Every Major MCU Villain Ranked Worst To Best

3. Erik Killmonger - Black Panther

Like Zemo in Civil War, Erik Killmonger is brilliant because he is sympathetic. And Black Panther takes that even further, because even though it's T'Challa's name above the door, this is as much Killmonger's story as it is the new king of Wakanda's. He is the best performer in the movie, has the best backstory and he's one of those rare villains who you genuinely hate to see lose.

He is as haunted and as vengeful as Zemo, having seen his father executed for treason and being cast out into the cold as an unwanted reminder of that crime. And while he's a murderous monster, he shows so much conviction and commitment to his (admittedly fundamentalist) beliefs that you find yourself wondering if he's not got the right idea. That's what you want from a truly great, complex bad guy.

He is radicalisation personified because he believes that no matter what the human cost of his campaign, the fact that he will eventually reshape the world in his image and to his belief system justifies all of that. And Michael B Jordan's performance is so mesmerising that you find yourself being completely intoxicated.