the Scorpion suit. 

It seems more likely we'll see Scorpion used the same way as Crossbones in Captain America: Civil War or as a secondary villain, but the opportunity to do something special with him hasn't been lost (especially if J. Jonah Jameson is thrown into the mix for good measure). 
 

7. Lizard & Sandman

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Yes, we're lumping these two Spider-Man: No Way Home villains in together because, honestly, they made about the same impact in the threequel. Both were brought to life solely with visual effects (footage from previous movies was used to show them in their human forms), and neither had much of a story arc beyond being there to give the Spider-Men something to punch.

They served a purpose, though, and it was fun to see the MCU's Peter Parker interact with them. The Lizard basically still wanted to turn everyone into a lizard, while Sandman just hoped to get home. We appreciate there was only so much screentime to go around, but more could have been done.

As it stands, we definitely enjoyed what they both brought to the table in terms of the fight scenes, and the giant Sandman idea definitely feels played out now. When it comes to The Lizard, we're not sure why Marvel Studios didn't take this opportunity to re-design the character, because he looked every bit as "meh" as in 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man
 

6. Shocker

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Herman Schultz has never been one of Spider-Man's greatest villains, so we can't complain too much about him being "wasted" here. Despite that, it's hard to escape the feeling that more could and should have been done to ensure that he made a bigger impact beyond the one fight scene with Spidey which sees him stopped by Ned Leeds and beaten with relative ease.

It may just boil down to Marvel needing a C-list villain for Spider-Man: Homecoming to be part of Toomes' operation and Shocker fit the bill. It is a shame that we never got the costumed version promised by promo art, though, as that could have redeemed this Shocker somewhat. Bokeem Woodbine is a real talent too and would have benefited from getting more to sink his teeth into.

It would be no bad thing for Spider-Man 4 to open with a rematch between Spidey and this villain, reminding us he's still out there while showing how much more experienced Peter has become.
 

5. Electro

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Unlike The Lizard, Max Dillon did get a new look in Spider-Man: No Way Home and was treated as less of a comedy character. He still delivered some of the movie's funniest lines, but they were legitimately funny, and not just painful to watch play out on screen (which they were in The Amazing Spider-Man 2).

With an overhauled appearance and attitude, Electro made a splash and proved himself a credible threat to Spider-Man. His quest to become more powerful - whether it be through the MCU's unique energy or one of Tony Stark's old Arc Reactors - was a solid subplot in the threequel, and one that culminated with that tense scene in Happy Hogan's apartment. 

By the time we reached the Statue of Liberty, Electro was rocking a comic book accurate appearance and pushed Peter Parker to his limits. Hopefully, Foxx will be given the chance to reprise this role because, in many ways, it feels like he was only just scratching the surface of what he can do with this villain (just don't give him an unnecessary spin-off, Sony).
 

4. Doctor Octopus

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We may not have seen anything quite as iconic as that battle on top of the train in Spider-Man 2, but Peter Parker's freeway fight with Doctor Octopus in No Way Home was by no means a disappointment. With the benefit of today's technology, Doc Ock was able to show just how formidable he truly is, laying waste to the cars there in an effort to put the wall-crawler down and find his machine. 

Ultimately, the villain got the upper hand, and if it wasn't for that Iron Spider nanotechnology, he may well have put Peter down once and for all. From there, Alfred Molina frequently stole the show with some superb lines of dialogue but obviously ended up regaining his senses around the midway point.

As a result, you might be wondering why this "good guy" ranks so highly on a list of villains. Well, while he may have ultimately proven himself an ally to Peter Parker, Doc Ock remains one of the greatest threats the wall-crawler has faced and we can't help but hope for a rematch somewhere down the line, even if it's with a different Otto. 
 

3. Vulture

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It's a real pity The Vulture didn't factor into Spider-Man: No Way Home because he truly is one of the web-slinger's best foes. Not only did he deduce the hero's secret identity, but he took Peter Parker to the edge and came this close to ending his superhero career.

The design was drastically different to the comic books in some ways, but it was the best possible direction to take the villain in for his live-action debut. We're a little heartbroken that Adrian Toomes is now trapped in Sony's Spider-Verse, especially after Morbius delivered one of the worst comic book movie post-credits scenes of all time. 

If we're lucky, that will be retconned, and it would be good to see Spidey cross paths with The Vulture again down the line. If this battle was a one-off, though, then we definitely can't fault the way things played out on screen. Tying his supervillain origin story to 2012's The Avengers was also pretty clever. 
 

