The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man has faced a diverse range of enemies, each presenting their own unique threat to Peter Parker and the world around him. From street-level criminals to interdimensional masterminds, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has battled villains that push his skills, morals, and idenтιтy to the limit. While some of these adversaries are clearly out for power or revenge, others pose more subtle or unexpected challenges.
This ranking covers villains that appeared in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy within the MCU timeline. These characters range from fully fleshed-out returning antagonists to one-off threats or background figures teased for future stories. Threat levels are ᴀssessed based on their capabilities, plans, and how close they came to causing real, lasting harm. From elaborate illusions to physical mutations, each villain brought something different to the table – but not all were created equal in terms of danger.
10
The Elementals
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Despite their destructive entrance in Spider-Man: Far From Home, the Elementals turn out to be nothing more than cleverly executed holograms and drone illusions orchestrated by Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio. These manufactured monsters appear to wreak havoc in Venice, Prague, and London. Yet they never actually posed a tangible threat to anyone – except by the collateral damage caused through Mysterio’s weaponized drones.
Their elemental powers – fire, water, earth, and air – were essentially scripted acts of misdirection meant to enhance Beck’s image as a hero. While the concept was terrifying on paper, the Elementals were ultimately fake threats, making them the lowest-ranking villains on this list. The danger they represented came not from their “attacks” but from how convincingly they fooled Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D., and even Peter himself – until the illusion was shattered. If the real Elementals were introduced in the MCU’s future, they would likely pose a far greater threat.
9
Scorpion, AKA Mac Gargan
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Mac Gargan appears briefly in Spider-Man: Homecoming as a criminal with ties to Adrian Toomes’ black market weapons dealings. He’s later teased in a post-credits scene as someone with a serious grudge against Spider-Man and potential plans for revenge. Though the Scorpion has a rich comic book legacy as a formidable foe, the MCU version hasn’t yet lived up to that potential.
In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Gargan is just a gangster with no powers or specialized equipment – yet. His scarred face and threatening demeanor suggest he could be a major threat down the line, especially if he gets his hands on tech or enhancements. But as it stands in the current timeline, Gargan’s threat level remains low. He talks big, but he hasn’t done anything to truly endanger Spider-Man or the public – making him more of a looming possibility than a present danger.
8
Shocker, AKA Herman Schultz
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Herman Schultz steps up as the second Shocker after the first version is killed by Toomes in Homecoming. Armed with a single gauntlet that emits powerful shockwaves, Schultz becomes a minor enforcer in Toomes’ underground operation. While the gauntlet gives him some edge in physical confrontations, Shocker lacks the ambition, intellect, or strategic thinking of a major villain.
Shocker’s motivations are basic: follow orders, make money, and avoid jail. His fight with Spider-Man in the school parking lot does show that he’s dangerous in close quarters, but he’s swiftly defeated with help from Ned. The fact that he inherited the mantle rather than built his own tools also speaks to his limited capacity for causing widespread harm. Shocker serves more as a mid-level thug than a true supervillain, and his threat is very much tied to who he works for, not his own plans.
7
Lizard, AKA Dr. Curt Connors
Spider-Man: No Way Home
When Dr. Curt Connors crosses over into the MCU from The Amazing Spider-Man universe in Spider-Man: No Way Home, he brings a unique threat as the Lizard – a hulking, regenerative creature with super strength and a dangerous ideology. Unlike some villains who want power or vengeance, Connors believes in forcibly evolving humanity into reptilian hybrids. While not as intellectually cunning as Norman Osborn or as tech-savvy as Otto Octavius, Lizard’s raw physical threat and regenerative capabilities make him a terrifying opponent.
He’s shown to overpower multiple characters and survive intense damage. However, Connors is also the most isolated of the multiversal villains, and his motives don’t evolve much during No Way Home. He poses a serious physical danger, especially in confined spaces, but lacks the psychological or world-ending potential of others – keeping him in the middle tier of MCU Spider-Man threats.
6
Electro, AKA Max Dillon
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Electro was one of the multiversal villains brought into the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Originally from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Max Dillon gained immense electrical powers after an accident involving genetically modified electric eels. While initially unstable and lacking confidence, his time in the MCU gave him a dangerous upgrade thanks to Stark Tech and arc reactor energy.
