Cartoon villains have left indelible marks on our childhoods, providing the perfect antagonists to our favourite heroes.
From classic hand-drawn nemeses to modern animated evildoers, these characters have fascinated and terrified us in equal measure.
With help from Red Casino, we take a look at the top 20 cartoon villains of all time, each of whom has earned a place in the pantheon of animated infamy.
1. The Joker (Batman: The Animated Series)
Voiced by Mark Hamill, the Joker is the epitome of chaos and anarchy. His maniacal laugh, diabolical plans, and dark humour make him Batman’s most iconic foe.
2. Scar (The Lion King)
Voiced by Jeremy Irons, Scar’s jealousy and thirst for power lead to the death of Mufasa and his tyrannical rule over the Pride Lands. His cunning and ruthlessness make him one of Disney’s most memorable villains.
3. Skeletor (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe)
Skeletor, with his skull face and menacing voice (provided by Alan Oppenheimer), is the arch-nemesis of He-Man. His constant schemes to conquer Eternia are as entertaining as they are evil.
4. Mr. Burns (The Simpsons)
Charles Montgomery Burns, the wealthy and heartless owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, embodies corporate greed and corruption. His catchphrase, “Excellent,” and his many nefarious plots against the Simpson family and the town of Springfield have made him a staple villain.
5. Mojo Jojo (The Powerpuff Girls)
Mojo Jojo, the genius chimpanzee with a massive brain, is the Powerpuff Girls’ most persistent enemy. His elaborate schemes and distinctive speech patterns make him both hilarious and formidable.
6. Shredder (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
The Shredder, also known as Oroku Saki, is the archenemy of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His ninja skills, leadership of the Foot Clan, and relentless pursuit of power make him a perennial threat to the turtles.
7. Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
Ursula, the sea witch voiced by Pat Carroll, is a master manipulator and sorceress. Her desire for power and control over the ocean leads her to trick Ariel, creating one of Disney’s most iconic villainous moments.
8. Megatron (Transformers)
As the leader of the Decepticons, Megatron’s goal is to conquer Cybertron and Earth. His ruthless leadership and powerful transformations make him the ultimate foe for the Autobots and their leader, Optimus Prime.
9. Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians)
Cruella de Vil, with her obsession with fur coats made from Dalmatian puppies, is a villain whose cruelty is matched only by her distinctive appearance and maniacal laugh.
10. Hades (Hercules)
Voiced by James Woods, Hades is the god of the Underworld with a quick wit and a fiery temper. His plot to overthrow Zeus and take over Olympus makes him a standout Disney villain.
11. Plankton (SpongeBob SquarePants)
Sheldon J. Plankton is the diminutive but determined owner of the Chum Bucket. His endless schemes to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula from Mr. Krabs provide constant conflict and comedy.
12. Dr. Robotnik (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Also known as Eggman, Dr. Robotnik is a mad scientist with a penchant for creating robots to capture Sonic and conquer the world. His maniacal laugh and relentless pursuit of domination make him Sonic’s arch-enemy.
13. Jafar (Aladdin)
Jafar, the royal vizier of Agrabah, is a sorcerer whose ambition leads him to seek the power of the genie. His hypnotic staff, magical abilities, and malevolent plans make him a classic Disney villain.
14. Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
Maleficent, the self-proclaimed “Mistress of All Evil,” curses Princess Aurora to eternal sleep. Her powerful magic, transformation into a dragon, and regal malevolence have made her a lasting symbol of evil in animation.
15. Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
Princess Azula, the prodigious firebender and sister of Zuko, is a cold, calculating, and highly skilled warrior. Her relentless pursuit of power and ability to manipulate those around her make her one of the most formidable villains in the Avatar universe.
16. The Ice King (Adventure Time)
Originally Simon Petrikov, the Ice King is a tragic character whose obsession with kidnapping princesses and ice magic hides his heartbreaking past. His eccentric personality and complex backstory make him a unique villain.
17. Gargamel (The Smurfs)
Gargamel, the evil wizard with a constant desire to capture the Smurfs, is as bumbling as he is determined. His plans often backfire, but his relentless pursuit of the tiny blue creatures makes him a memorable antagonist.
18. Queen Beryl (Sailor Moon)
Queen Beryl, the leader of the Dark Kingdom, seeks to conquer Earth and capture the Silver Crystal. Her dark magic and leadership of the Negaverse forces make her a significant threat to Sailor Moon and her friends.
19. Lord Farquaad (Shrek)
Voiced by John Lithgow, Lord Farquaad is the diminutive, power-hungry ruler of Duloc. His ruthless quest to become king and his intolerance for fairy tale creatures make him a humorous yet menacing villain.
20. Doctor Drakken (Kim Possible)
Dr. Drakken, the blue-skinned mad scientist, is the main antagonist in “Kim Possible.” His goofy schemes and banter with his sidekick, Shego, provide both comedic relief and genuine threat.
