As promised, we have delved into the lands of live-action (TV & Film inclusive) disney to search for the most pristine villains, and we have assembled them here for you, right now, in this handy list. It's been said that villains are the most fun to play on screen, and we're pretty convinced with this line-up. This feature follows on from our previous 'Top 10 Animated Disney Villains'. Check out the lucky 10 who made it onto our list below, and 5 Honourable Mentions who didn't quite make the cut, below.
10: Ramsley (The Haunted Mansion)
OK, first of all, who remembers this 2003 bizarre film based off (possibly the best) disney ride of all time? No? Well then, you're seriously missing out. Because this film had pretty much everything: ghosts, musical numbers, gothic sets - and a creepy ass butler. Yep, god knows who hired Ramsley in the first place, but he's putting in some serious effort to look this disturbing. If his usual butler garb wasn't enough, towards the latter part of he film, Ramsley dons a religious outfit complete with book and cane, descending down some steps in true holy fashion. We don't know what exactly is so appealing about Ramsley as a villain, but there's something truly haunting about the way in which Ramsley so effortlessly kills and pops up at random moments to terrify you. I mean, look at those eyes.
9: The Red Queen (Alice in Wonderland)
Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen? Yes, please. Aside from nailing this part, the actress' affinity for kooky characters allowed her to portray a perfect Red Queen, complete with massive head just for good measure. Everyone knows all good villains have to have a signature phrase, and "off with their heads!" is certainly the Red Queen's. Treading the line between comical and homicidal, this particular villain is liable to change her mood at the drop of a hatter hat. Is it bad we kind of love her for it? Probably.
8: Maleficent (Maleficent)
When everyone found out none other than Angelina Jolie was going to be playing malevolent Maleficent, we all pretty much lost our collective minds. And you really can't blame us. Aside from a superb performance, this particular Maleficent was a touch unique and different from the animated version, and seemed to possess more of a soul and emotion than the villainous original. Glowing green powers, fabulous red lipstick and some killer dialogue, this villainess can come to our party anytime. Promise we'll remember to mail out the invitations.
7: Jadis, The White Witch (The Chronicles of Narnia)
I'm sensing a pattern between incredible actors and memorable villains. Jadis, The White Witch, is no exception. Tilda Swinton managed to capture the icy exterior of the character sublimely, and you get the feeling that she wouldn't hesitate to stab you to death with an ice pick if you pissed her off. So um...we'll just stay way, way, over here, in this beaver dam, and pray she doesn't find us, thanks. Cause y'know, 'aint nobody got time for Tumnus.
6: Kylo Ren (The Force Awakens)
Whilst he was never going to be the next Darth Vader (soz, Adam), Kylo Ren is a notable villain in his own right. If killing your dad (um, spoiler?) doesn't earn you a spot on the Top 10 villain list, then nothing will, because that was savage, albeit predictable. We're not quite sure what we find more entertaining, his triple lightsaber (because...reasons), his childish fits of smashing things when plans don't go his way, or that swish-tacular cape (*Edna voice* NO CAPES!!). It's all too much for us to handle. Just don't force choke us for putting you at 6, please.
5: Cruella de Vil/Glenn Close (101 Dalmatians)
While darling Cruella didn't quite make our animated disney villain list, Glenn Close's Cruella was always going to be up there - simply for sheer commitment and maniacal brilliance. She really brought a sense of madness and obsessiveness to the character that wasn't quite conveyed in the original, and let's face it - the 102 Dalmatians Cake Cruella is the funniest thing you will probably ever see (no promises).
4: Captain Barbossa (Pirates of the Caribbean)
This was a tricky one between Davy Jones and Barbossa, but Geoffrey Rush really sold this character to us. A half-dead Pirate Captain with a side-kick monkey (Abu, anyone?) whose love of food (in this case, apples) rivals that of TWD's pudding-loving Carl? How could you get any better than that, seriously? And then there's the whole scary skeletal curse thing which is just creepy af. Poor guy can't ever have nutella again; that's just sad. But his ferocity and intelligence earns him a deserved place at number 4, and the character only got better as the franchise went on, even if others were lacklustre.
