Tom Holland’sSpider-Manbeing introduced into the MCU brought us, among other features in the franchise, a collection of solo films. TheJon Wattstrilogy showed Spider-Man losing his mentor, his aunt, his best friend, and even his girlfriend.
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Needless to say, poor Peter Parker has been through some tough challenges. As if this isn’t enough, he’s also been up against his fair share of foes throughout his friendly Spider-Man endeavors. These are some of the key villains we’ve seen in the MCU Spider-Man solo films, based on how much of a challenge they managed to put up.
Part of the reason that Sandman is ranked last is because of the status of Sandman with his Peter Parker at the end ofSpider-Man 3.Peter and Flint (Sandman) end on good terms - with Peter allowing Flint to escape authorities.
Because of this, it makes sense that Sandman beginsSpider-Man: No Way Homeas Peter’s ally. Before any real damage can be done, Peter transports him to the Undercroft, where he doesn’t put up anywhere near as much of a fight as other villains in the film.
Ah, Doctor Curt Connors. The man-turned-lizard who is convinced that the rest of the world would benefit from also turning into lizards, free from all disease and illness. As he is introduced intoNo Way Home,he is already captured by Doctor Strange, posing little threat to Peter Parker from the get go.
As the film progresses, besides a few grouchy remarks and urges to turn everyone into reptiles, Lizard also doesn’t put up much of a fight, making him one of the weaker villains that Spider-Man is forced to face - in this film, at least.
Doctor Otto Octavius, at the hand of four bionic armsgone wrong, finds himself turning to a life of crime in his universe. When he arrives inNo Way Home,he is immediately engaged in an epic fight scene with Peter, whilst he tries to plead his case for MIT.
Doc Ock can climb any surface, throwing cars at Peter, and crushing bridges with ease. The first big fight scene ofNo Way Homesets the scene for the rest of the challenges that Peter will be faced with as the film progresses. Whilst this isn’t the toughest challenge he has to face, it definitely isn’t easy by any means.
The Vulture
In comparison to the rest of the villains on this list, The Vulture is arguably one of the more juvenile ones. Battling over advanced weaponry being sold on the black market, the stakes are notably lower, then say, the entirety of New York. Despite this, The Vulture still put up a tough fight against Spider-Man.
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The Vulture was the first proper villain that Peter faces independently inSpider-Man: Homecoming, as opposed toCaptain America: Civil War,where he is fighting on a team. Peter’s clash with The Vulture helped him realize what it truly means to be a hero, and that there may be much stronger villains he has to face in the future.
Quentin Beck, a disgraced former Stark Industries employee, becomes Mysterio, Spider-Man’s nemesis inSpider-Man: Far From Home.Mysterio is the catalyst for the events ofNo Way Home, as his reveal of Peter’s identity is what causes the multiverse chaos to unfold.
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Mysterio challenges Spider-Man in ways that he hasn’t been challenged before - with sophisticated illusions and deception that force Peter to rely on his spidey sense more than ever before. This new challenge is what inevitably sets Peter up to be even stronger after his identity is then exposed.
After falling into a vat of genetically modified electric eels,Maxwell Dillon (Electro) finds his body turning into raw energy. He can use power grids to his advantage, with electricity being his key weapon as Peter struggles with his initial capture.
When Peter decides to ‘fix’ the villains using Stark technology, Electro gains access to an arc reactor, charging the battery attached to his body with more power than he’s ever experienced in his life. This upgrade to his preexisting powers is what makes Electro one of the strongest opponents Spider-Man has ever faced.
Green Goblin
The strongest, and arguably the most cruel, of all the Spider-Man villains that MCU Peter Parker has faced. With the combination of advanced military tech and super soldier serum,the malice that Green Goblin puts forwardis unparalleled with any other villain.
Regardless of the physical power that Green Goblin puts forth, the key reason he tops this list is because of the pain he causes Peter. He is the direct cause behind Aunt May’s death, which is an event that pushes Peter to his breaking point. The final scene where Peter is on the verge of doing the same to Green Goblin represents not only a physical struggle, but a psychological one too.
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