Top 30 Epic Disney Villain Songs
#30: “Who's Been Painting My Roses Red?” “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
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During her journey, Alice meets some worker cards painting white roses red. She learns that they planted the incorrect ones, and are trying to rectify their mistake before the Queen of Hearts finds out. It seems excessive at first, but starts to make sense as soon as we meet her Royal Highness . She immediately notices, and begins singing this song that puts her temper front and center. Mad doesn’t even begin to cover how upset she is - she literally uproots a tree! As if that wasn’t bad enough, her sentencing is also quite harsh. It’s not hard to understand why the cards try to blame each other for the blunder!
#29: “The Elegant Captain Hook” “Peter Pan” (1953)
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We won’t lie, this song makes a pretty compelling case for joining Captain Hook and his crew . They all look - and sound - so joyful! Plus, the tune’s upbeat melody is enough to get anyone on their feet . Of course, having the kids tied up while they’re singing and galavanting around the ship creates a rather dark image . And at this point in the film, we’ve seen enough of Hook to know he’s not to be trusted . But that’s precisely what makes the sneaky moment so interesting . “The Elegant Captain Hook” strikes the perfect balance between fun, persuasive, and threatening, making it impossible to ignore.
#28: “Heffalumps and Woozles” “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (1977)
While Heffalumps and Woozles are less like villains in the traditional sense, they are actually considered the main antagonists in the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise.This is largely due to the fact that they love honey just as much as Pooh and are willing to steal the cuddly bear’s personal supply in order to get it. Regardless of the somewhat tame nature of these guys, the dream sequence in which they made their big appearance scared Pooh (and us) to Eeyore’s Gloomy Place and back. You may recognize that floating Winnie-the-Pooh meme from this and that’s honestly all the confirmation we need that this scene is weird – though the song is admittedly pretty catchy. If you’re looking for a good nightmare sequence, no one does it like old school Disney.
#27: “The Headless Horseman” “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” (1949)
Why did Disney stop doing these anthology movies? In “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” we get two tales: “The Wind in the Willows” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. The latter explores the legend of the Headless Horseman which makes it a cozy nostalgic watch for October. Not only is it narrated by Bing Crosby, but he sings all of this story’s songs too! “The Headless Horseman” number takes place during a party where Ichabod’s rival attempts to one-up him, and manages to succeed by scaring him with this fable. Still, it’s sort of difficult to be scared when this song is a whole spoonful of jazzy fun.
#26: “Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee” “Pinocchio” (1940)
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Pinocchio meets Honest John before he’s had the chance to learn the invaluable “Don’t talk to strangers” lesson. Before he even makes it to his first day of school, he finds himself in a world of trouble. And considering he’s just recently come alive, he takes the fox’s misleading name a little too literally. John needs to lure Pinocchio into his trap. And what better way to do that than by singing about how success, fame, and fortune await him in the theater? It would probably be hard for a regular kid to resist this catchy tune. So it’s no wonder Pinocchio ultimately gives in to the temptation!
#25: “Mad Madam Mim” “The Sword in the Stone” (1963)
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Arthur has no idea what he’s in for when he falls into Madam Mim’s house . At first glance, she seems like a regular old lady . But appearances can be deceiving, as it turns out she’s anything but . The glee and joy with which she describes her sinister ways through this song never fails to give us chills . And the way she illustrates her powers during the upbeat tune adds a twisted layer of darkness to the whole affair . Her energy is chaotic, to be sure, but it’s also kind of contagious! We’d be lying if we said we weren’t hooked on her every word.
#24: “You’re Only Second Rate” “The Return of Jafar” (1994)
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So, yes, the old direct-to-video sequels aren’t super well known or loved, but there are a few gems hidden here and there. After all, if you’re going to call Genie – of all people – second-rate, you’d better have the musical chops to back it up. We hate to give Jafar any sort of credit, but his bid of intimidation isn’t half bad. If there’s one thing Genie can appreciate, it’s style and flair which makes it doubly sad that he’s defeated in such a grand display. There are, of course, some better Aladdin songs in the franchise, but this one feels undeniably true to Jafar’s drama.
