There's perhaps nothing better than a film with a great villain. After all, when so much of a story's substance can be driven by the villain's actions, motivations, and personality, it's much better when the antagonist has a potent blend of relatability and intrigue.
Tens of thousands of movie fans have voted on Ranker to decide who is the very best movie villain of all time. When awesome movie villains like Darth Maul, Col. Hans Landa, Hans Gruber, and Jason Vorhees don't crack the top ten, that's likely a telling sign that the competition for the top spot is ferocious.
Loki (MCU)
Loki Odinson, the God of Mischief, first appeared in the 2011 film Thor as the adoptive brother of the titular character. It didn't take long before he won the hearts and minds of those around him, and that largely included the moviegoing public.
While it doesn't excuse his bad behavior, the fact that he comes from a place of abandonment and unequal treatment serves to at least help the audience understand how such a character came to be. It also makes it that much easier for audiences to forgive him when he eventually joins up with Thor to take down Thanos.
It / Pennywise the Dancing Clown (It)
It first appeared in a 1990 two-part mini-series from ABC called It, but returned to the silver screen in the 2017 film, IT. Though the character bears the countenance and decorum of a silly clown (calling itself Pennywise the Dancing Clown), It is actually a shapeshifting monster that sustains itself by preying on human fears.
Based on Stephen King's 1986 horror novel of the same name, It is the physical manifestation of one's fears. This concept may be familiar to fans of Harry Potter, as it is a precursor to the shapeshifting, fear-consuming Boggarts in that series. While King is a legendary horror author with many great creations to his credit, It is the best villain in any King adaptation.
Sauron (Lord Of The Rings)
The Dark Lord Sauron first appeared in the 2001 film The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring. Creator of the One Ring, he was defeated roughly 2500 years before the events of the film, but his dormant power remained within the One Ring until he could return to a physical form.
J. R. R. Tolkien's quintessential epic high-fantasy series is chock-full of interesting protagonists, antagonists, and characters who occupy the murky grey area in between. But Sauron, and his ever-watchful Eye, epitomize evil with wordless simplicity, so it makes perfect sense to audiences when so many of the trilogy's characters, organizations, and nations unite against him.
Darth Sidious (Star Wars Saga)
Darth Sidious (aka Emperor Palpatine) first appeared in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back. As the Emperor of the Galactic Republic and evil political mastermind, he causes the Clone Wars, enacts Order 66, and brings Anakin Skywalker to the dark side of the Force, making him arguably the main protagonist of the entire Star Wars series.
Sidious is a ruthlessly cunning, Machiavelian figure and a reminder that those who rule nations often get there via brutality and deception. An essential element of his guile was knowing when to persuade with kindness, resulting in a number of times Palpatine was surprisingly merciful.
Scar (The Lion King)
Scar appeared in the 1994 film The Lion King as the younger brother of King Mufasa. While he's originally the heir to his brother's land and title, he plots to kill his newborn nephew who would otherwise become the next king of the Pride Lands.
Scar is a terrifying villain, but especially so for a G-rated film. Seeing Scar murder Simba's father before attempting to murder Simba himself helped establish the character as an unforgettable villain for a generation of movie fans. The song in which he sings his motivations, "Be Prepared," is a catchy tune that's sure to get stuck in viewers' heads, making it even more difficult to forget him.
Bane (DCEU)
Bane first appeared in the 1997 film Batman and Robin, though he's likely more remembered for his appearance in the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises. As the beneficiary of an experimental serum, he has superhuman strength and ingenious combat tactics and strategies.
While there have been a number of villains who've given Batman a taste of defeat, perhaps none did so more viciously than Bane. Breaking Batman's back and letting him rot in a foreign prison while Gotham City descended into unprecedented anarchy is likely as cruel-tasting of a defeat that one could envision for the Caped Crusader. Even though the 2012 version is more popular, fans should check out the easily-missable details in the early Batman movies.
Thanos (MCU)
Thanos first appeared in the 2012 film The Avengers in a post-credits scene. He is the prime antagonist in the MCU series and ultimately ends up wiping out half of all living organisms in the universe with a literal snap of his fingers.
When you have some of the best characters in the MCU like Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor, and Captain America joining forces, they obviously need a worthy adversary. Thanos is certainly that, using the six Infinity Stones to attain unimaginable power, with the goal of "balancing" the "overpopulation" of the universe's ecosystem.
Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs)
Dr. Hannibal Lecter first appeared in the 1986 film Manhunter, though is likely better remembered from Anthony Hopkins' portrayal in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs. The brilliant former psychiatrist is imprisoned for committing a series of cannibalistic murders and advises various law enforcement agencies in order to manipulate them to his own ends.
Hopkins' performance not only earned him an Oscar win for Best Actor, but it helped cement Lecter as one of the most horrifying villains ever, and The Silence of the Lambs as one of the best movies of all time. The fact that the various protagonists in the series rely on the antagonist is not only unique but helps create an even greater dramatic tension, as audiences are left to wonder how much of Lecter's advice is helpful or a hindrance.
Joker (DCEU)
The Joker first appeared in the 1989 film Batman, though he is likely better remembered from Heath Ledger's portrayal in the 2008 film The Dark Knight. Set on watching Gotham destroy itself in chaos and anarchy, he orchestrates the death of Batman's girlfriend Rachel and manipulates Harvey Dent into becoming Two-Face.
The clown prince of crime has a habit of changing his backstory, making it hard for him to be a relatable villain. Nevertheless, he's certainly intriguing, and Ledger's performance was simply mesmerizing. The fact that he doesn't desire power, but simply chaos, makes him all the more difficult for Batman to contend with.
Darth Vader (Star Wars Saga)
Darth Vader first appeared in the 1977 film Star Wars (later named Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope). In the prequel trilogy, he is an affable youth named Anakin Skywalker. In the original trilogy, he is the final apprentice of and right-hand man to Darth Sidious and becomes the Dark Lord of the Sith.
Everything about Vader, from his appearance to his booming, raspy voice, to the telekinetic manner in which he strangles those who question him, makes him possibly the most iconic movie villain of all time. When he finally betrays Darth Sidious and apologizes to his son, it's not only an incredibly emotional, impactful moment, but it's also one of the moments that demonstrate how overpowered Darth Vader's Force skills are.