Top 10 Disney Villain Voice Performances

This Disney renaissance film is often praised for its stellar voice cast. And Freeman as the wicked Grand vizier, is no exception. To bring this villain to life, directors John Musker and Ron Clements needed someone who could both pose a threat to the main hero and be fun to watch. Freeman most certainly delivered, as his manic performance was impressively intimidating while also being extremely enjoyable. He notably had great chemistry with Gilbert Gottfried’s Iago, and did amazing in musical numbers too! Anyone else adore the reprise of “Prince Ali”?

From the crafty Duke Weaselton to the accident-prone Heihei, Disney animation’s good luck charm has an extensive filmography. And it all started with his debut as the menacing and zany King Candy. When we’re first introduced to the character, Tudyk channels Ed Wynn, the comedian who played the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland”. The inspiration behind the deceptively silly King is very clear in his performance, and makes him even more enjoyable. What elevates him from good to great, however, is his seamless transition from over-the-top to legitimately terrifying. We’re of course referring to the big twist of the movie, where King Candy reveals himself to be the sadistic racer Turbo.

It can be hard to pull off a villain this arrogant without making him outright hateable. But, thanks to Richard White’s extravagant performance, the brash narcissist is an absolute blast to watch. While Gaston’s exaggerated design is a huge aspect of the character, it's really White’s aggressively operatic voice that we all remember. I mean, can you imagine his theme song being sung any other way? White’s thespian delivery was in fact so crucial that the animators altered Gaston’s appearance to better fit his vocals. “Beauty and the Beast’s” villain may be animated, but its actor embodies the character in every way, and it really shows in the final product.

This charlatan preys upon the citizens of New Orleans with help from his demonic friends. As terrifying as he is, we can’t help but be charmed by him, due in no small part to Keith David’s silver tongue. The actor can be heard throughout many animated projects and video games. You may recognize him as the president in “Rick and Morty” or the Arbiter in the “Halo” franchise, for instance. Still, David rarely gets to flex his singing talent, which makes his showstopper “Friends on the Other Side”, all the more mesmerizing. With a voice as smooth as silk and a musical number that’s hypnotically ominous, Keith David is easily one of the best parts of “The Princess and the Frog”.

Sarcastic, refined, wrathful, and sadistic, Audley pulled out all the stops to bring Disney’s Silver Age sorceress to life. Her first appearance in the film alone lets you know that she’s a scene-stealer. Although she’s known for playing Lady Tremaine in “Cinderella”, and Madame Leota from Disney parks’ Haunted Mansion, this is definitely her best role from the studio. Apparently, her voice and personality were so inspiring that the filmmakers used her facial expressions and elegant movement as animation reference. Just goes to show that a little bit of passion from an actor can do wonders for a character.

For the role of Mother Gothel, Disney needed someone who was subtly complex and had a flair for theatrics. Given that criteria, Donna Murphy was a perfect choice. The Tony Award-winning actress took the vanity and toxicity of stage moms, and channeled it all into this standout character. In her best moments, Murphy added a surprising warmth to Gothel. This proved to be the villain’s most notable aspect given that her ability to act as a loving, yet passive-aggressive parent, was ultimately the catalyst to Rapunzel’s journey. And, of course, we can’t forget her dramatically manipulative villain song, which Murphy executed flawlessly.

As lovable as Jodi Benson is as Ariel, Pat Carroll is consistently recognizable as Ursula. At the time of casting, Disney spent over a year going through popular actresses of the era before finally settling on the Emmy-award winning comedian. Carroll claimed that her acting was inspired by her own understanding of the character, who she hilariously saw as an “ex-Shakespearean actress who now sold cars”. If that’s what motivated her raspy voice and signature wit, then we can’t say we disagree with her interpretation. To this day, she can still be heard as the Sea Witch across countless animated projects and video games. But, to many, she’ll always be remembered for elevating Disney villains to new heights.

You know a role is truly something special when a name like James Woods reprises the role over and over again. The veteran actor can’t seem to get enough of Hades, and his love for the villain all started with his debut in the 1997 classic. Many Disney villains are already well-known for their sarcasm or bitterness. But, James Woods stands out for his phenomenal delivery. It’s simply unmatched! The fast-talking salesman motif makes him particularly unique, as it gives him a comical energy that brings a whole other level of fun to “Hercules”. Even when he threatens our heroes in the film’s most tense moments, his sneering and wisecracks always shine through, and that makes him irreplaceable in our eyes.

Although she’s treated as more of a joke than a fearsome villain, Yzma surprisingly overshadows the film’s protagonist – which is an impressive enough feat, because we’re talking about Kuzco here! And that’s all due to Kitt’s remarkable performance. Her overly dramatic tone clashes with the film’s self-awareness to great comedic effect. Yzma just can’t seem to get a win no matter how hard she tries. And the amusing tragedy of her character could really only be sold by Kitt’s exaggeration and passion. She’d even go on to play Yzma in the sequel series and Kronk spinoff, where she got a great villain song. Here’s an actress who no doubt gave a hundred and twenty percent in the recording booth!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Lucille La Verne as the Evil Queen/Queen Grimhilde/the Witch, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)
The Actress Who Can Do Both Regal & Maniacal

Verna Felton as the Queen of Hearts, “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
“Off With Their Heads!” Is Iconic Because of Her

Vincent Price as Ratigan, “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986)
The Sophisticated & Menacing Rodent Version of Moriarty

Hans Conried as Captain Hook, “Peter Pan” (1953)
A Loud Mouthed Pirate Who’s Actually an Utter Coward

Tony Jay as Judge Claude Frollo, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
The Creepy Authority Figure With an Unforgettable Baritone

Already considered to be the studio’s greatest antagonist, Scar also serves as the perfect basis for what Disney’s villain actors should strive to be. Spine-chilling, assertive, conniving, and just downright brilliant, Jeremy Irons’ dedication to this performance can be felt through the screen. This comes as no surprise as he’s classically trained and received several awards for his masterful acting. His deliberately paced dialogue seems effortless, and the inflection and sarcasm in his voice can be flat out hilarious at times. Irons’ overall display of intellect and showmanship is also a great contrast to James Earl Jones’ booming voice as Mufasa. If the 2019 reboot of “The Lion King” proved one thing, it’s that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.