As a cinematic universe filled with super-powered beings, multiversal chaos, and magical entities, it takes something truly unexpected to catch audiences off-guard. But Marvel—across the MCU and beyond—has always had a knack for pulling the rug out from under us. Whether it’s a villain hiding in plain sight, a deep-cutting betrayal, or a cataclysmic event that redefines everything we thought we knew, the best Marvel plot twists don’t just surprise us, they reshape the story and deepen our emotional investment.
They need not even be big moments. The little ones count too. A well-timed twist can flip loyalties, raise stakes, or even leave audiences reeling for more, long after the credits (and after credits) roll. What matters is its impact, both in terms of the narrative and how it resonates with us, the viewers. So, while we wait to enter the new phase of Marvel storytelling, why not reflect on some of its greatest hits and twists?
10"I Am Iron Man"
‘Iron Man’ (2008)
If past superhero movies have taught us anything, one does not simply reveal their personal identity. BetweenSpider-Man,Superman, andBatman, the life of a hero is built on the security of having duality: the person can don the costume and save the people while also privately spending their time with loved ones, as a fellow citizen. It’s secrecy that ensures safety. But of course, leave it to the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist to completely flip the script—both figuratively and literally.
Despite being armed with a pre-written SHIELD-approved statement, made to be given to a sea of reporters as an alibi and as a cover-up of the controversies surrounding Stark Industries, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr)—unsurprisingly—takes matters into his own hands by revealing that he was, in fact, Iron Man.As the first film in the MCU, the creatives made sure to end their story with a bang. Not only did this public revelation defy genre conventions, butit also left audiences with a massive cliffhanger of consequences.
9Mysterio Reveals Spider-Man’s Identity
‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ (2019)
Unlike his own mentor, much of Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) story throughout the MCU had been predicated on separating his life as a superhero and as an average teenager. Sure, he may have unintentionally revealed his identity to his aunt and best-friend—but for the most part, Peter is able to protect the distinction. That is, until he meets Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal), a supposed multi-verse hero dubbed “Mysterio”, who he eventually grows to trust.
But sure enough, that bond is quickly broken as it’s revealed that Beck is not only a fraudulent illusionist, but a mere man desperate for revenge and reputational glory. Indeed, he’ll do anything to look like the perfect hero, and thankfully, Peter is able to defeat him. Unfortunately, it’s Beck that has the last laugh as the end ofSpider-Man Far From Homeshowcasesa surprising appearancefrom J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons), who broadcasts a recorded message from Beck who both: frames Spider-Man for his own crimes, and reveals his secret identity to the entire world. Yes, that’s right—Peter Parker is doxxed by Mysterio, shaking up not just the audience but the young high-schooler who spent most of his time trying to prevent this from happening.
Spider-Man: Far from Home
8Killmonger is T’Challa’s Cousin
‘Black Panther’ (2018)
From the very first scene, themes of family and legacy were clearly potent in the story ofBlack Panther. Whether it was between fathers and sons, brothers and sisters, the power of family quickly became the crux of the narrative. And yet, it was still all the more shocking to learn that the fierce Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) was the secret son of the late Prince N’Jobu (Sterling K. Brown), making him not only T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) first-cousin, but a legitimate heir to the Wakandan throne.
Having alreadyestablished himself as a formidable adversaryto the young King, Killmonger’s familial connection only strengthened his position as his motivations were revealed to be rooted in abandonment and deception. He wasn’t the typical one-dimensional MCU villain, but a tragic man fueled by a deeply personal vendetta. This twist not only allowed audiences to see him in a new light, but it also forced T’Challa to confront the sins of his family’s past,complicating his own mission to defend his people.
Black Panther
7Uncle Aaron is the Prowler
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)
Living the life of a teenager is hard enough, whether it’s balancing school or meeting the expectations of family, but things are even more complicated for Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) with him adding crime-fighting into the mix. Luckily, he’s able to lean on those he loves the most, like his Uncle Aaron (Mahershella Ali), whom he unequivocally idolizes for most of the film. Unfortunately, all that changes once Miles discovers that his fun-loving, cool uncle is actually the Prowler—one of Kingpin’s (Liev Schreiber) most lethal enforcers.
The reveal isemotionally devastating as it is narratively clever.The twist forces Miles to confront the duality of identity in the most personal way possible as he grapples with the thought of a person he loves also being the one to cause harm. In a film packed withmultiversal chaos and stylized action, this intimate betrayal grounds the story in real stakes, adding a layer of grief that elevates the film beyond the formula of a typical origin story.
Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse
6The Mandarin is an Actor
‘Iron Man 3’ (2013)
In the aftermath of Loki’s invasion, Tony Stark is left both physically and mentally scarred. To make matters worse, there’s a new villain in town who’s not only ready to wreak havoc on the world, but also seems to have a personal connection with the struggling hero as he affiliates himself with the Ten Rings—the terrorist organization that kidnapped him all those years ago.
