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A movie without a villain is just all sizzle and no steak. It takes out the joy of hating someone or something without feeling guilty, and without an evil nemesis, your hero is basically just a regular guy or gal. An especially proper villain also gives you that sweet feeling of rooting for someone who isn't exactly good, but you still wish for them to succeed. And that's such a far-fetched concept in real life that you would never think of feeling so! Except for when watching a movie, that is. Of course, some movie villains are a shameful scoundrel's portrayal, but with these (predominantly) guys, the creators of the characters and the actors who played them elevated the concept of a villain to new heights. So, here we are with our list paying all due respect to the worst, the most terrible, and the sneakiest movie villains!

A great villain comprises plenty of things, but first of all, there has to be a clear reason for why they are mad/angry/murderous. So, a backstory here is as important as ever! Then, such an evil character has to have something entirely unique about them - maybe it's their modus operandi, maybe it's their looks, or the way they talk (or don't talk at all). Only then is a villain truly memorable and frightening. And last but not least, a villain has to be likable. Maybe they're very intelligent or have a great sense of humor; maybe they're ingenious or as charming as a purring kitten. Without this certain magic, a villain turns bland, and then there's no way you can feel attracted to them, which, in turn, evokes that double-sided feeling of rooting for them. So, there you have it - a basis for creating a noteworthy movie character!

If you're interested to see which evil characters made it into our list, just scroll on down below to meet them! Also, don't forget to vote for the best movie villain and tell us why you think they are so great!

#1

Darth Vader

Darth Vader

In the battle for the ultimate villain, a space enfant terrible will always win against one from the Earth.

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#2

Joker

Joker

A villain you just can't help but love - intelligent, absolutely unhinged, and frightening to the max.

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#3

Scar

Scar

Hell hath no fury like a villain who's scorned! Or scarred. Or is a Scar.

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#4

Hannibal Lecter

Hannibal Lecter

After meeting with Hannibal, we've dropped our favorite Chianti and fava bean pairing forever.

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#5

Palpatine

Palpatine

Scheming, powerful, evil from head to toe, and scary to even look at, Palpatine surely makes it into our Top 20 bad, bad guys.

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#6

Loki

Loki

No other villain can boast about such beautiful hair, this whimsy in his eyes and mischief in his soul.

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delphinum4 avatar
Zophra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwww... do we really have to label him a villian? I like him too much!

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#7

Sauron

Sauron

Now here's a villain that terrifies everyone without even showing his face. The eyes, after all, are the mirror of the soul!

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#8

Hans Landa

Hans Landa

What's even more terrifying than a villain by birth? A charming villain with speech as smooth as butter. Chills!

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delphinum4 avatar
Zophra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was an incredible villian. Gave me goosebumps more than Pennywise !

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#9

Thanos

Thanos

A genocidal warlord with an objective to bring stability by wiping out half of existing life? He surely drew inspiration from a certain real person, one might think.

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delphinum4 avatar
Zophra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

stupid af - keep the all plants or the genocide doesn't even do what he wanted.

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#10

Lord Voldemort

Lord Voldemort


Proves that you don't have to have a nose to be a terrific villain. It comes from within!

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#11

Bane

Bane

Despite having the breathing ability of a pug, Bane creeps us out nevertheless. Or maybe it's because of it.

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#13

Hans Gruber

Hans Gruber

Now, a terrorist, however smooth-talking, always makes a terrific villain!

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#14

Agent Smith

Agent Smith


A real professional in the occupation of a seasoned villain - cold, calculating, and humorless.

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#15

Darth Maul

Darth Maul


What would you expect when the dude's name is literally Maul?

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#16

Anton Chigurh

Anton Chigurh

Everything about Anton screams villain - from his weapon choices to his vile hairstyle, he's definitely one you wouldn't want to deal with.

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#17

Michael Myers

Michael Myers

No matter how many times you've seen him in various sequels and reboots, he's still one creepy dude.

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#18

Xenomorph (Alien)

Xenomorph (Alien)


Entities emerging from your body are always terrifying, but this puppy just takes the cake.

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#19

T-1000

T-1000


Androids are already scary, but what if they also shape-shift and are basically interminable?

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#20

Jason Voorhees

Jason Voorhees

Camp cooks are always pretty scary people, but Jason took it to another level by actually becoming a killer. Nice plot twist, Jason!

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#21

Amon Goeth

Amon Goeth

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martingibbs734 avatar
martin734
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that this guy should be higher. What makes him worse is that he was real, a truly evil person.

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#34

Jack Torrance

Jack Torrance

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camilleprice74 avatar
Mega Gay 🇺🇦
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This scene was so weird Edit: let's be honest. He was going crazy

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#44

Wicked Witch Of The West

Wicked Witch Of The West

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#51

Tyler Durden

Tyler Durden

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leeanneb avatar
LeeAnne B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a villian. Disassociation disorder. Depression and anxiety. Not a bad guy.

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#63

Tommy Devito

Tommy Devito

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leeanneb avatar
LeeAnne B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Terrifying. Me and some fellow gamers used to exchange memes about this scene. Still scares the crap out of me.

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#75

Pinhead

Pinhead

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Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pinhead isn't a bad guy in the strictest sense of the word.He and his cohorts are mor like entities just doing their job. They just REALLYY enjoy it., maybe a bit too much. In the original, they weren't the antagonists.