Top 10 Scariest DC Animated Villains

“Teen Titans” (2003-06)

Slade may primarily be a Teen Titans villain, but this mercenary is a threat to superheroes everywhere. Slade Wilson happens to be one of the best assassins in the entire DC universe and there’s not much that’s scarier than being hunted down. Even his code name “Deathstroke” had to be dropped from the “Teen Titans” cartoon since it sounded too violent. He’s not just a brutal killer, he’s also an evil mastermind who manipulates and deceives. He’s constantly gotten one-up on the Teen Titans. And even after his presumed death, the impact he left behind on the team heavily traumatized Robin. Not many villains can frighten experienced heroes from beyond the grave!

“Batman vs. Robin” (2015)

Dollmaker’s one seriously messed up individual in the “Batman vs. Robin” movie, which is really saying something! As a child, Anton Schott was victimized by his father Winslow Schott, a dangerous killer (who seasoned fans might know as the villain Toyman). While his father was eventually locked up, the damage was already done to Anton’s psyche. As the Dollmaker, he kidnaps innocent children and attempts to brainwash and mold them into his own dolls. If we tried to get into all the disturbing lore of the Dollmaker we might end up scaring ourselves. So just trust us when we say this frightening killer is one of the most twisted of Batman’s rogues. We’re kind of glad Talon did him in.

“The Death of Superman” (2018)

Doomsday may just be a savage beast, but, well that’s all you really need to be a menacing threat. When he made his arrival in the “Death of Superman” movie, it spelled doom for the Man of Steel. Not many can boast about killing Superman after all! Besides Doomsday’s intense strength which has rivaled that of Superman’s, his appearance is equally unsettling. He’s a hulking gray figure with a monstrous frame, claws, and jagged spikes that cover his body. Not to mention he has an animalistic mind! It’s no wonder our first instinct when we see this creature is to turn and run!

“Young Justice” (2010-22)

Do not let the name fool you There’s not a single ounce of goodness in this lady. Known for her ruthlessness, Granny Goodness often torments anyone she can find in the name of Darkseid. And as part of Darkseid’s empire, she operates out of “the Orphanage.” But the Orphanage is hardly a safe haven. It’s a place where she mentally and physically breaks down potential warriors. She’s not just doing her job though, Granny revels in the pain and misery she brings to others. “Young Justice” didn’t hesitate to show that she’s one of the most sadistic individuals in Apokolips.

“Batman: Gotham by Gaslight” (2018)

He’s scary in real life, and he’s scary in “Gotham by Gaslight” too! When a Victorian-era Batman story unfolds, the Caped Crusader comes into conflict with Jack the Ripper. The infamous serial killer slays multiple women in some truly gruesome ways. And at many times he nearly slays Batman as well. What’s also haunting is the reveal that Jack was actually James Gordon, traumatized after the Civil War. He’s not some cosmic horror or a deformed monster, but his twisted viewpoint and devotion to committing murder still manage to evoke terror in us.

“Justice League vs. Teen Titans” (2016)

No wonder why Raven’s so upset all the time. We’d be too if Trigon were our dad! He’s one of the most powerful demons in the DC landscape. The gigantic demon brings chaos and misery everywhere he goes. His cult of fiercely devoted followers never really bodes well for others either. Did we mention he also looks a lot like the Devil? At the very least you can’t deny there’s a passing resemblance! And during the “Justice League vs. Teen Titans” movie, Trigon possessed the Justice League with ease and made them fight the Teen Titans. Power like that is a dream for Trigon, but a nightmare for everyone else!

“Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons” (2022)

This starfish is deadly. Starro the Conqueror is a gigantic starfish who releases smaller spores of himself which graft onto and control people. He’s been able to mind-control heroes like it’s nothing, rendering even the toughest into pretty much zombies. And during “Battle of the Super Sons,” he took control of the Justice League, and almost the whole world! Starro’s conquered entire galaxies through mind control. And whenever he’s in town, it takes a collective effort for heroes to take him down. That one giant eye of his also really creeps us out, stop staring!

“Constantine: City of Demons - The Movie” (2018)

You don’t want to get in this demon’s way! When John Constantine freed Nergal during “City of Demons,” he hoped that he would stop Astra Logue’s abusive father and his cult friends. And Nergal sort of did that. He slaughtered the cultists but also many innocent civilians. To make it worse, he then dragged the young Astra to Hell. Hey man, that's not cool! Nergal can intimidate just about anyone. With wings sprouting from his back, horns on his head, and the lower half of his body like a serpent’s, he’s pure nightmare fuel.

TheDCAMU (2013-22)

Is he the embodiment of evil? The personification of darkness? The final boss of the DC universe? Darkseid is arguably many if not all of those things, and more! This imposing force rules Apokolips with an iron fist and has put the entire superhero community through hell. The Justice League even first formed to stop him in “Justice League: War.” But regardless, his terrifying impact has still been felt in many films. For example, while Doomsday might’ve killed Superman in the DCAMU’s “Death of Superman,” in that continuity, Darkseid created him. There’s also no greater display of his monstrous power than when he tormented the heroes in “Apokolips War” and conquered Earth. Darkseid’s reputation as a fearsome foe just speaks for itself!

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

This Witch Boy Is Deadly

The Psychotic Speedster Is a Menace in Every Timeline

This Shapeshifter Is a Threat to Everyone

He’s the Lord of Vampires for a Reason

You Probably Don’t Want This Guy as Your Surgeon

The DCAU (1992-2006)

Arguably no other villain has had as much staying power as the Joker. And while he’s been in countless projects, he’s had a particularly terrifying tenure in the DCAU. He brought Gotham City to its knees constantly in “Batman: The Animated Series.” He also murdered enemies during “Mask of the Phantasm” too, including the Phantasm’s own father. And even though he was thought to have passed, Joker came back in “Return of the Joker” to cause more mayhem. His revival was made possible thanks to the cruel genetic experimentations he performed on Tim Drake. When you get down to the brass tax, it’s hard not to see Joker as one of the most persistent and haunting villains of all time.