Every Dead Marvel Movie Character, From Iron Man 1 to Secret Invasion

Estimated reading time: 41 minutes

Full spoilers are ahead for every single movie (and show) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

While it’s seldom final in Marvel Comics, death has so far been permanent in the MCU — with the exception of the Avengers’ success in undoing Thanos’ snap in Endgame, of course. (And variants of those who have died in the Sacred Timeline.) But table all that and check out our extended obit page for all the significant characters who have passed away in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, up to and including the now concluded Disney+ series Secret Invasion.

Mind you, we’re leaving out cannon fodder background characters like the armies of Asgard and the Chitauri to focus on the most notable leading and supporting players seen throughout Phases 1-5, starting all the way back with …

Obadiah Stane

Died In: Iron ManCause of Death: Electrocution/fall/explosion

The MCU’s first big bad met his end when he got fried by a blast from Tony Stark’s Arc Reactor while suited up in his Iron Monger armor. Stane then plummeted down into the reactor, which exploded into flames.

Dr. Ho Yinsen

Died In: Iron ManCause of Death: Gunshots

A captive of the Ten Rings in Afghanistan, Yinsen first saved Tony’s life when he operated on his shrapnel wound and made an electromagnetic plate to keep it from reaching his heart. Having lost his family in a terrorist attack, Yinsen later sacrificed himself to help Tony escape, suffering fatal gunshot wounds. His dying words to Tony were for him to not waste his life.

Raza

Died In: Iron ManCause of Death: Gunshots

The leader of the Ten Rings terrorist cell that kidnapped Tony Stark in Afghanistan, Raza was betrayed by Obadiah Stane, who paralyzed him with a Sonic Taser before his goons slew Raza and his men.

Whiplash

Died In: Iron Man 2Cause of Death: Explosion/suicide

Left badly wounded by Iron Man and War Machine’s simultaneous blast, Whiplash triggers all his drones to detonate, destroying himself and much of the Stark Expo.

Anton Vanko

Died In: Iron Man 2Cause of Death: Illness

Howard Stark’s former partner and co-creator of the Arc Reactor, this Russian scientist died broke and bitter that all he could leave his son Ivan was his knowledge. A vengeful Ivan then builds his first weapons as Whiplash over the opening credits of Iron Man 2.

Laufey

Died In: ThorCause of Death: Magic energy blast

“‘Your death came at the hand of Laufey,” he boasted. Laufey, the king of the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and Loki’s biological father, was poised to kill his old enemy Odin when he was shot in the back by Loki. As Laufey lay wounded, Loki said, “And your death came by the son of Odin.” The god of mischief then blasted his birth father (who had abandoned him as an infant) to smithereens with the magic weapon Gungnir.

Dr. Abraham Erskine

Died In: Captain America: The First AvengerCause of Death: Gunshots

Shot by Hydra agent Heinz Kruger moments after successfully administering the Super Soldier formula to Steve Rogers, the kindly Dr. Erskine died tapping Steve’s heart, reminding him to remain, as he’d previously asked, a good man.

Heinz Kruger

Died In: Captain America: The First AvengerCause of Death: Poison/suicide

After killing Dr. Erskine and making off with a vial of the Super Soldier formula, Hydra agent Heinz Kruger was chased down by Steve Rogers (in his first outing with super powers). After being pulled from his sub by Steve, Kruger bit open a cyanide capsule hidden in his teeth and died hailing Hydra.

Phil Coulson

Died In: The Avengers (and then again on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)Cause of Death: Stabbing, later illness

SHIELD agent Phil Coulson helped unite Earth’s Mightiest Heroes at a key moment in their burgeoning team-building when he was stabbed in the back by Loki. And while as far as the big screen MCU is concerned Coulson has long been deceased, he was in fact later resurrected via Project T.A.H.I.T.I. to lead the small screen Agents of SHIELD. During the show’s fifth season, Coulson eventually accepted that he was terminally ill, finally heading off to Tahiti for real this time to enjoy his final days with Melinda May.

Aldrich Killian

Died In: Iron Man 3Cause of Death: Explosion

Tony Stark thought he’d blown up Aldrich Killian by trapping him inside his Iron Man armor and having it self-destruct, but the Extremis-fueled Killian survived the blast albeit badly burned. Just as he was declaring “I am the Mandarin!” to Tony, Pepper — who was also infected with the Extremis tech — batted him away with a plank. She then kicked an explosive at Killian and blasted it with Iron Man’s repulsor gauntlet to finally destroy Killian once and for all.

Maya Hansen

Died In: Iron Man 3Cause of Death: Gunshot

After getting a lecture from a captured Tony on how she once had a moral compass, Maya tried to redeem herself by threatening to kill herself unless her collaborator Aldrich Killian freed Tony. Killian called her bluff and shot her.

Extremis Agents

Died In: Iron Man 3Cause of Death: Assorted Blasts

A.I.M. boss Aldrich Killian’s goons included Extremis-infused veterans Eric Savin, Jack Taggert, and Ellen Brandt. Savin was shot clear through by the unibeam in Iron Man’s Mach XLII armor during the hijacking of Air Force One. Taggart self-destructed during an attack on the Chinese Theater in L.A., badly injuring Happy Hogan in the blast. Brandt got blown up when Tony pulled the old gas leak/metal in a microwave trick.

Frigga

Died In: Thor: The Dark WorldCause of Death: Stabbing

Thor’s mother was slain by Malekith’s henchman Kurse during their invasion of Asgard. Frigga would not reveal the location of the Aether so Kurse executed her. Frigga would return for a small but pivotal appearance in Avengers: Endgame, although it didn’t alter her grim fate.

