Disney movies have a magical way of captivating audiences with their unforgettable characters and timeless tales. While the heroes often steal the spotlight, it’s the villains who add a dash of darkness and complexity to these beloved tales. Here are my top 20 Disney villains of all time:
Scar – The Lion King (1994)
The impeccable writing and performance of Scar in The Lion King is a major reason the $1 billion production is universally regarded as a classic. Scar, who is brought to life by Jeremy Iron’s incredible voice performance, is responsible for orchestrating the forever memorable circumstances of Mufasa’s death.
Ursula – The Little Mermaid (1989)
In Little Mermaid, Ursula is a sea witch who uses her powers to take control over various souls of the ocean. The villain not only does everything in her capacity to ruin the lives of those around her including her brother King Triton, but she also manipulates poor Ariel’s desire for a new life on land.
Lady Tremaine – Cinderella (1950)
For me, Lady Tremaine from Cinderella is the most iconic execution of the wicked stepmother trope by Disney. The royal wannabe was all shades of cruel to Cinderella, taking everything from her and treating her like a slave.
Captain Hook – Peter Pan (1953)
Armed with a hook and a thirst for revenge against Peter Pan, Captain Hook is the classic pirate villain we all love to hate. His cunning and theatrical demeanor, coupled with a memorable vendetta against the boy who refuses to grow up, make him one of Disney’s most enduring and iconic antagonists.
Maleficent – Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Maleficent is one of the most iconic villains Disney’s ever created. Her recognizable horned appearance and her unmistakably malevolent aura make her the epitome of evil. The scene of Maleficent transforming into a fire-breathing dragon to take out Prince Phillip really captures the fierceness of this villain.
Gaston – Beauty and the Beast (1991)
There are few characters as full of themselves as Gaston. With a brawny physique and swarm of adoring followers, Gaston believes he can get anything he wants. This is why he can’t stand the rejection from Belle, and becomes a truly nasty character who’s willing to resort to manipulative schemes.
Hades – Hercules (1997)
His ugly facade, blue flames, and obsession with skull accessories tell you all you need to know about this deity. Hades was scary in Hercules, but he also made a pretty enjoyable villain, thanks to his nappy sarcasm, his high intelligence, and well, his evil powers.
Cruella de Vil – 101 Dalmatians (1961)
The epitome of fur-ocious villainy, Cruella’s obsession with Dalmatian fur drives her to pursue a despicable plan to capture the adorable pups. She even goes as far as destroying her fancy car in pursuit of the dogs.
Jafar – Aladdin (1992)
In his sinister plot to seize the power of a genie, Jafar, voiced by Jonathan Freeman, becomes a despicable villain willing to manipulate anyone and everyone. Being a master of deception and dark magic, the Aladdin antagonist proves to be a formidable adversary for Aladdin and Jasmine.
Dr. Facilier – The Princess and the Frog (2009)
I think Dr. Facilier is an underrated villain. The Shadowman of New Orleans is a genuinely interesting character, who manages to maintain a fine balance of charm and menace. With his smooth-talking charm and sinister spells, Dr. Facilier orchestrates a grand scheme to plunge New Orleans into darkness in The Princess and the Frog.
Shan Yu – Mulan (1998)
With his imposing stature and cold, calculating demeanor, Shan Yu stands as a formidable antagonist. In seeking to conquer the kingdom, Shan Yu leads the Huns, an army of ruthless warriors, on a path of destruction across China.
Prince Hans – Frozen (2013)
At only 23, the charming prince of the Southern Isles is one the youngest Disney villains ever. Of course, Hans didn’t start off looking like a villain in Frozen, sweeping Anna off her feet in the typical Prince Charming fashion. In due time, however, Hans would reveal his true colors with a deceitful plot to usurp the throne of Arendelle.
Sid Phillips – Toy Story (1995)
A sadistic 11-year-old boy who enjoyed habitually destroying his toys, Sidney Phillips was the natural enemy of the characters in Toy Story. Thankfully, Woody and Buzz Lightyear were always around to ensure Sid never got the last laugh.
Queen of Hearts – Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Though the Queen of Hearts did not pose a major threat to the protagonist, the irrational and tyrannical ruler of Wonderland was nonetheless a memorable villain. From her unpredictable temper to her obsession with crochet, the Queen of Hearts never ceased to make the lives of everyone in Wonderland miserable.
Horned King – The Black Cauldron (1985)
A dark and malevolent ruler, the Horned King seeks the power of the Black Cauldron to unleash an army of undead soldiers. With his menacing appearance and chilling presence, the Horned King stands as one of Disney’s most sinister and bone-chilling villains.
The Queen – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was ground-breaking work, being the first feature-length animated film from an American studio, The production set the tone for future Disney villains with the character of the evil Queen. Her iconic transformation into the wicked old hag and the famous line “Mirror, mirror on the wall” solidify her place as one of Disney’s original and most iconic villains.
The Coachman – Pinocchio (1940)
Though a supporting character, the Coachman in Pinocchio is simply too nasty to not be on this list. This sinister character lures naughty boys to Pleasure Island, turning them into donkeys for his profit. The Coachman is undeniably one of Disney’s creepiest villains.
Yzma – The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
After Emperor Kuzco fires her as his advisor, Yzma attempts to overthrow the emperor, leading to hilarious mishaps. With her eccentric personality and outrageous schemes, Yzma is one of Disney’s most delightfully zany and memorable villains, providing comedic relief while still posing a genuine threat.
Frollo – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
A prejudiced maniac and an attempted rapist, Frollo is a truly sinister villain. The character’s religious fervor is only a mask for his villainous intentions, as he ruthlessly makes life hell for the deformed Quasimodo and the beautiful Esmeralda.
Ratcliffe – Pocahontas (1995)
Pocahontas’s Ratcliffe is the embodiment of colonial villainy. Keen on exploiting the resources of the New World for his own gain, Ratcliffe manipulates his fellow settlers and provokes conflict with the Native Americans. His ruthless pursuit of riches makes him a compelling and morally complex antagonist in the enchanting tale of Pocahontas.