Image from movie Silence of the Lambs

Do you have a favorite villain? You’ve got company. Someone recently asked, “Who is the best villain of all time? They can be from film, television, a book, or a video game.” Here are the top-voted villains.

1. Gus Fring

Image from the show Breaking Bad
Image Credit: AMC via IMDb.

“Gus Fring from Breaking Bad. He is very calm, professional, intelligent, and brutal when angry,” someone stated. Several others agreed he was a scary villain, and Giancarlo Esposito nailed the part. 

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2. The Joker

Image from the movie The Joker
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures via IMDb.

“The Joker, hands down,” replied one. Another wondered, “I don’t know if you’d say this without Heath Ledger’s portrayal of him.” A third added, “It’s such a good character that there are at least three excellent portrayals of him.”

“Mark Hamill has been the voice of the Joker in all Batman cartoons and video games since the 90s,” another argued. Then, finally, someone snickered, “I don’t know if you’d say that if you read The Killing JokeDark Knight Returns, or Arkham Asylum.”

3. Colonel Hans Landa

Image from the movie Inglorious Basterds
Image Credit: Universal Pictures via IMDb.

“Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) from Inglourious Basterds,” someone suggested. “I like his character. Very charming and unforgiving. Christoph Waltz did a remarkable job playing this character.”

4. Lex Luthor

Image from the movie Superman
Image Credit: Warner Bros. via IMDb.

“I like that he’s just a normal human who can still face down Superman thanks to his intellect,” one user said of the villain from the original Superman.

Another user agreed but noted, “Yeah, but in all honesty, he would be dead in less than a second if Superman was suddenly okay with killing.”

5. Nurse Rached

Image from the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment via IMDb.

One user mentioned the villainous nurse from the classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, “Her quiet, calm, oppressive, sadistic overlordship just made her a terrifying presence in every scene. The stark contrast of her dark tone with her white uniform was just a perfect blend.”

6. Doctor Doom

Image from the movie Fantastic Four
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox via IMDb.

“Doctor Doom. He successfully took over the world, and it was better for it. And then he gave it up because he found ruling the world boring. He also once became a god and again gave up the power because being a god was beneath him,” someone shared. “Agreed. But Julian McMahon as Doctor Doom was a huge casting error that ruined the Fantastic Four films. 

7. Hannibal Lecter

Image from movie Silence of the Lambs
Image Credit: MGM via IMDb.

One user nominated the Silence of the Lambs villain, saying, “Gotta go with Hannibal Lecter. He’s a genius yet inhumanly strong. He can destroy you from within with his twisted psychology or disembowel you and eat you, depending on how he’s feeling that day.”

Another person added, “Sophisticated yet incredibly dark and twisted at the same time. And Anthony Hopkins portrays him perfectly.”

8. Dolores Umbridge

Image from the movie Harry Potter
Image Credit: Warner Bros. via IMDb.

Another voted, “Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter because she honestly thinks she’s doing the right thing.” Someone added, “Especially in the audiobooks read by Stephen Fry. I don’t know who has the better rendition, him or Imelda Staunton.”

9. Scar

Image from the Lion King movie
Image Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc. via IMDb.

One person said, “Scar from The Lion King. No sitting around and explaining his plans. He just got on with it and killed his brother.” Another added, “They wrote a song about his plans, and the way the hyenas marched around in from of him was just like Hitler.”

10. Darth Vader

Image from the movie Star Wars
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd. via IMDb.

“Darth Vader, he’s a classic, and there’s no contest,” alleged one. Several agreed that Vader was the obvious answer. However, one argued, “Darth Sidious from Star Wars.”

“He became Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic by manufacturing a crisis on his home planet. Then, he started The Clone Wars to militarize the Republic and gain unchecked emergency powers. Finally, he mentored and created Darth Vader.”

12 Films Guaranteed to Freeze Your Blood: Are You Brave Enough?

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Looking for movies that redefine the word horror? Sometimes, it’s not just about the spooky movies you’ve heard of, sometimes it’s the ones that delve deep into horror that have a greater impact. Sit back, try to relax, and dive into these 12 films that are absolutely bone-chilling.

12 Films Guaranteed to Freeze Your Blood: Are You Brave Enough?

Beyond the Stars & Off the Radar: 25 Sci-Fi Series Begging for Your Binge

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Like the kaleidoscopic worlds they’re frequently set in, the sci-fi genre is an almost bottomless ocean of books, comics, movies, and TV shows — many of which are worth seeing or reading for one reason or another.

Beyond the Stars & Off the Radar: 25 Sci-Fi Series Begging for Your Binge

80s Unearthed: The 24 Hidden Film Gems That Hollywood Forgot, But You Won’t

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While some films from the 80s have become iconic, etching themselves into our collective memories, a treasure trove of lesser-known films has gradually faded into obscurity.

Not to worry, we’ve compiled a list of 25 gems, based on IMDb, that graced our screens with their offbeat charm, eccentric characters, and captivating narratives that defy convention.

80s Unearthed: The 24 Hidden Film Gems That Hollywood Forgot, But You Won’t

25 Movies You May Only Watch Once Because They’ll Destroy You

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Some movies can leave such a profound impact on us that we can’t bear watching them again. Ever. These films stay with us long after the credits roll, haunting our thoughts and leaving us emotionally shattered.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of 25 movies deemed one-time experiences by viewers on an online forum who have been through the emotional wringer.

25 Movies You May Only Watch Once Because They’ll Destroy You

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