Malekith the Accursed

Died In: Thor: The Dark WorldCause of Death: Crushed

The limbless Dark Elf — who had been teleported to Svartalfheim — was crushed and killed when his vessel, the Ark, fell on him.

Kurse/Algrim

Died In: Thor: The Dark WorldCause of Death: Black Hole Grenade

Although impaled by Loki, Kurse then impaled Loki on the same blade! But the God of Mischief pulled a fast one, activating one of the Black Hole Grenades on Kurse’s belt. Kurse’s body was then sucked into the black hole it created.

Alexander Pierce

Died In: Captain America: The Winter SoldierCause of Death: Gunshot

This Hydra leader was serving as the secretary overseeing SHIELD at the time of his death. Pierce was fatally shot by Nick Fury, his last words being, “Hail Hydra” …

Peggy Carter

Died In: Captain America: Civil WarCause of Death: Old age

Peggy was elderly and suffering from dementia when she was visited at her sickbed by former flame Steve Rogers. And although she passed away off-camera in that film, Avengers: Endgame saw her return to the screen for the happy ending so many fans always wanted for her and Cap.

Jasper Sitwell

Died In: Captain America: The Winter SoldierCause of Death: Hit by a truck

The veteran SHIELD agent turned out to be a Hydra ally but died a quick death when the Winter Soldier tore him out of a moving car, threw him onto the highway, and let a passing tractor trailer truck take care of the rest.

Arnim Zola

Died In: Captain America: The Winter SoldierCause of Death: Technically illness, but a missile strike dealt the final blow

Hydra scientist Arnim Zola survived World War II and went to work for SHIELD. in the early ‘70s, Zola was dying of natural causes when he transferred his consciousness into a series of computer banks at Camp Lehigh. There, he survived for decades until a missile strike aimed at killing Cap and Widow finally ended his existence.

Ronan the Accuser

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1Cause of Death: The Power Stone

The surviving Guardians finally came together as a team to defeat the Kree extremist Ronan. The Guardians held hands to help Peter Quill channel the cosmic energy of the Power Stone, which he then blasted Ronan with in order to kill him.

Korath the Pursuer

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1Cause of Death: Short-Circuited

Drax got the upper hand of Korath during their brawl and tore the cybernetic enhancement from Korath’s head, which sent him into electric spasms. Drax also got the last word: ”Finger to the throat means death … metaphor.”

Groot

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1Cause of Death: Self-Sacrifice

The fully grown Groot gave up his life to protect his fellow Guardians by forming a sphere around them as the Dark Aster fell from the sky. When asked by a teary-eyed Rocket why he was sacrificing himself, his best friend simply replied, “We are Groot.” Director James Gunn subsequently made it clear that Baby Groot was this Groot’s “son” and not the same character brought back to life.

Meredith Quill

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1Cause of Death: Brain cancer

Peter Quill’s mom died of brain cancer when Peter was 8-years-old. It wasn’t revealed until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that her illness was deliberately caused by Peter’s biological father, Ego, so that he wouldn’t be tempted to keep returning to Earth and forego his mission.

The Other

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1Cause of Death: Snapped neck

Ronan killed Thanos’ flunky, The Other, for scolding him over how he spoke to Thanos. Ronan snapped The Other’s head around with a single blast from his Kree war-hammer, the Cosmi-Rod.

Garthan Saal

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1Cause of Death: Explosion

The Denarian of the Nova Corps died during the Battle of Xandar, protecting his homeworld from Ronan the Accuser, when the Dark Aster crushed through the Nova Corps’ interlocking blockade.

Quicksilver

Died In: Avengers: Age of UltronCause of Death: Gunshots

Speedster Pietro Maximoff began as an adversary of the Avengers before redeeming himself during Ultron’s attack on Sokovia. Alas, Quicksilver turned out to not be faster than a speeding bullet, taking fire when he raced in to save Hawkeye.

Ultron

Died In: Avengers: Age of UltronCause of Death: The Mind Stone

After a thoughtful exchange about life, death, and humanity, Ultron lunges at Vision who vaporizes him with a blast from the Mind Stone in his forehead.

Baron Strucker

Died In: Avengers: Age of UltronCause of Death: Blunt force head trauma

This Hydra leader failed to impress Ultron, who smashed his head into a wall and then scrawled “peace” in his blood.

Ant-thony

Died In: Ant-ManCause of Death: Gunshot

Scott Lang’s insect companion/ride got shot out from under him by Darren Cross. RIP, valiant steed.

Howard and Maria Stark

Died In: Captain America: Civil WarCause of Death: Assassination

After causing the car accident that badly injured them, Bucky Barnes — then operating as the brainwashed assassin known as the Winter Soldier — proceeded to kill Tony Stark’s parents with his bare hands so it looked like the accident killed them.

T’Chaka

Died In: Captain America: Civil WarCause of Death: Explosion

T’Chaka — king of Wakanda, former Black Panther, and T’Challa’s father — died when Helmut Zemo bombed the signing of the Sokovia Accords in Vienna.

Crossbones

Died In: Captain America: Civil WarCause of Death: Suicide/explosion

Brock Rumlow tried to blow himself and Cap up but Scarlet Witch contained the explosion within an energy field. Unfortunately, although she saved Cap, Scarlet Witch unintentionally caused the death of several Wakandan citizens when she hurled the explosion too close to a nearby office building.

