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Some villains are obviously evil. Others… maybe not. In this poll, we’ve collected 24 of the most iconic movie and TV villains. Your task is simple, but morally tricky: decide if each character was truly evil, or just a product of their circumstances.

Your votes will reveal how you see morality in the most complicated of characters. Are you harsh, forgiving, or somewhere in between? Scroll, think carefully, and cast your votethese villains aren’t always what they seem.

🚀 💡 Want more or looking for something else? Head over to the Bored Panda Quizzes and explore our full collection of quizzes and trivia designed to test your knowledge, reveal hidden insights, and spark your curiosity.💡

#1

Harry Potter (2001-2011) - Often seen as Harry Potter’s bully and rival, Draco Malfoy is cruel and arrogant, but also shaped by family pressure and expectations.

Character Draco Malfoy with pale hair and dark clothing, representing famous villains in the discussion of Lord Voldemort pure evil.

Warner Bros. Report

Miki
Community Member
Premium
24 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This few percent pf ppl didn't read the book or watch the movies.

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    #2

    Game Of Thrones (2011-2019) - Manipulative and ruthless, Cersei Lannister will destroy anyone who threatens her power or her children.

    Woman with braided blonde hair and ornate necklace in medieval-style dress, discussing famous villains like Lord Voldemort pure evil.

    HBO Report

    #3

    Breaking Bad (2008-2013) - A teacher turned drug kingpin, Walter White commits crimes and murders while insisting he’s doing it for his family.

    A bald man with glasses and a goatee wearing a brown jacket under clear sky, representing famous villains like Lord Voldemort pure evil.

    Sony Pictures Television Report

    #4

    Marvel Cinematic Universe (2012-2019) - Believing overpopulation will destroy the universe, Thanos wipes out half of all life to restore “balance.”

    Thanos from Avengers in battle scene, representing famous villains to judge if Lord Voldemort was pure evil.

    Marvel Report

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    #5

    The Dark Knight (2008) - A chaos-driven criminal, the Joker believes society’s rules are fragile illusions.

    The Joker with white face paint and red lips, representing famous villains and the theme of pure evil.

    Warner Bros. Report

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    #6

    The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) - Once innocent, Gollum is twisted by an obsession with the One Ring over centuries of isolation.

    Gollum with wide blue eyes in a dark setting, representing a famous villain for purity of evil judgment.

    New Line Cinema Report

    #7

    The Godfather ((1972) - Once determined to avoid crime, Michael Corleone slowly becomes the ruthless head of a criminal empire.

    A man in a black suit and red tie sitting at a table with drinks, representing famous villains including Lord Voldemort pure evil.

    Paramount Pictures Report

    PenguinEmp
    Community Member
    59 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Circumstances. Fredo was not cut out for it and sonny died. It was him or the family is done for.

    #8

    Spider-Man (2002) - A brilliant scientist fractured by dangerous experiments, the Green Goblin became violently ambitious and cruel.

    Green Goblin in a dark mask and armor pointing finger, representing famous villains to judge pure evil characters including Lord Voldemort.

    Marvel Report

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    #9

    Watchmen (2009) - A vigilante with a rigid moral code, Rorschach refuses to compromise even to save lives.

    Rorschach from Watchmen wearing a fedora and trench coat, representing iconic famous villains in dark lighting.

    Warner Bros. Report

    Miki
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True hero of the movie and comic.

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    #10

    A Clockwork Orange (1971) - Known as a violent delinquent who delighted in cruelty, Alex DeLarge was later forced into psychological “rehabilitation.”

    Young man with blue eyes wearing a black bowler hat and white shirt, representing a famous villain in a dimly lit room.

    Warner Bros. Report

    #11

    Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - Ed Rooney becomes obsessed with catching one student skipping school, even if it means lying and breaking his own rules.

    Man in a suit discussing pure evil villains, emphasizing Lord Voldemort, in an office with an old computer in the background.

    Paramount Pictures Report

    PenguinEmp
    Community Member
    58 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was about a day off. It's fun.

    #12

    Wall Street (1987) - Gordon Gekko builds an empire by convincing people that greed isn’t a flaw - it’s a virtue.

    Actor in a suit speaking into a microphone, representing famous villains including Lord Voldemort pure evil debate.

    20th Century Fox Report

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    #13

    Cruel Intentions (1999) - Kathryn Merteuil treats relationships like chess pieces and emotions like leverage.

    Young woman with dark hair in school uniform, looking thoughtfully into a mirror, exploring the concept of pure evil villains.

    Columbia Pictures Report

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    #14

    The Sopranos (1999-2007) - Tony Soprano goes to therapy while ordering violence to protect his family and his business.

    Man in a dark suit and tie smirking in a dimly lit room, representing famous villains and pure evil themes.

    HBO Report

    #15

    That 70's Show (1998-2006) - Red Forman rules his household through criticism, pressure, and “tough love.”

    A middle-aged man in a kitchen with arms crossed, contemplating while discussing famous villains and pure evil.

    FOX Report

    #16

    Die Hard (1988) - Hans Gruber stages a terrorist attack under the cover of political messaging to carry out a high-end heist.

    Close-up of two famous villains in a dark setting, prompting viewers to judge if Lord Voldemort is pure evil.

    20th Century Studios Report

    Miki
    Community Member
    Premium
    17 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    13% didn't watch it. It was CLEARLY about money. There was a scene explaining politics was cust a cover up.

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    #17

    Psycho (1960) - Norman Bates presents himself as kind and vulnerable while hiding a violent reality he barely understands himself.

    Close-up of a man with a sinister smile, representing iconic famous villains and the theme of pure evil.

    Universal Pictures Report

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    #18

    The Matrix (1999) - Agent Smith seeks to erase humanity to “free” both humans and machines from a system he sees as a prison.

    Man in black suit and sunglasses sitting at table with folder, evoking themes of famous villains and pure evil discussions.

    Warner Bros. Report

    #19

    Training Day (2001) - Alonzo Harris bends the law at every turn, claiming only dirty hands can keep the streets clean.

    Close-up of a man with glasses and a chain necklace, portraying intensity in a dimly lit setting for villain analysis on Lord Voldemort.

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    #20

    12 Years a Slave (2013) - Edwin Epps rules through terror, convinced that absolute control is both natural and necessary.

    Close-up of a man with red hair and beard, illustrating a famous villain in a discussion about Lord Voldemort pure evil.

    Summit Entertainment Report

    #21

    No Country for Old Men (2007) - Anton Chigurh follows an unbreakable personal code that treats life and death as a matter of chance.

    Man with dark hair and serious expression in a dimly lit room, representing famous villains and pure evil themes.

    Miramax Report

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    #22

    John Doe: Vigilante (2014) - John Doe engineers his crimes as moral lessons meant to expose society’s sins through fear and spectacle.

    Man in orange prison jumpsuit speaking in a dark room, linked to discussion on Lord Voldemort pure evil and villains.

    Screen Corporation Report

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    #23

    Harry Potter (2001-2011) - Lord Voldemort seeks to reshape the world by eliminating those he considers weak, believing only the powerful deserve to lead.

    Lord Voldemort holding a wand outside a dark castle, representing pure evil from famous villain characters.

    Warner Bros. Report

    #24

    Frankenstein (2025) - Dr. Frankenstein, shaped by a childhood of loss, betrayal and neglect, grows obsessed with defying the natural limits of life, claiming that the pursuit of knowledge justifies his experiments - even when they harm others.

    Man with curly hair and intense expression in dimly lit room, illustrating famous villains including Lord Voldemort pure evil.

    Netflix Report