10 Charismatic Disney Villains That Totally Outshine The Main Characters

Lucas Aquino
Nov 27, 2023
Nov 27, 2023

Welcome to the magical realm of Disney, where villains often steal the spotlight and leave an indelible mark on our memories. While they’re often defeated by the hero and their allies at the end, these bad guys still leave a big imprint in our hearts thanks to their undeniable charisma, sarcastic and eloquent quotes, and despicable malevolence.

Take, for instance, the enchanting Maleficent, who haunts us right from day one with her sinister design, or Hades, whose dynamics with Megara are even better than Hercules himself. Today, let’s join us as we delve into the realm of Disney's most charismatic villains who, in their own way, manage to steal the show from the beloved protagonists.

#1. Mother Gothel (Tangled)

Source: Disney

For half a movie, Mother Gothel got Rapunzel and the audience in the palm of her hands, wondering if she is just a selfish witch who only thinks of herself, or if she actually cares and loves Rapunzel. Apart from her sinister act, Goethel also knows how to make her adoptive daughter feel bad about herself with several snarky and sarcastic comments.

Donna Murphy has done a brilliant performance as the villainess, and not to mention her brilliant singing ability as well.

#2. Captain Hook (Peter Pan)

Source: Disney

Peter Pan might be the protagonist of the eponymous story, but Captain Hook surely knows how to hook (no pun intended) the audience with his charisma and hilarious expressions. Behind his calm and gentleman-like demeanor, Hook is incredibly short-tempered and ruthless, as he doesn’t shy away from anything to get his hands (sorry, hand) on Pan.

Hook’s dynamic with his crew, Peter Pan, and especially the crocodile Tick Tock is incredibly fun to watch. It’s always a hysterical moment to see the infamous pirate screaming his lungs out and putting on the most over-the-top expression possible getting chased by his reptilian nemesis.

#3. Hades (Hercules)

Source: Disney

No offense to the Greek demigod, but in his own movie, he’s just pale in comparison to his biological uncle Hades (ironically, Hades looks paler than him in the movie). I mean, what is not to love about Hades? He’s pure evil, witty, actually hot-tempered behind a cool demeanor, has brilliant slapstick comedy skills, and is always quick to make a snarky comment.

Especially, his interactions and dynamics with Megara, the heroine, sound much more natural and nuanced even more than Hercules himself. The demigod may have won the battle, but Hades has won the long-term war.

#4. Shere Khan (The Jungle Book)

Source: Disney

Like many other great villains in this list, Shere Khan has the charisma to boot his malevolent act. In contrast to his ferocious feline looks, Khan remains calm most of the situation, and knows exactly how to dominate his prey slowly. Shere Khan may be an apex predator, but it’s his intelligence that everyone should be worried about.

#5. Scar (The Lion King)

Source: Disney

Disney seems to have a knack for creating the best feline predator as a villain. Scar is another example. Everybody hates Scar for what he did with his own brother and nephew, but there’s no denying that he’s a great villain: he’s scheming, ruthless, and full of dry and dark humor in his arsenal. Beware, for this lion can hurt you both with his claws and his words.

#6. Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

Source: Disney

The moment we first see Maleficent in the animated version, we already know that she’s incredibly powerful and evil. While her 1959 self is a bit too one-dimensional, the live-action spinoff in 2015 with Angelina Jolie in the role brings out a whole new perspective on the character.

The live-action show delves more into Maleficent’s relationship with King Stefan and Princess Aurora, thus justifying her actions and making her a much more likable character with more depth and personality.

#7. Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

Source: Disney

A master of deception, Ursula easily steals the spotlight from Ariel just like how she steals her voice. Right from the moment we meet her in the hideout, we can see what a charismatic and deceiving person Ursula is, as lies and malevolence are oozing from her presence. The sea witch is also quick with her words and proves to be a master negotiator from time to time.

The way Ursula transforms into a giant monster in the end is terrifying to see, making it one of the hardest and most satisfying boss fights in Disney animation history.

#8. Jafar (Aladdin)

Source: Disney

It feels like Jafar is a combination of all the aforementioned Disney villains: a short temper and a sinister mind behind a calm and cool act, witty, insightful, and incredibly brutal. His dynamic with his partner-in-crime, Iago, is also one of the best aspects of the movie that we always look forward to. Right from the moment we saw him, we already knew Jafar was bad news.

#9. Yzma (The Emperor’s New Groove)

Source: Disney

The Emperor’s New Groove itself leans heavily on its comedy sketches, and the villainess, Yzma, manages to do so while still retaining her wickedness. Watching Yzma, we just can’t help but giggle when seeing her over-the-top expressions, her sarcastic remarks, and of course, her unusually seamless chemistry with her sidekick, Kronk.

If Yzma is willing to give up the life of crime for good, she could have been a successful comedian.

#10. Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)

Source: Disney

We love Cruella both for her unorthodox fashion sense and her unhinged personality. Her flamboyant fashion sense and eccentric demeanor, coupled with a chilling disregard for the lives of the innocent puppies, create a character that is both detestable and oddly captivating.

Cruella De Vil embodies the essence of a classic Disney villain – she is larger than life, unapologetically evil, and adds a touch of macabre sophistication to the Disney universe.

Which villain above do you think is the best? Let us know in the comments.

10 Charismatic Disney Villains That Totally Outshine The Main Characters

#1. Mother Gothel (Tangled)

#2. Captain Hook (Peter Pan)

#3. Hades (Hercules)

#4. Shere Khan (The Jungle Book)

#5. Scar (The Lion King)

#6. Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

#7. Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

#8. Jafar (Aladdin)

#9. Yzma (The Emperor’s New Groove)

#10. Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)

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