The Ancient One

Died In: Doctor StrangeCause of Death: Stabbing/fall

She’d lived for centuries but finally died during a battle with Kaecillius when he stabbed her with a Space Shard and kicked her through a portal, where she plummeted through a glass canopy and crashed into the pavement. The Ancient One’s astral form had a final conversation with Stephen Strange about the acceptance of death before she finally succumbed to her injuries.

Daniel Drumm

Died In: Doctor StrangeCause of Death: Execution

The protector of the New York Sanctum was overrun by Kaecilius and his zealots, who murdered him. Doctor Strange witnessed it.

Ego

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Cause of Death: Explosion

Baby Groot planted a bomb on Ego the Living Planet’s brain while his human form battled his son Peter Quill. Ego’s human form then crumbled to dust in Peter’s hands, who lost his own Celestial powers in the process.

Yondu Udonta

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Cause of Death: Self-Sacrifice

The former Ravager redeemed himself by saving his “son” Peter Quill as Ego’s planet was destroyed, giving Quill the last space suit so that he could survive. Yondu then perished from the suffocating cold of outer space.

Taserface

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Cause of Death: Explosion

Yondu triggered the explosion that would ultimately destroy the spaceship Eclector. Taserface died the butt of a joke as the Sovereign who answered his call burst out laughing at his name.

Jackson Brice/Shocker

Died In: Spider-Man: HomecomingCause of Death: Laser blast

After threatening to expose their illegal activity to the authorities and Vulture’s wife, this incarnation of Shocker, thief Jackson Brice, was (accidentally) disintegrated by Vulture, who thought he was firing an anti-gravity gun at him. Ooops, turned out to be a Chitauri blaster.

Odin

Died In: Thor: RagnarokCause of Death: Old age

The All-Father has been through a lot by the time he finally allowed himself to leave this plane of existence, dissipating into energy as his sons Thor and Loki sat beside him.

Hela

Died In: Thor: RagnarokCause of Death: Surtur

In order to defeat Hela, Thor and Loki unleashed the giant fire demon Surtur upon Asgard to unleash the apocalypse Ragnarok, destroying the goddess of death and their home in the process.

Skurge

Died In: Thor: RagnarokCause of Death: Self-Sacrifice/stabbing

Skurge redeems himself by going out guns blazing against the forces of Hela in order to save the escaping Asgardians, before finally being felled by one of Hela’s Necroswords.

Surtur

Died In: Thor: RagnarokCause of Death: Explosion

This giant fire demon destroyed Asgard and himself when he unleashed the prophetic Ragnarok.

The Warriors Three

Died In: Thor: RagnarokCause of Death: Stabbing

Hela’s Necroswords made quick work of both Volstagg and Fandral. Hogun fared the best of the trio but still perished along with the bulk of the Asgardian army when Hela returned.

Killmonger

Died In: Black PantherCause of Death: Stabbing

Erik Killmonger suffered a mortal injury during his final battle with T’Challa, who then carried him out to see the sun set over Wakandan. Killmonger asked to be buried at sea like his ancestors who jumped from slave ships because they preferred death to bondage.

Zuri

Died In: Black PantherCause of Death: Stabbing

Killmonger impaled Zuri with his own spear when the shaman offered his own life in place of the severely beaten T’Challa, admitting to his own culpability in the death of Killmonger’s father, N’Jobu.

N’Jobu

Died In: Black PantherCause of Death: Stabbing

Killmonger’s dad was slain by his own brother, T’Chaka, during a confrontation in Oakland. T’Chaka, in his guise as Black Panther, popped his claws into his brother’s abdomen.

Ulysses Klaue

Died In: Black PantherCause of Death: Gunshots

This weapons dealer/merc thought using Killmonger’s girlfriend Linda as a human shield would buy him an out. He thought wrong and ended up as Killmonger’s ticket into Wakanda.

Gamora (2018)

Died In: Avengers: Infinity WarCause of Death: Fall

Thanos’ favorite daughter was the cost he was willing to pay to acquire the Soul Stone, tossing her off a cliff on Vormir in order to attain it. Her past self is now on the loose in the current MCU timeline although she has no connection to any of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Loki

Died In: Avengers: Infinity WarCause of Death: Broken neck

Thanos choked out his one time minion in order to attain the Tesseract, telling the God of Mischief there would be no more resurrections for him. Of course, a Variant of him went on to get his own TV show. But still.

Vision

Died In: Avengers: Infinity WarCause of Death: Mind Stone theft

The android Avenger had his life force sapped from him when Thanos tore the Mind Stone from his forehead. It remains possible though that most of his data had been copied by Shuri at the time of his destruction so perhaps he will return. Of course, Vision’s body was reconstructed to create White Vision, but he’s not really the same guy, is he?

Heimdall

Died In: Avengers: Infinity WarCause of Death: Stabbing

The protector of the Bifrost had no sooner led the Asgardians from safety following the events of Ragnarok than he was slain by Thanos when the Asgardian ship was attacked.

The Black Order

Died In: Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: EndgameCause of Death: Various (2018), Infinity Snap (2023)

The Children of Thanos — Ebony Maw, Cull Obsidian, Proxima Midnight, and Corvus Glaive — all perished battling the Avengers at different points during Infinity War. Their 2014 selves traveled forward through time to 2023 in Avengers: Endgame to help Thanos invade Earth, where they all once again killed, this time getting dusted by Iron Man’s Infinity snap.

Mar-Vell

Died In: Captain MarvelCause of Death: Laser blast

Already badly injured in the crash of Carol Danvers’ jet, the Kree scientist Mar-Vell, in her guise as Dr. Wendy Lawson, was finally shot dead by Yon-Rogg.