His threat level rose significantly as he became more calculated and powerful, able to manipulate energy sources at will. However, despite his raw power, Max Dillon lacked the strategic thinking or long-term planning to cause widespread devastation. Electro posed a serious challenge to Peter and the other Spider-Men, but ultimately, he was defeated through teamwork and clever use of science. His threat level is high, but not the most lethal among Spidey’s other cinematic rogues.
5
Vulture, AKA Adrian Toomes
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Adrian Toomes, introduced in Spider-Man: Homecoming, is a grounded and pragmatic villain. As Vulture, he wielded salvaged Chitauri technology to create advanced flight gear and weaponry, turning him into a formidable aerial threat. What sets Vulture apart is his deep motivation: protecting his family and his livelihood after being cast aside by Tony Stark’s damage control crew. He’s not out for chaos or power, but his methods are dangerous and increasingly criminal.
Vulture nearly killed Peter multiple times and was smart enough to deduce his secret idenтιтy, proving he’s not just brawn with a jetpack. Despite lacking superpowers, Toomes’ resourcefulness, technological weaponry, and ruthless pragmatism make him a serious threat. However, his scope is relatively small, operating more as an arms dealer than a global menace. Still, his ability to nearly outwit Spider-Man earns him a respectable ranking.
4
Sandman, AKA Flint Marko
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Flint Marko was reintroduced in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but his origins stem from Spider-Man 3. A tragic figure rather than a truly malevolent one, Sandman is driven by a desire to reunite with his daughter. His transformation into a being composed of living sand makes him incredibly durable and hard to contain. He can grow to mᴀssive sizes, slip through cracks, and absorb physical attacks.
In the MCU, his role was less villainous at first – he even aided Peter briefly. However, mistrust and fear pushed him back into conflict. Sandman’s threat level is tied to his powers and unpredictability. He’s less malicious and more circumstantial in his antagonism, but his abilities make him nearly unstoppable without precise tactics. While his intentions are more sympathetic than others, his raw destructive potential earns him a solid mid-tier threat status.
3
Mysterio, AKA Quentin Beck
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Mysterio, the main antagonist of Spider-Man: Far From Home, is a master illusionist and manipulator, formerly a disgruntled Stark Industries employee. Beck posed one of the most dangerous threats not just physically, but psychologically. By using advanced drones and holograms, he created the illusion of superheroic battles and crises, fooling the world – including Spider-Man. He framed Peter for murder and exposed his secret idenтιтy, causing ripple effects that ultimately led to No Way Home.
Mysterio’s genius lies in perception control – turning allies into enemies, manipulating the media, and sowing doubt. While he lacks superpowers, his strategic thinking and access to ᴅᴇᴀᴅly tech make him a high-level threat. Mysterio’s posthumous influence was just as dangerous as his living self, proving how a well-executed illusion can be as threatening as brute force. His impact fundamentally reshaped Peter Parker’s life.
2
Doctor Octopus, AKA Otto Octavius
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Brought into the MCU via multiverse mayhem in No Way Home, Otto Octavius first appeared in Spider-Man 2. Dr. Octopus is a brilliant scientist whose mechanical arms, fused to his spine after an accident, give him incredible strength and agility. Initially corrupted by the AI of his tentacles, Otto was a menacing foe who could outthink and overpower most opponents.
In the MCU, his intelligence and combat ability were still intact, and he nearly defeated Tom Holland’s Spider-Man before being neutralized with a Stark Tech upgrade. However, once restored to his original moral compᴀss, Otto chose to help rather than harm. While temporarily one of the most dangerous enemies Peter faced, his redemption lowers his long-term threat level. At his peak, though, he was an overwhelming force, combining intellect and strength in a nearly unstoppable package.
1
Green Goblin, AKA Norman Osborne
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Norman Osborn returned to devastating effect in Spider-Man: No Way Home, stealing the spotlight as the most dangerous villain Peter Parker had ever faced. Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of the Green Goblin showed a perfect storm of genius-level intellect, brutal strength, and complete psychosis. Driven by a split personality, Osborn is unpredictable, remorseless, and manipulative. He quickly dismantled Peter emotionally and physically – murdering Aunt May and triggering Peter’s darkest spiral yet.
Even with multiple Spider-Men teaming up, the Goblin proved nearly unstoppable. His sadistic nature, combined with enhanced strength and strategic cunning, made him the ᴅᴇᴀᴅliest adversary by far. Unlike others who could be reasoned with or redeemed, the Green Goblin fully embraced chaos. His actions left permanent scars on Peter’s life, cementing him as the most high-level threat the MCU Spider-Man has ever encountered.
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