This article contains major spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Contains Graphic Descriptions
The MCU has been a franchise that people of all ages can enjoy. However, since its inception, the studio has not shied away from having brutal, violent deaths. From main characters to minor characters, some have had it pretty bad.
Since Disney took over Marvel Studios, there was a slight worry that the films and shows might tone down the violence, but recent projects like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, have proved they still have some tricks up their sleeve. With many fans praising Sam Raimi for taking a horror-esque direction in Multiverse of Madness, there's a possibility that there will be more dark deaths in the future.
Maria & Howard Stark (Captain America: Civil War)
Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking deaths in the MCU, Tony Stark's parents met a pretty grim end in what could be one of the darkest MCU films, Captain America: Civil War. Iron Man is sadly shown the dark revelation that Bucky Barnes, The Winter Soldier, killed the Starks for HYDRA.
In the film, Bucky is sent to take samples of the super-soldier serum but first crashes the Starks' car then brutally beats Howard to death before finally strangling Maria. It's extremely violent and heartbreaking, and the sound design adds even more emotional punch. Seeing Tony react to it on the monitor, in front of Bucky and Cap, is also just so saddening too.
Quicksilver (Avengers: Age of Ultron)
Before the release of Age of Ultron, many fans assumed Aaron Taylor-Johnson would become a main player in the Avengers as Quicksilver going forward. That was unfortunately not the case. The short-lived character makes a heroic sacrifice protecting a child civilian and Hawkeye during the battle of Sokovia.
His sacrifice causes him to be riddled with bullet wounds all over his body. His sacrifice means so much to Clint that he gives his son the middle name Pietro. It's a shame Quicksilver didn't have a longer run in the MCU, but luckily, Aaron Taylor-Johnson will be playing a new Marvel character next year as the title role in Kraven the Hunter.
Loki (Avengers: Infinity War)
Before Loki starred in, arguably, one of the best Multiverse TV shows, people tend to forget the gruesome fate he met in 2018's Infinity War. His character went through one of the best arcs in the whole series, from evil villain to a noble hero.
In the opening scene of Infinity War, Loki attempts to kill Thanos; however, he is no match for the Mad Titan, who wields two Infinity stones at this point. While his plan fails horribly, he is redeemed in Thor's eyes. Sadly, Thanos brutally chokes the God of Mischief, before snapping his neck and blood comes out of his eyes and nose.
Nico (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier)
While the death and the way it was done was absolutely shocking, the shot of John Walker holding up the bloodied shield is by far one of the most best and impactful sequences in Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Although he has tried his best to live up to Steve Rogers, Walker quickly turns into a villain after finally snapping in Episode 4 and killling Nico, one of the Flag Smashers, with the shield (in revenge after they murder his partner and best friend Lamar Hoskins). It was quite a brutal shot, particularly since fans can see how hard he hit him by the blood dripping off of the shield, with the eerie music only enhancing the horrific nature of it all.
Iron Man (Avengers: Endgame)
By far the most beloved character of the entire MCU, Tony Stark's noble sacrifice was a huge shock to audiences after coming out of Endgame in 2019. Not only was his death a natural decision for his character, but it was also quite brutal.
As the full power of the infinity stones courses through his veins, the radiation melts his suit and half of his body. As he finally rests, the audience can also see the side of his head is noticeably charred and severely burned. There was just no way he could have survived this.
Captain Carter (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
While the inclusion of the Illuminati was one of Doctor Strange 2's best reveals, audiences were completely and utterly shocked by the brutal deaths of all of them, especially after introducing fan-favorite characters, like Professor X and Mr. Fantastic, into the MCU.
Captain Carter's death could have been a lot more graphic but luckily the shot cuts to above the waist so the viewers don't see the severed lower half. The shield then crashes into the wall, covered with lots of blood. It's a major departure from previous MCU deaths but with Sam Raimi at the helm, brutality is expected!
Kamar-Taj Librarian (Doctor Strange)
2016's Doctor Strange introduced fans to the (former) Sorcerer Supreme in the MCU. With horror director, Scott Derrickson helming the film, there were definitely some brutal scenes featuring the Zealots.
As the Kamar-Taj librarian was minding his business, he is ambushed by the Zealots, who then strung him up before being decapitated by Kaecilius. His head is cut clean off and falls into an urn. It's quite a horrible way to go and offers a terrifying introduction to Mads Mikkelsen as the film's villain, Kaecilius.
Thanos (Avengers: Endgame)
The decision to kill off Thanos during the cold open of Avengers: Endgame was another unexpected twist. As the Avengers finally reach Thanos on his farm planet, they are dismayed upon finding out the stones were destroyed. With nothing to do, Thor brutally decapitates him with Stormbreaker.
The scene is super well done and leaves the audience with so many questions as the film still has another 2 and half hours to go. It was a risky decision on Marvel's part but it paid off really well as the 2014 version of Thanos is just as, if not more, intimidating than the future Thanos.
Hydra Soldier (Captain America: The First Avenger)
Captain America: The First Avenger is a film that doesn't get enough praise. It feels entirely different than other MCU films and has such a distinctly fun, pulpy adventure tone to it. Another thing people don't bring up enough either is the fact that the film has some of the most violent in the MCU.
Characters are shot left and right with visible amounts of blood. The most violent death occurs later in the film as Captain America attempts to hijack a Hydra plane. As Cap wrestles with a Hydra soldier atop the plane, the pilot pulls up from the nosedive, causing the soldier to fall into the spinning propellers, completely shredding him up into blood and guts. It's quite the harsh death and it's a clever nod to the German Mechanic's death from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Black Bolt (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
After the much-hated Inhumans television series, Black Bolt was the last character audiences expected to see in Multiverse of Madness. However, as one of the main members of the Illuminati in the comics, it made perfect sense.
His brief appearance in the film is a ton of fun and viewers were treated to see his powers in full-effect as he uses his deadly voice to execute Supreme Strange of Earth-838. Sadly, he meets a very untimely fate as the Scarlet Witch seals his mouth shut and he screams, causing his head to implode. His skull is eviscerated and there's blood in his eyes. It is easily the most gruesome death of the entire franchise.