What is it about villains that makes us so drawn towards them? What is the reason behind all that darkness, what is the cause of it, what is its end? Hollywood has given us a bunch of noteworthy villains. Let’s have a look at some of the most famous villains from Hollywood movies whom we love to hate!
Also read: 13 Hollywood Movies on Serial Killers That Will Give You Nightmares
1. Thanos
Taking about the most famous villains from Hollywood movies and not including Thanos would be a crime. He is one of the most popular MCU villains. Well, from a utilitarian point of view, Thanos’ actions (of trying to save the universe, not how he treated his daughters) were completely justifiable. Sue me, but what’s true is true. (Although I can never forgive him for the deaths of some of my favourite superheroes.)
Image source: Fandom
2. Patrick Bateman
I still get nightmares of Patrick Bateman with a chainsaw running behind me. How scary can a villain protagonist get! Christian Bale shined in his performance as a Manhattan investment banker by the day and serial killer by night. Patrick Bateman is a character that will make you shiver and cry.
3. Voldemort
Find me a more iconic villain than Lord Voldemort, I dare you! The performance of Ralph Fiennes is so apt that it feels like he is evil incarnate. The whisper-like voice, the entire aura of the dark lord is so terrifying. Even his backstory is one of the most classic villain backstories.
Image source: Wikipedia
4. Bill
This villain from Kill Bill shot down Uma Thurman’s character and kidnapped her daughter. David Carradine’s performance as the villain of the series, the one who the bride is after, is truly breathtaking. This Quentin Tarantino movie in two parts is a masterpiece.
Image source: Fandom
5. Hans Landa
Standartenführer Hans Landa from the movie Inglorious Basterds is the embodiment of evil covered with a layer of charm. This brilliant portrayal of Austrian actor Christoph Waltz gave us one of the most alluring Quentin Tarantino villains of all time.
Image source: Fandom
6. Rose, Dean, and Missy Armitage
When an African-American man visits his white girlfriend’s parents things don’t go the way he expected. Racist through and through, highly manipulative, and extremely sinister; that quite sums up the Armitage family from the movie Get Out. Just the mere presence of each of these characters on the screen sends a shiver down the spine.
Image source: Fandom
7. Loki
One of the most lovable Hollywood villains of all time, Loki, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, could not have missed this list. The best thing about Loki is that he evolves into something more than just the God of Mischief whom we all love to hate.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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8. Hannibal Lecter
If you are a true fan of the crime thriller/horror genre, then you must be aware of who Hannibal Lecter is and what he eats with his fava beans. Hannibal the cannibal is undoubtedly one of the most popular Hollywood villains.
Image source: Wikipedia
9. Calvin Candie
Who doesn’t remember that scene of absolute excellence where Leonardo di Caprio slashed his hand on broken glass while banging his hand on the table but still continued with the scene with a severely bleeding hand. And oh, did he improvise! Calvin Candie, the sadistic slave owner is a villain to reckon with.
Image source: Fandom
10. Amy Dunne
Spoiler alert! Gone Girl’s main antagonist, Any Dunne, is the perfect mix of innocence and conniving that we love to see in a villain. She is the tactful, unreliable narrator of the movie and one of the most famous villains from Hollywood movies.
Image source: Pinterest
11. Bane
“You think darkness is your ally. You’ve merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it.” Find me a villain with dialogues as epic as Bane in the Dark Knight Rises. Bane is one of the most iconic Hollywood movie villains. With his signature voice and his brute strength, he is a force to reckon with.
Image source: Fandom
12. Koba
Planet of the Apes is set in a future where apes are the superior species and man- a primate bound in slavery. In such a world there exists a ruthless villain named Koba who has one of the most fluid character developments in cinematic history. Wonderfully portrayed by Toby Kebbell, Koba is one of the most famous villains from Hollywood movies.
Image source: Fandom
13. Darth Vader
May the force be with you. The fan following of the Star Wars franchise is overwhelming, and the love for the character of Darth Vader is unbelievable, even if he is a villain.
Image source: Pixabay.com
14. Dolores Umbridge
You can even appreciate Voldemort for once, you can even see a little good in Bellatrix, but not this character, NEVER! Umbridge is one of the most hated villains in the history of Hollywood and also the history of literature.
Image source: Pinterest
15. Joker
Ever heard about a villain who shines brighter than the hero? Here’s Joker for you. Be it his riddles, or his deep, philosophical lines, the impact that this supervillain has had on popular culture is beyond imagination. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of Joker is a performance that will stay indisputably as the best portrayal of Joker for a long long time.
Image source: Flickr.com
Honourable mentions: Scar, Vincent Vega, and Vito Corleone.
Which of these Hollywood villains is your favourite? Do let us know in the comments section.