Minn-Erva

Died In: Captain MarvelCause of Death: Explosion

This Starforce member’s spacecraft was taken out in a sneak maneuver during a dogfight with Maria Rambeau.

Norex

Died In: Captain MarvelCause of Death: Laser blast

Talos’ “science guy,” this Skrull bought time for Carol Danvers and Co. to escape with his life but his masquerade as Vers was quickly figured by Yon-Rogg, who shot him.

Akihiko

Died In: Avengers: EndgameCause of Death: Stabbing

This Yakuza boss died at the business end of a sword wielded by former Hawkeye Clint Barton, operating under the post-Snap guise of the vengeful Ronin.

Nebula (2014)

Died In: Avengers: EndgameCause of Death: Laser blast

This past, bad version of Thanos’ less beloved daughter died at the hands of her future, good self, who shot her in order to save her sister Gamora.

Thanos

Died In: Avengers: EndgameCause of Death: 1) Beheading and 2) Infinity Gauntlet

Not one but two different versions of Thanos died in Endgame. First, the “retired” one who destroyed the Infinity Stones and lost his head to Thor’s Stormbreaker. And then, second, his 2014 self who traveled into the future where he and his army were dusted by Iron Man’s Infinity snap.

Black Widow

Died In: Avengers: EndgameCause of Death: Self-Sacrifice

The spy-turned-superhero fell to her death on Vormir in order to keep her friend Hawkeye alive and make sure he returned with the Soul Stone. By all accounts, Natasha’s death is permanent.

Iron Man

Died In: Avengers: EndgameCause of Death: Infinity Gauntlet/Self-Sacrifice

Tony Stark gave up his life to snap Thanos and his invading forces out of existence, despite knowing what wielding such cosmic power would do to his mere mortal form.

Maria Rambeau

Died In: Two Years Before WandaVisionCause of Death: Cancer

While Maria’s death happened off-screen, we learned during the opening sequence of WandaVision’s fourth episode that she had cancer and was in the hospital for surgery at the time of The Snap. Her daughter, Monica, perished in The Snap, and in the years between then and when Monica Blipped back, Maria’s cancer returned and she passed away. We also learned that in the years since we last saw her in Captain Marvel that Maria’s cosmic encounters led her to not only become one of the founding members of S.W.O.R.D. but that she was serving as its Director at the time of her death. (Maria would also go on to appear in another universe as Captain Marvel.)

Evanora Harkness and the Salem Witches

Died In: WandaVisionCause of Death: Magic

Agatha Harkness killed her own mother, Evanora, and her coven of witches back in 1693 when they put her on trial. Agatha drew their own magical power from them during their attack on her and killed them with energy blasts.

Sparky

Died In: WandaVisionCause of Death: Murder

Briefly the pet of Billy and Tommy Maximoff, this poor pooch was found dead in the yard of their neighbor Agnes, aka Agatha Harkness, who claimed he died after eating her plants. But, as she later confessed in song, Agatha actually killed Sparky.

Wanda’s Vision

Died In: WandaVisionCause of Death: Shattered Illusion

A recreation of the slain Avenger based on Wanda’s memories, this Vision was essentially a prisoner of The Hex surrounding Westview. As he became increasingly self-aware, he ultimately accepted that he would have to “die” in this fabricated reality in order to save the other residents and restore order.

The Maximoff Twins

Died In: WandaVision?Cause of Death: Shattered Illusion

While it appeared that Wanda Maximoff sacrificed her super-powered twin sons, Billy and Tommy, when she destroyed The Hex, the very end of WandaVision suggests the boys may still exist. Voices can be heard as Wanda’s astral form studies the mystical tome known as The Darkhold. The twins appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness but they are versions from the Multiverse and not the same children who disappeared at the end of WandaVision.

Karli Morgenthau

Died In: The Falcon and The Winter SoldierCause of Death: Shot to death

The revolutionary leader Karli Morgenthau was gunned down by Sharon Carter, aka the Power Broker, in the final episode of the Disney Plus series.

Flag Smashers

Died In: The Falcon and The Winter SoldierCause of Death: Murder

As the Disney Plus series came to a close, Karli Morgenthau’s super-soldier acolytes — including Dovich, Gigi, DeeDee, Lennox, and Matias — all meet a series of grisly ends. Several are blown up by Helmut Zemo’s butler Oeznik, while Karli’s trusted confidante Nico is brutally slain in full view of the public by then-Captain America John Walker.

Battlestar

Died In: The Falcon and The Winter SoldierCause of Death: Killed in Action

John Walker’s best friend and war buddy Lemar Hoskins died while fighting Flag Smashers leader Karli Morgenthau, who, thanks to the super-soldier serum, kicked him with enough force to kill him.

Batroc

Died In: The Falcon and The Winter SoldierCause of Death: Shot to death

This mercenary was gunned down by Sharon Carter, aka the Power Broker, in the final episode of the Disney Plus series.

Dreykov

Died In: Black WidowCause of Death: Explosion

This former Soviet military officer — the power behind the Red Room — died along with some of his henchmen when Yelena Belova blew up his aircraft.

Classic Loki

Died In: LokiCause of Death: Alioth

Richard E. Grant’s elder variant of the god of mischief sacrificed himself helping Loki and Sylvie enchant and outwit Alioth, the cloud monster guardian of the Void.

He Who Remains

Died In: LokiCause of Death: Stabbed

Jonathan Majors made his MCU debut in the final episode of Season 1 of Loki. He Who Remains created the Time Variance Authority and has lived in the Citadel at the End of Time ever since surviving a multiversal war with his variants (one of whom, Kang, will appear in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania). He was stabbed to death by a vengeful Sylvie, whose action triggers the fracturing of the Sacred Timeline.

