From 'The Joker' to 'Dr Hannibal Lecter, Here Are the 10 Greatest Movie Villains of All Time

Some of the greatest acting performances have also come in antagonist roles

PUBLISHED SEP 25, 2023

Characters of 'The Joker', 'Dr Hannibal Lecter', 'Darth Vader' | Getty Images

The Best Of Films Are Often Driven By A Great Villain

Jack Nicholson peering through axed in door in the film 'The Shining' | Getty Images | Photo by Warner Brothers — Jack Nicholson peering through axed-in door in the film 'The Shining' | Getty Images | Photo by Warner Brothers

Time and again the great villains of Hollywood have proven how much of the story's substance can be driven by their actions, motivations, and personality. Some of the greatest acting performances in Hollywood have also come in antagonist roles from actors like Heath Ledger, Jack Nicholson, and more. From Darth Vader in "Star Wars" to Thanos, here’s a look at the top 10 greatest villains of all time as per sources across the web.

1. Darth Vader – "Star Wars Saga"

The original costume of Darth Vader on display at 'Star Wars: The Exhibition' | Getty Images | Photo by MJ Kim

From his appearance to his raspy voice and telekinetic manner, Darth Vader’s ruthlessness and mannerisms make him possibly the most iconic villain of all time. The way he strangles those who question him, and his journey from being Anakin Skywalker to becoming the Dark Lord of the Sith is one to watch. His final betrayal of his master Darth Sidious and his apology to his son in "Return of the Jedi" marked an incredibly emotional and impactful moment in cinema’s history.

2. Joker – "The Dark Knight"

Film goers watch The Dark Knight featuring Heath Ledger during a public tribute outdoor movie night | Getty Images | Photo by Paul Kane — Filmgoers watch The Dark Knight featuring Heath Ledger during a public tribute outdoor movie night | Getty Images | Photo by Paul Kane

The character of Joker who first appeared on screen in the 1989 film “Batman”, was immortalized by an Oscar-winning performance from Heath Ledger in the 2008 film “The Dark Knight”. Ledger’s incredible portrayal of the clown prince of crime, who wanted to see Gotham turn on itself is one of the greatest villain arcs in the DC universe. His mannerisms, unique facial quirks, and the fact that he didn’t desire power or money, but simply chaos, make him one of the most iconic villains for Batman to contend with.

3. Dr. Hannibal Lecter – "The Silence of the Lambs"

Anthony Hopkins stars as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in "Hannibal" | Getty Images | Photo by Phil Bray

A ruthlessly intelligent villain, Dr. Hannibal Lecter captivated the audience with his diabolical, charismatic, and monstrous moves. Winning Best Actor at the 1992 Oscars, the character of Lecter is arguably Anthony Hopkins's most iconic role ever. Lecter, the evil psychiatrist, serial killer, and cannibal always seemed to be several steps ahead of every other character, being the genius he was. With equal parts brilliant and horrifying, the character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter left a long-lasting impression with one of the greatest performances in cinematic history.

4. Thanos – The Avengers series

Image Source: YouTube | Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War Official Trailer @Marvel Entertainment

One of the most iconic villains of modern times, Thanos first appeared in the 2012 film "The Avengers" in a post-credits scene. He became the prime antagonist in the MCU series who wiped out half of all living beings in the universe with a snap of his fingers. Thanos was arguably the strongest adversary to the League of Superheroes which included Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor, and Captain America. By the end of “Avengers: Endgame”, Thanos claimed the lives of several heroes, including 'The Scarlet Witch', 'Vision' and the great 'Tony Stark' which left the audience reaching for tissues.

5. SS Col. Hans Landa – "Inglourious Basterds"

Image Source: YouTube | Inglourious Basterds Christoph Waltz's Iconic Opening Scene | @Universal Pictures All-Access

The character of SS Col. Hans Landa is a perfect blend of funny, charming, kind, complimentary, clever, and rational. A Nazi, played by Christoph Waltz was a super well-adjusted performance and a pleasure to watch on screen. Even while carrying out terrible actions and lording his power over others, Landa maintains composure and calm like none. Like a bird of prey, toying with his food, the agent of the secret Nazi domestic police goes down as an iconic villain of Hollywood.

6. Scar – "The Lion King"

Image Source: YouTube | The Lion King: Be Prepared Sing-A-Long @Disney

One of the most iconic and impactful animated characters of all time, Scar appeared in the 1994 film “The Lion King”. In the film, the younger brother of 'King Mufasa' the original heir of the land, kills his brother and then plots to kill his newborn nephew who was to become the next king of the Pride Lands. The terrifying Mufasa establishes himself as an unforgettable villain for a generation of movie fans. His character was made even more iconic with the song, "Be Prepared," which got stuck in the viewer’s head in no time.

7. Nurse Ratched – "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched in 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' | Getty Images | Photo by Silver Screen Collection

Jack Nicholson plays the role of the central protagonist in the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest”. He plays Randle McMurphy, a new patient at a psychiatric facility who inspires other patients to rebel against the authorities. This puts him in a stand-off with the head nurse, 'Nurse Ratched', one of the most iconic antagonists of all time. Ratched's character portrayed by Louise Fletcher was domineering, stern, and the opposite of McMurphy. It was one of Fletcher’s best-known performances, which won her an Oscar for Best Lead Actress at the Academy Awards.

8. Jack Torrance – "The Shining"

Jack Nicholson walking through snowy maze in the film 'The Shining' | Getty Images | Photo by Warner Brothers — Jack Nicholson walking through a snowy maze in the film 'The Shining' | Getty Images | Photo by Warner Brothers

One of the best movies of the 1980s, and one of the greatest horror movies of all time, “The Shining” gave Hollywood one of the greatest villains of all time as well. The character of Jack Torrance, a struggling writer who sets off to look after a hotel in the off-season, to get some isolation and a break from everyday life to resume writing. Jack along with his family falls victim to the haunted hotel which drives Jack crazy and murderous. He eventually sets off to kill his family giving rise to a genuinely menacing, and one of Nicholson's very best performances of his career.

9. Alex Forrest – "Fatal Attraction"

A bloodied Glenn Close is tended to by Michael Douglas in a scene from the film 'Fatal Attraction' | Getty Images | Photo by Paramount

Alex Forrest is the main antagonist of the 1987 film, “Fatal Attraction”. The character of Forrest is afflicted by borderline personality disorder, impulsive behavior, and self-harming tendencies. In the film, she forms a dangerous obsession with a married man who cheats on his wife with her. Portrayed by Glenn Close, Forrest is a complex character who's dealt a terrible hand in life. The film which became a cultural phenomenon, making $320 million worldwide, and winning six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director was surely accentuated by strong performance by Close.

10. Lord Voldemort – Harry Potter Series

The Real Look of Lord Voldemort from "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" | Getty Images | Photo by Eric Charbonneau

Lord Voldemort is one of the most memorable villains of all time. The main antagonist in J. K. Rowling's series of Harry Potter novels and the film series didn’t physically appear in every film of the series. However, his presence is always felt as 'He Who Must Not Be Named'. Portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, the character becomes progressively darker in the later films of the series who sets out to take over the wizard world and kill Harry Potter.