MCU: 5 Most-Anticipated Hero vs. Villain Matchups of 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for Marvel Studios, with several highly anticipated showdowns finally arriving. From established rivalries to classic battles and surprising events across the multiverse, fans can expect plenty of exciting hero-vs-villain action in theaters and on streaming services.

Instead of just throwing heroes and villains together, these upcoming fights are deeply connected to their pasts and feelings, and hint at the future direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here are five of the most anticipated hero-villain clashes, from Disney+ shows to big-screen movies, that fans are talking about as we look ahead to 2026.

2026 Hero & Villain Battles in the MCU

Vision & Ultron – VisionQuest

The conflict between Vision and Ultron in the MCU is particularly interesting because it’s not just a fight, but a clash of ideologies. Vision was originally created from Ultron’s plans, so their encounter in VisionQuest feels less like a second chance at battle and more like a confrontation with the past.

Footage from New York Comic-Con revealed that Ultron will return in the upcoming series, marking his first appearance on screen since the movie Avengers: Age of Ultron. Given that Vision is still struggling with memory loss and figuring out who he is after the WandaVision series, this new show is a great opportunity to show how their relationship has changed. It would be even more interesting if the series also explores bigger questions about artificial intelligence and what gives life meaning.

Spider-Man vs. Venom – Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2

As a huge Marvel fan, I’m really excited about what’s coming in Season 2 of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man! They’re finally tackling the classic Spider-Man vs. Venom rivalry, and honestly, I think animation is the perfect medium to really explore that dynamic and give it the space it deserves. It’s going to be great to see Venom and a bunch of other villains show up too!

Venom’s story begins with being rejected. The symbiote initially attaches to Spider-Man, boosting his powers and making him more assertive, but Peter ultimately gets rid of it when he realizes the negative consequences. This rejection leads the alien to Eddie Brock, who feels the same bitterness and believes Spider-Man ruined his life.

The origin story of the symbiote—the creature that becomes Venom—will probably be different in the animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Because it’s an animated show, Marvel has more creative freedom to explore darker and more intense themes. Considering Season 2 is being described as “more tragic” than Season 1, it’s possible that Venom’s appearance will push Peter Parker to his moral limits, with potentially dangerous results.

X-Men vs. Apocalypse – X-Men ’97 Season 2

Okay, so I just got a peek at what’s coming in Season 2 of X-Men ’97, and things are hitting the ground running. Forget a slow burn – they’re immediately diving into the Apocalypse storyline. Remember that tease at the end of Season 1? Yeah, they’re fully committing to him as the big bad, and I’m honestly thrilled. It’s a bold move, and I think it’s going to pay off big time for fans.

Apocalypse, also called En Sabah Nur, believes only the strongest mutants deserve to survive, and he sees himself as a god. When he clashes with the X-Men, the battle isn’t just physical—it’s a fight against his dangerous ideas about who should live and who shouldn’t.

This season has already shown it can tackle difficult and emotional stories, and with the arrival of Apocalypse, the show will explore themes of what it means to be a mutant, the dangers of unequal power, and the weight of sacrifice – all on a grand scale. Viewers can anticipate intense action, heartbreaking moments, and scenes that will leave them speechless.

Spider-Man vs. Scorpion – Spider-Man: Brand New Day

The upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day seems to be a realistic and action-packed story for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, and it appears the villain Scorpion will play a major role.

Mac Gargan, also known as Scorpion, has been a hidden presence in Marvel Cinematic Universe films since Spider-Man: Homecoming, and his story is finally coming to a head. Unlike the multiversal threats Peter Parker faced in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Scorpion is a more grounded and personal enemy – a ruthless, determined villain completely focused on destroying Spider-Man.

The movie is expected to have several villains, which will put Spider-Man in a constant state of struggle. This kind of unpredictable and challenging situation is perfect for a fresh start for the character.

The Avengers vs. Doctor Doom – Avengers: Doomsday

2026 is shaping up to have one major event: Avengers: Doomsday. This story will pit Marvel’s most powerful heroes against a threat on the scale of the Fantastic Four’s greatest foes, and Doctor Doom is predicted to be a particularly formidable opponent.

Doctor Doom is different from Thanos; he doesn’t just win through strength. He’s a brilliant planner, skilled with technology and magic, and a powerful leader – able to defeat the Avengers with his mind as well as his power. The villain who looks like Tony Stark is likely to create a lot of emotional conflict for the Avengers, particularly for those who were close to Stark.

This battle isn’t simply about whether our heroes live or die; the future of the world hangs in the balance. With rumors of a major MCU overhaul after the Secret Wars event in 2027, it’s clear that the conflict with Doctor Doom will dramatically change everything. The new state of the MCU will probably depend on Doom’s success, making him the most formidable enemy the Avengers have ever confronted.

2026-02-12 18:36