Ying Li

Died In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsCause of Death: Murder

The mother of Shang-Chi’s mother and wife of Wenwu, Ying Li was murdered by her husband’s underworld enemies, the Iron Gang.

Death Dealer

Died In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsCause of Death: Life Force Absorption

Wenwu’s enforcer and former mentor of Shang-Chi had his life force sucked from him by the winged minions of the Dweller-in-Darkness. His death prompted Shang-Chi’s forces and Wenwu’s to form a temporary alliance to take down this shared threat.

Wenwu

Died In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsCause of Death: Life Force Absorption

The founder and leader of the Ten Rings, Wenwu (played by Tony Leung) was killed by the Dweller-in-Darkness but not before transferring the titular power rings to his son Shang-Chi.

The Dweller-In-Darkness

Died In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsCause of Death: Killed in Battle

This winged, soul-eating demon was finally taken down by the combined efforts of Shang-Chi, Katy, Xialing, and the Great Protector dragon.

Ajak

Died In: EternalsCause of Death: Killed by Deviants

Having entrusted her lieutenant Ikaris with the truth of their existence and mission, Ajak was ultimately betrayed by him when she revealed she wanted to disobey Arishem’s command and save Earth. Ikaris led to her an icy location where he tossed her down to have her life force sucked from her by Deviants.

Gilgamesh

Died In: EternalsCause of Death: Killed by Kro

Gilgamesh died protecting Thena and his fellow Deviants, his life force sucked out of him by Deviant leader Kro. His surviving teammates cremated his remains.

Kro and the Deviants

Died In: EternalsCause of Death: Killed by Eternals (Kro specifically by Thena)

Thena sliced up Deviant leader Kro following the Eternals’ successfully eliminating the rest of their sworn enemies in battle.

Tiamut

Died In: EternalsCause of Death: Turned to stone

Sersi uses all her newfound powers to prevent the Celestial called Tiamut from completing the Emergence and destroying Earth by turning him to stone. His colossal remains, still protruding from the ocean, have left the world wondering what the hell happened.

Ikaris

Died In: EternalsCause of Death: Suicide

Ikaris literally flew close to the sun in the end of Marvel’s Eternals, killing himself after betraying his teammates and setting up Ajak’s death by the Deviants.

Derek Bishop

Died In: HawkeyeCause of Death: Explosion

Kate Bishop’s dad Derek died during the Battle of New York when the Chitauri destroyed part of the family’s home. His debts to “Kingpin” Wilson Fisk prompts his widow Eleanor to break bad (for the sake of her daughter, as she rationalized it).

Armand Duquesne

Died In: HawkeyeCause of Death: Stabbed with a sword

The murder of the wealthy and powerful elder Duquesne — uncle of Eleanor Bishop’s fiancé Jack Duquesne — was the “whodunit” of Hawkeye, Season One. Kate Bishop found Armand slain in his brownstone not long after a charity gala he attended was robbed. Eleanor had ordered Armand’s murder and framed Jack for it.

William Lopez

Died In: HawkeyeCause of Death: Stabbed with a sword

The death of Lopez, a member of the Tracksuit Mafia, propels his beloved daughter Maya Lopez to seek vengeance against the vigilante who slew him: Ronin, Clint Barton’s post-Blip executioner of the underworld identity.

Kazi Kazimierczak

Died In: HawkeyeCause of Death: Stabbed

Tracksuit Mafia soldier Kazi remained loyal to Kingpin and rejected Maya Lopez’s offer to break free from their criminal lives, attacking her with a blade in order to fulfill Kingpin’s wish to have her killed. Instead, Maya killed Kazi with his own weapon.

Aunt May Parker

Died In: Spider-Man: No Way HomeCause of Death: Internal Injuries

Marisa Tomei’s Aunt May was mortally wounded by Green Goblin during an attack on Happy Hogan’s condo building. While the extent of her injuries was not immediately apparent, she soon died in the arms of her nephew Peter. But before she passed away, May delivered the “with great power comes great responsibility” speech to Peter (which had been given by Uncle Ben in the comics and past films), the first time it’s been said in the MCU.

Arthur Harrow & Ammit

Died In: Moon KnightCause of Death: Shot to death

At the very end of Season One of Moon Knight, a drug-addled Harrow (Ethan Hawke) — who has the Egyptian god Ammit trapped inside him — is wheeled out of a psychiatric institute by a mysterious man to a luxury car. Waiting for him inside is the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Previously, Khonshu’s avatar, Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac), defied Khonshu’s wishes and spared Harrow’s life. However, in this end-credits scene, Khonshu’s driver is revealed to be another of Marc’s multiple identities, Jake Lockley. And unlike Marc, Jake has no compunction about shooting Harrow dead — and thus ending Ammit’s life as well.

Reed Richards (Earth-838)

Died In: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessCause of Death: Scarlet Witch’s magic

Long the subject of a fan campaign to cast him as the MCU’s Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, John Krasinski finally played the leader of the Fantastic Four in the Doctor Strange sequel. But this Reed was from Earth-838, not the MCU’s Earth-616, and was a member of the Illuminati, a team of superheroes out to protect their universe from existential threats. Unfortunately, the Illuminati was no match for Scarlet Witch, whose magic essentially turned Reed into a plate of blue spaghetti.

