Disney has brought countless stories to life, captivating audiences with timeless heroes and memorable adventures. However, behind every great story is a compelling villain, whose schemes and misdeeds create the tension that drives the narrative forward. They’re one of the four pillars of a successful Disney film. Every Disney fan will agree that the most important elements of a Disney film are the quality of the songs, the believability of the romance, the cuteness of the obligatory character designed to sell toys, and the effectiveness of their villain. From wicked queens and scheming sorcerers to cunning animals and ruthless conquerors, Disney villains are as varied as they are iconic. Their unforgettable personalities, unique motivations, and sinister actions have cemented their places in our hearts and minds. Here’s a look at some of the greatest Disney villains, whose dark deeds and unforgettable personas have left an indelible mark on the world of animation and live-action.
These are the 100 Greatest Disney Villains of All Time.
70. Stinky Pete (Kelsey Grammer) | Toy Story 2 (1999)
Pixar isn’t one to reuse a premise twice. If the first Toy Story movie had a human child as its primary antagonist, that concept was off the table for Toy Story 2. Now a case could be made that Al McWhiggin is the main villain of the beloved Toy Story sequel, but I’d argue that Stinky Pete is the true villain. Al simply wants to make money. He doesn’t know that toys are alive. Stinky Pete is a toy who actively stops Woody from returning to Andy. He’s a washed-up star desperate to get back under the spotlight and he knows that Woody is the key to all of that. Stinky Pete doesn’t care that a child’s happiness is on the line, he just cares about his own happiness. He’s selfish, arrogant, and downright nasty, and deserves the art attack that awaits him once he gets to his new home.
–Marmaduke Karlston
69. Governor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers) | Pocahontas (1995)
In the pantheon of Disney’s deliciously devious villains, Governor Ratcliff may not always be the first to come to mind, but dismissing him as forgettable would be a mistake. For within this colonial officer beats the heart of a man whose dreams of dominion are only matched by his dubious charm. One of Ratcliff’s most memorable attributes is his villain song, “Mine, Mine, Mine.” This ditty, infectious anthem, reveals much about his character. As he belts out his desires for gold and glory, we’re treated to a masterclass in musical machination – a tune that’s as catchy as it is cunning. And let’s not forget the image of Wiggins, his hapless sidekick, chiming in with a “heigh nonny nonny” that’s sure to burrow into your brain like so many little miners in search of gold. But Ratcliff’s true genius lies in his role as a foil to the film’s more noble protagonists. Where Pocahontas and John Smith see a world of wonder and possibility, Ratcliff sees only what he can seize. His black-and-white vision of conquest serves as a stark contrast to their shades of gray, a reminder that not all who sail to distant shores do so with hearts full of adventure and peace.
–Thomas Riest
68. Stromboli (Charles Judels) | Pinocchio (1940)
Stromboli, the larger-than-life puppet master with a flair for the dramatic and a thicker accent than a meatball sandwich. This guy practically oozes eccentricity from every pore, making him one of Disney’s most memorable villains. With his wild gestures and booming voice, Stromboli steals the show whenever he’s on screen. And let’s not forget that accent of his. Even now, years later, I still haven’t quite figured out what he’s saying when he’s locking poor Pinocchio up in that birdcage – another reason why many of us are now strangely addicted to subtitles. But hey, who needs subtitles when you’ve got such a captivating performance?
Yet, beneath all the theatrics lies a cunning and manipulative mind. Stromboli knows how to work a crowd and isn’t afraid to use whatever means necessary to get what he wants. And when it comes to his beloved puppets, he’s not one to let sentimentality get in the way of a good profit. Sure, he may not be the most nuanced villain in Disney’s rogues’ gallery, but there’s something undeniably entertaining about Stromboli’s larger-than-life presence. After all, is a flair for the dramatic not a requirement when auditioning for the role of a Disney villain?
–Thomas Riest
67. Percival C. McLeach (George C. Scott) | The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
Disney used to go hard with its villains. There were puppy and cat murderers, trespassing hunters, wicked stepmothers, “off with her head” queens, and shape-shifters. Nowadays, it’s considered rare if a Disney animated movie has a villain at all. If it does, it’s usually something like generational trauma (no hate towards Encanto). What I mean is that I’d be surprised if Disney ever released a movie where its main villain tries to feed a small child to a group of hungry crocodiles again. A poacher trying to capture a large golden eagle, Percival C. McLeach is just downright sinister and, unlike some other villains on this list, smart. He knows how to trick the young and naive Cody into taking him straight to the golden eagle’s nest, and, as I mentioned earlier, he’s definitely okay with eliminating a child to leave no witnesses behind, which puts him in another rare category of “Disney villains who are okay with killing children.” Well, luckily, Cody doesn’t get fed to the crocodiles, and neither does McLeach. Don’t worry, his death is still pretty gruesome, getting washed over the edge of a waterfall. Let this be a lesson to all who are reading to not mess with the Rescue Aid Society!
