Thanos engaged in several thrilling fights throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes sometimes coming close to beating him. Thanos was the ultimate threat in the Infinity Saga, and the Mad тιтan’s battles across the MCU timeline were as devastating as they were iconic. Thanos took on the MCU’s strongest heroes and often came out on top.

In nearly every clash, there was at least a glimmer of hope that Thanos might be stopped. Some of these battles were pure one-sided domination, while others saw the Avengers and their allies come heartbreakingly close to victory. Even when he wasn’t at full power, Thanos proved himself a relentless opponent, capable of beating down gods, geniuses, and super-soldiers alike.

7

The Guardians Of The Galaxy Attack Thanos On Knowhere

Avengers: Infinity War

The Guardians’ first clash with Thanos is as emotional as it is futile. After arriving on Knowhere to stop him from obtaining the Reality Stone, Star-Lord, Drax, Mantis, and Gamora discover that Thanos is already in control of the situation and has the stone. Their “attack” isn’t much of a battle at all, but rather a desperate, misguided ambush.

Thanos toys with them using the Reality Stone. He turns Drax into cubes and Mantis into ribbons before revealing he was only creating an illusion to trap them. Gamora seemingly kills Thanos in one of the most shocking scenes of Avengers: Infinity War, only for it to be revealed that he manipulated her with an illusion.

Gamora’s breakdown and Star-Lord’s heartbreaking promise to kill her if necessary are very compelling, but there’s never any real threat to Thanos. The Guardians were outmatched and were effectively used as pawns in Thanos’ larger plan to obtain the Soul Stone. It’s a critical moment in the movie’s narrative, but only demonstrates Thanos’s foresight and might.

6

Thanos Humiliates Hulk On The Asgardian Refugee Ship

Avengers: Infinity War

In the very first scene of Infinity War, Thanos sets the tone for the entire movie by decisively defeating the Hulk in one-on-one combat. With the Power Stone already in his possession, Thanos boards the Asgardian refugee ship and kills half its occupants. The Hulk charges him in a rage, seemingly getting the upper hand with brute strength.

However, once Thanos starts fighting seriously, the balance shifts instantly. He calmly counters Hulk’s attacks with brutal precision, using superior technique rather than raw power to win. The fight is over in under a minute. Hulk is soundly beaten, and so badly traumatized that he refuses to emerge again for the rest of the film.

While it’s technically the only time Hulk fights Thanos directly, it’s clear that the green giant is simply outclassed. This scene isn’t about the heroes nearly winning – it’s about Thanos establishing dominance. By roundly thrashing the Jade Giant so early, the stakes for the next two films are established succinctly.

5

The Trio Fight Thanos In The Avengers Compound Ruins

Avengers: Endgame

This rematch pits Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America against a version of Thanos who hasn’t yet collected the Infinity Stones. Yet he is arguably more dangerous due to his tactical mindset and savagery. After time-travel shenanigans bring the 2014 version of Thanos into the present, he awaits the heroes at the ruins of the Avengers compound.

The three core Avengers each get powerful hits in. Thor goes full power with both Mjolnir and Stormbreaker, Iron Man uses advanced suit tech, and Captain America wields Mjolnir in one of the film’s most crowd-pleasing moments. For a time, it seemed like teamwork and desperation might bring them a win, especially when Cap starts landing hammer-powered blows.

However, Thanos proves too strong, too skilled, and too relentless. He ultimately overpowers all three, nearly killing Thor with his own axe. Despite their efforts, the trio can’t beat him. Their attacks are strong but not coordinated enough to finish him off. It’s not until reinforcements arrive later in the movie that the tide turns.

4

The Battle Of Wakanda

Avengers: Infinity War

Wakanda is where the MCU’s largest group of heroes make their stand against Thanos and his army. The hope is to hold him off long enough for Shuri to safely extract the Mind Stone from Vision. What makes this fight so frustrating, and so compelling, is how close the heroes come to achieving that goal.