3: The Evil Queen/Regina (Once Upon A Time)
You'd have to be a pretty big idiot not to put Regina Mills on this list. True, The Evil Queen featured on our previous list, but Lana Parrilla brought a new mood entirely to this bad-ass bitch. Aside from being utterly regal, this Queen is not afraid to physically rip out your heart if it suits her and crush it to death. As if this wasn't brutal enough, she's also partial to curses that erase your memory and trap you inside a world of her creation that doesn't really exist where you all have terrible jobs and there's no happy endings (real life, is that you calling?). Over the seasons of Once Upon A Time, Regina has done some incredibly questionable and manipulative things, but we just can't help but find her fascinating and sort of endearing? I mean, she did have Cora for a mother after all. Regardless, Ms Mills can sit on her throne at number three and be perfectly content.
2: Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold (Once Upon A Time)
That gleeful face, though. If anyone could beat The Evil Queen to top spot, it would be Robert Carlyle's Rumplestiltskin, and he almost manages it. Coming it at number 2 is the incredibly sickly-looking Dark One, who has an addiction to magic, power, and deals. Knowing the price of everything, as both a mischievous magician and a pawnbroker, Mr. Gold can spot something or someone valuable from a mile away, and is seemingly always a step ahead of everyone else. Safe to say if you value your existence, you probably don't want to take a trip anywhere near his residence unless you want to suffer the consequences really, which could quite be anything he fancies at the time. Whilst he does have pretty hilarious mannerisms, this is one guy who is no fool.
1: The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)
Is it cheating if you have an evil trio as opposed to an individual? Probably, but you just can't separate these three beloved sisters, who are every bit as eccentric as you'd expect. Comprised of Winnie, Mary and Sarah, these sassy sisters each have unique qualities that make them some of the best villains in existence. As the leader of the gang, Winifred Sanderson has to keep everything together, and often is the brains of the operation and not afraid to tell her sisters that they're seriously messing up. She's also pretty damn quotable and sarcastic. Mary is the kooky sister who will use a vacuum cleaner as a broom when nothing's left, and fumbles around trying not to anger Winnie (although she's always on hand to make a few witty jokes). Sarah, on the other hand, is flirtatious, borderline desperate, and always on the hunt for someone to 'play with' although we're not really sure in what context. Regardless, the entire gang is so over the top that their villainous antics are both hilarious and seriously depraved; from sucking the life out of children to making people dance for eternity, there's nothing these gals won't do for their youth. All of which makes them spectacular villains who truly shine as a glorious trio (they certainly don't make us sick!).
That concludes this Top 10 feature, but never fear, there's more honourable mentions below to fire up your broomstick. Just be sure to keep your wits about you, as these villains are poised to strike at any moment.
5 Honourable Mentions:
Warden Walker (Holes)
This one's a bit of a oldey, but it's timeless. Want to find long lost treasure that a schoolteacher buried? Why, set up a rehabilitation camp and recruit a bunch of criminal children, of course! And by recruit, we mean pretty much torture, dehydrate and make them dig up holes in a desert fruitlessly. Because nothing says rehabilitation like death! Oh, and always make sure you've got your deadly venomous nail polish on hand in case you need to smack your sidekicks up a little. You know, for motivation.
Captain Hook (Once Upon A Time)
It's not surprising that Once Upon A Time finds another one of their villains on our list, albeit in the Honourable Mentions. This version of Captain Hook is far more suave and dashing than the original, but every bit as vengeful and cunning. What's a good captain to do when the crocodile/Rumple slices off your hand? Poison him of course! One thing most villains have in common is their tendency towards murder, who knew.
Long John Silver (Muppets Treasure Island)
Tim Curry and the Muppets? Say it isn't so! Well, it is so, and in this version of Treasure Island, Long John Silver is ruthless and determined to once again find a treasure (money is a real motivator, hey?) and will more than willingly hang a puppet pig and a frog off a cliff to do so. Those are some words we never thought we'd say.
Davy Jones (Pirates of the Caribbean)
If being cursed to be a giant squid man wasn't enough - aside from having tentacles as a beard - then we're betting having to cut out your own heart would be a real mood killer. Poor Davy Jones unfortunately has and has done both, and it's left him a little bit sour. No surprises there. So sour, he rides along the seas and kills plenty of people who cross him, much to the delight of his crustacean crew. Problems, he's got a few.
Sharpay Evans (High School Musical)
A slightly different villain, Sharpay is the typical Queen Bee who wants to rule the singing world of her school and be a star. She's popular, self-centred and manipulative in order to get her own way. Whilst her villainous efforts may be on a smaller scale, she still makes life pretty tough for poor Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. Just let the kids have their musical dance numbers, girl. (Sidenote: 'Bet On It' is a classic).
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