These bold films confront viewers and dare to offend
In 'Pinocchio' (1940), the titular wooden puppet is led astray by Honest John, a sly fox who convinces Pinocchio to join a circus act run by an "old gypsy."
In 'Cinderella' (1950), Lady Tremaine treats Cinderella, her stepdaughter, like a scullery maid. She's also supremely jealous of her charm and beauty.
In 'The Little Mermaid' (1989), Ursula is a sea witch who makes a deal with Ariel, a mermaid. In exchange for giving Ariel a pair of legs so she can be with her human prince, Ursula takes away the mermaid's ability to speak.
The antagonist in 'Aladdin' (1992) is the evil sorcerer Jafar, who plots to steal the genie's magical lamp from Aladdin and rule Agrabah.
Central to the plot of 'Hercules' (1997) is Hades, the fast-talking, wide-eyed lord of the underworld who conspires to overthrow Zeus and rule Mount Olympus after Zeus and Hera have a son named Hercules.
Dr. Facilier is the spooky "shadow man," a witch doctor who seeks to rule New Orleans with help from his "friends on the other side" in 'The Princess and the Frog' (2009).
Merlin meets his match in the shape of Madam Mim in 'The Sword in the Stone' (1963). Skilled in the black arts, she employs trickery and deceit to try and thwart the wizard's efforts to defend King Arthur.
Cunning and malevolent Yzma uses every trick in the book to try and steal the throne from under Emperor Kuzco in 'The Emperor's New Groove' (2000).
Basil, the titular character in 'The Great Mouse Detective' (1986), has attempted to arrest his archenemy, Professor Ratigan, for years. He finally comes face-to-face with the crafty villain for the ultimate showdown.
'A Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993) is full of weird and scary characters. But Oogie Boogie, the villainous bogeyman of Halloween Town is among the most repulsive.
Sources: (Britannica) (New World Encyclopedia)
See also: The evolution of Disney over the years
The villain in 'Moana' (2016) is a giant, treasure-hoarding coconut crab called Tamatoa, who hails from Lalotai, the feared Realm of Monsters.
Greedy, immature, thumb-sucking Prince John relies a lot on the counsel of his slippery advisor, Sir Hiss, in order to prevent Robin Hood robbing the rich and giving to the poor in 'Robin Hood' (1973).
In 'The Aristocats' (1970), cold-hearted Edgar Balthazar, Madame Adelaide's dim-witted butler, tries to get rid of her cats in order to inherit her fortune.
Quasimodo's reluctant guardian is Judge Claude Frollo, who just happens to be the nastiest character in 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' (1996). Besides being possessed of a ruthless and self-righteous personality, Frollo displays a sadistic and lustful obsession with Esmeralda.
Based on the real-life Virginia colonist John Ratcliffe, Disney's Governor Ratcliffe in 'Pocahontas' (1995) is depicted as greedy and arrogant, and only interested in hoarding gold and other riches for himself.
In 'Mulan' (1998), the Huns are led by the ruthless Shan Yu, a physically imposing and frightening figure of alarming appearance.
Penny, a lonely six-year-old orphan girl, is kidnapped by Madame Medusa, a greedy and wicked pawn shop owner. 'The Rescuers' (1977) tells the story of the little girl's liberation from her evil clutches.
One of Disney's most infamous villains, the Evil Queen appears in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937). She drinks a potion to disguise herself as an old hag, and seeks out Snow White.
Cloaked and concealing her real identity, the old hag persuades Snow White to eat a poisoned apple. After biting into the toxic fruit, she falls into a "sleeping death," a spell that only a handsome prince can break.
The old gypsy is in fact a cruel, brutal, and arrogant puppeteer called Stromboli who locks Pinocchio in a cage and threatens to turn him into firewood once he becomes too old to perform.
Lady Tremaine is driven by the interests of her own daughters—the cruel Anastasia, and the abusive Drizella.
The villain in 'Peter Pan' (1953) is Captain Hook. A sadistic pirate, he vows to take revenge on Peter Pan for cutting his hand off.
Another iconic Disney baddie, Maleficent is an evil fairy who curses the infant Princess Aurora to an early death in 'Sleeping Beauty' (1959). Instead, the princess falls into a deep sleep, a slumber that can only be broken by true love's kiss.
Vain and egocentric Gaston threatens Belle if she doesn't take his hand in marriage. But Belle is smitten with the Beast, who is really a young prince. Gaston's rage and jealously leads to a tragic finale in 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991), based on the 1756 fairy tale of the same name by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont.
Intelligent yet merciless Bengal tiger Shere Khan has his eyes on Mowgli throughout 'The Jungle Book' (1967). Kaa, an Indian python, also seeks Mowgli as prey, but comically fails each time he attempts to eat him.
The litter of Dalmatian puppies who are kidnapped by the villainous Cruella de Vil in 'One Hundred and One Dalmatians' (1961) is one of Disney's most endearing plotlines. And the spoiled heiress remains an iconic symbol of greed, vanity, and evil.
'Alice in Wonderland' (1951) conjures up an unlikely villain in the form of the Queen of Hearts, a haughty sadist who enjoys decapitating anyone who merely annoys her. She is ably assisted by a mischievous feline, the Cheshire Cat.
Scar is the murderous lion who kills his younger brother Mufasa, ruler of the Pride Lands, after he learns that it is Simba who is first-in-line to the throne and not himself. As the main antagonist in 'The Lion King' (1994), Scar is one of Disney's most celebrated villains.
Walt Disney is associated with some of cinema's most beloved animated characters. But Disney movies are equally known for bringing to the big screen a fascinating collection of undesirable baddies—sneaky and unscrupulous individuals who truly represent the perennial battle between good and evil.
So, who does the cartoon criminal best? Click through and discover the Disney villains we all love to hate.
Arguably Disney's most terrifying villain, Chernobog, a monstrous nocturnal devil, makes its appearance in 'Fantasia' (1940) during the 'Night on Bald Mountain' scene, with music by Mussorgsky.
Disney villains we all love to hate
Who are the most celebrated Disney cartoon criminals?
MOVIES Film
Walt Disney is associated with some of cinema's most beloved animated characters. But Disney movies are equally known for bringing to the big screen a fascinating collection of undesirable baddies—sneaky and unscrupulous individuals who truly represent the perennial battle between good and evil.
So, who does the cartoon criminal best? Click through and discover the Disney villains we all love to hate.