The Avengers, Black Panther, the Wakandan army, and characters like Scarlet Witch and Bucky Barnes give everything they have. For most of the battle, Thanos is nowhere to be seen. His Black Order and Outriders do most of the dirty work, but once he arrives, the real threat escalates.

Thanos walks through the battlefield like a force of nature, brushing off heroes one by one. The only major resistance comes from Captain America, Black Panther, and Scarlet Witch. Yet it’s Vision’s sacrifice, asking Wanda to destroy the Mind Stone, that truly matters.

Wanda succeeds, only for Thanos to reverse time and take the stone anyway. Wakanda was humanity’s best sH๏τ at preventing the Snap, and they almost made it. Unfortunately, “almost” doesn’t count when you’re facing someone who can undo time with a snap of his fingers.

3

The MCU’s Heroes Almost Beat Thanos On тιтan

Avengers: Infinity War

No other fight in Infinity War brings the Avengers closer to victory than the clash on тιтan. This battle shows what’s possible when the heroes combine brains, power, and coordination. Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Star-Lord, Mantis, and Drax unite to face Thanos while he already wields four Infinity Stones.

Using clever distractions, Strange’s portals, and Mantis’ powers, the team actually subdues him. They nearly remove the Gauntlet from his hand; a moment that, had it succeeded, would’ve ended the threat right there. However, Star-Lord, upon learning of Gamora’s death, breaks down emotionally and ruins the plan by attacking Thanos.

It’s one of the most painful missed opportunities in the MCU. The heroes had him; they were seconds away from victory, and they lost it due to raw emotion. Even after the plan fails, Iron Man gives everything he has to fight Thanos one-on-one.

Tony nearly dies, and the only reason he survives is that Strange surrenders the Time Stone to Thanos. This fight proved Thanos could be beaten with a coordinated strategy, just not by a team divided by grief and rage. тιтan was the best near-win the heroes had.

2

Thor Beheads Thanos

Avengers: Infinity War

Thor finally gets his revenge at the start of Avengers: Endgame, but it’s an empty victory. After Thanos completes the Snap and reduces half the universe to dust, the surviving Avengers track him to a remote planet. They find him alone, weakened, and living like a farmer. Crucially, Thanos has destroyed the Infinity Stones, making them impossible to use again.

With all hope seemingly lost, Thor lashes out and literally decapitates Thanos mid-sentence. It’s shocking and brutal, but it’s not really a win. There’s no battle here, just a hollow execution. Thor’s action doesn’t undo the Snap, save the universe, or bring back any of their friends.

Instead, it only deepens the despair. While this is technically the only time a hero outright kills Thanos, it doesn’t feel like a triumph. There’s no satisfaction, no momentum gained, and no change in the heroes’ situation.

The look of emptiness on Thor’s face says it all. In terms of “beating” Thanos, yes, they did. Yet in terms of actually winning against his greater plan, it’s not even close. This ranks high on brutality, but low on meaningful impact.

1

The Avengers Finally Defeat Thanos For Good

Avengers: Endgame

This is the battle where it all comes together. With a full roster of heroes returned through the portals, the final stand against Thanos in Endgame is a masterclass in emotional payoff, strategic teamwork, and pure spectacle. This Thanos is from 2014, having witnessed the outcome of his original plan and deciding to reshape the universe entirely.

For a while, it seems like he might actually win again. He overpowers Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor in earlier moments. However, once the full Avengers line-up appears, the tide turns. Captain Marvel nearly takes him down solo, and Scarlet Witch even comes close to killing him out of sheer fury.

Still, Thanos remains a formidable threat until the very end. Ultimately, it’s Iron Man who outsmarts him. By subtly taking the Infinity Stones and snapping his forces out of existence, Tony delivers the final blow at the cost of his own life. This is the definitive win against Thanos: one that’s earned through sacrifice, coordination, and growth.