Top 10 Movie Villains Who Did Best of All Time

By Lois Robinett Last updated Jan 25, 2023

A compelling antagonist may make or break a picture. In fact, the villain is frequently the character that stays with you. For the sake of broad appeal, we have compiled and reduced to ten the ten best film villains from the past fifty years.

We want to hear from you, so please vote in our poll and tell us who should have been ranked first. In the spirit of this list, we will read your recommendations and then incorporate them into a malicious plot.

Loki (Avengers Infinity War)

Loki Odinson, the God of Mischief, debuted in the 2011 film Thor as the titular character's adopted brother. It did not take him long to win the hearts and minds of those around him, the majority of whom were moviegoers.

Although it does not excuse his awful behavior, the fact that he comes from a situation of abandonment and inequality helps the spectator comprehend how such a character developed. It also makes it easier for the viewers to forgive him when he ultimately joins forces with Thor to defeat Thanos.

Pennywise the Dancing Clown (IT)

It first debuted in the ABC miniseries It in 1990, but it returned to the big screen in the 2017 blockbuster IT. Although the figure has the appearance and demeanor of a clown and calls itself Pennywise the Dancing Clown, it is in fact a shape-shifting monster who feeds on human fears.

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name published in 1986, It is the tangible expression of one's worries. This notion is a predecessor to the shape-shifting, fear-eating Boggarts from the Harry Potter novels. While King is a famed horror author with many amazing creations, It is the best antagonist in any adaptation of his work.

Sauron (Lord Of The Rings)

The first appearance of the Dark Lord Sauron was in the 2001 film The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring. Creator of the One Ring, he was destroyed some 2,500 years before the events of the film, but his power lay dormant within the One Ring until he could regain physical form.

The definitive epic high-fantasy trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien is replete with intriguing protagonists, antagonists, and characters that occupy the murky grey area in between. However, Sauron and his ever-watchful Eye exemplify evil with wordless simplicity, so it makes perfect sense that so many of the trilogy's personalities, organizations, and governments join against him.

Darth Sidious (Star Wars Saga)

The first appearance of Darth Sidious (also known as Emperor Palpatine) was in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back. As the Emperor of the Galactic Republic and wicked political mastermind, he creates the Clone Wars, implements Order 66, and leads Anakin Skywalker to the dark side of the Force, potentially making him the major protagonist of the entire Star Wars saga.

Sidious is a viciously crafty, Machiavellian villain who serves as a warning that individuals who dominate nations frequently do it via violence and deceit. Knowing when to persuade with compassion was a crucial aspect of his cunning, resulting in a number of instances in which Palpatine was surprisingly kind.

Scar (The Lion King)

Scar starred in the 1994 film The Lion King as King Mufasa's younger brother. Although he is the heir to his brother's territory and title, he schemes to murder his newborn nephew, who would otherwise become the next king of the Pride Lands.

The scar is an extremely scary antagonist for a G-rated flick. The fact that Scar murdered Simba's father before attempting to kill Simba himself helped establish the character as a memorable antagonist for a generation of moviegoers. “Be Prepared,” the song in which he sings about his motives, is a captivating tune that will make it even more difficult for people to forget him.

Bane (The Dark Knight Rises)

Bane was first featured in the 1997 picture Batman and Robin, although his presence in The Dark Knight Rises is more likely to be remembered. As the recipient of an experimental serum, he possesses superhuman strength and innovative combat skills.

While many villains have given Batman a taste of defeat, Bane may have done so more savagely than any other. For the Caped Crusader, breaking his back and leaving him to suffer in a foreign prison while Gotham City slid into unprecedented lawlessness is perhaps the cruelest defeat imaginable. Even if the 2012 version is more popular, viewers should view the early Batman films for often-overlooked elements.

Thanos (Avengers Infinity War)

Thanos originally appeared in a post-credits sequence in the 2012 blockbuster The Avengers. He is the primary adversary in the MCU series and, with the snap of his fingers, destroys half of all living organisms in the universe.

When some of the strongest MCU characters, such as Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor, and Captain America, band together, they require a worthy enemy. Thanos uses the six Infinity Stones to achieve unfathomable power with the intention of “balancing” the universe's “overpopulated” environment.

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs)

Dr. Hannibal Lecter first appears in the 1986 film Manhunter, but he is arguably more known for his portrayal by Anthony Hopkins in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs. The clever former psychiatrist is imprisoned for conducting a series of cannibalistic murders and consults with various law enforcement organizations to use them for his own purposes.

Not only did Hopkins' performance earn him the Oscar for Best Actor, but it also helped establish Lecter as one of the most terrifying villains of all time and The Silence of the Lambs as one of the greatest films of all time. The fact that the many protagonists in the series rely on the antagonist is not only novel but also contributes to an increase in dramatic tension, as viewers are forced to question how much of Lecter's advice is beneficial and how much is detrimental.

Joker (The Dark Knight)

The Joker first appears in the 1989 film Batman, but Heath Ledger's portrayal of him in the 2008 picture The Dark Knight is more likely to be remembered. Intent on observing Gotham descend into chaos and disorder, he orchestrates Rachel's murder and manipulates Harvey Dent into becoming Two-Face.

The clown prince of crime frequently alters his history, making it difficult for him to be a relatable antagonist. Nonetheless, he is undeniably captivating, and Ledger's portrayal was just hypnotic. The fact that he does not seek power, but rather disruption, makes him more challenging for Batman to combat.

Darth Vader (Star Wars Saga)

Darth Vader originally appeared in Star Wars in 1977. (later named Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope). He is a young man named Anakin Skywalker in the prequel trilogy. In the original trilogy, he is Darth Sidious's final apprentice and lieutenant, and he becomes the Dark Lord of the Sith.

Vader's visage, booming, raspy voice, and telekinetic strangulation of those who question him make him arguably the most iconic film villain of all time. When he ultimately betrays Darth Sidious and apologizes to his son, it's not only a very emotional and poignant moment, but it's also one of the instances where Darth Vader's Force abilities are on full display.

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