Professor Charles Xavier (Earth-838)

Died In: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessCause of Death: Scarlet Witch

As a member of the Illuminati, Earth-838’s Professor X (played by X-Men franchise vet Patrick Stewart, in his MCU debut) was among the superheroes who confronted Scarlet Witch. While entering the mind of the possessed Wanda of Earth-838, Xavier makes contact with the submerged consciousness of Wanda whose body has been hijacked by a dream-walking Scarlet Witch. But the Scarlet Witch quickly appears and snaps Xavier’s neck, which also kills him in real life.

Captain Carter (Earth-838)

Died In: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessCause of Death: Cut in half by her own shield

The concept of Peggy Carter becoming a super-soldier instead of Steve Rogers was introduced in Marvel’s animated series, What If…?. The live-action Captain Carter (portrayed by Hayley Atwell) of Earth-838 was a member of the Illuminati who died battling Scarlet Witch, who bisected Carter with her own shield.

Captain Marvel (Earth-838)

Died In: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessCause of Death: Crushed

Earth-838’s Captain Marvel was not Carol Danvers but rather her best friend, Maria Rambeau (played by Lashana Lynch). Earth-616’s Maria died in-between the events of Captain Marvel and WandaVision but she is still alive on Earth-838. Or, well, she was until she and the other members of the Illuminati confronted Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, who dispatched each member with relative ease. Captain Marvel fought valiantly against Scarlet Witch but was ultimately crushed by falling rubble.

Black Bolt (Earth-838)

Died In: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessCause of Death: Blows Up His Own Head

Anson Mount originally played Black Bolt on the critically reviled and short-lived ABC television series Marvel’s Inhumans so some may have been surprised to see him appear in Multiverse of Madness. Earth-838’s Black Bolt is, like his comics counterpart, a member of the Illuminati (he even wears a comics accurate costume here). He arguably suffers the grisliest death in the film. Black Bolt has the power to kill someone with a word so when Scarlet Witch removes his mouth, a panicked Black Bolt unintentionally blows out his own brains with his own voice.

Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff

Died In: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessCause of Death: Crushed … but is she truly dead?

Realizing the error of her ways in the end, Scarlet Witch finally destroys the power of The Darkhold throughout the multiverse and brings down Wundagore Mountain on top of her in a redemptive death. But there is a hint of red misty energy under those rocks at the end, which leaves the slightest of possibilities that perhaps Earth-616’s Wanda is not really dead. After all, she’s come back from the dead before so we shall see what the future holds for Wanda Maximoff.

Saleem

Died In: Ms. MarvelCause of Death: Daggers to the Chest

Saleem was a member of the ClanDestine and he was killed by Waleed when he was chasing Kamala Khan through the streets of Karachi.

Waleed

Died In: Ms. MarvelCause of Death: Stabbed by Najma

Waleed was the leader of the Red Daggers and was helping Kamala Khan before the ClanDestine launched a surprise attack. Unfortunately, he was stabbed by Najma after throwing daggers and killing Saleem in an attempt to give Kamala and Kareem time to escape.

Aadam

Died In: Ms. MarvelCause of Death: Stabbed by Kareem

Aadam was a member of the ClanDestine and met his end when Kareem stabbed him in the back while his group was chasing him and Kamala through the streets of Karachi.

Aisha

Died In: Ms. MarvelCause of Death: Stabbed in the stomach by Najma

Aisha was a member of the ClanDestines and was attempting to get home to the Noor dimension after being exiled to our world. She was separated from the other members of ClanDestine while they were searching for the bangles that would help them get home. She would then head to a village in Bombay and meet Hasan, a man she would eventually marry and have a daughter with named Sana. In 1947, Najma found her and threatened her new life and Aisha and her family attempted to escape by heading to a train station. Unfortunately, she was found and stabbed by Najma, but she was able to speak to her time-traveling great-granddaughter Kamala Khan before she passed and asked her to help Sana board the train with Hasan, which she did.

Fariha

Died In: Ms. MarvelCause of Death: Killed by the Veil of Noor opening

Fariha was a member of the ClanDestine and was vaporized when she attempted to interact with the Veil of Noor that opened after Najma stabbed Kamala’s bangle.

Najma

Died In: Ms. MarvelCause of Death: Sacrificed herself to close the Veil of Noor

Najma was a member of the ClanDestine and was trying to find her way home to the Noor Dimension. Her quest would lead her to chase Kamala through the streets of Karachi in an attempt to retrieve the bangle that would help her complete her mission. When she accidentally stabs Kamala’s bangle, she opens up the Veil of Noor but quickly realizes that it will kill any who interact with it. She decides she needs to sacrifice herself to close the veil, but not before transferring her powers to her son, Kamran.

Rapu

Died In: Thor: Love and ThunderCause of Death: Stabbed in the Throat by Gorr the God Butcher

Rapu was a god that Gor the God Butcher before he was the God Butcher worshipped alongside his people. After Gorr loses his daughter and stumbles upon Rapu in an oasis in the desert, he realizes he isn’t the benevolent god he thought he was. Rapu is arrogant and shows little care for Gorr or his people’s struggles and even mentions there will always be more people that will come along and worship him. He makes a grave mistake, however, as he attempts to kill Gorr before the Necrosword chooses him and allows him to stab the god right in his neck.

Falligar the Behemoth

Died In: Thor: Love and ThunderCause of Death: Killed by Gorr the God Butcher

Falligar the Behemoth was a Falligarian god that was a victim of Gorr the God Butcher’s quest to butcher all the gods. In the comics, Falligar was a Patron god of the Galactic Frontier and an acquaintance of Thor.

