The newest additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s pantheon of heroes are the Eternals: cosmic beings created by the Celestial Arishem in the World Forge. Their role is to hunt down the deviants that plague the planets where other Celestials are meant to emerge, therefore encouraging the growth of their population. It’s a morally questionable mission considering the Emergence of the Celestials will kill everyone either way.
Good or bad, the Eternals are powerful characters (some more than others), which is why one of the biggest plot holes in the movie remains their stance on the non-intervention of human conflict. While some MCU villains didn’t require the involvement of the Eternals, others were a threat to the Emergence and a true challenge to the Avengers. In fact, some villains were so powerful they may have managed to defeat the Eternals themselves.
10 COULD DEFEAT: Loki’s Magic Wouldn’t Be Enough To Counter The Eternals
Like the Eternals, Loki is a powerful alien being with a wide variety of abilities, making him a highly dangerous opponent. While his skillset in the MCU isn’t always consistent, he’s not to be underestimated. His illusions and shape-shifting skills are on par with Sprite’s – perhaps even stronger – and he's displayed numerous other abilities like telekinesis.
However, no matter how strong Loki is, he wouldn’t be able to take down the whole team of Eternals. Druig, Ajak, and possibly Sprite and Sersi may not be able to do much against him, but Ikaris’ strength and Makkari’s speed would be very hard for him to counter, as would Thena’s weapon mastery. In the end, Loki would end up a captive of Phastos’ inventions.
9 WOULD DEFEAT THEM: Thanos’s Infinity Gauntlet Would Leave Them All Helpless
Phastos’s creations may be powerful, but they wouldn’t be able to do much against the Infinity Gauntlet. Thanos uses his trademark weapon to snap half the universe out of existence. Some Avengers – like Captain Marvel and Scarlet Witch – are able to hold their own against him even when he is wearing the Gauntlet, but it’s not enough.
Ironically, Thanos is an Eternal himself (and in the comics, a deviant). The MCU has chosen a different route for his backstory, but the appearance of Thanos’ brother Eros does put some of it into question. Either way, maybe the Eternals had the right idea about not stepping in considering his Infinity Gauntlet could render them all helpless.
8 COULD DEFEAT: Neither Version Of The Mandarin Would Stand Much Of A Chance
The Mandarin’s appearance in Iron Man 3 didn’t get the best response from the public. Audiences hated the transformation of Iron Man’s iconic villain into the actor Trevor Slattery, hired by AIM’s leader Aldrich Killian. Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings fixed that and introduced the real Mandarin, Xu Wenwu – an ancient overlord who wields the magical artifact, the Ten Rings.
Some theories suggest the Ten Rings themselves might have a connection with the Eternals, as they are of alien make. But whether or not that is true, it’s clear that neither version of the Mandarin would stand a chance against the Eternals. One word from Druig would have them both surrendering.
7 WOULD DEFEAT THEM: Ego Is A Celestial Whose Cosmic Powers Far Outclass The Eternals
The finale of Eternals depicts Arishem the Judge coming to punish his creations for their actions. But the MCU has introduced another Celestial before. Ego the Living Planet planned on using his son, Peter Quill, in the Expansion – a way to remake the universe in his image. While Sersi may have been successful in turning Tiamut to marble, the Celestial had yet to fully emerge at the time, meaning she had to use Tiamut's own power against him. She wouldn’t be able to do the same thing against Ego.
Granted, Phastos might be able to create something similar to the bomb used to destroy Ego's brain in the Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, but actually using it wouldn’t be possible. They’d need another Celestial to keep Ego busy considering even the strongest members of their team are no match for his cosmic powers.
6 COULD DEFEAT: Mysterio’s Plans Rely On Smoke And Mirrors
Spider-Man: Far From Home introduces Quentin Beck, a character who originally claims he's from another universe that was destroyed by the monstrous Elementals. In reality, he uses holographic technology to stage attacks, all with a single purpose in mind – gaining control of Tony Stark’s AI, E.D.I.T.H. The Eternals wouldn’t have had an issue with Beck. Sprite would have seen straight through his illusions and helped the Eternals take him out in a heartbeat.
5 WOULD DEFEAT THEM: Dormammu Is An Interdimensional Entity Of Incredible Power
Mysterio’s Elementals might be fake, but the villain Dormammu is very much real. The antagonist in Doctor Strange, Dormammu is a primordial interdimensional entity who rules over the Dark Dimension. His goal is to fuse the Dark Dimension with Earth, a mission he would have accomplished had Doctor Strange not intervened.
Using the Time Stone, Strange traps Dormammu in a time loop, forcing him to leave in exchange for his freedom. The solution makes Dormammu kill Strange numerous times until it brings about his desired outcome. The Eternals wouldn’t have been able to come up with it as they had no convenient Infinity Stone to turn to.
4 COULD DEFEAT: Agatha Harkness’s Power Pales Compared To The Eternals' Cosmic Skills
The main villain in WandaVision, Agatha Harkness seeks to exploit and understand Wanda Maximoff’s chaotic magic. A highly knowledgeable witch, she manipulates Wanda using the Darkhold, but the Darkhold wouldn’t be able to protect her from the Eternals. She would easily be disarmed and defeated by Makkari or Ikaris.
3 WOULD DEFEAT THEM: He Who Remains’ Omniscience Is Impossible To Fight
Loki’s surprise antagonist may not have been the best addition to the God of Mischief’s Disney+ series, but in his own way, he's terrifying. He Who Remains – roughly identified as Kang the Conqueror – is a villain in an entirely different league. His omniscience makes him an unbeatable opponent while his genius allowed him to tame the creature, Alioth. It seems unlikely that any of the Eternals would be able to handle him unless he actually allowed it.
2 COULD DEFEAT: Erik Killmonger’s Training And Abilities Wouldn’t Be A Threat
One of the most interesting villains in the MCU, Erik Killmonger shines due to his motivation and determination after his first appearance in Black Panther. The Disney+ series, What If…?, reveals his true potential as a villain. In the show, Erik befriends Tony Stark and gains access to his technology. He then kills his cousin T’challa and Tony, starts a war between Wakanda and the United States, and ingratiates himself in the favor of the Wakandan royal family at the same time.
While genius, Killmonger's scheme wouldn’t help him against the Eternals. Much like other humans, he would be vulnerable to Druig’s abilities. It’s unclear if the Infinity Stones would protect him against Druig’s powers, but it’s more than likely he’d never get the chance to acquire them.
1 WOULD DEFEAT THEM: Infinity Ultron Has Obliterated The Universe Before
MCU’s Ultron is a threat the Eternals may have been able to handle. But What If…? presents a different version of the character – one who succeeds with his plan of merging with Vision’s body. When Thanos appears on Earth, he claims the Infinity Stones and practically becomes unstoppable.
Infinity Ultron goes on to destroy the whole universe. Nothing can stop him – not even Celestials like Ego – making this one enemy the Eternals should have fought before he became too powerful. They would all fall when facing him, just like the rest of the MCU’s heroes.