Within the Marvel and DC movie universes, there is an abundance of ruthless villains and despicable wrongdoers. However, the question remains: who are the greatest supervillains in history?
Whether you’re a fan of Marvel movies or a reader of DC comics, it’s evident that supervillains possess just as much intrigue as the heroes they battle against.
People’s fascination with villains is evident in their excitement when a new Joker actor is revealed or their dedicated search for any rumors about the possible appearance of Spider-Man’s adversaries in the upcoming movie. This shows that the love for villains is just as strong as the love for heroes.
This prompted us to consider: while there are many despicable villains in existence, who are the ultimate antagonists of all time? Here are our picks for the top supervillains of all time.
Dark Flash (The Flash)
Portrayed by: Ezra Miller
Who is this person?
The reason for their villainous nature: Despite not being considered the top superhero film, The Flash’s surprise revelation that the antagonist, Dark Flash, was an alternate version of Barry Allen was one of the film’s highlights.
The film’s unique approach to Dark Flash’s origin story is what sets him apart as a supervillain. Unlike other villains who have a traditional lab accident or are exposed to toxic substances, the Flash movie delves into an extended origin for Dark Flash. The gradual transformation of ‘Alternate Barry’ and his descent into obsession and power is truly haunting, and the ultimate reveal is a shocking blow. However, the true twist is that Dark Flash is not the true villain – the concept of time itself is the real enemy. Unfortunately, time cannot be physically confronted and defeated.
9. Character Analysis: Lex Luthor in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
Portrayed by: Jesse Eisenberg
Who is he? Lex Luthor, a tech billionaire, strongly believes that humanity would benefit if the Man of Steel did not exist. He uses all his resources to try to defeat Superman.
Reason for their portrayal as a villain: In the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Eisenberg effectively redefined the well-known character of Lex Luthor, providing fans with a fresh and entertaining interpretation. Despite the film’s mixed reception, Eisenberg’s performance was still highly enjoyable.
Despite being depicted as a suave businessman who utilizes his immense wealth to take down Superman, Luthor’s portrayal in Eisenberg’s performance adds a nerdy and awkward twist, making him even more unpredictable and dangerous. One can never anticipate his next move.
Perhaps one of the defining characteristics of this version of Lex, however, is his brutality. While previous iterations of Superman’s arch-nemesis have always been depicted as evil, they have never displayed the same level of sadistic pleasure in inflicting damage or exhibited such a personal vendetta in their assaults.
Ego: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Portrayed by: Kurt Russell
Who is this person? Ego, a Celestial with immense power, had a goal of imposing his own image onto the galaxy in order to establish order… and on top of that, he was an irresponsible father.
Why they are an effective villain: Ego is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous foes to ever threaten the MCU. At first, he appeared to be calm and collected, but as the story progressed, his true nature was exposed. It’s fortunate that this murderous madman never had the chance to harm young Peter.
Despite his grand aspirations for conquering the galaxy, Ego’s most heinous act was causing Meredith Quill’s cancer in order to advance his own agenda. While many of the villains on this roster have taken lives, this callous and unnecessary action stands out as one of the most petty acts of villainy in all of comic book literature.
Roman Sionis (Birds of Prey)
Portrayed by: Ewan McGregor
Who is he? Roman is a Gotham crime lord known for his black skull mask and intimidating presence. He’s the type of person that would make you want to cross the street to avoid him.
The reason for their villainous behavior: Although Birds of Prey primarily centered around Harley Quinn’s individual path as a felon, it also introduced a delightfully eccentric antagonist in the character of Roman Sionis.
Despite McGregor’s exaggerated performance, Sionis remained both entertaining and menacing, maintaining the dangerous edge that made him a formidable figure in Gotham. Furthermore, viewers were treated to his Black Mask persona, a live-action portrayal of the villain that had never been seen before.
The High Evolutionary (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)
Portrayed by: Chukwudi Iwuji
Who is he? The High Evolutionary, a deranged and cruel scientist with a god complex, constructed his own Counter-Earth to conduct bizarre animal experiments.
The High Evolutionary is known for being an ambitious and brilliant man who uses his intelligence for villainous purposes. He takes pleasure in capturing and torturing innocent animals, such as Rocket Raccoon from the Guardians, in his pursuit of creating the perfect species. While James Gunn’s decision to make him the focal point of Guardians Vol 3, connecting him to Rocket’s enigmatic past, was a bold and brilliant move, it is not the sole reason for our strong disdain towards this sinister scientist.
