Movie villains are probably the most memorable and iconic characters in film history. These baddies are often the driving force behind the story, and their motives and actions can be some of the most relatable aspects of a film. Whether they’re seeking power, revenge, or simply trying to survive, these villains often have a deeper, more complex backstory that makes them more than just one-dimensional bad guys.
They’re often misunderstood or have suffered some kind of trauma that has led them down a dark path. And while their actions may not always be admirable, they often have a certain charisma or charm that makes them compelling and even likable at times. In the end, movie villains are just as human as the rest of us, and their struggles and motivations can be something that we can all relate to on some level.
10Tyler Durden -Fight Club
This guy is basically the ultimate relatable villain. Who hasn’t felt like they’re just a cog in the machine, going through the motions of life without any real purpose?FIght Club’s Tyler Durden embodies this frustration and takes it to the extreme, starting an underground fight club as a way to rebel against the boring, consumerist society we all find ourselves trapped in. Plus, he’s played by Brad Pitt, so you know he’s got some serious charm.
9The Joker -The Dark Knight
This villain from Christopher Nolan’s epic second Batman installment,The Dark Knight, is the epitome of chaos and anarchy, and who doesn’t feel like shaking things up once in a while?The Jokermay be a little too extreme for most of us, but his mischievous and unpredictable nature is something we can all relate to on some level.
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8Zemo -Captain America: Civil War
Zemo may be the main villain ofCaptain America: Civil War, but his motivations are actually pretty relatable. He’s a man who has lost everything and is seeking revenge on those he believes are responsible. We’ve all felt the sting of loss and the desire for retribution, even if we might not go to the same lengths as Zemo.
7Thanos -Avengers: Infinity War
Thanos, who first appeared inThe Avengers, may be thebiggest baddiein the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but his ultimate goal inAvengers: Infinity Waris actually pretty relatable - he wants to save the universe from overpopulation and resource depletion. Sure, his methods may be a little extreme (i.e., wiping out half the population of the universe), but who hasn’t thought about how to solve the world’s problems in a more efficient way?
6Loki -Thor
Loki may be a trickster and a troublemaker, and he was most definitely a full-on villain when he made his live action debut inThor, but at his core, he’s just a guy who wants to prove that he’s worthy of his family’slove and attention. Who hasn’t felt like they’re constantly trying to prove themselves to their loved ones? Loki may go a little overboard in his pursuit of recognition, but his motivations are still relatable.
5Kylo Ren -Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Kylo Ren may be a villain in the latest Star Wars trilogy that began withThe Force Awakens, but on the inside, he’s just a guy who’s trying to figure out, where exactly does he belong in the world? After all, who hasn’t struggled with their identity and trying to find their place in the world at some point in their lives? Kylo Ren may go to some extreme measures to discover his true purpose, but we can all relate to his journey of self-discovery.
4The Red Queen -Alice in Wonderland
We’ve all had those little moments where we feel like the world is against us, and we just want to shout, “Off with their heads!” Plus, the Red Queen’s obsession with constantly repeating the phrase “I’m late, I’m late” throughoutAlice in Wonderlandis something we can all relate to. Who hasn’t felt the pressure of always being behind schedule?
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3Gordon Gekko -Wall Street
His greedy corporate raider may not have the most admirable morals, but let’s face it: we’ve all had moments where we’ve prioritized our own self-interest above everything else. Plus, Gekko’s famous quote, “Greed is good,” has become a catchphrase for a reason - deep down, we can all relate to the allure of money and power. Gekko is just taking it to the next level.
2Lex Luthor -Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Sure, he may be obsessed with taking down the Man of Steel and ruling the world, but can you blame him for being a little jealous of someone who can fly and shoot lasers out of their eyes? Luthor’sgenius-level intelligenceand cunning strategies make him a formidable and relatable foe, perhaps most especially with Zack Snyder’s heavily reimagined version fromBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
1The Grinch -How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This green, mischievous creature may have a heart two sizes too small, but we’ve all had moments where we’ve felt a little Scrooge-like and just wanted to be left all alone during the holidays. Plus, the Grinch’s love of mischief and pranks is highly and humorously relatable, especially when he’s being played by Jim Carrey in everyone’s favorite live action holiday classic,How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
