The Most Evil Movie Villains of All Time

Throughout the years, animated villains have been a significant part of popular culture, evident in how they transcend the boundaries of age, time, language, and geography. These antagonists continue to haunt us and captivate our imaginations with their evil schemes, plans, and impeccable style. With that said, here are the modern animated villains we believe have the potential to become iconic.

Chef Skinner (Ratatouille)

Chef Skinner, the primary antagonist in “Ratatouille,” is a somewhat unique villain in that he’s not evil so much as he is misguided. Skinner is so obsessed with preserving the reputation of Gusteau’s restaurant that he’ll do anything to keep the status quo, including stealing recipes and sabotaging the competition. His desperation to hold onto his power and fear of change make him a pretty intriguing villain indeed.

Chris Jackson/ Getty | Ratatouille is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy-drama film produced by Pixar Animation Studios

Thanos (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Thanos, the primary antagonist of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga, is one of the most iconic modern animated villains in recent years. He is a genocidal warlord from the planet Titan who seeks to save the universe by wiping out half of all life. Despite his evil intentions, Thanos is a character with layers. He believes his actions are necessary and justifiable, which gives him a depth that makes him one of the most memorable villains in cinema history.

Evelyn Deavor AKA Screenslaver (The Incredibles 2)

Evelyn Deavor, aka Screenslaver, from The Incredibles 2, is a new take on a villain, making her an interesting and modern character. Her motive wasn’t just gaining power or money; she wanted to control technology and revolutionize the world. She was a perfect example of a villain doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. Another unique aspect of her character was how she manipulated people with her screens, which was something most modern viewers could relate to.

Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Zuko, the fiery antihero and eventual ally of the titular Airbender is one of animated history’s most fascinating and well-developed villains. He starts as the series’ primary antagonist, but as the story progresses, viewers see his complex backstory and journey toward redemption. Zuko is a character that audiences can empathize with and root for, and his character arc is a testament to the power of character development.

Theweek/ Getty Images | Thanos is immensely strong and resistant to injury, invulnerable to nearly all types of poison, disease, and telepathic attack

Ego (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)

Played by Kurt Russell, Ego is the father of Peter Quill (Star-Lord) and the main antagonist in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Ego is a celestial being with god-like powers, which he uses to try to conquer the universe. His charisma and charm make him a likable villain, even though his actions are pure evil. His iconic line “I’m your dad, Peter” has become infamous in pop culture and solidified him as a modern animated villain that will be remembered for years.

Kingpin (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse)

Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin, is the primary antagonist in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Fisk is a ruthless, powerful, and wealthy businessman willing to destroy anyone and anything that gets in his way. His towering size and deep voice make him an intimidating presence on screen. Kingpin’s backstory and personality are unique, making him a standout villain in the Spider-Man universe.

Bryan Hill/ Juan Ferreyra/ Marvel Comics | Killmonger has come to Wakanda as a conqueror

Killmonger (Black Panther)

Killmonger is one of the best villains the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever had. His backstory, motives, and beliefs make us understand his actions; in some way, we empathize with him. Michael B Jordan’s performance as Killmonger was so good that it earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars. Killmonger is an essential character in the MCU and the superhero cinematic universe villain pantheon.