Virus scanning of container images can be managed. For example, container images can be received in a sequential order. The container images can then be analyzed to determine the contents of the container images. The container images can be arranged in a virus-scanning queue in an order that is different from the sequential order in which the container images were received based on the contents of the container images. The container images can then be scanned for viruses in the order in which the container images are arranged in the virus-scanning queue.