Top 10 Times a Disney Villain SNAPPED

“Sleeping Beauty” (1959)
There are perhaps fewer feelings that hurt like a punch to the gut than being left out. So we can only imagine how Maleficent must’ve felt being one of the few in the kingdom not invited to celebrate the princess’s birth. To add insult to injury, Merryweather ensures Maleficent knows she’s not welcome. Now, we’re not going to get into why she wasn’t invited to begin with but it’s fair to say she doesn’t take this rejection well. Look, we get it: FOMO is the pits! However, does it warrant cursing a young princess, who’s hardly at fault here? We’re going to have to go with no.

“The Lion King” (1994)
With series like “The Lion Guard” and the “Mufasa prequel,” Scar’s breaking point timeline could be debated, but today, we’re focusing on the 1994 movie. You’d think the King’s brother might’ve been more involved in the inner circle, but for reasons not mentioned, he’s essentially an outsider. His hopes for the crown further fade after Simba is born. It’s a slow burn, but Simba’s birth seems to be his snapping point; he now realizes that if he’s ever going to be King, he’ll have to be prepared to do whatever it takes. Scar isn’t just a defining feature on his face—it’s the deep mark he left on our childhoods.

“The Incredibles” (2004)
Speaking of rejection, there’s only so many times someone you idolize can turn you away before you snap. As a kid, there was nothing Buddy Pine wanted more than to be noticed by his hero, Mr. Incredible. However, his over-eagerness ends up costing the superhero dearly, leading to one rejection too many for the fanboy! That’s also the last we see of Buddy until he reemerges as an embittered, superhero-hating adult who, to put it lightly, has held a grudge against all superheroes since that day. Now, he’s hellbent on wiping them out with weapons that can match their powers. Guess that’s why they say never meet your heroes!

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
Ick doesn’t even begin to explain this one. For a so-called man of God, Judge Frollo is one of the most heinous villains in Disney history. Not only does he persecute the Romani, but he’s also responsible for leaving baby Quasimodo without a mother. He even goes around setting homes on fire in his obsessive pursuit of Esmeralda. However, the moment he completely loses it is when she rejects his advances. He sentences her to burn at the stake, which ultimately leads to him quite literally setting Paris ablaze. Meeting his end in the destruction he caused seems fitting—there’s no way his actions earned him a spot in heaven.

“Zootopia” (2016)
Dawn Bellwether, the assistant to Zootopia’s mayor, shows what happens when those in charge fan the flames of disenfranchisement. She’s fed up with being overlooked, underappreciated, and overshadowed. This, combined with the divide between prey and predators, pushes her over the edge. Bellwether manipulates the city’s tensions, framing predators as dangerous to create chaos and seize control. Her breaking point comes from personal frustration, a hunger for power, and a deep resentment toward the system that marginalizes her. When we first meet her, she seems sweet, but actually she's nothing but a sheep in wolf’s clothing, who's willing to stoke prejudice and fear to get what she wants.

“Peter Pan” (1953)
We don’t know what triggered the duel that cost Captain Hook his hand, but we do know that was the moment he snapped. In his defence, sure, we get it; losing your hand and having it fed to a crocodile that then follows you around, hoping for seconds, is pretty traumatic. That being said, why is a fully grown ship captain even beefing with a bratty child in the first place? Unfortunately for Hook, his obsession with revenge tends to bring him more trouble than triumph. Also that clock’s ticking isn’t going to last forever! It might be safer for him to just let it go.

“Meet the Robinsons” (2007)
Bowler Hat Guy is determined to sabotage Lewis’ future with the help of a small, evil robotic hat named Doris. He travels back in time to steal a crucial invention, hoping to change his past and get revenge on Lewis. The reason behind his grudge is eventually revealed. Turns out he’s actually Michael “Goob” Yagoobian, Lewis’ childhood roommate. He now blames Lewis for ruining his life after losing a big game because he was kept up late working on an invention. After meeting his future self, Goob becomes consumed by bitterness, leading to a lonely life fueled by anger. Moral of the story: never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep!

“The Aristocats” (1970)
Imagine you’ve been a devoted butler for many years, attending to your mistress’ every need and keeping her home in perfect order. You might think all that loyal service will pay off one day, right? So, when she invites her lawyer to draw up her will, you think this is your moment… and then she leaves her entire fortune to her cats. Yes, cats. Would that make you furious? Edgar certainly is! That’s when he decides to get rid of the Duchess and her kittens, clearing his path to Madame Adelaide’s riches. How greedy can one person get? Luckily, Edgar gets his comeuppance before he can touch a cent!

“Hercules” (1997)
Turns out, guarding the underworld really takes its toll! But for Hades, the moment that truly shifts everything happens early on when he meets with the Fates. They reveal that he could one day change his destiny if Hercules doesn’t mess it up for him. So what does he do? Scheme against his own brother and nephew to secure his shot at ruling Olympus! Given his first interaction with the gods, you can tell that resentment has been simmering for a while. He flat-out tells Zeus the underworld is miserable, and what does Zeus do? Nothing! Does Hades take it too far? Absolutely. But everyone has their boiling point!


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

Losing a Child Would Make Anyone Snap, but As He Soon Learns, Revenge Won’t Bring Her Back

Shady? Yes! But How Would You Respond to a Rat Infestation in Your Kitchen? Even If They Make a Great Ratatouille

We Could Quite Literally See His Colors Change

Shere Khan Flips over a Potential Predator Growing Up in His Territory

No One Has a Full on Mantrum When He Doesn’t Get His Way Like Gaston

“The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)
We learn pretty quickly that Yzma would rather be empress than the emperor’s advisor. Even so, she’s stuck with Kuzco through thick and thin, and let’s be honest—he’s not exactly the most likable guy. So who wouldn’t completely lose it when, after years of devoted service, Kuzco fires her? Some nerve, huh? Yzma goes full revenge mode, plotting to overthrow Kuzco once and for all. Too bad she leaves the actual execution to Kronk—because while he makes a mean spinach puff, he’s not exactly the brightest bulb. Well, actually it’s probably a good thing she didn’t do it herself, or this would’ve been a much shorter movie!


Do you think any of these villains were justified? Let us know in the comments