Dr. Jane Foster / Mighty Thor

Died In: Thor: Love and ThunderCause of Death: Cancer

Dr. Jane Foster was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and was having little luck with traditional medicine. She then discovered that Mjolnir could be the key to a cure and went to New Asgard to see if that were true. She was deemed worthy and would bond with Mjolnir to become Mighty Thor. While this gave her great strength and power, her time as Mighty Thor greatly weakened her human form and would eventually let the cancer kill her. Fully knowing the risks, Foster chooses to become Mighty Thor one last time to help Thor stop Gorr the God Butcher once and for all. While they succeed, she ends up dying in Thor’s arms after the cancer became too much to bear.

As terrible as Jane’s fate was, Thor: Love and Thunder’s post-credits scene reveals that she at least is welcomed to Valhalla, a place she will hopefully live a happy eternal afterlife.

Gorr the God Butcher

Died In: Thor: Love and ThunderCause of Death: The curse and destruction of the Necrosword

Gorr the God Butcher was chosen by the Necrosword when he was nearly killed by Rapu and this allowed him to slay the god and began his quest to butcher every god. While the Necrosword would give him great powers, it was also the key to his life. This meant that when Mighty Thor used Mjolnir to break the cursed sword, Gorr’s death was soon to follow. In his final moments, he chose to use his wish to resurrect his daughter and, with his dying breath, asks Thor to take care of her and raise her as his own.

Verussa Bloodstone

Died In: Werewolf by NightCause of Death: Incinerated by Man-Thing

The widow of Ulysses Bloodstone and stepmom of Elsa Bloodstone assumes the leadership of the monster hunters after her husband’s death. As she is about to kill Elsa, Verussa is killed by Man-Thing, aka Ted.

Ulysses Bloodstone

Died In: Werewolf by NightCause of Death: Unknown

The legendary monster hunter Ulysses Bloodstone is already dead when the events of Werewolf by Night begin. His Cryptkeeper-esque reanimated corpse provides a group of monster hunters assembled at his mansion with their mission. “I’ll be … rotting for you!”

Liorn

Died In: Werewolf by NightCause of Death: Shot by Elsa

This crossbow-wielding monster hunter, who has 43 monster kills to his credit, is the first to die in the Marvel Halloween special. He is shot by Elsa Bloodstone with his own crossbow gauntlet.

Jovan

Died In: Werewolf by NightCause of Death: Incinerated by Man-Thing

This big, axe-wielding Scotsman — who claims 57 monster kills — gets fried when Ted grabs his skull.

Barasso

Died In: Werewolf by NightCause of Death: Slit throat

This master swordsman and martial artist (26 monster kills) survived a nasty bite from Jack Russell only to get his throat slit during a duel with Elsa Bloodstone.

Azarel

Died In: Werewolf by NightCause of Death: Stabbed

Elsa Bloodstone gets the better of this monster hunter (37 kills) during a climactic duel, first slitting their throat before cleaving their skull with a sword.

T’Challa

Died In: Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverCause of Death: Undisclosed illness

The tragic death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman in 2020 informs nearly every aspect of Wakanda Forever. Director Ryan Coogler and his team tastefully handled T’Challa’s death by having the film open with T’Challa dying off-screen from, as we learn during a news broadcast, an undisclosed illness. Shuri’s survivor’s guilt over not being able to save her brother drives her character’s journey in the film. We also learn that T’Challa and Nakia had a son, also named T’Challa, in the years between Endgame and Wakanda Forever.

Ramonda

Died In: Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverCause of Death: Drowning

Queen Ramonda perishes trying to save Riri Williams from drowning during Talokan’s attack on Wakanda’s capital city. After finally being able to synthetically recreate the Heart-Shaped Herb, Shuri becomes the new Black Panther while M’Baku becomes the next king of Wakanda.

Darren Cross/Yellowjacket/M.O.D.O.K.

Died In: Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaCause of Death: Blasted

Scott Lang and Hank Pym’s adversary Darren Cross appeared to have died in the first Ant-Man movie but it was revealed in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania that Cross actually survived and ended up in the Quantum Realm. Ant-Man had wreaked havoc on the inner workings of Yellowjacket’s suit, causing it to collapse in on itself and crush him down to the subatomic level. Gravely injured upon arriving in the Quantum Realm, Cross was transformed into M.O.D.O.K. (Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) by Kang the Conqueror. In the final battle, Cross has a heel face turn and helps the heroes defeat Kang but is mortally wounded in the process, proving it’s never too late to stop being a dick.

Kang the Conqueror

Died In: Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaCause of Death: Pym Particle’d

In their final brawl, Ant-Man uses Pym Particles to shrink and distort Kang not unlike how Yellowjacket “died” at the end of the first Ant-Man movie. Scott later wonders if Kang is truly dead but in the first post-credits scene the other Kangs acknowledge that the Conqueror is indeed dead.

Lord Krylar

Died In: Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaCause of Death: Attacked by a monster

Bill Murray appears in Quantumania for a single scene as Lord Krylar, the governor of Axia and a former ally and lover of Janet Van Dyne’s during her many years in the Quantum Realm. They once tried to overthrow Kang but now Krylar essentially works for the Conqueror. Krylar sells out Janet, Scott, Hope, Hank, and Cassie to Kang’s forces but our heroes turn the tables on their would-be captors. When last seen as the Ant-Family make their escape, Krylar is in the clutches of a Quantum Realm monster who has been set loose and is presumably killed.

Xolum

Died In: Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaCause of Death: Killed in battle

A loyal soldier — with a glass cylinder surging with energy for a head! — in Jentorra’s rebel army, Xolum (played by James Cutler) is slain during the final battle against Kang the Conqueror.

