The Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s final release of 2025 has brought many surprising twists and turns, including several shocking deaths that shake the universe to its core, leaving fans speechless. One of the issues I have had with the Multiverse Saga is how not that many projects on the MCU’s slate have dealt directly with the multiverse and how it shapes the franchise.
That is why I was such a fan of the MCU’s latest TV show. With Wonder Man pushed to January 2026, Marvel Zombies, which was released on Disney+ on September 24, has become the final MCU release of the year. That is the perfect project to end the MCU’s 2025 releases on, as it directly tackles a separate universe with TV-MA action and all these character deaths:
22
Kate Bishop
Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop in Marvel’s Hawkeye
Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop is the first major shocking death in Marvel Zombies. She starts as part of a delightful trio with Ms. Marvel and Ironheart, teasing the MCU’s Young Avengers’ potential. However, Kate is quickly obliterated in the premiere by a zombified Captain Marvel’s blast. Her death sets the tone for the show.
21
Melina Vostokoff
With Red Guardian and Yelena Belova becoming such prominent characters in the live-action MCU, I had hopes that Melina Vostokoff could at least get a similar role to play in the animated series. However, the character was another short-lived player in Marvel Zombies. That said, Melina briefly took control of the zombie army before Okoye impaled her, which was exciting.
20
Moon Knight
Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight angry and using one of his stars
We never actually get to see Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight in Marvel Zombies. However, it is revealed that Marc Spector was killed in the zombie apocalypse off-screen. Following that event, the new Fist of Khonshu is none other than a version of Mahershala Ali’s Blade, who debuts before his live-action counterpart.
19
Wenwu
Tony Leung as Xu Wenwu’s Mandarin in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Wenwu has a sad and unexpected death in Marvel Zombies shortly after he first appears. To stop Shang-Chi, his son, from turning after being bitten in the arm, Wenwu gives him the powerful Ten Rings. Due to that, he becomes vulnerable to a frenzied attack from the zombie horde in San Francisco.
18
John Walker
Wyatt Russell’s John Walker a.k.a. US Agent stands on a NYC street without his mask in Thunderbolts*
John Walker is not a reformed hero in the Marvel Zombies universe. Instead, he serves as Zemo’s right-hand man in the Raft, which has been transformed into a fortified ship for survivors rather than a prison for superpowered individuals. When zombie Namor and his Talokanil army descend upon the Raft, Walker is savagely ripped in half by Namor.
17
Yelena Belova
Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova looks directly at the camera in the dark in Thunderbolts* poster
Yelena Belova’s death is one of the biggest in the MCU’s last project of 2025. She chooses to stay behind on the Raft so that Red Guardian, Ms. Marvel, and the other heroes can escape. It was a poignant sacrifice, with Yelena pouring a last drink for her as she said goodbye to her father through the ship’s speakers.
16
Rocket Raccoon
Rocket Raccoon piloting a ship in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Rocket Raccoon is a huge player in the MCU, serving as the new leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. However, his role in Marvel Zombies is minimal. After arriving in Wakanda with Thor and Groot in a similar scene to their Avengers: Infinity War Battle of Wakanda arrival, Rocket is almost instantly obliterated by zombie Thanos.
15
Groot
King Groot grown up in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s post-credits scene
Groot, like Rocket, appears only in a flashback sequence in the MCU TV show. Thanos, who possesses the full might of the Infinity Stones, directs a heavy blast towards Rocket, Groot, and Thor. While the latter is alive, though devastatingly injured, by the end of the attack, nothing was left of Groot.
14
Thanos
Zombie Thanos wielding the Infinity Gauntlet in Marvel Zombies (2025)
Thanos himself is another character who dies in Marvel Zombies. Interestingly, that has become a recurring feature in the MCU’s animated projects, but Thanos does get a more impactful death in the horror series than in other appearances. Black Panther sacrifices himself to take Thanos down, with the villain exploding in contact with Wakanda’s Vibranium core.
13
Black Panther
Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther in his MCU movie
T’Challa does not speak in Marvel Zombies, as Marvel chose not to recast the role after Chadwick Boseman’s death, just like has happened in live-action. However, he leaves his mark on the show, pushing Thanos into Wakanda’s Vibranium core and being vaporized alongside the villain in that sacrificial play. This releases an Infinity Storm from the Infinity Stones’ destruction.