In hindsight, the 1990s have been a treasure trove of outlandish stories with varying levels of quality and longevity. The a sci-fi movie stand the test of time, is its cast of memorable characters.

A good villain can make or break a film, and having someone deliciously evil, or frighteningly enigmatic, is what draws audiences in. From alien assassins to futuristic cyborgs, it's important they have a great design and a menacing presence. A hero is only as good as the villain he manages to vanquish, and the 1990s were very generous, serving up a host of devious baddies.

10 Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen - Back to the Future III (1990)

Played by Tom Wilson

The iconic Back to the Future franchise came to an end in 1990, with this Western-inspired finale to the time-traveling trilogy. Some actors came and went, and some characters were aged up or down depending on when the story took place. Then there were relatives, such as children, grandchildren or great-grandparents, who bore a striking resemblance to a familiar face.

Tom Wilson had played the antagonist in every film in the series, starting with Biff in the original Back to the Future. By the time audiences revisit the story, Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) find themselves back in Hill Valley in the late 19th century.

Mad Dog Tannen is Biff's brutish ancestor, who displays the same bullying traits of his future descendant, but this time, in an outlaw setting. His comedic incompetence is a great foil to McFly's cool demeanor, but his status as a cult antagonist is undeniable. Audiences can never get enough of seeing his plans get foiled, and the movie wraps up each character's story nicely.

9 Cohaagen - Total Recall (1990)

Played by Ronny Cox

Set on Mars, Total Recall stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone, for ultimate '90s star power. The main antagonist of this sci-fi classic is the greedy and ruthless Cohaagen. As a corrupt governor, he exploits his position as well as his people, creating an authoritarian regime that oppresses the masses that he should be serving.

This type of villain often would appear in sci-fi films and TV shows, even to this day, as they serve as an allegory to current world events.

As he controls the atmosphere on Mars, he holds all the power. And, by limiting access to clean air, allows him to effectively hold the inhabitants hostage. This type of villain often would appear in sci-fi films and TV shows, even to this day, as they serve as an allegory to current world events.

A heartless would-be dictator is not a unique type of antagonist, but Ronny Cox manages to paint him in a very unpleasant way, which is very fitting to the story. His demise is welcomed by the film's characters as well as the audience, as they rejoice in his reign of oppression finally being over.

8 Darth Maul - Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Played by Ray Park

A franchise with so many different storylines and plot points also happens to have multiple villains, but this particular movie introduced audiences to a completely new character in Darth Maul (Ray Park).

While Anakin has yet to become Darth Vader, and Palpatine is busy with "the big picture" plans for the Sith, Darth Maul is tasked with hunting down Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Though he does not have that much screen time, and can be described as "the silent type", Darth Maul is one of the most memorable villains of the franchise.

The visual impact of the character was striking, with the horns and red face paint. The flair displayed in his fighting style was riveting to watch, and even his lightsaber was a highly coveted piece of merchandise. An ominous and dangerous henchman, Darth Maul would strike fear in the viewers whenever he appeared on screen, and was a very strong opponent as he took on the Jedi.

7 Simon Phoenix - Demolition Man (1993)

Played by Wesley Snipes

An agent of chaos and the titular "demolition", Simon Phoenix is one of the most beloved villains in cinema history. With a mix of flamboyance, violence, and destruction, Wesley Snipes punches his way through a peaceful version of the future. As a 20th-century criminal, he is unfrozen in a more orderly and calm time, and ready to introduce his old ways to the law-abiding citizens of San Angeles.

The film is a fun ride, and Sylvester Stallone as John Spartan, an equally defrosted former cop, has great chemistry with Snipes. As they exchange insults as well as punches, it's a great juxtaposition of Spartan's law and order mentality and Phoenix's unpredictable brutishness.

Wesley Snipes truly made the role his own, injecting comedy into this physically demanding role, and proved to be manipulative and adaptable in this completely new environment. His portrayal of this troubled and murderous antagonist was entertaining and layered, and remains one of the highlights of an already enjoyable sci-fi film.

6 The Borg Queen - Star Trek: First (1996)

Played by Alice Krige

The Star Trek universe has introduced audiences to many compelling villains, whether human, alien or android. This allowed for some visually striking antagonists to grace the screens in the 1990s. With a successful new series reboot, it was a matter of time that Jean-Luc Piccard (Patrick Stewart) et al. made the move to the movies.

The Borg Queen was the terrifying and Star Trek: First , as she tried to make the whole universe part of one big hive mind. As far as high-stake threats go, the Borg Queen provided a feeling of insurmountable danger. As she plays on emotions, she displays a disconnected and eerie demeanor while attempting to lure Piccard and Data (Brent Spiner).

The most relatable part of this cosmic peril lies in just what the Borg Queen's intentions are. Trying to strip every species in the galaxy of their freedom and individuality is a highly imaginable threat, and the way she goes about trying to achieve it is filled with a cruel disregard for life. Alice Krige brought an eerie sense of dread to her performance, and will remain one of the scariest sci-fi villains in history.

