As a big film buff I see a lot of antagonists come and go. Some are forgettable, only there to guide the plot to their bitter demise. But some villains just are so well portrayed and are so charismatic that the viewer can't help but root for them. Sometimes they stick out more than the hero. Here is my list of Top 10 (Male) Movie Villains. Please note that as there are so many movies, it's hard to get everyone on the list.
10. Lord Voldemort - The Harry Potter Movies
One of the most well known bad guys in the movie world, known for killing and torturing innocent wizards, witches and muggles. Was so full of himself he put parts of his soul in things so that he would be practically invincible and immortal. One of the greatest wizards of the time, even if he was evil. Took over the governments of wizarding and muggle world. Power and immortality were priceless to him.
9. John Doe - Seven
It's hard for me to think of a list without him on here. It's his plan and all we are is players in his chess game. Everything he does, he does with purpose. And the worst part about this serial killer is that he is incredibly intelligent. There is no remorse; he's doing it just because he can. Also, Kevin Spacey is incredible in this chilling role.
8. Hans Gruber - Die Hard
Just an iconic villain all around. (Even if ultimately he was just a thief. Woah, spoiler alert.) The late Alan Rickman was just born to play villains with his voice and chilling delivery. Although he let NYPD cop John McClane get the better of him, he was still a classic villain for one of my favorite Christmas movies. (Yes, it counts as one. Shut up.)
7. Frollo - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The only Disney villain to make this list. One of my friends said I had to include a Disney movie because of how iconic they are. But Frollo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame was terrifying. As a kid I can't think of any Disney villain that caused more fear than him. Ultimately, there’s nothing more frightening than a man in a position of authority empowered by the self-righteous belief that he’s doing the virtuous work of God.
6. Silva - Skyfall
One of the best Bond villains ever in this writer's opinion. He is a genius. And a master chess player. Always seems to be one move ahead of everyone. He is a former MI6 agent so he knows all of James Bond's training and protocol. He is every bit his equal and in some ways his superior. Just a chilling villain that wants nothing more than to destroy what destroyed him. Changing sides never felt so good.
5. Calvin Candie - Django Unchained
This plantation owner loved man dingo fights. Loved putting his slaves in death matches against other men's slaves. Cruel and prideful. But he was also a true southern gentleman. Respectable, even, which made this villain even more bad. He was a likable character, yet once threatened became as dangerous as a wolf cornered. Another great role for ole Leo.
4. Bill the Butcher - Gangs of New York
Bill the Butcher ran New York. Nothing happened without his knowledge. Everybody owed him something. He showed his open hatred for immigrants, especially the Irish. But yet he was charming and charismatic. The people of New York worshiped him, or feared him. He was a power to be reckoned with.
3. Anton Chigurh - No Country for Old Men
A chilling killer. He is ruthless and evil to the core. And yes, this is Javier Bardem's second appearance on this list. But he's too good at being the bad guy. The Coen brothers’ brutal take on Cormac McCarthy’s novel made Bardem the first Spanish actor to win an Oscar for his scary portrayal of the sociopathic hitman Anton Chigurh. The violent neo-Western movie also earned the Coen brothers Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director, and it’s considered the iconic duo’s finest film. Chigurh is a terrifying character who’s obsessed with the concepts of fate and chance, giving his victims the opportunity to live if they win a coin toss with the bone-chilling trademark phrase, “Call it, friendo.”
You can run but you can't hide.
2. Col. Hans Landa - Inglorious Bastards
No one could deny the charm of the Nazi SS leader. The "Jew Hunter" portrayed by Christoph Waltz (he won an Oscar for this role by the way). The opening scene has him charming a French dairy farmer into revealing that he was hiding Jews to which he orders his men to kill them by shooting the floor boards killing most of the Jewish people that were concealed. He is ruthless and cunning, yet he is so charming you can't help but like him.
1. The Joker - The Dark Knight
Heath Ledger's performance of the Joker redefined "super villain." He is a mad dog, an agent of chaos. He literally just wants to watch the world burn. He's a psychopath, an incredibly smart and unstable psychopath. No one knows what he's going to do next. Chaos and destruction is all he wants.
