15 greatest villains in movie history who you might end up rooting for

Villains in movies aren’t always difficult to hate. Some are written so well that their motives and personalities make them stand out. They might be dangerous or unpredictable but something about them pulls people in. The list focuses on fifteen villains who are impossible to ignore. They might be violent or manipulative but they have qualities that keep people watching. These villains make audiences rethink what it means to be right or wrong. They show flaws and vulnerabilities that feel real and believable. These are the kinds of characters who stick with people long after the movie ends.

1) Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) – American Psycho (2000)

In American Psycho, Patrick Bateman is terrifying because he looks completely normal on the surface. He has a good job and a polished appearance but there is nothing real about him. Everything he does feels rehearsed and his obsession with status hides how empty he is. He kills without hesitation and treats it like a hobby instead of a crime. His actions stem from boredom and frustration because no matter how much he has he still feels nothing. People are drawn to him because he is sharp and confident but there is something deeply unsettling about how ordinary he seems.

2) Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) – Fight Club (1999)

In Fight Club, Tyler Durden is the voice people hear when they want to tear everything apart and start over. He is angry at the world and refuses to follow rules that don’t make sense to him. He does not hold back and his willingness to destroy everything around him makes him dangerous. He speaks to the part of people who want to escape routine and take control of their lives. He is reckless and unpredictable but he makes people feel alive. It is hard not to like him because he says things that feel true even when his actions go too far.

3) Loki (Tom Hiddleston) – The Avengers (2012)

In The Avengers, Loki is smart and always one step ahead of everyone else. He uses words as weapons and knows exactly how to manipulate people to get what he wants. He has spent his whole life feeling like he is not enough and that insecurity drives him to prove himself at any cost. He hides his pain behind jokes and arrogance but he still shows moments of doubt that make him feel human. People like him because he is clever and funny but there is also something sad about him that makes it hard to fully hate him.

4) Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) – Black Panther (2018)

In Black Panther, Erik Killmonger is dangerous, focused, and sure of what he wants. He grew up feeling abandoned and watching his people struggle while others thrived. That anger pushed him to train and fight until he became strong enough to take back what he thought was stolen from him. He sees himself as a soldier fighting for justice and that belief makes him unstoppable. People connect with him because his pain is real and his anger feels justified even when his actions cross the line. He is hard to hate because he fights for something bigger than himself.

5) Joker (Heath Ledger) – The Dark Knight (2008)

In The Dark Knight, the Joker is terrifying because nothing matters to him. He doesn’t care about rules or consequences and he doesn’t care if he lives or dies. He only wants to watch everything fall apart and he is smart enough to make it happen. He never explains why he is the way he is and that makes him even scarier. His scars and stories about his past feel like lies but they also hint at something broken underneath. People are drawn to him because he is fearless and impossible to predict. He makes chaos look easy and that makes him hard to ignore.

6) Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) – Inglourious Basterds (2009)

In Inglourious Basterds, Hans Landa is terrifying and enjoys the process of hunting as much as the outcome. He controls conversations with a calm voice that hides his ability to dominate any room without raising suspicion. He studies people closely and finds their weaknesses before they even realize they are exposed. He drags out fear like he’s savoring the moment before he strikes. His cruelty doesn’t feel impulsive—it feels practiced and intentional. People are drawn to him because he seems polished and clever but that charm only makes him more unsettling. His politeness makes his brutality feel even colder and harder to forget.

7) Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) – No Country for Old Men (2007)

In No Country for Old Men, Anton Chigurh doesn’t feel like a person—he feels like something inevitable. He moves without emotion and kills without hesitation. He approaches murder like it’s part of a system and treats life and death as choices that depend on chance. The coin toss he uses to decide fate makes him unpredictable and even harder to stop. He sees himself as an enforcer of rules no one else can understand. People are fascinated by him because he’s calm and quiet but his presence feels heavier than anything around him. He doesn’t seem rushed or distracted and that stillness makes him feel unstoppable.

