Top 10 Superhero Movie Characters That Went Bad

All it takes is one bad day. For this list, we’ll be looking at the heroes and other “good” characters who, for whatever reason, turn to the dark side; either permanently or temporarily. Our countdown will include former good guys from films such as “Watchmen” (2009), “The Incredibles” (2004) & “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014). Since some of these involve major plot points, spoilers will be ahead. Who do YOU think is the top good guy gone bad in superhero movies? Let us know in the comments!

“Watchmen” (2009)
A retired superhero, billionaire, and the smartest man on the planet, Adrian Veidt seems an unlikely man to go bad, but he’s killed more people than the rest of our entries put together! The genius philanthropist comes to believe that the warring superpowers of the US and USSR will obliterate humanity; leading him to enact an elaborate plan to destroy New York and blame it on the nuclear Dr. Manhattan in order to unite world leaders around a common enemy. Veidt is motivated by peace, though it comes at a monstrous cost. After all, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

“Superman III” (1983)
Even the Man of Steel himself is not without his darker side. While on a depressed drunken bender, Clark Kent stumbles into a junkyard, where he somehow splits into two people – Superman and Clark Kent. While this version of his secret identity embodies all his best traits, the Superman half is evil and embodies his negative emotions. His dual personas duel one another with the good half ultimately triumphing. The whole sequence illustrates that it’s not Superman’s powers that make him Superman, but his morality.

“Under the Red Hood” (2010)
What happens when a sidekick goes bad? Batman finds out firsthand when a mysterious new player appears in Gotham. The Red Hood quickly proves himself a capable criminal, brutally taking over the city’s gangs and even proving a physical match for he and Nightwing. The Dark Knight eventually deduces that the Red Hood is really Jason Todd, a former Robin who was murdered by the Joker. After his resurrection, Jason’s masterplan is not to get revenge on Batman for failing to save him, but for Batman to kill the Joker, as he failed to avenge him.

“Chronicle” (2012)
Andrew Detmer and his cousin and friend stumble upon a mysterious object in a cave that grants them all psychic abilities. Though Andrew at first is able to use his abilities to become popular through “magic,” a combination of factors, including the death of his friend Steve, his father’s abuse, and his mother’s illness, help push him down a darker path. Believing himself superior to others, he steals to pay for his mother’s treatment, but an accident puts him in a hospital, where his father lambasts him for his actions and for his mother’s death. Andrew’s ensuing rampage may be terrifying, but we definitely understand how he got there.

“X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006) and “Dark Phoenix” (2019)
A member of the X-Men, Jean Grey possesses powerful psychic and telekinetic abilities. However, a brush with death takes them to new heights, while also bringing out a dormant personality – Phoenix. The Phoenix personality is violent and unpredictable, but especially balks at any attempt to control her actions. Phoenix is responsible for the death of several X-Men, including Jean Grey’s fiancée Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops, and even Professor X himself. It’s only through a torturous and heartbreaking killing by Wolverine that her rampant destruction is brought to an end. While the 2019 version slightly revamped this story, the fact remains that Jean Grey is the quintessential good-guy taken over by darkness.

The “Spider-Man” trilogy (2002-07) and “The Amazing Spider-Man” films (2012-14)
A longtime friend of Peter Parker, Harry Osborn is a rich kid who often feels pressure to live up to his successful father, Norman. Though he and Peter are friends, Spider-Man earns his enmity, in one adaptation due to the wallcrawler’s role in the death of his father and in the other due to not sharing his blood which could help save his life. Whatever the reason, Harry takes on the persona of the Green Goblin and wreaks havoc in Peter’s life, even being responsible for the death of Peter’s girlfriend, in one case.

“The Incredibles” (2004)
Hell hath no fury like a fanboy scorned! Buddy Pine is initially the biggest fan of Mr. Incredible, who, having no superpowers of his own, creates remarkably advanced gadgets. However, a scolding rejection from his mentor sends Buddy into a bitter downward spiral, conspiring to kill and replace “supers” by using his inventions to ensure that anyone and everyone can be super. However, the newly minted Syndrome proves no match from the Incredible family, who manage to foil his schemes, with a little help from the villain’s choice in wardrobe.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014)
The best friend of Steve Rogers, the man who would be Captain America, Bucky Barnes was Cap’s staunchest ally during World War II. Although he appeared to die when he fell off a cliff from a speeding train, Cap’s enemies, Hydra, found him and turned Bucky into their weapon; brainwashing him into becoming an assassin. The Winter Soldier’s intense presence and deadly skills make him a very threatening villain, yet his lack of control over his actions makes him a sympathetic one. That final battle with the Captain gets us every time.

“The Dark Knight” (2008)
A driven and tough district attorney, Harvey Dent is Gotham’s White Knight to Batman’s dark one; taking on criminals that others are too scared to prosecute. However, his and Batman’s attempts to clean up their city don’t account for the unpredictable Joker, who kidnaps Dent and his girlfriend Rachel Dawes. The Joker’s elaborate trap leads to Rachel’s death and Dent’s disfigurement, making him literally two-faced. The loss of his love, the trauma of the experience, and some prodding from the Joker leads Dent to go on a one-man killing spree; hunting mobsters and corrupt cops alike, and giving them a “fair” chance of survival.

“X-Men: First Class” (2011)
A frenemy and rival to Professor X, Magneto is not only the X-Men’s most persistent nemesis, but also a founding member of the group. Experimented on by the Nazis, who sought to develop his gift with magnetism through brutal means, including the murder of his mother, Erik Lehnsherr initially seeks revenge on her killer while also helping Charles Xavier help and train young mutants. Their schism occurs when Erik’s need for vengeance and his belief in mutant superiority leads to a violent confrontation on a beach and Charles’ paralysis, as well as winning the professor’s friend Raven/Mystique to his side. We’re kind of glad he’s bad though, as he’s so good at it.