2. Mysterio

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Some might argue that Marvel Studios wasted too much time portraying Mysterio as a superhero before his villainous nature was revealed in Spider-Man: Far From Home. We all knew it was coming, but in fairness, it was necessary to set the stage for that jaw-dropping mid-credits scene and everything that followed in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

While he doesn't sit atop this list, Mysterio did something no one else here was able to: he beat Spider-Man. By revealing his secret identity and making him a wanted man, Beck left a lasting impression on the wall-crawler that will have an impact on his adventures even now the genie has been put back in the bottle. 

We remain convinced that the character survived, as his comic book counterpart had a habit of jumping between realities. A return should have happened in the last movie by rights, but we still need more of Jake Gyllenhaal's Mysterio in the MCU, especially if it leads to more epic illusion sequences. That remains one of the franchise's greatest battles. 
 

1. Green Goblin

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We're going to forgive Marvel Studios for not giving us at least another scene or two with Willem Dafoe in his classic Green Goblin costume because the villain truly established himself as Peter Parker's most sinister foe here. Just like he'd once pushed the Spider-Man of his world to his limits, Norman Osborn destroyed the hero's life in No Way Home and killed his beloved Aunt May. 

The entire time, he was trying to teach the web-slinger his own twisted lesson, meaning it wasn't just May's death that earns him this spot. The sight of the Goblin laughing manically as Spidey relentlessly hits him won't soon be forgotten, and this Norman was downright terrifying. In the final battle, he very nearly succeeded in breaking the hero's spirit, but was thankfully overcome by Peter - with a little help from his new friends, of course.

Heading into this movie, many fans hoped the MCU would get its own Norman. After this clash, we think it's fair to say there's no longer any need because no one would be able to top Dafoe's work or the impact this Goblin had on Spider-Man's life.
 

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ProudPatriot76
ProudPatriot76 - 4/16/2023, 11:12 AM
Doc Ock was better than Mysterio.
MrDandy
MrDandy - 4/16/2023, 2:58 PM
@ProudPatriot76 - lies!
MrDandy
MrDandy - 4/16/2023, 2:58 PM
@ProudPatriot76 - he is better in Spider-Man 2 but in the context of the MCU movies, Mysterio was the stronger villain imo
tb86
tb86 - 4/16/2023, 3:08 PM
@ProudPatriot76 - technically you are right based on their individual antagonist roles. Truth is, Doc Ock wasn’t the main antagonist of No Way Home, Green Goblin was. Mysterio was the main antagonist of Far from Home.
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 4/16/2023, 11:17 AM
It actually does get hard to pick the best one, and that in and of itself is fantastic, but yes, Shocker is DEFINITELY the most Dave Chapelle of them all, you can’t take that away from em. I’ve liked Bokeem Woodbine since what, Jason’s Lyric? Great actor.

Chuck420Taylor
Chuck420Taylor - 4/16/2023, 11:21 AM
@TheWalkingCuban - that was a great season but Fargo hasn't given en us trash yet just incredible wait times.
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 4/16/2023, 11:38 AM
@Chuck420Taylor - man can I just say I frikkin fell in love with Kirsten dunst that season. Not the character, the actress that I never knew would look so good thick. I should’ve known.
The72nd
The72nd - 4/16/2023, 3:20 PM
@TheWalkingCuban - the second season of Fargo might be my favorite season of TV ever. Just so so good. Woodbine was unbearably cool
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 4/16/2023, 3:23 PM
@The72nd - if Electro would’ve been like that guy… poor Vulture LOL
Chuck420Taylor
Chuck420Taylor - 4/16/2023, 3:51 PM
@TheWalkingCuban - DUDE....I definitely saw her in a different light thanks to the show.
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 4/16/2023, 4:33 PM
@Chuck420Taylor - look it really all started with that upside down kiss but dang on that show oh my goodness, she really went from hot to milf
Chuck420Taylor
Chuck420Taylor - 4/17/2023, 9:32 AM
@TheWalkingCuban - and the accent was the icing on the cake
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 4/17/2023, 9:41 AM
@Chuck420Taylor - oh my goodness. Man I am working in Hammond, Louisiana, above lake ponchartrain, across the lake from New Orleans. New Orleans is so city that everyone sounds like New York or Boston, no frikkin cap. Well it’s country again across the lake. Dude. There’s this straight up fiery redhead with the most Mississippi accent, being from the Sip, I didn’t care for it there, but hearing it once more after the city or Cajun folks, aw man it’s so loud and redneck and sexy as hell lol KD with that Fargo whatever accent bout killed me!
DocSpock
DocSpock - 4/16/2023, 11:25 AM



We need Black Cat & Tombstone in the MCU before Sony sh!ts all over them & ruins them.