8) Thanos (Josh Brolin) – Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

In Avengers: Infinity War, Thanos is terrifying because he believes he’s saving the universe while destroying half of it. He carries himself like a ruler who sees every step of his plan as necessary and inevitable. He doesn’t act out of anger—he acts out of certainty that his mission matters more than any individual life. His size and strength make him look unstoppable but his confidence in his decisions is what makes him truly dangerous. People are drawn to him because he forces them to question whether his ideas are wrong or just his methods. He feels like someone who cannot be persuaded or defeated.

9) Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) – Gone Girl (2014)

In Gone Girl, Amy Dunne is terrifying because her control over people feels effortless. She never acts out of desperation—she plans every detail and keeps herself steps ahead of everyone else. Her ability to manipulate emotions and create believable lies makes her dangerous without ever needing physical violence. Her actions come from years of frustration and anger that push her into a mindset where survival means never losing control. People are fascinated by her because she turns her flaws into strengths and never hesitates to defend her image. Her calmness makes her actions feel more calculated and watching her succeed feels both shocking and satisfying.

10) Tony Montana (Al Pacino) – Scarface (1983)

In Scarface, Tony Montana is terrifying because he never slows down or backs away from a fight. He comes from nothing and rises to the top through violence and fear. His ambition keeps pushing him forward but the more he gains the more reckless he becomes. He trusts no one and kills without hesitation which makes him impossible to predict or stop. His hunger for power comes from the fear of losing control and that fear drives him to keep climbing no matter what it costs. People are drawn to him because he refuses to be weak and fights for everything he has even when it destroys him.

11) The Bride (Uma Thurman) – Kill Bill (2003–2004)

In Kill Bill, the Bride is terrifying because she never hesitates. She moves with the focus of someone who has already lost everything. Her skills as an assassin make her nearly impossible to stop and her attacks feel personal in a way that leaves no room for mercy. Her rage comes from betrayal and heartbreak after being left for dead by the people she trusted. Every step she takes feels like a reminder that she refuses to stay broken. People admire her because she fights without fear and never backs down even when the odds are against her.

12) Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) – The Godfather (1972–1990)

In The Godfather, Michael Corleone is dangerous because he never shows fear. He starts as someone who wants no part of his family’s business but ends up leading it with a quiet and deadly resolve. He doesn’t need to raise his voice to take control because his silence feels heavier than any threat. His shift into a crime boss feels less like ambition and more like obligation but his decisions come with a cost. People respect him because he stays calm under pressure but his story also feels tragic because his loyalty to his family ends up costing him everything else.

13) Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) – The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

In The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal Lecter is terrifying because he never loses control. He doesn’t need weapons to feel dangerous because his words are enough to break people down. He studies others closely and spots their weaknesses before they realize it. His murders are brutal but his intelligence and polished manners make him hard to ignore. Hannibal seems refined and cultured but that only hides how dangerous he is. People are drawn to him because he doesn’t look or act like a monster even though he is one. That contrast makes him unsettling and impossible to forget.

14) Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler) – Dune: Part Two (2024)

In Dune: Part Two, Feyd-Rautha is the younger nephew and chosen heir of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. He embodies a blend of charisma and cruelty, making him both captivating and dangerous. Raised in the brutal environment of House Harkonnen, Feyd-Rautha has been groomed to be a cunning and ruthless leader, exhibiting intelligence and a penchant for sadism. His ambition and desire for power drive him to engage in treacherous schemes, including attempts to usurp his uncle's position. Audiences are drawn to his complex character, as his charm and strategic mind contrast sharply with his violent tendencies, creating a multifaceted antagonist whose actions are as intriguing as they are horrifying.

15) Achilles (Brad Pitt) – Troy (2004)

In Troy, Achilles is terrifying because he fights like no one else can. He moves with precision and strikes with the kind of speed and force that makes battles look effortless. He doesn’t hesitate, and that confidence makes him feel invincible. His reputation as the greatest warrior of his time is well-earned, and his skills on the battlefield leave no room for doubt. Achilles isn’t just driven by glory—he’s fueled by anger and grief, especially after the death of Patroclus. People are drawn to him because he’s fearless, but there’s also tragedy in how much he sacrifices to be remembered forever.