According to the MCU movies, Thanos could be the top villain. Ultron, however, is close behind. Both characters threatened the Marvel universe with mass destruction, but Thanos carried it out (for a time).
Although the Avengers rallied to stop both villains, they posed the greatest challenges to them. If they faced off with one another, who would win, Ultron or Thanos?
They come with superhuman destructive powers so the MCU fight would be close. Yet, if we consider the What If… television series, the answer seems clear.
Ultron’s Strengths
Tony Stark and Bruce Banner created Ultron to preserve global peace. Yet, their intentions derailed when Ultron determined humans were the greatest threat to peace.
Ultron uploaded himself into an android body and went on a destructive quest to wipe out the world. He took the fight to the humans and nearly succeeded with his plans.
Ultron has technology that can release destructive energy beams. He can also absorb different kinds of energy that can be used to repower himself.
Ultron has superhuman strength and durability, and he can fly while using weapons like concussion blasters or radiation emitters. Such makes him lethal to anyone who opposes him.
Ultron’s powers also include the ability to use telekinesis and transfer his mind to Sentries. His Sentries are AI robots that were deployed against the Avengers at the Battle of Sokovia.
With his Sentry army, Ultron is virtually unstoppable, even to the likes of Thanos.
Plus, Ultron has no emotional attachments that would interfere with his destructive plans. In comparison, Thanos’ attachment to Gamora conflicted him.
As a robot, Ultron also does not need to sleep or eat. He refuels himself from the world around him.
Ultron’s array of powers and self-sustaining power make him the ultimate threat.
Thanos’ Strengths
In the MCU movies, Thanos acquired all the Infinity Stones and wiped out half the universe’s population.
Thanos was willing to kill anyone who got in the way of his path to power. He felt remorse over killing Gamora, but he still did it. He also tortured his daughter Nebula to get what he wanted.
That type of ruthlessness is a strength when confronting opponents.
Even without the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos is powerful. He has superhuman strength, durability, and stamina. His speed, agility, and reflexes are at that level too, and he can regenerate his health.
Other articles point to Thanos’ intelligence and telepathy as defining powers. He can also use magic and curses against his opponents.
Thanos also has a full array of destructive powers. Yet, we may not need to look further than Thanos’ strength and fighting ability.
Thanos defeated the Hulk and demonstrated better fighting skills. We could argue the same with Ultron.
Given Thanos’ strength, he could smash Ultron to pieces in a fight. In addition, Ultron’s weaponry in the movies would probably not harm Thanos as the former tried to fight back.
Because of his incredible strength, fighting skills, and versatile powers, Thanos could dispose of Ultron. Ultron has speed, intelligence, and powers of his own, but these abilities do not seem to match Thanos’.
With all the Infinity Stones, Thanos commanded the universe. He gained control over time, space, energy, and existence.
Audiences could imagine Thanos snapping Ultron out with half of the universe.
Ultron v. Thanos with What If Considered
Based on the Marvel comics, the What If television series on Disney+ draws out alternate trajectories for the MCU and Ultron vs. Thanos.
What If is the first animated series from Marvel Studios Animation, and it plays with the question of what would happen if big moments turned out differently.
In the What If…? Season 1, Episode 8, Ultron destroys Thanos with a laser beam. The encounter ends more rapidly than the fight between Thanos and the Hulk.
Whereas Thanos required the power of all of the Infinity Stones to carry out his destructive ends, Ultron only needed the Mind Stone to destroy Thanos and the Avengers.
With possession of all the Infinity Stones, Ultron conquers Earth and takes out multiple universes. Yet, he does not always need to use all of the stones to carry out his wrath of destruction.
Major characters like Captain Marvel try to stop Ultron, but fail. Audiences get to witness “a Galactus-esque version of Ultron.” This quote references the cosmic being in Marvel, Galactus, who consumes the energy of planets.
In other words, Ultron is larger than multiple universes. According to this scenario, we see how Ultron could be more powerful than Thanos.
However, Thanos carried out the Snap in the movies, the event that wiped out half the universe, for a while. This could be a counterbalancing feat.
Fans on the Marvel Database have voted for Thanos to beat Ultron. They are probably considering his snap destruction.
Then again, Thor overpowered Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. Some fans have speculated that Thor could not do the same to the Ultron of the What If…series.
So, it stands to reason Thanos could not win in this alternate timeline. This more powerful version of Ultron wins out.
Ultron v. Thanos
Thanos is the mightiest villain in the MCU and would defeat Ultron in the movies. His fighting skills and pure power are enough to win.
With What If… considered, Ultron defeats Thanos. This version of Ultron destroys multiverses and would topple the Mad Titan.
Which Marvel universe we are talking about makes a difference in who prevails.
Todd Wahlstrom is a creative and analytical freelance writer and life-long Star Wars fan who has expanded into writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has written about recent shows such as The Mandalorian and Andor and classic topics like Darth Vader, the Jedi, and Boba Fett. His recent articles include the MCU’s Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. Todd is the author of a non-fiction book, holds a Ph.D. in history, and enjoys hiking, running, and reading about science.