Top 10 Exact Moments That We Fell in Love with the Villain

“The Princess Bride” (1987)
We’ll think again before making one of the classic blunders. As the scheming Sicilian in this fairytale, Vizzini talks up a big game until he’s confronted by Westley. The hero challenges his counterpart to a battle of wits, setting up the antagonist for some fun banter. Wallace Shawn’s delivery sells the scene — you can’t help but laugh at his circuitous reasoning. His final rant captures him at his funniest, with all the energy that he can muster before falling over dead. Shawn gives the mastermind a memorable moment to leave the audience wanting more. At this point, you’ll probably want to rewatch the movie just to enjoy the actor’s performance again.

“Spaceballs” (1987)
There are a lot of hilarious characters in this sci-fi parody, but Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet stands out. He might try to be scary behind the helmet, but the character’s goofball ways are soon revealed. In this scene, a pan around the helmet reveals that the Schwartz-wielder is acting out his nefarious plot with action figures of the film’s characters. Even if he’s the villain, this scene endears us to the boy deep within Dark Helmet that still needs to play with dolls. Playing embarrassment with ease, Moranis creates a silly-yet-memorable moment that explains the character’s fragile ego.

“The Dark Knight” (2008)

He might not exactly be a fun guy, but the Joker is definitely entertaining to watch. In the scene that fully sold us on Heath Ledger’s Joker, the villain blows up a Gotham hospital — only for the explosions to suddenly stop. Looking confused and a bit annoyed, he shrugs and jams the buttons a few times to get it working again before scampering to his escape. Ledger keeps a playful energy here that’s hilarious, mesmerizing, and truly evil. It encapsulates the complexity of the role. Ledger gives Batman’s arch-nemesis a dark humor that both keeps you on your toes and reminds you that he’s never to be trusted.

“The Avengers” (2012)
Through the charisma of Tom Hiddleston, the trickster god Loki became one of the most memorable characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We were most charmed in “The Avengers,” when he’s finally cornered by the superhero crew. His defeat prompts a moment of comic relief, showing some humor in the face of failure. Hiddleston’s performance gives the character more depth than the typical comic book baddie. After lots of thrilling action, the quip is also a tactful bit of script-writing that brings the film back down to earth. Hiddleston proves that the best antagonists make even the smallest moments memorable.

“Inglourious Basterds” (2009)
From his first scene in this Quentin Tarantino film, Hans Landa shows his charm — and the terrifying evil that comes with it. Later in the movie, he attempts to strike a deal with two of the titular “basterds.” When he gains a key piece of information, a giddy reaction throws viewers for another loop. Christoph Waltz can’t help but entertain in the moment, adding a little shoulder shimmy and putting on a serious face to ask for reassurances soon after. You don’t know whether to laugh or applaud the actor for selling you on such a ridiculous outburst.

“No Country for Old Men” (2007)
When Anton Chigurh walks into a gas station, he terrifies you with just a coin. The villain tells the attendant to call a flip, with evil lurking behind every glance. It’s a simple conversation in some respects, but the weight of Javier Bardem’s performance really comes through here. You hang on his every word as he seems to threaten the innocent man across from him. Bardem’s award-winning performance is a masterclass in menace, scaring you with Chigurh’s unpredictable nature. Will he let the clerk live or kill him? In this moment, viewers are hooked by an antagonist who both frightens and intrigues you.

“Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (1997)
Father-son relationships can be hard. In the first “Austin Powers” film, Dr. Evil wakes up from cryo sleep and meets his son, Scott. The teenager then refuses to hug his father. It’s one of several hilarious interactions where the villain seems to have met his unlikely match in his own child. Mike Myers delivers lots of funny lines in quick succession as he’s trying to win over Scott. Seeing him in a somewhat vulnerable, if still silly, position makes the character more relatable, even during a humorous scene. It’s also entertaining to watch the baddie chase around his son just for affection.

“Blade Runner” (1982)
Roy Batty is one of several replicants that Rick Deckard tracks down in “Blade Runner.” While he might seem like a traditional villain, this speech gives his character much more nuance. As his body starts to fail, Batty prepares to die and gives his unique perspective on life. In an emotional and melancholic sequence, Batty reveals that there’s much more to him than synthetic parts. It’s a haunting moment that gives Deckard’s quest an added weight. Some would argue the scene is the highlight of the film, bringing home several themes in a poignant monologue. Rutger Hauer brings a profound humanity to a non-human role, probably making you reconsider the entire story.

“Paddington 2” (2017)
Hugh Grant’s Phoenix Buchanan might just be his most entertaining role ever. The actor sinks his teeth into the theatrical villain, exuding narcissistic charm and chewing up every bit of scenery. While he does end up in prison at the finale, he finds that he has a literally captive audience — and ensemble — in his fellow inmates. The grand musical number to wrap up the film gives Buchanan the goofball send off that he deserves. Grant sings and dances in a pink prison jumpsuit and makes it all look effortless. You can’t help but smile as even the antagonist of this story receives a fitting farewell.

“Collateral” (2004)
He usually plays the hero, but Tom Cruise will turn villainous on some occasions. His turn as Vincent in Michael Mann’s crime thriller “Collateral” is one such case. In a critical scene, Vincent shows some robbers he means business after they attempt to steal his briefcase. His effective firearm skills quickly dispatch the thieves and leave the audience speechless. He might be ruthless, but his methods here are nothing short of impressive. We spend the rest of the film worried about who else he might take down. Cruise playing it cool subverts our expectations, giving us a quick-draw we can’t forget.