–Marmaduke Karlston
66. Dr. Drakken (John DiMaggio) | Kim Possible (2002–07)
“You think you’re all that but you’re not!” is what Dr. Drakken is saying to the 65 villains ahead of him on this list. The main antagonist of Kim Possible, Dr. Drakken is a mad scientist who is, you guessed it, obsessed with world domination. Although he repeatedly comes close to achieving his goals, he’s always defeated in the end. Joined by his sidekick, Shego, the duo are quite the pair to look at. She’s green and mean, and he’s blue and ew (have you seen that ponytail?). There are more legit villains in Kim Possible that are greater at villainy, but none are as memorable as Dr. Drakken (except maybe Señor Senior, Sr. and Señor Senior, Jr.). He’s to Kim Possible what Joker is to Batman or Green Goblin is to Spider-Man; her arch-nemesis and greatest rival… only he’s an idiot.
–Marmaduke Karlston
65. Don Karnage (Jim Cummings) | TaleSpin (1990–91)
I don’t know what the impetuous behind the creation of TaleSpin is but god bless whatever lunatic greenlit it. Taking the characters from The Jungle Book and putting them in a reboot of Tales of the Gold Monkey is bizarre and feels like it shouldn’t work but against all odds, it does. The original characters slot into their new roles perfectly and the new characters are all memorable, especially Don Karnage. He is the leader of a group of air pirates who frequently cause trouble for the main characters, particularly Baloo the bear and his friends. Don Karnage is known for his flamboyant personality, distinctive Spanish accent, and dramatic flair. He’s essentially a cross between Ricardo Montalban and Errol Flynn, which are about the two greatest things to merge together. He often engages in various schemes and aerial battles, showcasing his skills as a pilot and a swordsman. Despite his villainous nature, his over-the-top antics and humorous moments make him a beloved character among fans of the show.
–Sailor Monsoon
64. Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) | Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
Of all the bad guys in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, I think Lord Cutler Becket is certainly the closest to true evil. Barbosa was spurred by greed, then by the desire to escape his curse. Davy Jones was fueled by heartbreak-induced rage. The cold, ruthless, and calculating Beckett seeks only power, with seemingly no deeper purpose or motivation than desiring the ability to wield that power over others. He lacks supernatural powers but is backed by the vast financial resources of the East India Trading Company; the mundane humanness of his cruelty makes it all the more sinister. Tom Hollander gives a masterfully understated performance, exuding a calm and confidence that is just chilling to watch.
–R.J. Mathews
63. Constance Hatchaway | The Haunted Mansion (Ride)
I think we take for granted the existence of the Haunted Mansion ride. Disney not only decided to fill a ride with spooky poltergeists, it doubled down and made some legit Killers. Known as the “Black Widow Bride,” Constance Hatchaway appears as a ghostly bride in the attic scene of the ride, where she is seen holding a hatchet. Constance is notorious for having murdered her several wealthy husbands, each time becoming richer. Her appearance and backstory add to the Haunted Mansion’s eerie and darkly humorous atmosphere. In various versions of the ride, Constance is depicted through a series of photographs showing her with each husband, whose heads disappear one by one, hinting at their grim fates. She is often portrayed with a sinister smile and ghostly presence, making her one of the more memorable and chilling characters in the Haunted Mansion lore.
–Sailor Monsoon
62. Robert Callaghan / Yokai (James Cromwell) | Big Hero 6 (2014)
Yokai can mean “spirit” in Japanese, and the villain in Big Hero 6 is just a shade of the man he used to be. Driven by rage and a desire for revenge, Professor Callaghan doesn’t care what he destroys or who he hurts in his quest. That he almost turns Hiro into a reflection of himself, also obsessed with vengeance, is just one more crime to lay at his feet. If only he’d had a friend like Baymax to help keep him on the straight and narrow(ish).
–Bob Cram
61. Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) | Enchanted (2007)
Inspired by Lady Tremaine (Cinderella), Maleficient (Sleeping Beauty), and The Evil Queen (Snow White), Queen Narissa is the epitome of Disney Villain. She is the wicked stepmother to Prince Edward and fears for the day he marries, in which she’ll lose the throne. So she plots Giselle’s demise, eventually using a poisoned apple to do the deed. And, of course, she can turn into a dragon! Susan Sarandon, who voices and portrays Narissa, chews the scenery and embodies everything an evil queen ought to be. Enchanted may be a fun parody of everything Disney, but it also created a memorable, formidable antagonist in Queen Narissa.
–Romona Comet
80-71 | 60-51
What do you think of the selection so far? Who are some of your favorite Disney villains from over the years? Maybe they will show up further on the list!