Summary

Though he ’s doubtlessly one of the most sinewy characters in theMCU , Thanoshas been kill multiple metre in different continuities , and some of his death were far better than others . First introduce to the MCU in 2012’sThe Avengersvia a post - credits scene , Thanos promptly became the curse of theMCU ’s movie timelinethroughout the Infinity Saga . Serving as the primary antagonist of the MCU ’s phase 1 through 3 , Thanos ’ destination to conglomerate the Infinity Stones and pass over out half of all life in the universe saw him mark against the combined might of the Avengers on multiple occasions .

Despite Thanos being an vastly powerful figure within the dealership , he has actually meet his close many time across the movies andTV show of the MCU . The majority of these deaths fall out in dissimilar timeline or alternative realities , with some happening off - silver screen while others encounter out as part of the MCU ’s wider story . Regardless of the specific of each case , the MCU has shown Thanos ’ death on multiple occasions , and some of them were far more exciting than others . With that in mind , here areall 8 times that Thanos died in the MCU , rank spoiled to salutary .

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Custom image of Captain America and Rhodey from the MCU and Venom in The Last Dance

8Ronan Killing Thanos Was Incredibly Underwhelming

What If…? Season 2, Episode 1, “What If… Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?”

The firstepisode ofWhat If … ?season 2followed Nebula working as a detective several years after link the Nova Corps on Xandar , triggered by Ronan the Accuser ’s successful betrayal and murder of Thanos . Despite being a major revelation , Thanos ’ death is n’t even explicitly show , but rather Ronan stands above his vanquished eubstance in the orifice scene to demo his status as the big bad of that timeline . Ronan kill Thanos by far the least satisfying fashion in which Thanos meet his oddment in the MCU , as there ’s very little entropy about the betrayal tender by the installment .

7The Illuminati Used The Darkhold

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Another off - screen demise for Thanos in an alternate timeline come in the events leading up toDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness , even though the titular grinder only learns of the death after the fact . An crucial addition toMultiverse of Madness’castwas the Illuminati , who foreign encounters when chaffer Earth-838 . After being seize by the group , he learns that his counterpart used the Darkhold ’s conjuring trick to kill Thanos , and the villain ’s lifeless body is in brief shown on Titan in a flashback . As the action happened offscreen , the destruction of Earth-838 ’s Thanos is also peculiarly underwhelming .

6Stabbed By Gamora

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Perhaps the most unexpected Thanos expiry in the MCU actually occurred in the franchise ’s main timeline , or at least it appear to . InAvengers : Infinity War , the Guardians of the Galaxy receive Thanos on Knowhere , and Gamora arrogate the opportunity to get her retaliation on her adopted forefather . manage to gain the upper hand , Gamora stabs Thanos , then sob as the excited Titan dies . However , it ’s then revealed that Thanos was n’t utter at all , but that he had used the Reality Stone to manipulate Gamora , fix the disgraceful death little more than a well - executed fake - out .

5Killmonger Snapped Thanos

What If…? Season 2, Episode 9, “What If… Strange Supreme Intervened?”

The heroic finale ofWhat If … ?season 2 figure the counter of many powerful MCU villain , identified as “ Universe Killers ” . Naturally , Thanos outrank among them , and attacks the hero , momently win the upper mitt . At the decisive minute , Thanos turns to rubble and fades away , and it ’s unwrap that Killmonger had used the Infinity Gauntlet to snap him out of existence . The death is a throwback toAvengers : Endgame ’s ending , and the poetical nature of the Infinity Stones being used once again to defeat Thanos makes his dying all the more satisfying .

4Turned Into A Zombie

What If..? Season 1, Episode 5, “Zombies!?”

One of the most enticing dying suffered by Thanos in the MCU seems all the more exciting for its simple implications . What If ’s “ Zombies ! ? ” episode explore what might happen if the MCU was devastated by a zombie virus , with the majority of its heroes succumbing to the undead affliction . The episode ’s concluding stinger shows that Thanos – in possession of the Infinity Stones , no less – has also become a zombie , and that he clearly intends to use the Infinity Gauntlet . Though not much context is offered for living dead Thanos , it ’s an interesting and cleverly inserted consequence that enrich the entire episode .

3Cut In Half By Ultron

What If..? Season 1, Episode 8, “Ultron Won?”

Though Thanos appears in manymovies in the MCU , perhaps his most colorful death get along in an alternate reality inWhat If … ? . In the episode “ Ultron Won ? ” , Ultron amass the combined power of the Infinity Stones , and use them to locate a reformed Thanos . Though the Mad Titan would appear to be a formidable enemy , Ultron simply slices him in one-half without hesitation , convey the incredibly hefty scoundrel to a shockingly abrupt destruction . It ’s an circumstantially splendid second that ’s equal part hilarious and terrifying , solidify Ultron as an immensely knock-down threat to the Multiverse by vote out off Thanos so lackadaisically .

2Killed By Infinity Gauntlet

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

doubtlessly Thanos ’ most iconic death in the MCU comes at the climax ofAvengers : Endgame , when the heroes finally gain ground the upper hand over the Mad Titan . Having gained the Infinity Stones , Iron Man wields the Stones ' incredible power for one brief shining moment , using them to kill Thanos and give himself in the process . It ’s a major hoagy import for Iron Man , and it marks a exulting triumph over the powerful villain , making it perhaps the most satisfying death suffer by Thanos in the MCU .

1Beheaded By Thor

Of every one of Thanos ’ death in the MCU , one stands out as the best – despite the fact that it ’s not permanent . After the disgraceful ending ofAvengers : Infinity Warsees Thanos overcome the Avengers and succeed in his goal of pass over out half of all life in the universe , the Mad Titan simply pull back peacefully to a remote major planet to experience out his life in solitude . However , the Avengers clearly do n’t wish to take their deprivation sit down , andEndgamebegins with them hunting for the baddie .

After cornering Thanos , an enraged radical of surviving Avengers overtake him . Intent on revenge and riddle with guilt for their previous licking , Thor swiftly beheads Thanos . come as it does so early in the movie , it ’s cleared that this death is n’t the end of the villain , but it ’s a darkly satisfying moment of fibre development for multiple Hero of Alexandria , and elevate even more intrigue as to how the patch will germinate , arrive at it the sound end ofThanosin the MCU .

The Fantastic Four stood on a platform together in The Fantastic Four First Steps trailer

Nicolas Cage as Nick Cage looking at Spider-Man Noir

Split image of Josh Brolin as Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Thanos in What If? season 1 episode 8

Ronan the Accuser standing over Thanos' helmet in What If…? Season 2 episode 1

The Illuminati standing over Doctor Strange and Thanos' corpse in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Thanos being snapped out of existence in What If? season 2 episode 9

Zombie Thanos clenching his fist in What If? season 1 episode 5

Thanos being sliced in half by Ultron in What If…? season 1

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