80 Of The Most Memorable Movie Villains Who Excel At Being Mean

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!