#23: “Trust in Me (The Python’s Song)” “The Jungle Book” (1967)
There’s no doubt that the voice actors behind these roles have big jobs to do. Conveying a sense of evil through one’s voice alone is no small feat. But when they succeed, the results are truly special. One example of this is Sterling Holloway’s performance as Kaa in “The Jungle Book.” “Trust in Me” is a slow song that hypnotizes Mowgli . The visuals are obviously there, as fewer creatures are scarier than snakes. And Holloway truly brings the number to life with his calm and terrifyingly collected tone. The way he embodies the character’s essence is incredibly impressive. From his pacing to his pronunciation of the numerous “s” sounds, he makes the moment feel believable.
#22: “This Is the Thanks I Get?!” “Wish” (2023)
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Say what you want about this movie. That’s it, that’s the end of the sentence. Say what you want. We will give it a bit of praise for this number, however. The song itself really isn’t half bad – the main problem is that it doesn’t really feel like a villain number. But, we love Chris Pine in anything he does, so that makes this one at least a partial win in our books. Awkward lyrics aside, this is enjoyable enough to belt out in the car after a day of feeling like we’re always giving more than we get.
#21: “It’s Our House Now!” “Mickey’s House of Villains” (2002)
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If you’ve ever wanted a Disney villain medley, look no further! Led by Jafar, a ton of classic baddies get their moment to shine – even those who don’t have their own musical numbers like Maleficent and Hades. It’s a real treat to see them all together, especially as they devise their takeover and begin to terrorize some of our favorite protagonists. The idea of all the Disney characters dwelling in one place is already a lot of fun, but having the villains seize control for Halloween and give everyone else the boot is a really stellar premise. Not to mention, the song itself is super underrated. How have we been sleeping on this one?!
#20: “I Wan’na Be Like You” “The Jungle Book” (1967)
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Oh, Louis Prima, we miss you every day. Though not the main baddie of this film, King Louie is considered a supporting antagonist, given his penchant for abduction and general intentions of hostage-holding. This sounds nothing like a villain song, but it’s not really trying to be one either. King Louie, above all, wants to learn how to make fire, and it’s a lot easier to do that if Mowgli likes and trusts him. Lucky for us, we get a fantastic swing jam out of it.
#19: “Remember Me” “Coco” (2017)
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If this were Miguel or Héctor’s version, it would be ranked much higher. But, because it was not only stolen by Ernesto, but also mutilated into a high energy number, we’re clocking it here. Ernesto de la Cruz’s iteration of this song sucks all the emotion out of the original, and it shows. Even without hearing the way it was intended to sound, something just feels off in his performance. Its extravagant display alone is enough to imbue a sense of superficiality, something keen audiences will probably have sniffed out early on.
#18: “The Mob Song” “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
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We’ve all heard of mob mentality, but this song really takes it up a notch, proving how contagious it can be. Gaston talks a big game throughout the film, and makes the villagers believe he’s the person to trust. He goes on and on about how terrible the beast is, riling them up. In other words, they fall for his fear mongering. What follows is a captivating musical number that’s characterized by panic and anger. Despite the Beast having never hurt any of them - and over Belle’s objections - the people mobilize with Gaston as their leader. This song perfectly personifies the angry mob’s frantic energy - pitchforks, torches, and all!
#17: “Snuff Out the Light (Yzma’s Song)” “The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000)
We wish so badly we could include Yzmopolis in this list, but that song was unfortunately in an episode of “Emperor’s New School” and our list is considering movies alone. Now, this one is a tiny bit of a cheat since it’s technically a deleted song but we think it’s worth it for the absolute bop that it is. We don’t have to tell you about the unmitigated legend that is Eartha Kitt – her performance speaks for itself. Not only did she put everything she had into voicing Yzma, but singing as her was downright spectacular. It’s a whole crime that this song never made the final cut.
#16: “My Lullaby” “The Lion King II: Simba's Pride” (1998)
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This definitely isn’t the lullaby of your childhood. And while we wouldn’t exactly call it soothing, it’s definitely a memorable piece. After Zira gently sings Kovu to sleep, she takes things up several notches. The number gradually intensifies, as she lays out her plan to have him one day take power. She doesn’t mince words, painting a terrifyingly vivid picture. We know sequels tend to get a bad reputation, and Scar left some huge villainous paws to fill. Still, Zira holds her own, commanding respect and inspiring fear through this soul-stirring song. We definitely wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.
