Let’s be honest — when you think back to your favourite childhood Disney films, the heroes are great, but the Disney villains are unforgettable. They get the best lines, the catchiest songs, and somehow look cooler than everyone else. From dramatic capes to evil laughs that still give you chills, these characters have been stealing scenes since 1937. Here’s your ultimate 2025 guide to the best Disney villains, the scariest, the funniest, and the ones we can’t stop quoting.
What Actually Counts as a “Disney Villain”?
Not every bad guy qualifies as an official Disney villain. Disney itself keeps a pretty strict list. To cut, a character usually needs:
- Pure malicious intent (or at least really selfish goals)
- A dramatic design (horns, dark colours, sharp cheekbones)
- At least one iconic moment or song
Fun fact: Even some live-action characters now count thanks to the remakes. Want the full official list? Check Disney’s own List of Disney villain characters on Wikipedia.
Top 10 Most Iconic Disney Villains of All Time (2025 Ranking)
Here’s the ranking that will start arguments at every dinner table:
- Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty, 1959). The original queen of evil. Those horns, that green fire, “Mistress of All Evil” — nobody does dramatic better.
- Scar (The Lion King, 1994) Jeremy Irons’ voice + “Be Prepared” = perfection.
- Ursula (The Little Mermaid, 1989) “Poor unfortunate souls” live rent-free in everyone’s head. Pat Carroll’s performance is legendary.
- Jafar (Aladdin, 1992) is Tall, sarcastic, and somehow makes evil vizier fashion work.
- Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians, 1961 & 2021) Glenn Close and Emma Stone both crushed it. Fur coat obsession has never been so stylish.
- Hades (Hercules, 1997) Fast-talking, flame-haired James Woods turned a Greek god into a sarcastic comedian.
- Captain Hook (Peter Pan, 1953), Terrified of a crocodile and a ticking clock — somehow still terrifying to kids.
- Evil Queen (Snow White, 1937) Disney’s very first full-length villain. That transformation scene? Nightmare fuel in 1937.
- Dr Facilier (The Princess and the Frog, 2009) “Friends on the Other Side” is still one of Disney’s best villain songs ever.
- Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland, 1951) “Off with their heads!” — unhinged energy we all secretly admire.
Still not convinced how good these songs are? Watch this fan-made 2024 compilation of every major Disney villain song in order — 25 million views and counting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oge3B88BbY
Best Modern Disney Villains (2009–2025)
Disney stopped making villains purely evil a while ago — now they come with trauma and twist reveals:
- King Magnifico (Wish, 2023) — started as a charming king, ended as a dark sorcerer. Chris Pine’s vocals were chef’s kiss.
- Prince Hans (Frozen, 2013) — the original “nice guy” twist that broke the internet.
- Bellwether (Zootopia, 2016) — cute sheep, evil mastermind. Proof size doesn’t matter.
- Te Kā (Moana, 2016) — technically a heartbroken goddess, but still scared an entire generation.
- Namaari (Raya and the Last Dragon, 2021) — more rival than villain, but that fight choreography slaps.
Underrated Disney Villains You’re Sleeping On
Everyone knows Maleficent, but these gems deserve way more love:
- Judge Claude Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996) — hands-down the darkest, most disturbing Disney villain ever made.
- Yzma (The Emperor’s New Groove, 2000) — Eartha Kitt’s comedic timing is untouchable. “Pull the lever, Kronk!”
- Madame Medusa (The Rescuers, 1977) — unhinged pawn-shop owner energy.
- Governor Ratcliffe (Pocahontas, 1995) — greed in a powdered wig.
- King Candy/Turbo (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012) — that reveal still hits hard.
How Disney Villains Changed From 1937 to 2025
1937–1980s: Pure evil. No backstory needed. Just cackle and plot world domination. 1989–2009 (Renaissance): Give them a banger song and a dramatic death. 2010–2025: Sympathetic motives, surprise twists, sometimes they survive the movie.
We went from “kill the puppy” evil to “I was hurt as a child” evil — and honestly? Both versions slap.
Where to Find Disney Villains Right Now (2025)
- Disney+ has an official “Disney Villains” collection — perfect binge list.
- Disneyland & Disney World: Oogie Boogie Bash (California) and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party still feature live villain shows.
- Coming soon: Mufasa: The Lion King (2024 prequel) will explore Scar’s early days.
Final Question for You
After all that… who’s YOUR favourite Disney villain of all time? Maleficent? Scar? Secretly rooting for Yuma? Drop it in the comments — no judgement here. Some of us have been Team Ursula since day one.