5 Sil - Species (1995)

Played by Natasha Henstridge

Created to entice and destroy, Sil (Natasha Henstridge) is the perfect killing machine as she attempts to protect and prolong her own species. The mix of alien and human DNA results in an attractive female with primal and deadly instincts that she acts upon at every opportunity. As she uses her wiles and allure to her advantage, Sil instills a sense of danger at every turn.

After Basic Instinct, Hollywood had a thirst for weaving even more racy themes with murderous female protagonists into films and Species took this trope and put a sci-fi twist on it. Natasha Henstridge did a good job of fitting into a role that requires both vulnerability and strength, as she showcased plenty of both throughout the course of the film. The film was very successful and was a great example of having a female protagonist as a very nuanced villain.

4 Edgar The Bug - Men in Black (1997)

Played by Vincent D'Onofrio

Men in Black has become a huge a franchise, with many interplanetary villains attempting to infiltrate Earth. This first film introduced audiences to the most secret of organizations entrusted with protecting the world and managing the alien population residing on the green planet. An intergalactic bug takes over the body of a regular farmer with very disconcerting and hilarious consequences.

Vincent D'Onofrio puts his impressive physical acting talent on full display as his body reacts poorly to this new host. The bug's mission is to find and destroy a galaxy which has been hidden and protected on Earth for a very long time.

Seeing him try and act human and interact with unsuspecting Earthlings is a source of great comedy, but his presence does instill a sense of unease as he tries to retrieve Orion's belt. As his "skin suit" begins to fit him even less, he looks progressively scarier and acts even more erratically. The final face off with Jay (Will Smith) and Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) is a mix of disgusting and funny, and was a great finale to this highly entertaining sci-fi comedy.

3 Zorg - The Fifth Element (1997)

Played by Gary Oldman

One of the best sci-fi pictures of the 1990s, this Luc Besson blockbuster has a lot going for it. From Bruce Willis being himself in the best way possible, Milla Jovovich bursting onto the scene as an action star and fashion icon, and Gary Oldman creating yet another enigmatic villain, The Fifth Element was able to create so many memorable moments.

As yet another ruthless CEO in power, Zorg's evilness lies in his greed, hunger for power, and disregard for life. The flamboyant take on the character as displayed by Oldman, makes him even more disconcerting and menacing. With an unforgettable costume and hairstyle, Zorg's visual impact has left a lasting impression. A smooth-talking and charismatic leader, he just happens to be in cahoots with The Great Evil.

His arrogance is visible through his own plan for a double cross, and his lack of loyalty is evident as he callously kills his allies. His interactions with Leelloo show just how little he cares about anyone other than his own agenda, as he sees her as a means to an end, despite her huge significance. Seeing Gary Oldman in roles like these will always ensure a character that's as eccentric as he is wicked.

2 T-1000 - Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Played by Robert Patrick

A relentless killer that refuses to let his target get away, the T-1000 travels in time to try and do what the original Terminator failed to do. John Connor is once again pursued by a machine whose sole purpose is to kill him. Playing someone so cold and emotionless is a skill that Robert Patrick masters in his role.

With a steely focus, the T-1000 chases his prey, with no regard for the destruction that's left in his wake. As collateral damage builds around him, he continues to persist. Arnold Schwarzenegger returns in a hero capacity as he aims to protect the future rebel leader, and his mother, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton).

While the film came out only a few years after the original, the visual effects had clearly come a long way. The T-1000's shape-shifting abilities still look good, and this a Terminator's set of features makes him a very formidable and dangerous antagonist.

1 Agent Smith - The Matrix (1999)

Played by Hugo Weaving

As Neo (Keanu Reeves) was discovering what would happen after he chooses the red pill, and learns to navigate the simulation he's been living in, the unrelenting Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) is always hot on his tail. The sinister man in a black suit seems to pop up at the most unexpected moments, and seems to be one of the most skilled fighters in the Matrix.

The fight scenes between Reeves and Weaving remain some of the most thrilling in cinema history, and Hugo Weaving's portrayal of Agent Smith has made him one of the most memorable sci-fi villains of all time.

The initial encounters are very much in Smith's favor, as Neo barely escapes with his life and relies heavily on the help of Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). Weaving's speech about his disdain for humankind is chilling, filled with so much hatred. It's clear he despises the humans he's charged with monitoring, and sees Neo as a huge inconvenience that must be dealt with as soon as possible.

He tortures Morpheus with no hesitation, ensures he finds a mole to help infiltrate the resistance, and never gives up his pursuit. The fight scenes between Reeves and Weaving remain some of the most thrilling in cinema history, and Hugo Weaving's portrayal of Agent Smith has made him one of the most memorable sci-fi villains of all time.