#15: “In the Dark of the Night” “Anastasia” (1997)
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Since Disney now owns this movie, we’re considering it fair game. And thank the movie industry gods we get to include it, because it’s such a cool track. A lich sorcerer is about as evil as they come so his villain number really has to reflect that – and boy does it ever! It’s powerful, sinister, and creepy by the boatloads, mostly because Rasputin has been dead for a long while by the time he sings this. With a harsh rasp and deep, gravelling tone, this character feels perfectly voiced, both by Christopher Lloyd when speaking, and Jim Cummings while singing.
#14: “Prince Ali (Reprise)” “Aladdin” (1992)
The “Aladdin” movies have no shortage of enthralling villain songs. “You’re Only Second Rate” proves that Jafar hasn’t lost his spunk. And Sa'Luk makes sure we know he’s a force to be reckoned with in “Are You In or Out”. Still, Jafar’s reprise of “Prince Ali” in the first film remains the most intimidating number of them all. After getting his hands on the Genie, he uses his first wish to become sultan — and his second to become the most powerful sorcerer. That’s when he takes the song that was first used to introduce Ali Ababwa to the world and flips it on the head . His version is much more menacing - and rather riveting - as it exposes the truth about Aladdin’s identity.
#13: “Love Is an Open Door” “Frozen” (2013)
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When we first hear this duet, it seems like a sweet - albeit somewhat naive - love song. But when Hans’ evil intentions are revealed towards the end of the film, it takes on a whole new meaning. He was trying to manipulate Anna with every word he uttered, which colors the cheerful musical moment differently. While she thought she was singing with - and falling for - the man of her dreams, she was actually being tricked. There’s no doubt that it’s one of Disney’s more unconventional villain songs. It’s also sinister, manipulative, and downright cruel.
#12: “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986)
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How many Disney villains do you know who walk around plotting while wearing a suit and tie? Of course, Ratigan’s no ordinary bad guy. He has an air of sophistication, class, and intelligence that sets him apart from the rest. His appeal is made all the more obvious through this song, which flaunts his exploits and makes a pretty convincing case for why he’s an unparalleled criminal. But don’t let the fancy outfit and upbeat music fool you. Ratigan’s a ruthless fellow who isn’t afraid to eliminate anyone who rubs him the wrong way. His followers undoubtedly respect him. But more than that, they fear him.
#11: “Shiny” “Moana” (2016)
For Tamatoa, bling is the thing. His blinged out appearance keeps him fed — and looking absolutely stunning. That seems like a pretty good setup to us. His performance is so alluring that you almost forget he’s a bad guy. What can we say? The glamor and sass are simply addictive . Make no mistake, we’re not fans of his evil ways. But there’s no denying he has style! The song’s melody is snappy, and its visuals are extremely appealing. Plus, it contains some insanely hilarious and clever lyrics. Tamatoa may be the most glitzy Disney villain we’ve ever met, and we’re not mad about it.
#10: “Oogie Boogie’s Song” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
Having Santa Claus kidnapped so that he could take over Christmas definitely wasn’t the best idea Jack Skellington ever had. But things get really bad when Oogie Boogie gets his hands on the jolly bearded man. Everyone loves Santa. He travels around the world and gives kids presents. What’s not to love? Well, according to the boogeyman, a lot. He makes it clear from the start of this creepy tune that he doesn’t get the hype surrounding the revered character. In fact, Oogie Boogie spends much of the number actively insulting him, and dismisses his demand to be released. It’s a bold, blunt, and spooky piece, to say the least!
#9: “Savages” “Pocahontas” (1995)
“Pocahontas” has serious cultural issues, to be sure. But there’s definitely something to be said for its songs . From the moment the settlers arrive, it’s clear they have bad intentions. The man in charge of the expedition, Governor Ratcliffe, wants to mine the land for any and all gold it has. He craves wealth and power, and isn't afraid to sing enthusiastically about it. And while “Mine, Mine, Mine” is a captivating track, the film’s best villain song comes later, as war erupts between the Powhatan people and the Englishmen. “Savages” is a particularly interesting number, as we see both groups describing their disdain for the other. It’s frantic, and you can feel almost everyone getting pumped for battle.
#8: “Mother Knows Best” “Tangled” (2010)
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We’ve heard of overprotective parents, but Gothel’s really on another level. Of course, she’s not actually Rapunzel’s mother. Rather, she keeps Rapunzel trapped inside the tower so that she can have access to the magic her locks provide. So when Rapunzel asks to go out, Gothel shuts the idea down with this song. Gothel tries to scare her, claiming she would never be safe away outside the confines of the tower — and her. The number’s brilliance lies in the fact that she disguises her spiteful intentions under the guise of motherly love. Yet it’s Rapunzel’s hair she’s trying to protect, not the girl herself. She couldn’t possibly risk her eternal fountain of youth getting away!
