Over the years, Disney has created some iconic villains who deliver some of the most brilliant lines to make them memorable and so here are a few of our favourites!
Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty:
While I’m perhaps slightly biased given this is my favourite Disney film, Maleficent is an iconic villain thanks to her tenacity and inventiveness in trying to get what she wants. But equally, there is a great sense of theatricality to everything that she does that is somehow impossible to resist!
Hades, Hercules:
Dry sense of humour? check! Filled with plenty of rage and frustration? double check! Hades is definitely one of those villains who you love to hate in his actions but yet somehow understand exactly where he is coming from! He has so many iconic moments in his scenes that he deserves his icon status in the Disney villain world.
Scar, The Lion King:
Known for his sarcastic quips (watch above), and iconic menacing villain song ‘Be Prepared’, Scar is a brilliant villain because there is a charm and elegance to his villainy (particularly helped by the way in which Jeremy Irons brings his character to life). that is hard to resist – even in light of his actions. His frank outlook on life is also very relatable to adults (although of course many of his actions are inexcusable)!
Ursula, The Little Mermaid:
It is hard to imagine a more diva villain than Ursula – with her song ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ being one of the most iconic in Disney history. She is clever and manipulative – two essential qualities for any villain, with the climax to her villainy proving to be particularly powerful. Gotta love a villain who doesn’t give up in destroying the lives around them!
The Evil Queen, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs:
Disney’s original fairytale adaptation released in 1937 still has the power and send chills down the spine thanks to many iconic scenes in this film – usually featuring The Evil Queen. her voice and the sinister lines that she speaks alongside her terrifying transformation into a character who tricks Snow White are enough to still terrify grown adults! Definitely iconic.
Jafar and Iago, Aladdin:
Sometimes an iconic villain needs an equally iconic sidekick in his plans and that is exactly what we get here! The duo are not only deliciously villainous in their plotting but are given some great comedy moments that highlight the strength in dynamic – simply fabulous.