It’s no surprise that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has shown over a dozen villains in prison. While familiar faces like Loki and Kingpin have been seen behind bars, some of the imprisoned characters, such as Kurse from Thor: The Dark World, are less well-known.
While most Marvel Cinematic Universe villains are only shown imprisoned within the movies or shows themselves due to their actions, a small number actually went to jail before appearing on screen. Surprisingly, the number of MCU villains who’ve been in prison, both on and off screen, is equal to the number of superheroes who have been depicted in prison throughout the franchise.
Every MCU Villain Who Has Been in Prison
Kurse
In Thor: The Dark World, Kurse acted as a villain. He intentionally allowed himself to be captured by the Asgardians so he could escape from prison, and he succeeded. Although his time in captivity was brief, he did technically serve a sentence.
Loki
Loki has been imprisoned multiple times in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was formally jailed on Asgard after causing the Battle of New York in The Avengers. But even before that, he was briefly held captive on Nick Fury’s helicarrier after being caught in Germany during the same events.
Though Thor eventually freed Loki from Asgardian prison, Loki later found himself imprisoned again – this time by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) in the Loki series.
Helmut Zemo
As a fan, it’s wild to remember how much trouble Helmut Zemo caused! We first found out in Captain America: Civil War that he was the one who brainwashed Bucky and orchestrated the UN bombing – the one that tragically killed King T’Chaka of Wakanda. After all that came to light, he was rightfully arrested and thrown in prison for his actions.
Bucky Barnes freed him during the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but he was quickly recaptured and imprisoned in the Raft.
Wilson Fisk
In the original Daredevil series, Vincent D’Onofrio’s character, Wilson Fisk, repeatedly ended up in prison due to his dangerous criminal activities. But following the events of the Snap, Fisk regained control and is now the mayor of New York City – a storyline that will be further developed in Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again.
Benjamin Poindexter
Benjamin Poindexter, also known as Bullseye, was imprisoned for life after being convicted of murdering Foggy Nelson. He was a major character in the first season of Daredevil: Born Again, spending most of it in jail but ultimately being released towards the end.
I remember seeing Poindexter locked up before Born Again, and it wasn’t his first stint. Season 3 of Daredevil also showed him in custody – it was a recurring theme for the character, honestly.
Thaddeus Ross
Thaddeus Ross was also a significant figure in the MCU. In the movie Captain America: Brave New World, he himself was imprisoned on the Raft – a fitting irony, given that he previously sent many other heroes there for breaking the Sokovia Accords.
Ross was arrested after changing into Red Hulk and causing significant damage at the White House. He resigned from his position as president and surrendered to authorities.
Samuel Sterns
Following the events of The Incredible Hulk, SHIELD captured Samuel Sterns, also known as the Leader, and held him at a hidden facility called Camp Echo One. He hadn’t been heard from since then, until he reappeared in Captain America: Brave New World.
After Sterns was captured once more at the movie’s conclusion, he and Thaddeus Ross were both sent to the Raft, a high-security prison.
Emil Blonsky
Emil Blonsky, a character from several Marvel Cinematic Universe films, has been imprisoned on multiple occasions. First appearing in The Incredible Hulk, he was initially held in a cryo-cell in Alaska known as the Vault. He was later transferred to the Department of Damage Control, an organization that will play a significant role in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
He was eventually released on parole, but unfortunately, he broke the terms of his release when he transformed into the Abomination and was sent back to prison.
Najma
In Ms. Marvel, Najma and her group, the Clandestines, were caught by the Department of Damage Control and locked up in their high-security prison in California. However, they didn’t stay imprisoned for long and managed to break free. Ultimately, Najma didn’t go back to prison; she gave her life to seal the gateway to the Noor Dimension.
Kamran
In Ms. Marvel, Najma’s son, Kamran, was captured by the Department of Damage Control and imprisoned along with the other Clandestines. After they broke out, Najma abandoned Kamran because he had sided against them. Despite this, he managed to escape the prison himself and eventually found his way to Jersey City, where he met Bruno Carrelli.
Trevor Slattery
Trevor Slattery was initially arrested in Iron Man 3 for publicly representing Aldrich Killian. He spent several years in Seagate Penitentiary, but was later freed by the Ten Rings, who were angry that he had pretended to be the Mandarin.
When the Ten Rings captured Slattery, they held him captive. Although not officially held by the government, he was essentially a prisoner. Later, the DODC took him into custody, but he was rescued by a new ally, Simon Williams.
Justin Hammer
Justin Hammer has gained a dedicated fanbase within the Marvel Cinematic Universe community, and many fans hope to see him reappear in future projects like Avengers: Doomsday or Armor Wars (if it’s ever made). Following his collaboration with Ivan Vanko in Iron Man 2 and his involvement in the Stark Expo attack, Hammer was imprisoned at Seagate, the same facility where Trevor Slattery was held.
We haven’t received any news regarding Hammer’s current situation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was last shown in the short film Hail to the King, which established that he was still in prison.
High Evolutionary
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the High Evolutionary served as the primary villain and was ultimately beaten by the Guardians. While the movie initially suggested he died when his ship exploded, a scene that was cut from the final film showed he actually survived and was imprisoned on Knowhere.
James Gunn has confirmed the High Evolutionary is still alive, making the deleted scene showing him being sent to prison likely part of the official storyline.
Adrian Toomes
At the end of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Adrian Toomes, after becoming the Vulture and battling Peter Parker, was imprisoned in a Department of Damage Control facility. A scene after the credits showed him there, talking with Scorpion, confirming his imprisonment.
Scorpion
Scorpion was imprisoned with Adrian Toomes in a Department of Defense facility during the events of Spider-Man: Homecoming. However, he’s expected to be released in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and photos from the set show actor Michael Mando filming scenes that take place after his release.
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2026-04-19 12:07