Lylla, Teefs, and Floor

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Cause of Death: Shot by High Evolutionary

Rocket’s friends and fellow Batch 89 test subjects — the otter Lylla, the walrus Teefs, and the rabbit Floor — are slain by the High Evolutionary when Rocket tries to free them from captivity. Their deaths haunt Rocket and made him the grizzled cynic we met in Vol. 1. Linda Cardellini voices Lylla, Asim Chaudhry voices Teefs, and Mikaela Hoover voices Floor.

Ayesha

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Cause of Death: Explosion

The Sovereign high priestess and “mother” of Adam Warlock is among those slain by the High Evolutionary when he opts to destroy all life on Counter-Earth.

Recorder Vim and Recorder Theel

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Cause of Death: Murdered

The Rigellian sentient robots Vim and Theel are the High Evolutionary’s chief lackeys. Recorder Vim eventually grows a conscience and, along with other crew members, turns on their overlord but pays the ultimate price for betraying him. Although initially spared by the Guardians, the blindly loyal henchman Theel is later (and rather brutally) killed by Star-Lord after they plummet from the High Evolutionary’s headquarters.

The Citizens of Counter-Earth

Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Cause of Death: Genocide

The High Evolutionary wipes out all life on Counter-Earth because they have grown imperfect, blowing up all the communities of anthropomorphic, augmented animal beings he had settled there.

Maria Hill

Died In: Secret InvasionCause of Death: Gunshot

This is actually the second time SHIELD’s Maria Hill (played by Cobie Smulders since The Avengers) has died, the first time being Thanos’ Snap. At the end of the first episode of Secret Invasion, Hill is shot by Gravik (posing as Nick Fury) while attempting to help victims of his Moscow bombings. She died moments later in front of the real Fury.

Talos

Died In: Secret InvasionCause of Death: Stabbed

Perhaps already mortally wounded from gunfire, Talos — in half-human, half-Skrull form — aids in rescuing President Ritson during the attack on his motorcade. He’s helped away from the fray by a friendly soldier who turns out to be Gravik in disguise. Gravik then stabs Talos in the heart right in front of Nick Fury.

Gravik

Died In: Secret InvasionCause of Death: Energy blast

The Skrull Resistance leader (Kingsley Ben-Adir) is slain in his Super Skrull form while battling G’iah, who also acquired Super Skrull powers thanks to absorbing the DNA of the Avengers and the Black Order. G’iah gains the upper hand and kills Gravik with a Captain Marvel blast through his midsection.

Raava

Died In: Secret InvasionCause of Death: Gunshot

Nick Fury shoots Skrull Rhodey, aka Raava (Nisha Aaliya), in the head in front of President Ritson so he can witness that he wasn’t being advised by the real Rhodey to attack Russia.

Pagon

Died In: Secret InvasionCause of Death: Impaled

Gravik’s top aide (Killian Scott) dares to question his methods and motives in front of the group so Super Skrull Gravik runs him through with his Groot arm.

Beto

Died In: Secret Invasion

Cause of Death: Slit throat

This Skrull refugee (played by Samuel Adewunmi) is one of the members of the Resistance who turns on Gravik and fails to kill him. Gravik slits Beto’s throat slit in front of the rest to warn them to remain loyal.

Brogan

Died In: Secret InvasionCause of Death: Gunshot

This Skrull Resistance soldier assumed the form and identity of Martin Wallace, a member of Americans Against Russia. A captured Brogan revealed the details of Gravik’s plan while being tortured by MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth. After the Resistance rescued him, Brogan was executed on Gravik’s orders as a security risk.

Prime Minister Pamela Lawton

Died In: Secret InvasionCause of Death: Gunshot

Once the world learns of the existence of Skrulls, the British PM (Anna Madeley) is assassinated in front of 10 Downing Street by a gunman who mistakenly believes she’s a Skrull.

Skrull Chris Stearns

Died In: Secret InvasionCause of Death: Gunshot

The Skrull Council member posing as the blowhard FXN host (Christopher McDonald) is gunned down live on the air by human vigilantes, his corpse returning to Skrull form on the broadcast.

DIED OFFSCREEN OR PRESUMED DEAD:

Soren

Last Seen In: Spider-Man: Far From HomeCause of Death: Murder

Talos’ wife Soren was killed by Gravik’s rebel faction sometime between the ending of Spider-Man: Far from Home and the beginning of Secret Invasion. Sharon Blynn portrayed Soren in Captain Marvel and Far From Home but the role was recast for Secret Invasion. Charlotte Baker played Soren in human form on the show while Kate Braithwaite played her in Skrull form.

Col. Chester Phillips

Last Seen In: Captain America: The First Avenger

He was already a senior citizen by the time of the events of The First Avenger so it stands to reason this gruff military man passed away in the ensuing years. His photo hung at the SHIELD base in Camp Lehigh during the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, having passed away in the years following World War II.

Howling Commandos

Last Seen In: Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers (deleted scene), Agent Carter, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

While Dum Dum Dugan would go on to serve postwar in Agent Carter and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., all of Cap’s former World War II teammates must now be presumed dead. Indeed, a deleted scene from Marvel’s The Avengers showed Cap going through old files where pages listed members James Montgomery Falsworth and Jim Morita as deceased.

Edwin Jarvis

Last Seen In: Avengers: Endgame

This Agent Carter regular — and young Tony Stark’s future butler, who helped raise him after the death of his parents — passed away in the ensuing years between his appearance in the 1970 time heist in Endgame and Iron Man 1, where “Jarvis” was the name given to Tony’s AI.

Which MCU character death impacted you the most? Let us know in the comments!

Note: This story originally ran in May of 2019. It was updated on May 9, 2023.