Disney has been the king and queen of great animated villains for a long time. There are many Disney villains that have been iconic, such as Scar, Jafar, Scar and Scar. New villains are being created as more animation studios like DreamWorks, Sony and Illumination become potential contenders.
Many animated movies were released in 2010, many of which featured great villains. Some are complex characters we can empathize with, while others are pure evil. These are the top 13 animated film villains for 2010.
Vector (Despicable Me).
Image via Universal
Gru (Steve Carell) could be referred to as a villain, considering he aspires to be the greatest one, he really isn’t a bad guy. He’s our protagonist and chooses goodness over evil. Vector, Vector’s rival, is not the same.Jason Segel). Vector clearly tries to be evil as much as possible and doesn’t care who is in his way. Even though he is not the most intimidating foe in all of the world, his technological prowess makes him a formidable threat.
His design is rather simple; however, Vector’s orange jumpsuit, large glasses, and bowl haircut seem to have struck a chord with people as his look has become somewhat iconic within pop culture. Vector’s witty sense of humor, such as the way he shouts out his name in triumph, may be another reason why he is so popular. Vector is a very popular character. Despicable Me franchise has plenty of villains to choose from, but Vector is still Gru’s best rival.
Hans (Frozen)
Image via Disney
Hans (Santino FontanaThis is the perfect example of why it’s a good idea to be cautious about entering into a committed relationship. In Frozen, Anna (Kristen BellHe is too trusting of this handsome jerk, blinded in his love for her and her desire to escape the castle. He appears to be very kind until Anna needs him. After that, he displays his true colors. Hans used her to control Arendelle.
Hans is the youngest child of thirteen. He wants to be free from his family and be a king. His plan is foiled by his manipulative and murderous nature. He convinces Anna and Arendelle that he is a decent man by his charisma. It isn’t true. He tries to kill Elsa as well as Anna.Idina MenzelAnna saves Anna. Although he may be handsome, you shouldn’t trust anyone with a pretty face.
Drago Bludvist, How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Image via DreamWorks
The first How to Train Your Dragon didn’t really have a villain, besides a giant boss dragon. The sequel features a terrifying foe that can harness the power of the alphas to control dragons. Toothless can even get Hiccup to go into a trance to put him in control. Bludvist (Djimon HounsouHe lost his village and his family to a devastating dragon attack as a young man. He took revenge and built an army dragons that he used to conquer the whole world. Hiccup and his friend, however, were able to strengthen their bond.Jay Baruchel) and Toothless is so strong that it is able to break the alpha’s control and turn the army against Bludvist.
Bludvist has a beautiful design. Bludvist, while only human, has a large, intimidating figure and strong metal arm. Hounsou’s gruff and coarse voice adds to this character’s brutality. The How To Train Your Dragon films are charming but also feature terrifying foes.
Yokai (Big Hero 6)
Image via Disney
Yokai is a great villain. Big Hero 6. Yokai is a creepy antagonist who hides behind a black trenchcoat with a Japanese kabuki face. Under the mask lies a tragic story about a man driven to revenge. Robert Callaghan is Yokai (James Cromwell), a robotics professor at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. Callaghan is obsessed with getting revenge on the people who caused his daughter’s death in an experiment that went wrong. Once Hiro Hamada (Ryan PotterCallaghan introduces his microbots. He fakes his death by blowing down the school and stealing the microbots which he uses to his evil ends. Hiro’s younger brother was killed in the blast, which shows how reckless the professor has become.
Yokai is a great villain because of his complexity. Although his motives are logical, Yokai’s methods of achieving them are not. His connection with Hiro gives the antagonist and hero an emotionally-investing dramatic connection. The twist is obvious because Callaghan never actually does die, but Yokai remains a villain we can relate with, even if our opinions differ with his actions.
Shen (Kung Fu Panda 2)
Image via Paramount Pictures
Who would have thought that a peacock could speak by? Gary OldmanCould it be so intimidating? Po is the perfect foe in ShenJack Black) in Kung Fu Panda 2. He is agile and quick, making it difficult to defend. On a mental level, his attachment to Po’s past gives Po an emotional challenge that he has to overcome as well. Oldman’s voice gives Shen a menacing tone while also being able to squeeze in some humor here and there. However, Shen’s desire to change his fate ultimately leads to it becoming true. His attempt to escape the prophecy of his defeat by destroying Po’s village is what leads to his destiny becoming inevitable. He is a devious and greedy peacock, which leads to moral corruption. Po can however skadoosh to his way into oblivion.
Joker (The Lego Batman Movie).
Image via Warner Bros.
Although not the most terrifying version of the classic, Batman villain, The Lego Batman Movie‘s version of the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) is actually a very accurate representation of the relationship between Batman (Will Arnett) and the Joker. Joker hates to be ignored but loves to be hated. Batman’Joker snaps because of his indifference. His desire to take control of Gotham is partly due to his chaotic nature, but also his anger towards Batman.
Joker then recruits Batman’s other villains along with other movie villains (owned Warner Bros.). The goal is to defeat Batman, and wipe out Gotham. Batman eventually admits to Joker that he is in need of him. The two of them work together in fixing Gotham. This Joker may not be as comic-book-accurate. Mark Hamill’s Joker, but this is an excellent interpretation of Batman and Joker’s need for one another.
Lord Business (The Lego Movie).
Image via Warner Bros.
