With Benedict Cumberbatch calling Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness the "most frightening Marvel film of all time," "darker" than anything the fans had ever seen (via IndieWire), it's safe to say that the death toll in the MCU is going to increase even further after Strange is done exploring the multiverse.

Already, there have been many devastating deaths in this universe, especially with main characters, such as Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), Tony Stark (Iron Man), and Vision, sacrificing themselves to protect the world. However, fans have also had to endure the emotional rollercoaster of seeing minor characters die. Though not prominent characters, the parental figures, friends, and allies of the MCU's main characters can be just as upsetting.

The Warriors Three

The Warriors Three sitting together in Thor

Thor: Ragnorak was an interesting take on the Marvel Formula, with a balance of drama, action, and comedy. It also showed one of the most shocking and devastating deaths in the MCU.

Related: 10 Surprisingly Brutal Deaths Of Minor Characters In the MCU

The Warriors Three - Hogun, Volstagg, and Fandral - were Asgardian warriors, who were very good friends of Thor's. Sadly, they met their end quite easily by Hela's hand. These three were like family to Thor and were entertaining and endearing to the audience. It was a shame to see them mercilessly wiped out, leaving Thor with very few people he holds dear.

Dr. Ho Yinsen

Shaun Toub as Yinsen at the Ten Ring's lair in Iron Man

Dr. Yinsen had one of the most unnecessary deaths in the MCU and many fans would have liked to see how he would have continued to influence and help Tony Stark had he survived.

Though nearly forgotten at this stage in the MCU, he played a key role in developing the first Iron Man suit. His death was a tragic sacrifice as he allowed Stark time to power up and escape with the armor. While it was endearing to know he wanted to reconcile with the family he lost in the war, it was heartbreaking to see him make such a sacrifice.

Aunt May

Aunt May in No Way Home

Aunt May met her end in the final installment of the MCU Spider-Man trilogy, the hit Spider-Man: No Way Home. It was one of the most shocking and devastating deaths in the MCU, especially for her beloved nephew, Peter.

Related: 10 Things Only Spider-Man Comic Book Fans Know About Aunt May

Despite the Green Goblin killing her during a battle, fans will remember the important lesson May taught Peter before she took her last breath. Although it takes some time for Peter to overcome his grief and come to terms with this important lesson, fans can relate to Peter's sorrow over losing such a role model in his life.

Quicksilver

Quicksilver running through Sokovia in Avengers: Age of Ultron

Known to have of the saddest hero deaths in the MCU, Quicksilver (Pietro) was introduced and sadly killed off in The Avengers: Age of Ultron.

While it was endearing to see him die protecting Hawkeye and a child during Ultron's attack on a city, it was still devastating for fans to lose a new Avenger so soon after his introduction. Looking back, it's even sadder to see him die and then witness his sister, Wanda (The Scarlet Witch), grieve, as she felt him pass away. As Wanda became an important member of The Avengers and fans learned of the unbreakable bond they had, it was hard to feel the loss as well.

Dr. Abraham Erskine

Dr. Erskine looking serious in Captain America

Some fans think Captain America: The First Avenger is the best MCU film. However, despite how empowering the film was, it still had its share of tear-jerking moments.

Dr. Erskine was determined to find a kind-hearted person for his program, which led to him choosing Steve Rogers as his super-soldier. While it wasn't a shock to comic fans that his character died in the end, watching him being taken down by a Hydra agent was still emotional. His death inspired Rogers to live up to be the man Erskine believed he could be, furthering the bittersweet reaction fans have about his death.

Ajak and Gilgamesh

The eternals wasted the MCUs strongest characters ajak and gilgamesh

Marvel's The Eternals is about a group of immortal beings with exceptional powers who were put on earth by celestials who have been living in secret for thousands of years. When the Deviants threaten the world, these powerful beings rise up to protect humanity.

Related: 10 Characters Who Need To Be Fleshed Out More

Ajak, the leader of the Eternals, and Gilgamesh, one of the most powerful, both met their end at the hands of Kro, a Deviant who absorbed their powers as they killed them. Fans love this movie, but it was especially heartbreaking to watch these two powerful beings meet their end, trying to protect humanity and those they care for.

Phil Coulson

The Avengers Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson

Agent Coulson played an intricate role in the first phase of the MCU, acting as the main connection between the separate solo hero movies leading up to The Avengers. His character quickly became a fan favorite after his debut in Iron Man and he continued to be favored up until his death at the hands of Loki.

Although fans got to see more of his character and his story in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., sadly, this franchise isn't part of the MCU canon so Coulson is still dead (for now). It's a shame since fans he did get the happy ending he deserved on there, so for that to have all been for naught, makes his death even more tragic.

Frigga

Frigga talking to her son Thor.

Thor has lost his entire family throughout the course of the movies he stars in, losing his mother first in Thor: The Dark World. Frigga sacrificed herself fighting off Dark Elves in order for Jane (the future Lady Thor) to escape.

It is heartbreaking to see Thor lose his family as his story in the MCU continues, not only losing his mother, but his father, brother, and closest friends. Frigga was a likable character who loved both of her sons and offered them honest and fierce guidance. It was not only sad for fans to see Thor lose her, but Loki's loss was also painful as his mother was the one person he seemed to truly care about.

King T'Chaka

King T'Chaka with his son.

Fans met King T'Chaka of Wakanda briefly in Captain America: Civil War before he met his end. However, he stood out as a heartfelt, intelligent, and strong leader and father.

It was sad to see him die following the bombing in Civil War at the United Nations meeting in the city of Vienna. While his son, T'Challa was already the Black Panther before his father's death, the loss of his father only impassioned him to become the loyal and intimidating leader of the Wakandan people.

Yondu

Yondu Whistling Guardians of the Galaxy

Though Yondu wasn't actually Peter (Star Lord's) father, he raised him and fans were just as moved by his death. This character wasn't immediately liked, being an antagonist to the Guardians for a time, but he redeemed himself before he met his end.

Yondu's last words after he sacrificed himself to protect Peter will likely not be forgotten by fans, him memorably saying, "He may have been your father, boy, but he wasn't your daddy." Yondu raised Peter to be strong and, while he may not have been the best role model, he did the best he knew how to.

Next: 10 MCU Superhero Movies That Mixed In Other Genres