The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has introduced audiences to a variety of foes that challenge Spider-Man, portrayed by Tom Holland. Each antagonist brings a distinct set of threats, from local criminals to cosmic masterminds, thereby testing Peter Parker’s abilities, ethical compass, and sense of self. While certain villains are clearly motivated by revenge or a thirst for power, others provide unexpected and nuanced challenges for Spider-Man.
This assessment focuses specifically on the threats posed by villains from Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy within the MCU. The characters featured range from well-developed adversaries to fleeting threats and teases for future narratives. The evaluation of their dangerousness is based on their power, strategic intentions, and the potential impact they could have had on Spider-Man and society at large. Each villain possesses unique powers and motives, but not all are equal when it comes to their threat levels.
10 The Elementals
Spider-Man: Far From Home
While the Elementals made a dramatic entrance in Spider-Man: Far From Home, they were ultimately revealed to be elaborate holograms and drone projections masterminded by Quentin Beck (Mysterio). Their illusionary rampage across cities like Venice, Prague, and London created the appearance of chaos without posing a real threat to civilians; the real danger emerged from Mysterio’s drones.
The Elementals’ powers—fire, water, earth, and air—were merely tools used for deception to boost Beck’s reputation as a hero. The only genuine threat they posed came from their ability to mislead even seasoned agents like Nick Fury and Peter Parker, until the illusions were finally dispelled. Should real elemental beings be introduced in the MCU, they could present a much more significant threat.
9 Scorpion, AKA Mac Gargan
Spider-Man: Homecoming
In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Mac Gargan’s character is introduced as a small-time criminal associated with the black-market operations led by Adrian Toomes. A post-credits scene hints at his animosity towards Spider-Man, suggesting a potential for revenge as the infamous Scorpion.
Despite the Scorpion’s historical comic book significance as a prominent adversary, the MCU version has yet to deliver on this promise. Currently, Gargan lacks special abilities or advanced weaponry. While boasting a threatening demeanor, his actual capability to create havoc remains minimal. Up to this point, he remains more of a possible threat than an active one, primarily due to his frustrations and ambitions rather than any real powers.
8 Shocker, AKA Herman Schultz
Spider-Man: Homecoming
After the demise of the initial Shocker, Herman Schultz takes over the role in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Equipped with a gauntlet that emits powerful shockwaves, he employs this weapon to assist in Toomes’ criminal endeavors. However, Schultz lacks the ambition and intelligence typically attributed to a major villain.
His motivations revolve around simple criminality: profit and survival rather than grand schemes of chaos. Although his confrontation with Spider-Man showcases his danger in close-quarters combat, he is easily subdued with assistance from Ned. Schultz’s reliance on inherited technology rather than his own ingenuity suggests a limited capacity for significant threat, marking him more as an underling than a true supervillain.
7 Lizard, AKA Dr. Curt Connors
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Dr. Curt Connors, also known as the Lizard, made his entrance in Spider-Man: No Way Home, returning from his previous incarnation. His transformation grants him significant raw power, allowing him to dominate physical confrontations. However, his motivations remain largely static throughout the film, making him feel somewhat disconnected from the overarching narrative.
Despite his physical might, Connors lacks the psychological nuances and catastrophic ambition of his more dangerous counterparts, relegating him to a more middling threat level within the MCU.
6 Electro, AKA Max Dillon
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Max Dillon, transformed into Electro, was one of the multiverse villains incorporated into the MCU through Spider-Man: No Way Home. Originally featured in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Dillon becomes electrified after an encounter with genetically altered electric eels. His time in the MCU significantly amplifies his powers thanks to Stark Tech and arc reactor energy.
While Electro gains tremendous control over electrical sources, his lack of strategic planning hinders his capability for widespread destruction. Although he presents a formidable challenge to Spider-Man and the other multiversal heroes, collaboration ultimately leads to his defeat. His threat level is high, but among the rogues gallery, he does not rank as the most perilous.
5 Vulture, AKA Adrian Toomes
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Introduced as a grounded antagonist in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Adrian Toomes operates using salvaged Chitauri technology to craft his advanced flight equipment. His motivation stems not from chaos but from a desire to protect his family and reclaim what he lost when Tony Stark’s damage control took over his business.
Toomes has nearly succeeded in harming Spider-Man on multiple occasions while even deducing Parker’s secret identity, which displays a combination of cunning and strength that distinguishes him from other foes. Despite lacking superhuman abilities, Toomes is a serious threat due to his resourcefulness and technical expertise, though his grand ambitions are confined to a more localized arena.
4 Sandman, AKA Flint Marko
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Flint Marko, also known as Sandman, returns in Spider-Man: No Way Home, although his character originates from Spider-Man 3. Marko is depicted more as a tragic figure than a villain driven by malice; his motives center on reuniting with his daughter, which humanizes his character significantly. His ability to transform into living sand grants him durability and versatility during fights.
In the MCU, his character begins less as a true adversary and even assists Peter to some extent. However, fear and misunderstanding lead him back into conflict. His threat level is rooted in his powers and unpredictability; while less sinister in motive compared to other villains, his potential for destruction is high, placing him firmly in the mid-tier of Spider-Man’s foes.
3 Mysterio, AKA Quentin Beck
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Mysterio, as portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, serves as the central antagonist in Spider-Man: Far From Home. He combines his skills as an illusionist and manipulator with a deep-seated disdain for Tony Stark, creating a complex and dangerous villain. Utilizing sophisticated drones and special effects, Beck constructs elaborate scenarios that mislead the public and even deceive Spider-Man himself.
By framing Peter for murder and exposing his secret identity, Mysterio sets in motion events that lead to major repercussions for Parker. His mastery lies in manipulating perceptions and sowing chaos, turning allies against one another. Despite lacking superpowers, Beck’s strategic brilliance and innovative technology solidify him as a top-tier threat within the MCU, whose influence extends far beyond his physical presence.
2 Doctor Octopus, AKA Otto Octavius
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Doctor Octopus, reintroduced in Spider-Man: No Way Home, was originally established as a formidable criminal in Spider-Man 2. His incredible intellect and the mechanical arms fused to his body make him exceedingly powerful and intelligent, allowing him to outmaneuver most adversaries. Although initially driven by the malevolent agenda of his AI-enhanced arms, Otto’s moral compass is restored in the MCU.
Once he regains his humanity, he becomes a force for good, eager to help instead of harm. While his fall from grace positions him as a significant adversary, the transformation in his character reduces his long-term threat level. During his peak, however, Otto’s combination of brains and brawn positioned him as one of Spider-Man’s most dangerous foes.
1 Green Goblin, AKA Norman Osborn
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Norman Osborn’s return as the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home establishes him as the most formidable opponent Peter Parker has ever faced. Willem Dafoe’s portrayal encapsulates a dangerous mix of genius, brute strength, and psychological instability. The fragmented nature of Osborn’s personality leads to erratic and violent behavior, causing havoc in Peter’s life by not only physically attacking but also manipulating him emotionally.
His lethal actions, including the tragic murder of Aunt May, send Peter spiraling down his darkest path yet. Even in a battle against multiple Spider-Men, the Goblin stands out as a relentless force fueled by chaos. Unlike many of Peter’s adversaries, Green Goblin fully embraces his malignancy, ensuring that the scars he leaves on Peter will endure. His strategical cunning, sadism, and fighting prowess solidify him as the ultimate villain in the MCU Spider-Man saga.