Despite being a powerful entity, The High Evolutionary’s inclusion on this list is due to his behavior resembling that of a high school bully. He targets individuals who are defenseless and when faced with an opponent of equal strength, he crumbles just like an unstable Jenga tower.
Wanda Maximoff (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnes
Actress: Elizabeth Olsen
Who is she? Wanda, arguably the most powerful member of the Avengers, was driven to madness by the death of Vision and the loss of her imagined children. In her desperation to bring back her family, she delved into dark magic, which only worsened her already shattered psyche.
The reason for their villainous actions: In WandaVision, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness surprised some viewers by making the character they were rooting for the main villain, thus subverting their expectations.
Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, captivated audiences as a villain because her journey from childhood to adulthood was on full display. We bore witness to her triumphs and struggles, making her descent into villainy all the more shocking. It was not her transition to a villain that surprised us, but rather the lengths she was willing to go to in order to achieve her desires.
General Zod (Man of Steel)
Michael Shannon played the role.
Who is he? Zod is a Kryptonian general who holds a grudge against the House of El after being imprisoned in the Phantom Zone prior to the destruction of Krypton.
Reason for being a successful villain: Despite the lackluster reception of several DCEU movies, Man of Steel remains a fan favorite, largely due to Shannon’s performance as General Zod.
Fans were left to ponder what the movie would have been like if Kal-El had given in to his darker impulses while watching someone with the abilities of Superman effortlessly destroy Metropolis.
3. Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)
Portrayed by: Michael B. Jordan
Who is he? Erik Killmonger, Wakanda’s forgotten prince, harbored a deep resentment towards his people after his father was murdered. His desire for revenge against the royal family led him to seize the throne and take on the role of Black Panther.
Reason for their success as a villain: It is often entertaining when a supervillain possesses the charm and justification to convince you of their wicked schemes. This is exactly what fans witnessed with Black Panther’s Erik Killmonger.
Despite his wrongdoings of invading Wakanda, seemingly killing T’Challa, and destroying the ancestral Heart-Shaped Herbs, Killmonger raised valid concerns about Wakanda’s isolation and hoarding of advanced resources from the outside Black community. While his actions were ultimately unjustified, his presence did ultimately result in Wakanda revealing itself to the world, giving him a small victory in the end.
2. Loki
Portrayed by: Tom Hiddleston
Who is he? Loki is the adopted brother of Thor and known as the God of Mischief. His schemes to claim the throne of Asgard ultimately resulted in the Avengers coming together. Whoops?
Reasons for their role as a villain: Reflecting on Loki’s beginnings in the MCU is fascinating, especially since he is now one of the heroes. However, there was a period when the God of Mischief posed a significant danger to the universe.
Despite being a formidable villain in Thor, Loki truly reached his peak of evil in The Avengers. His ability to outsmart and outmaneuver Earth’s mightiest heroes was almost comical, showcasing his cunning and intelligence. While we will always appreciate the heroic send off he received in the MCU, Loki will forever hold a special place in our hearts as a villain.
1. Character Analysis: Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame
Portrayed by: Josh Brolin
Who are they? They are the Mad Titan, Thanos, who had a unique perspective on the environment and saw the acquisition of the Infinity Stones as a solution to an impending overpopulation issue. Sadly, his method of achieving this goal was extremely violent and destructive.
Reason for their villainous nature: It is indisputable that Thanos is the top supervillain in both the MCU and DCEU, making him the obvious choice.
Despite his limited screen time in the majority of the MCU films from Phase 1 to 2, Thanos’s complete portrayal in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame solidified his status as the ultimate supervillain.
Just like Killmonger, you can empathize with his motivations for wanting to eliminate half of the universe’s population. However, you do not condone his actions as they result in the deaths of your favorite characters.
Thanos stands out as an exceptional supervillain due to his ultimate victory, even if it was only for one movie. Avengers: Infinity War revolutionized the world of comic book films by depicting our beloved heroes on a massive scale of defeat. It is truly awe-inspiring to witness his repeated triumphs over the heroes. Without a doubt, Thanos reigns supreme as the greatest supervillain for successfully executing his nefarious plan, a feat that will likely never be surpassed.
The HeroFest list is a component of our week-long festivities dedicated to all things superheroic!
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