Let’s move on to the other Lego villain on this list. Lord Business (Will Ferrell) is a creativity-hating businessman whose sole purpose is to turn the Lego world into an authoritarian world where no one is allowed to move or build anything new. Ferrell does a wonderful job of portraying a funny and devious villain. Lord Business is not just a role for a bad guy. Finn sees him as a villainous figure.Jadon SandEmmet is the human kid playing with these toys, and he is Emmet (Chris Pratt(in the story. Lord Business is his father. He has the same desire for creativity and to keep everything in place. The Lego MovieThis story requires imagination and Lord Business is more complex than the human version.
Raiden (Kubo, the Two Strings)
Image via Focus Features
Raiden (Ralph Fiennes), the moon king, doesn’t appear until the climax of the film, but his presence is felt throughout. Since he is the ruler of the night, it’s impossible to know where he is, which is why his daughters are always on the trail of our heroes. He is a violent, evil character with no regard for his daughters or grandchildren. He tries to blind Kubo (Art Parkinson) but to kill his own daughter.
Fiennes always does a great job with villains and it’s no different here. Plus, Raiden’s Dragon-like appearance in the climax is truly haunting. It’s amazing that he’s created through stop-motion animation, and the animators should be commemorated for the brilliant work they do throughout Kubo & the Two Strings.
King Candy (Wreck It Ralph).
Image via Disney
King Candy (Alan Tudyk) in Wreck it RalphThis is a quirky, silly villain that is difficult to judge until the end. King Candy was secretly Turbo, and jumped to Sugar Rush to achieve greatness. However, Vanellope (Sarah SilvermanWhen he gets in his way, he transforms her into an implacable glitch who is forbidden from racing.
As the Mad Hatter, Tudyk’s voice work is impressive.Ed Wynn) from Alice in WonderlandHowever, he can still create some terror. King Candy’s combination with a CyBug makes him a terrifying monster. The twist of him being Turbo is surprising and amps up the stakes in the third act; he may seem innocent at first, but he’s more powerful than he seems.
Ernesto de la Cruz (Coco)
Image via Disney
Ernesto (Benjamin Bratt) from CocoPixar’s most vicious villain is Hector Hector was not the only one he killed.Gael García BernalMiguel tried to kill him (Anthony Gonzalez)It’s also possible to die. Ernesto set out in his life to be a successful person and lost all of the integrity. Ernesto is a great musician, but all his songs come from another source. He took all the credit.
Ernesto is charismatic, and was able convince the public that Ernesto was a talented musician. His version of “Remember Me” was basically an ode to his greatness, despite that not being the song’s intentions. Ernesto made it a song based on vanity, and Hector wrote the song for his daughter. The end of the film will destroy Ernesto’s legacy, much like the weight of an iron bell.
Kingpin (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse: Kingpin)
Columbia Pictures Image
Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) is much more than just a crime lord in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Kingpin is filled with guilt at the loss of his family members and is determined to get them back. However, through accessing the multiverse, he almost destroys everything, including this universe’s version of Peter Parker (Chris Pine), an accomplishment no other film Spider-ManWhat a villain did. His family began to fear him after learning the truth about his evil deeds. He continues to follow this dark path.
The animators exaggerated his physical attributes, making him look almost as if he was a head on a black-blob. It may make him look silly, but it gives Miles Morales a larger-than life stature.Shameik Moore) an incredibly difficult challenge. Prowler (a great villain) is another in this film.Mahershala Ali) and Olivia Octavius (Kathryn HahnKingpin is the most intimidating and complex of the three.
Mother Gothel (Tangled).
Image via Disney
In TangledMother GothelDonna Murphy) is a witch who discovered Rapunzel’s (Mandy Moore) hair had a magical power that could keep her young. Gothel, obsessed with Rapunzel’s youth and beauty, kidnapped her and kept the tower for as long she could. Gothel manages to convince Rapunzel that everyone on the outside is evil and she only wants to keep her safe; however, Rapunzel’s curiosity gets the better of her and leads to her finally escaping. Gothel’s unpredictable nature can make her intimidating. One second, she’s a loving figure towards Rapunzel; the next, she becomes incredibly wicked and cruel. Murphy does a great job portraying Gothel’s changing tones. Gothel may appear warm and beautiful from the outside, but her inner self is cold, ruthless, miserable. She has a great singing voice.
Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear (Toy Story 3)
Image via Disney
We meet Lotso (from the second).Ned Beatty) in Toy Story 3, it seems like something’s off. Yes, he likes to give hugs, has a charming southern accent, and smells like strawberries, but he’s a little bit too nice. Turns out, he’s a total dictator who has full control over the toys at Sunnyside Daycare. If you comply with the rules, then he’s perfectly nice. If you rebel against him and his little henchman, you will be locked up.
Lotso is a great villain because it’s easy to see why he’d be so harsh. He was replaced by his owner, and believed toys were not meant to love; they should be used and thrown out. This is in conflict with Woody (Tom HanksAndy and his loyal gang. Lotso even gets the chance to return to his roots but refuses to take the incinerator stopper. Now, Lotso has to be strapped in a truck so he can travel to unknown places.
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About the Author
Ross Tanenbaum
(9 Articles Published)
Ross is a freelance writer at Collider. Ross is a recent University of Maryland graduate with a degree in English and Film Studies. He is a huge Disney lover and a huge fan of action movies. Ross plans his next trip, even if he’s not watching the latest TV series or movies.
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