Top 10 Satisfying Villain Deaths in Disney Movies

Some people take rejection with dignity and move on. Others just can’t let go of their grudges. Despite not having any superpowers, young Buddy Pine dreams of becoming Mr. Incredible’s sidekick. After getting turned down by his hero, he decides to take the super villain route and becomes Syndrome. With an arsenal of destructive toys at his disposal, this megalomaniac aspires to crush his enemy. Syndrome goes too far, though, when he targets Mr. Incredible’s family. As brilliant as Syndrome is, he’s essentially a bratty child trapped in a grown man’s body. It’s only appropriate that he’s destroyed by his massive ego, as well as his poor fashion sense.
 

Big, bad, and ruthless, Sykes views himself as untouchable. So it’s kind of ironic that a petty thief, a little girl, and a bunch of cute animals cause his downfall. In the climax of “Oliver & Company,” Sykes sets out to turn our heroes into roadkill. Behind the wheel of his dominating Cadillac, this loathsome loan shark seems like an indestructible force. Sykes takes the highway to hell, though, when he drives his car onto a third rail. Confronted by a towering train, Sykes meets his demise on a bridge. It’s far from the first time a gangster’s body has ended up at the bottom of the Hudson River, but it’s not like he didn’t have it coming.

Disney villains have a tendency to destroy themselves with the very power they seek. The Shadow Man is a prime example. As cool as they come, this witch doctor has complete confidence in his master plan. He puts a little too much faith in dark magic, however, which results in his doom. Unable to pay his debt after his voodoo charm breaks, Doctor Facilier finds himself at the mercy of his friends on the other side. With no more tricks up his sleeve, he’s dragged out of the shadows and down into the underworld. The petrified face on Facilier’s gravestone only makes his death more satisfying.

Every person is eventually reduced to a pile of ashes. Mother Gothel learns this the hard way. Kidnapping our longhaired heroine as a baby, this villain manipulates Rapunzel into believing that she’s a caring, nurturing mother figure. Deep down inher shriveled up heart, it’s possible that Mother Gothel has some affection for the young lady she calls her daughter. When push comes to shove, however, all she cares about is using Rapunzel’s magical hair to preserve her own youth and beauty. When Rapunzel’s golden locks are chopped off, Mother Gothel’s age finally starts to catch up to her. Unable to look at her decaying face in the mirror, she tumbles out the window and reaches her inevitable expiration.

Maleficent walks a fine line between being a villain we love to hate and a villain we hate to love. Either way, she’s definitely one of Disney’s most dastardly villains, placing a deathly curse on an infant princess. And to think, Maleficent only did that because she wasn’t invited to a party. She breaks out the big guns in the film’s climax, taking on the form of a fire-breathing dragon. While Maleficent throws everything she has at our heroes, Prince Phillip ultimately drives his sword through her dark heart. Good may triumph over the Mistress of All Evil, but at least Maleficent went out on a high note.

It’s impossible not to fall in love with Snow White. You’d have to be completely heartless to harm such a kind, pure soul. That’s exactly why we despise the Evil Queen so much. When her huntsman can’t get the job done, the jealous queen uses her dark magic to transform herself into a hag and kills the innocent princess with a poison apple. The Wicked Queen comes close to crushing the seven dwarves with a boulder as well. Fortunately, a bolt of lightning intervenes and gives Queen Grimhilde-as-the-Witch her comeuppance, after which vultures make sure there’s nothing left of the queen’s body. Meanwhile, the dwarves preserve Snow White’s body so she may be awakened by true love’s kiss.
 

Ursula is a villain of many different faces. She can be quiet and subtle, using her magic to steal Ariel’s voice and Prince Eric’s heart. This sea witch can also be booming and bombastic, particularly when she gets her hands on King Triton’s all-powerful trident. Growing to a monstrous size, Ursula nearly sends the little mermaid to a watery grave. Prince Eric storms inat just the right time, though, and impales her with a ship. This scene gave us all nightmares as children, but we can take comfort in knowing that Ursula is now sleeping with the fishes.
 

Scar is a royal SOB. In order to claim the Pride Lands, this devious lion murders his older brother. As if that’s not appalling enough, Scar also plots to kill his nephew, who’s only a cub. Slipping through his uncle’s claws, Simba runs away into exile. Sometime later, he returns to show Scar who the true king is. Despite his unforgivable deeds, Scar is given a chance to run away and never return. The dethroned villain refuses to accept defeat, though, and an epic catfight ensues. This proves to be Scar’s undoing, as he’s sent to the bottom of Pride Rock where his hungry minions greet him. It’s the circle of death.
 

Gaston actually starts off as one of the more likable Disney villains. Granted, he is rude, insensitive, and full of himself. While we can see why Belle isn’t attracted to him, there is a certain charm to his pompous nature. Throughout “Beauty and the Beast,” however, Gaston goes from being a selfish jerk to a sadistic monster that’ll do anything to get what he wants. In the midst of a heated battle for Belle’s hand, the Beast takes pity on the whimpering Gaston and lets him leave peacefully. Gaston’s hunter instinct kicks in, though, and he stabs his prey in the back. As he’s beyond the point of redemption, it’s hard to feel bad for Gaston when he ultimately plummets to his death after losing his footing.
 
Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke
“Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001)
  
Professor Ratigan
“The Great Mouse Detective” (1986)
 
Hopper
“A Bug’s Life” (1998)
 
Oogie Boogie
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
Shan Yu
“Mulan” (1998)

Frollo just might be the biggest sinner the Mouse House has ever given us. This cruel justice minister murders an innocent mother, attempts to drown her deformed child, burns down people’s homes, and lusts after a gypsy he plans to either kill or make his own. Although he’s broken every commandment in the good book, Frollo is still convinced that all of his heinous actions are justified. Before he can do away with Quasimodo, Frollo loses his balance atop Notre Dame and comes face to face with a devilish sight. As the flames of hell rage below, he is sent to meet his maker. We’d say may the lord have mercy on his soul, but Frollo has no soul to save. 

Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the most satisfying Disney villain death? For more entertaining Top 10s published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.