Determined to defeat the person made out to be his greatest foe, Stark arrives in Miami to a shocking sight: the so-called Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley) is nothing but a goofy actor playing the character of a global terrorist. Say goodbye to the menacing demeanor captured wonderfully by Kingsley, and instead say hello to the baffoonery of Trevor Slattery. Indeed, this bait-and-switch approach was all done to mask the actions ofIron Man 3’s true mastermind: Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) (another revenge-seeking scientist). Suffice to say, it wasa divisive choice to make an all-powerful comic villain into a fool. But at least this twist delivered in its subversion of expectations. Plus, it introduced us to a character that would play an integral link to the thrillingShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Iron Man 3
5Gwen Stacy’s Death
‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ (2014)
Between the over-stuffing of villains, the rushed back-stories, and the clunky pacing, it’s safe to say thatThe Amazing Spider-Man 2was a film that attempted to spin too many threads at once. That being said, one thread that actually kept us hanging was the unwavering chemistry between Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) and Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). As one ofthe best couples to ever grace Marvel screens, fans couldn’t wait to see what their future had in store—especially since the first film ended with a heartbreaking separation.
But alas, nothing could’ve prepared us for the tragedy that was to come (that is, unless you were an avid comic-reader). Indeed, amid the film’s climactic battle, Harry Osborn’s Green Goblin (Dane DeHaan) manages to throw Gwen off a clock tower. And while Peter manages to grab hold of her, the prolonged struggle between hero and villain allows the gears of the clock to severe the web connecting the beloved couple. Yes, Gwen freefalls and Peter’s desperate attempt to sling one last-minute web proves futile. Her death isa crushing twistthat closes the movie on a tragically somber note. A truly bold move in a genre known for hope.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
4Vulture is Liz’ Dad
‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
Sometimes the most shocking twists are the most simple ones, many of which are revealed in the most ordinary places—like at the front door of a house. At least that’s what happens to Peter Parker (Holland), who’s simply trying to live the normal life of a teenager and attend homecoming with the girl of his dreams. But much to his dismay, the universe likes to have a laugh, as just when Peter goes to pick up Liz (Laura Harris), he’s suddenly greeted by her father, Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) (aka the Vulture).
The reveal drops like a bomb, subverting audience expectations and immediately injecting suspense into the story. It’s a classic case of unknowing entanglement, but it’s executed with such Hitchcock-level tension that it leaves audiences sweating in their seats. Who could forget the chilling car ride where Toomes slowly pieces together Peter’s secret identity? In just one twist, the defeat of Peter’s first solo villain holds complex personal stakes.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
3Thanos' Turning Half the World to Dust
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)
Superhero films rarely end in true failure. Sure, characters may struggle, face setbacks or even tragic losses—but good generally wins (or at least a semblance of it continues to prevail). And then cameAvengers: Infinity War, the superhero epic that marked the penultimate culmination to the MCU’s 10-year run. In a twist that shocked global audiences, the villainousThanos (Josh Brolin) succeeds in his plans.
He collects all six Infinity Stones, snaps his fingers and—just like that—half the universe turns to dust, including most of our favorite heroes. It was a plot twist so massive and so bleak, it stunned audiences into complete and utter silence. This wasn’t just a bold narrative choice, butan existential gut-punchthat upended the expectations of blockbuster storytelling. Heroes lost. Evil triumphed. And all audiences could do was sit with it and let it burn into the memory bank deep in their minds.
Avengers: Infinity War
2Bucky Killed Tony Stark’s Parents
‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)
From the moment they met, it was clear that Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark weren’t going to be the easiest of friends, butat least they tried as hard as they could, ultimately finding a shared level of mutual respect as heroes and allies. That is untilCaptain America: Civil War, when, amidst their ideological divide over the Sokovia Accords, Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) drops the ultimate twist: Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), as the Hydra-controlled Winter Soldier, was the one who murdered Tony’s parents.
The explosive footage, both grainy and brutal, is as damning as it gets. The betrayal is what single-handedly fractures the Avengers, not over politics, but over personal loss. Because the real bomb isn’t that Bucky committed the heinous crime, but that Steve knew all about it. And just like that, the titleCivil Warbecomes less of an ideological metaphor and more of a deep, emotional rupture thatalters the fabric of the MCU for years to come.
Captain America: Civil War
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014)
At a time when the MCU was still largely operating within the dichotomies of good vs evil,Captain America: The Winter Soldiercompletely redefined the stakes with one of the most genre-shifting twists in the franchise. Indeed, while on a mission to uncover institutional corruption, Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) discover a digitized Dr Zola (Toby Jones), who reveals that Hydra never died. Instead, the evil organization merely remained dormant and continued to grow within SHIELD, up until modern day.
This revelation is what turns the traditional superhero film intoa tension-filled political thriller, forcing audiences to re-evaluate what they knew about their heroes and the systems that supported them. Those who were once allies became suspects, trusted colleagues were exposed as double agents, and Captain America is forced to question not just who to trust, but what he’s even fighting for.This was a true masterstroke of narrative subversionthat carried both thematic weight and cinematic consequences. Indeed, the crux of the MCU had completely turned on its head with future arcs forever changed and an entire show—aka the severely underratedAgents of SHIELD— forced to dramatically shift gears.