KelvTwelve
KelvTwelve - 4/16/2023, 2:43 PM
@DocSpock - I've said it before and I'll say it again - Black Cat is 100% what Tom Holland's Spidey needs to face after losing MJ. What better time to introduce a love interest that Peter can't trust than now? It would absolutely be asinine to waste her on a solo movie that will do nothing but crash into a wall.

My feelings changed a little bit now after everything coming out about Born Again, but I still would want to see a Daredevil and Kingpin crossover for the fourth film as well.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 4/16/2023, 3:04 PM
@KelvTwelve -

Amen to that!

PatientXero
PatientXero - 4/16/2023, 11:27 AM
Some rather dull villains overall, and misused good ones. Not the best MCU or even Spider-Man movies.
Origame
Origame - 4/16/2023, 11:30 AM
Apparently it was very compelling for electro to have a subplot of...wanting more power...because.

It's not even like he really did anything. Just noticed mcu energy was different and had the arc reactor practically handed to him.
tb86
tb86 - 4/16/2023, 11:33 AM
1) Green Goblin
2) Vulture
3) Mysterio
4) Doc Ock
5) Electro
6) Sandman
7) Shocker
8) Lizard
9) Mac Gargan
MrDandy
MrDandy - 4/16/2023, 2:59 PM
@tb86 - the correct list!
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 4/16/2023, 11:44 AM
Vulture number 2, could possibly be number one. I can’t lie though, Willem came through in no way home like a boss. “Poor Peter. Too weak to send me home to die”
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 4/16/2023, 11:46 AM
I really don’t feel like mac was a villain. He was more so set up for the future. Spider-Man came to marvel at a bad time so the sequel to homecoming had to deal with the endgame fallout rather than the homecoming fallout.
TheShellyMan
TheShellyMan - 4/16/2023, 11:47 AM
I hope we can get to see the Scorpion in Spider-Man 4 in some sort.
WakandanQueen
WakandanQueen - 4/16/2023, 11:50 AM
I realize No Way Home had a LOT going on, but damn kinda wish Mysterio had more to do in these films. He carried Far from Home and they could have gone way further with him.
Fogs
Fogs - 4/16/2023, 12:17 PM
If you're listing Scorpion you should include Venom as well, Josh.
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/16/2023, 1:01 PM
Definitely Green Goblin, Mysterio had some good fights with Spidey as well.

HistoryofMatt
HistoryofMatt - 4/16/2023, 1:07 PM
Mysterio sucked because that entire movie SUCKED.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 4/16/2023, 11:09 PM
@HistoryofMatt -

Thank you!

Other than enjoying seeing Peter interact with Fury (or should I say Talos), the film felt more like Iron Boy 4 and nothing really like Spider-Man.

So thankful NWH completely changed Peter’s trajectory from where FFH had him going.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 4/17/2023, 9:51 AM
@HistoryofMatt - Ah at last something we agree on. Yeah, FFH was the weakest of the MCU Spider-Man trilogy IMO.

I love Jake Gyllenhaal but he was absolutely wasted as Mysterio, sure he gave a pretty solid performance but there are SO MANY other, more important characters he could have played other then a one-and-done villain.

The Ned/Betty story, while cute, did overstay it's welcome. That Brad guy who was chasing after MJ was the most unnecessary and annoying character a Spider-Man film could introduce. And overall, the film felt very tonally unfocused.
Order66
Order66 - 4/16/2023, 2:16 PM
If Spider-Man 4 is more street level, it would be a great opportunity to show off Spider-Man and Daredevil fighting Scorpion and Shocker and the Maggia and Hammerhead and Tombstone and Kingpin.
KelvTwelve
KelvTwelve - 4/16/2023, 2:46 PM
@Order66 - Literally what I'm thinking. Kingpin funds the creation of supervillains like in Spectacular Spider-Man, so his business is uninterrupted by the affairs of "Avengers" after Hawkeye. You could bring back Scorpion, Shocker, and maybe even a new version of Rhino. I also really want to have Black Cat in the mix, maybe she's hunting Kingpin, and Peter joins her fight before she ultimately betrays him.
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/16/2023, 2:47 PM
@Order66 - They should try adapt Spider-Man:Gang War.

But they'll have to fit "Home" into the title, so it'll probably be called something like Spider-Man:Home Turf War.
ProudPatriot76
ProudPatriot76 - 4/16/2023, 3:02 PM
Why isn’t Sony, Avi Arad, and Amy Pascal on this list?
DocSpock
DocSpock - 4/16/2023, 6:07 PM


Since the classic first 2 Raimi Spider-Man movies, the biggest villain Spidey has faced is Sony.

Lokiwasright
Lokiwasright - 4/16/2023, 10:34 PM
Most of these were only cameos.

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