#7: “Gaston” “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
To say Gaston is the most self-important Disney character ever is probably an understatement. His whole personality revolves around how much he loves himself! It’s such a big part of who he is, in fact, that his tune is named after him. The number gives us a peek at his inflated ego, and quickly makes it clear that his vanity knows no bounds. Gaston is dangerously narcissistic, yet the villagers are obsessed with him. It’s pretty easy to understand why Belle doesn’t want to marry him. They’re basically polar opposites! But it’s an incredibly fun and energizing tune that convincingly sings his praises, and always gets stuck in our head.
#6: “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” “Encanto” (2021)
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You might be surprised to see this one show up here as there are conflicting thoughts about whether or not this is really a villain song. Bruno isn’t a villain, after all, but he was definitely presented as one at first. And that’s kind of exactly what makes the song so antagonistic, too. The rest of the family has unintentionally made themselves the bad guys by shunning Bruno out, effectively shooting the messenger. If “Encanto” does one thing, it’s create nuance in its characters, and this ensemble song is certainly no exception. Plus, you know, it’s phenomenal. Its monumental popularity and replay value was all the proof we needed for that.
#5: “Friends on the Other Side” “The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
You should never belittle strangers you meet on the street (or anyone else, really). After all, you never know who they might be — or what connections they may have. Prince Naveen learns that lesson the hard way when he gets involved with Dr. Facilier. At first glance, he seems like an ordinary charlatan, which prompts Lawrence the royal valet to dismiss him. His sultry voice and the scene’s stunning visuals are nothing if not spellbinding. So it’s not hard to understand why Naveen and Lawrence both make a deal with him. But you know what they say: be careful what you wish for.
#4: “Cruella de Vil” “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” (1961)
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Unlike the majority of Disney villain numbers, this one isn’t sung by the movie’s antagonist. Rather, it’s about her, which only adds to its appeal. As soon as Roger starts humming the snazzy melody, you can tell it has promise. It simply needs some complementary lyrics. And when he sees Cruella de Vil pulling up, the perfect words come to him almost magically. It’s a catchy number that’s just eerie enough to make you want to sing along. And more importantly, it’s amazingly prophetic. Roger’s just messing around, but he has no idea how right he is about Cruella!
#3: “Poor Unfortunate Souls” “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
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Ursula is an incredibly compelling character. We know she's evil, yet listening to her belt out “Poor Unfortunate Souls” kind of makes us want to root for her. The song just captures her essence flawlessly, and she lures us in with her tantalizing voice. Even if you think you know better than to listen to her, it’s hard not to be tempted by this number. Her witty attitude and the beguiling lyrics come together seamlessly, and make for a persuasive performance. Ursula really makes it seem like her deal is the best option there is. So it’s easy to see how Ariel — and countless others before her — fall for the trap.
#2: “Be Prepared” “The Lion King” (1994)
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Jeremy Irons and Jim Cummings together delivered a masterclass in voice acting with this performance . The powerful tone of Scar’s voice gives him a grave and authoritative presence, making this song feel dangerously prestigious. Watching him hatch a plan to eliminate his brother and take over the kingdom is nothing short of frightening. The number is undeniably bold, commanding, and unnerving. In fact, the hyenas actually start goose-stepping . At the end of the day, Scar is a deeply unsettling character, just as a good villain should be. And this number wonderfully encapsulates the mesmerizing terror he inspires. What more could you possibly ask for in a Disney villain song?
#1: “Hellfire” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
Many villains sing about big or mystical things, like power. But Claude Frollo’s signature track is about lust, something you don’t hear about too often in Disney movies. The song’s grounded and realistic subject matter is precisely what makes it so sinister. As Frollo stands by the burning fire, he blames Esmeralda for his own urges. His attitude is disturbing, to put it mildly. Yet he truly believes he’s some sort of righteous soul. The way Tony Jay brings a depraved and vile energy to the song is absolutely chilling. That, combined with the mystic music and scorching visuals, creates a truly harrowing number. And it never fails to make our blood run cold. Which Disney villain song are you guilty of belting out in the shower? Let us know in the comments!
