The MCU is well-known for providing some very uplifting movies throughout its history. Unlike DC, Marvel has attempted to make its films light and funny, with a real family-friendly environment that suits the superhero worlds perfectly. But even the MCU has a few terrifying moments when the stakes rise to the extreme or the villain wants to make a point.
This has created some terrifying moments, even during some of the funniest Marvel movies. Even though it is the laughs that most people think of first, many of these scenes have hit home hard and helped really make the MCU so successful. So, within this list, we will be ranking the 10 most terrifying moments from the MCU.
Loki’s Death
It is crazy to think that Loki’s death would end up being a terrifying and heartbreaking moment after his initial appearances in the MCU sees him as one of the most despicable villains. However, by the time Avengers: Infinity War begins, he truly was one of the most beloved characters.
That is why the opening scenes of the movie are so terrifying to watch. Thanos is introduced with a bang as he battles Hulk and then turns his attention to Loki. However, he doesn’t spare the God of Mischief, as he murders him in a very brutal manner.
Peter Parker’s Warning
Spider-Man: Homecoming is an amazing movie that has one of Marvel’s greatest villains in the Vulture, but the most terrifying scene of this movie comes in a seemingly very normal moment. As Peter Parker arrives at Liz’s house for their school homecoming, he quickly realizes just who her father is.
When they arrive, the Vulture simply claims he is having the classic ‘dad talk’ with Peter, but that is not the case. He then turns around to give a chilling speech, warning Peter exactly what he will do if he’s not careful in what is a truly terrifying and very surprising scene.
Hawkeye & Black Widow Battle
This is a terrifying and emotional moment, mainly because you are watching two close friends both essentially attempt to kill themselves. Someone has to die in order to recover the soul stone, but each one wants to sacrifice their life in order for the other to live.
It is a gripping scene with a fantastic score to back it up as fans are left wondering who will plummet to their death. In the end, it is Black Widow who takes the leap of faith and allows The Avengers to carry out their mission, but that doesn’t stop this scene from being a difficult one to watch.
Killmonger Takes Over
There aren’t often many moments when a villain actually gets the best of a superhero, but in Black Panther that is exactly what happened. When Killmonger finally proved his true identity, he was able to challenge for the crown, and unfortunately for T’Challa, that meant bad news.
Audiences were gripped as the two men brawled and battled over who would become the Black Panther, but nobody actually thought Killmonger would be victorious. He isn’t just victorious either, he is brutal, and in the end, he launches T’Challa off a cliff, which left fans stunned about his status.
Hela Reigns Supreme
Asgard is a location that everyone is aware of if they have enjoyed a Thor movie, but in Thor Ragnarok that was destroyed thanks to the powers of Hela and her army. Despite the best efforts of Thor and his people, it just wasn’t quite enough to get the job done.
In the end, they are happy in the thought that Asgard is just a place and that wherever the people are is where it will be. But that doesn’t stop this destruction from being a terrifying scene to watch as it isn’t something anybody sees coming.
Not Quick Enough
In Avengers: Age Of Ultron, the death of Quicksilver provides another terrifying moment of pure tension and sadness. With Hawkeye doing his best to save a little boy, it seems like he is going to be shot down by the plane, until Quicksilver bursts out of nowhere.
The film then seems to move so slow as fans are left to wonder who, if anyone has survived. However, when it goes back and Quicksilver is shown full of bullet holes it becomes clear exactly what has happened, and the latest character won’t be making another film.
We Are Groot
While we now know that Groot doesn’t actually die here, instead, becoming Baby Groot, at the moment that wasn’t clear. Rocket even says to him, “Groot, you’ll die,” and it is at that moment that this becomes a terrifying and emotional moment.
With Groot protecting the rest of the group in Guardians of the Galaxy, nobody actually wanted to see him die. An incredibly popular character right from the start, this was a moment where fans had sweaty hands as they thought it was the end of another top character.
Winter Soldier’s Secret
This is a moment many people can relate to. When someone has made a mistake and it is eventually revealed, leading to a fallout between friends. When the CCTV footage rolls of how Tony Stark’s parents are killed, everyone, including Captain America, knows it is going to be Bucky who is responsible.
But seeing all their faces as this moment sinks in creates a terrifying moment for the fans. Everyone knows they’re about to brawl, and that it could be a brawl to the death. With Tony outnumbered the entire thing is awesome, yet terrifying as people become scared that a hero is about to fall.
Tony’s Dream
The opening scene of Avengers: Age Of Ultron created a truly terrifying moment as Wanda uses Loki’s scepter to create an incredibly disturbing vision of Tony Stark. He walks around to see all of his friends and fellow Avengers defeated and dead.
It is something that causes sheer panic in his life from then on as he constantly thinks that this is going to be in his future. It is a scary scene as seeing them all defeated in this manner is something that nobody ever expects to see in reality.
The Snap
For the first time in the history of the MCU, the superheroes didn’t win. Every MCU movie sees the heroes overcome the odds, no matter how bad they seem, yet in Avengers: Infinity War, that doesn’t happen as Thanos does exactly what he promises to do, which is snap half the planet away.
While the actual visual isn’t anything to be scared of, it is still a terrifying moment as people realise what he has done. As the main characters start to disappear, the reality sinks in that Thanos has destroyed half the Earth, which is a truly terrifying situation.
