With Halloween right around the corner, and final touches being added to costumes for spooky house parties or a night out on the tiles, we got to thinking about some of the most memorable and impactful classic Disney villains, that will no doubt have gone a long way in inspiring countless outfits across the globe this October 31st.
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Here, we run down our top 20 classic Disney villains, ranking them to eventually reach the most dastardly and deceitful of all! Has your favourite made the cut? Let us know in the comments!
20. Chernabog, Fantasia
He may not be the first name to spring to mind when you think of classic Disney villains, but Chernabog is responsible for the nightmares of thousands of kids across the globe, thanks to his role in the original Fantasia movie. Though he only appears for a moment, his use of the dead to do his evil bidding (accompanied with some incredibly-stirring music) is what earns him a spot on this list.
19. Ratigan, The Great Mouse Detective
Some Disney villains are discreet in their motives. Ratigan isn't one of them. Anyone with half a brain cell could immediately work out that he's the Big Bad of The Great Mouse Detective, simply because of the way he dresses! The very fact he's a rat that has a pet cat is enough to tell you that he can be very manipulative and convincing; otherwise he'd have become a meal before now!
18. Yzma, The Emperor's New Groove
Who doesn't have a lot of love for Yzma? She's relatable for disgruntled employees, in that she's frustrated at the lack of opportunity she's been given in the workplace, and she's got one of the best voice actors in the business - Eartha Kitt - bringing her to life. The Emperor's New Groove may not be high up on the list of most-rewatched classic Disney flicks for many people, but the fact it went down so well is undoubtedly because of Yzma's inclusion. "Krooonnnnkkkkk!"
17. Clayton, Tarzan
When it comes to poaching, Clayton is renowned as one of the most ruthless there is. Whilst he's not very smart, he'll do everything in his power to kill wildlife, simply for the thrill and trophies it provides. He's unlikeable in every sense, and brings the mood down whenever he appears in Tarzan. Clayton is somebody who makes the audience feel uneasy at every moment he is on screen.
16. The Queen of Hearts, Alice in Wonderland
Get on the wrong side of The Queen of Hearts, and you're in for it! She's ready to chop the heads off of everyone and anyone who gets in her way, even using her power to demand the decapitation of those around her during a frustrating game of croquet. Her unpredictable nature and penchant for murder makes her one of the most dangerous classic Disney villains of all time!
15. Shere Khan, The Jungle Book
What's most satisfying about Shere Khan as a villain, is that his reasoning for wanting to eat humans is because they are responsible for the murder of his entire family. He's got a genuine reason to want to take revenge on any man - or man cub - that crosses his path. Still, his inability to think critically when it comes to adversaries is his downfall, making him a sociopathic antagonist for the squad in The Jungle Book.
14. Man, Bambi
We continue on with the theme of humans being villainous here, as they serve to propel Bambi through misery in the young deer's earlier life. Slaying his mother, before he makes an escape, this film serves as a reminder that killing wildlife simply for the sake of it, is a true act of cowardice by a species who are supposed to be more evolved than those they are striking a bullet into the hearts of.
13. Governor Ratcliffe, Pocahontas
Governor Ratcliffe is terrifying in that he's easily comparable to some of the world's most powerful leaders... A bigot who's only interested in gold, Ratcliffe is a pompous egomaniac who will lie his way to the top, and throw his allies to the wolves if it means evading justice.
12. Captain Hook, Peter Pan
One of the campest classic Disney villains is Peter Pan's nemesis, Captain Hook. Understandably angry at the youngster, who cut off his hand and fed it to a crocodile, he's on a mission to have his revenge by any means possible. Unfortunately for the captain, his crew don't seem capable of doing anything even close to successful when the time calls for their cooperation!
11. Shan-Yu, Mulan
Though some of the Disney villains we've mentioned so far kill animals for sport, Shan Yu is a different beast altogether. He'll happily take the lives of his fellow man without a second thought, and as the leader of the Hun army, is able to do so in rapid succession. His eyes look capable of staring a hole into anybody's soul; he's certainly not someone you'd want to meet in a dark alley!
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10. Jafar, Aladdin
Marrying Princess Jasmine is high up on Jafar's list of things to do in Aladdin, but it's simply so he can become the Sultan of Agrahbah and enjoy access to ultimate power and riches. Psychotic in his hunt for wealth, this classic Disney villain is still able to gain some laughs from the audience with his quick wit and dry sarcasm.
9. The Evil Queen, Snow White
One of the most instantly-recognisable Disney villains there is, The Evil Queen tries to poison and murder Snow White, simply because her Magic Mirror declares the titular hero the fairest in all the land. In today's world, The Evil Queen would probably be a beauty guru on YouTube, taking part in dastardly schemes behind-the-scenes to ensure that her channel was the most-watched and subscribed-to!
8. Ursula, The Little Mermaid
This sea witch is capable of the highest forms of manipulation, collecting souls under the sea and double-crossing those she makes deals with. When we see her in The Little Mermaid, she offers Ariel the chance to become human and walk the land, so she can pursue a relationship with Prince Eric, but takes her voice in exchange before trying to steal Prince Eric for herself!
7. Hades, Hercules
He's funny and charming, but above all else, Hades is relentless in his attempts to overthrow Zeus and claim all the land. Not content in simply being the God of the Underworld, he has his minions Pain and Panic kidnap Hercules when he is just a baby, demanding they murder the infant so that he cannot take to Zeus' throne in the future.
6. Cruella de Vil, 101 Dalmatians
There's something admirable about Cruella de Vil's passion for fashion, but when she crosses the line of wanting to murder dalmatian puppies, simply so she can make a new fur coat, she's completely irredeemable. Her reputation precedes her, as she has a song named after her about how evil she really is!
5. Lady Tremaine aka The Wicked Stepmother, Cinderella
Killing cruelty with kindness is not something Cinderella was able to do with her stepmother, Lady Tremaine. Instead, the nasty lady of the house forces her stepdaughter to do all of the chores her ugly stepsisters can't be bothered to do, promising her a spot at the ball called by the Prince of the land if she does her bidding. Of course, her villainous nature means that she has no intention of allowing Cinders to go to the event at all. She's plain spiteful!
4. Gaston, Beauty and the Beast
We've all met a Gaston in our real lives. He's the man who thinks no woman can resist his good looks and 'charm', but shows himself up at almost every social event because of his peacocking. He treats females with disgust in a bid to lure them in; and in Beauty and the Beast, we see it work on a number of people; just not Belle. When she falls in love with the man behind the Beast, he's so full of rage, he attempts to murder the Prince, and rallies Belle's entire town behind him.
3. Claude Frollo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
What many of us didn't realise upon watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame is that Claude Frollo wants Esmeralda killed simply because of his lust for the gypsy woman! Yep, he wants to sleep with her, which goes against all he believes in, and so he believes she is evil for corrupting his mind. A typical misogynist!
2. Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty
What's more evil than cursing a baby to die in their teen years? Maleficent's "gift" for Aurora upon her birth is one of the most duplicitous and horrific things a classic Disney villain has ever done - and all because she wasn't invited to the party for the youngster!
1. Scar, The Lion King
There's never a dry eye in the room when somebody puts on The Lion King, and we watch as Simba tries without success to wake up his father, Mufasa. Murdered by his jealous brother Scar, who then tells his nephew to "run away and never return", it is one of the most powerful cinematic moments of all time. Scar turns out to be a pretty terrible King when he takes to Pride Rock's throne, putting himself ahead of the pack, refusing to feed those who won't bow down without question. He's a classic Disney villain like no other, and well-deserving - if that's the right term to use - of this top spot.
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