Disney has created legions of magnificent characters in the decades of their existence. Heroes, sidekicks, and of course, villains. Characters like Captain Hook, Scar, and Maleficent are some of the studio's most popular characters, the problem is that many fans typically count the animated movies alone.
What about the live-action performances that have given kids nightmares without the aid of animated imagery? Some of these characters are even brought to life by Oscar-winning actors, and definitely deserve just as much recognition. Though they're a little lax in the ink and paint department, these villains are just as wicked as their animated contemporaries.
Maximillian
Although The Black Hole's Dr. Reinhardt is an easy contender for a spot on this list, his red robotic minion is far more memorable. From his silent and scary presence to his scarlet paint job and spinning claws, Maximillian is the living definition of the words "evil robot." He's like a sci-fi slasher villain but condensed to a Disney-fied version. Though he says absolutely nothing, his stare alone oozes with mechanized malice.
King Stefan
Now, this is one entry that's bound to break a few hearts. Stefan in Disney's Maleficent starts out as the titular character's love interest. But when ambition and greed cloud his desires for love, his heart turns to stone.
He uses Maleficent's love and trust for him against her, setting the events of the film in motion. There's something very unsettling when Stefan carves out Maleficent's beautiful wings, like her innocence is taken from her. That's some seriously evil territory.
Sher Khan
Idris Elba's portrayal of the terrifying tiger from The Jungle Book is one of his best. Though he lacks the class and composure of the original, he makes up for it in presence and intimidation. The burn scars serve as a haunting reminder of why he is the way he is, evoking Bagheera's line from the original film. "He hates man's gun and fear's man's fire." How can one blame him?
Mr. Dark
Speaking of villains with a powerful presence, Mr. Dark from the underrated Something Wicked This Way Comes is a devilishly mesmerizing ringmaster who comes to town with a sinister circus in tow.
His motives are mysterious and later malicious. He wears his silk suit, top hat, and tattoos with an evil elegance that most villains only hope to achieve. It's left very vague as to what Dark and his Shadow Show truly are, but it's certainly not anything good.
V.A. Vandevere
From one circus to another, V.A. Vandervere wields a different type of malicious intent in Dumbo. Though he uses no black magic or sinister spells to turn people into of his freakshow, this guy uses a power no one can resist, dollars. Acting as a sort of commentary on artists selling out to corporations, Vandervere is practically the personification of a deal with the devil.
Lady Tremaine
The main reason Lady Tremaine gets such a high ranking on the list is due to the infectious performance of Cate Blanchett. Blanchett's mixture of both beauty and cruelty perfectly cemented the character of Cinderella's stepmother as something all her own.
Her disdain and bitter humor are positively palpable. If it wasn't for Helena Bonham Carter, Blanchett would probably devour most of the film.
The White Witch
The only Disney performance that could possibly compete with Blanchett's stepmother would be Tilda Swinton's White Witch from Disney's adaptation of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Jadis is one of the most sinister sorceresses in all of fantasy literature, and Swinton's performance is almost otherworldly and alien. She might be blonde, elegant, and beautiful, but she's also Narnia's version of evil incarnate.
Captain Barbossa
Captain Jack Sparrow might be the poster boy forPirates of the Caribbean, but Captain Barbossa is the golden standard that every buccaneer should hold themselves to. From his swarthy manner to the feathers in his hat, this man was simply born to be a pirate.
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He's even breaking stereotypes with the choice of a monkey instead of a parrot as his companion. He might not be as scary as Davy Jones, but he's definitely the most fun to watch.
Kylo Ren
The fanbase is still divided on the opinion of the Disney trilogy in the Kylo Ren. At first glance, he might look like an angry kid having a temper tantrum in a Vader-inspired cosplay, but in reality, he's probably the most dangerous Sith lord that ever existed. Because he's so prone to rage and unpredictable actions, making him, in practice, deadlier than anyone else on the dark side.
Cruella de Vil
When it comes to a perfect recreation of a fictional character, no one even holds a candle to Glenn Close's portrayal of Cruella de Vil. The idea of an animated character actually existing in real life is next to impossible, but this version of the fiendish fashionista is dead on. If fur is murder, Cruella is the H-bomb. Her laugh alone is blood-curdling for anyone.
