12 Most Heartbreaking MCU & DCEU Character Deaths That Rocked 2023
The Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe saw many major deaths in 2023. After ten years, the DCEU came to an end in 2023, with 2024 marking the start of James Gunn's new DC Universe with the animated Creature Commandos series.
While not the best-reviewed of the franchise, the DCEU's 2023 movies featured many exciting and shocking moments, which included a few major character deaths, and at least one of them could impact DC's upcoming movies despite the universe reboot.
In 2023, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe experienced significant losses. The DCEU came to a close after a decade, with James Gunn's new DC Universe beginning in 2024 with the animated Creature Commandos series. Despite mixed reviews, the 2023 DCEU movies featured thrilling and surprising moments, including the deaths of major characters, some of which may impact DC's future films despite the universe reboot.
The MCU will persist without a reboot, but 2023 brought both highs and lows for Marvel Studios. While the quality of the MCU's offerings varied, notable movies like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and controversial entries like Secret Invasion featured heartbreaking deaths. These are the most significant character deaths in the MCU and DCEU in 2023.
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#1. Shazam Dies After Defeating Kalypso
Source: IMDb
In Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Billy Batson utilized his powers to overcharge the Wizard's staff and defeat Kalypso, her dragon, and army. The energy released during the battle was too much for Billy, causing his death. However, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman made a surprise cameo and used her god-like powers to resurrect Billy by restoring the staff.
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#2. MODOK Dies As An Avenger
Source: IMDb
Corey Stoll's reprisal of Darren Cross in the Ant-Man series sparked significant controversy. The transformation of Cross from Yellowjacket to the MCU's rendition of MODOK, attributed to his time in the Quantum Realm, represented a bold creative choice. While the actor's portrayal resulted in a comical MODOK, the CGI in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania failed to sufficiently enhance the character's appearance.
MODOK's demise, occurring subsequent to the destruction of Kang the Conqueror's shield, and his act of betrayal towards Kang in aiding the Ant-Man family, culminated in a poignant and bittersweet moment as he perished as an "Avenger."
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#3. Talos Is Killed By Gravik
Source: IMDb
Secret Invasion is among Marvel's most contentious releases, and the show resulted in the demise of two beloved MCU characters. In episode 4, the leader of the invading Skrulls, Gravik, shockingly stabs and kills Ben Mendelsohn's Talos after assuming the guise of a soldier who was aiding the wounded character.
Talos' bond with Nick Fury was a highlight of the series, offering the promise of further compelling interactions in the future, making his death in the poorly-received show all the more regrettable.
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#4. Supergirl Is Stabbed By General Zod
Source: IMDb
Sasha Calle's Supergirl had an exciting but limited role in The Flash. Despite her initial display of power against General Zod's army and captors, she was ultimately killed by the villain.
Although two different endings were cut that would have brought Supergirl back through Barry Allen's multiverse travels, Calle's character remained deceased.
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#5. Young Barry Allen Sacrifices Himself To Save Older Flash
Source: IMDb
The Flash featured two iterations of Barry Allen, with Ezra Miller portraying both the DCEU's Barry and a younger version of himself. Regrettably, despite his numerous attempts, the young Barry, unable to rescue Batman and Supergirl, transformed into Dark Flash.
Subsequently, the villain encountered his older self and the primary Barry, leading to the younger Flash sacrificing himself to save his older counterpart. The demise of the young Barry stands as one of the most sorrowful moments in the DCEU.
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#6. Michael Keaton’s Batman Repeatedly Dies
Source: IMDb
The Flash witnessed several major MCU or DCEU deaths in 2023. Michael Keaton reprised his role as Batman in the movie, only to have his character unexpectedly killed off.
Batman initially sacrifices himself to try to destroy Zod's ship, and later dies in a confrontation with a Kryptonian after young Barry reverses time. Initially, Keaton was set to become the DCEU's Batman, replacing Ben Affleck, which would have resulted in a different fate for his character.
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#7. Jaime Reyes’ Dad Dies From A Heart Attack
Source: IMDb
Alberto Reyes had a significant death in the DCEU. Jaime Reyes' father died in Blue Beetle while his son was captured by Victoria Kord's team and could do nothing to help him. Alberto's death from a heart attack was not the last time he was seen in the movie.
Blue Beetle depicted Jaime and Alberto reuniting in the afterlife for a bittersweet sequence where Jaime fully embraces his superhero destiny.
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#8. Strange Supreme Sacrifices Himself For His Universe
Source: Marvel Comics
Strange Supreme is among the most potent figures in the MCU. His fixation on rescuing Christine Palmer destroyed his own universe. In season 2 of What If...?, the anti-hero resurfaces with a plan to restore his universe by sacrificing numerous multiversal heroes and villains to The Forge. Following a fierce battle with Captain Carter and Kahhori, Strange Supreme breaks free from the influence of the dark entities he had absorbed, sacrifices himself, and ultimately saves his universe and Christine, although he never gets to witness it tragically.
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#9. Barry Allen’s Mom's Death Leads To Flashpoint
Source: IMDb
The Flash showcased numerous significant deaths, but none were as crucial as the death of Barry Allen's mother. Although the Reverse-Flash was not explicitly depicted as the one responsible for Nora Allen's death in the movie, The Flash's narrative revolved around Barry's mother's demise. This serves as the central driving force behind the film, as Barry endeavors to travel back in time to rescue her, ultimately leading to a sequence of heart-wrenching events before he comes to terms with the necessity of letting her go.
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#10. Maria Hill Is Shockingly Shot By Gravik
Source: IMDb
Secret Invasion appeared to be the opportunity for Maria Hill to take the spotlight, but unfortunately, her character played by Cobie Smulders met a fatal end in the first episode.
This demise became the most contentious death in the MCU for 2023. In episode 1 of Secret Invasion, Nick Fury seemingly shot Hill, only for it to be disclosed that it was actually the Skrull Gravik. Subsequently, Hill succumbed to her injuries, concluding her time in the MCU without ever securing a significant role in a project.
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#11. Rocket Raccoon's Childhood Friends Are Killed By The High Evolutionary
Source: IMDb
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 stands out as one of the MCU's most poignant films. It unveils Rocket Raccoon's heart-wrenching past, depicting three devastating deaths.
As Rocket and his companions strive to flee from the High Evolutionary's vessel, the MCU antagonist mercilessly takes the lives of Lylla the Otter and Rocket's childhood friends, Floor and Teefs. This tragedy sheds light on the profound grief that haunts Rocket in the future.
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#12. Kang The Conqueror
Source: IMDb
In 2023, Kang the Conqueror's death stood out as the most significant in the MCU or DCEU. The movie "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" introduced Kang as the MCU's successor to Thanos, but he appeared to die at the movie's end when Ant-Man and the Wasp sent him flying into the multiversal core of his Time Chair, which then collapsed and sucked Kang into the void.
Jonathan Majors' departure from the MCU raises questions about whether Kang's apparent death might be real, making him the top villain death of 2023 in the MCU or the DCEU.
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