Top 20 Disney Villain Songs of All Time
#20: “The Elegant Captain Hook” “Peter Pan” (1953)
Top 30 Epic Disney Villain Songs
We won’t lie, this song makes a pretty compelling case for joining Captain Hook and his crew. They all look - and sound - so joyful! Plus, the tune’s upbeat melody is enough to get anyone on their feet. Of course, having the kids tied up while they’re singing and galavanting around the ship creates a rather dark image. And at this point in the film, we’ve seen enough of Hook to know he’s not to be trusted. But that’s precisely what makes the sneaky moment so interesting. “The Elegant Captain Hook” strikes the perfect balance between fun, persuasive, and threatening, making it impossible to ignore.
#19: “Who's Been Painting My Roses Red?” “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
Top 10 Greatest Songs from Old/Classic Disney Movies
During her journey, Alice meets some worker cards painting white roses red. She learns that they planted the incorrect ones, and are trying to rectify their mistake before the Queen of Hearts finds out. It seems excessive at first, but starts to make sense as soon as we meet her Royal Highness. She immediately notices, and begins singing this song that puts her temper front and center. Mad doesn’t even begin to cover how upset she is - she literally uproots a tree! As if that wasn’t bad enough, her sentencing is also quite harsh. It’s not hard to understand why the cards try to blame each other for the blunder!
#18: “My Lullaby” “The Lion King II: Simba's Pride” (1998)
Top 10 Best Disney Revenge Songs
This definitely isn’t the lullaby of your childhood. And while we wouldn’t exactly call it soothing, it’s definitely a memorable piece. After Zira gently sings Kovu to sleep, she takes things up several notches. The number gradually intensifies, as she lays out her plan to have him one day take power. She doesn’t mince words, painting a terrifyingly vivid picture. We know sequels tend to get a bad reputation, and Scar left some huge villainous paws to fill. Still, Zira holds her own, commanding respect and inspiring fear through this soul-stirring song. We definitely wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.
#17: “Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee” “Pinocchio” (1940)
Top 100 Disney Songs Of All Time
Pinocchio meets Honest John before he’s had the chance to learn the invaluable “Don’t talk to strangers” lesson. Before he even makes it to his first day of school, he finds himself in a world of trouble. And considering he’s just recently come alive, he takes the fox’s misleading name a little too literally. John needs to lure Pinocchio into his trap. And what better way to do that than by singing about how success, fame, and fortune await him in the theater? It would probably be hard for a regular kid to resist this catchy tune. So it’s no wonder Pinocchio ultimately gives in to the temptation!
#16: “Mad Madam Mim” “The Sword in the Stone” (1963)
Top 10 Animated Villain Songs Excluding Disney
Arthur has no idea what he’s in for when he falls into Madam Mim’s house. At first glance, she seems like a regular old lady. But appearances can be deceiving, as it turns out she’s anything but. The glee and joy with which she describes her sinister ways through this song never fails to give us chills. And the way she illustrates her powers during the upbeat tune adds a twisted layer of darkness to the whole affair. Her energy is chaotic, to be sure, but it’s also kind of contagious! We’d be lying if we said we weren’t hooked on her every word.
#15: “Trust in Me (The Python’s Song)” “The Jungle Book” (1967)
There’s no doubt that the voice actors behind these roles have big jobs to do. Conveying a sense of evil through one’s voice alone is no small feat. But when they succeed, the results are truly special. One example of this is Sterling Holloway’s performance as Kaa in “The Jungle Book.” “Trust in Me” is a slow song that hypnotizes Mowgli. The visuals are obviously there, as fewer creatures are scarier than snakes. And Holloway truly brings the number to life with his calm and terrifyingly collected tone. The way he embodies the character’s essence is incredibly impressive. From his pacing to his pronunciation of the numerous “s” sounds, he makes the moment feel believable.
#14: “The Mob Song” “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
Top 10 Disney Villain Songs
We’ve all heard of mob mentality, but this song really takes it up a notch, proving how contagious it can be. Gaston talks a big game throughout the film, and makes the villagers believe he’s the person to trust. He goes on and on about how terrible the beast is, riling them up. In other words, they fall for his fear mongering. What follows is a captivating musical number that’s characterized by panic and anger. Despite the Beast having never hurt any of them - and over Belle’s objections - the people mobilize with Gaston as their leader. This song perfectly personifies the angry mob’s frantic energy - pitchforks, torches, and all!
#13: “Prince Ali (Reprise)” “Aladdin” (1992)
The “Aladdin” movies have no shortage of enthralling villain songs. “You’re Only Second Rate” proves that Jafar hasn’t lost his spunk. And Sa'Luk makes sure we know he’s a force to be reckoned with in “Are You In or Out.” Still, Jafar’s reprise of “Prince Ali” in the first film remains the most intimidating number of them all. After getting his hands on the Genie, he uses his first wish to become sultan — and his second to become the most powerful sorcerer. That’s when he takes the song that was first used to introduce Ali Ababwa to the world and flips it on the head. His version is much more menacing - and rather riveting - as it exposes the truth about Aladdin’s identity.
#12: “Love Is an Open Door” “Frozen” (2013)
Top 20 Greatest Disney Love Songs
When we first hear this duet, it seems like a sweet - albeit somewhat naive - love song. But when Hans’ evil intentions are revealed towards the end of the film, it takes on a whole new meaning. He was trying to manipulate Anna with every word he uttered, which colors the cheerful musical moment differently. While she thought she was singing with - and falling for - the man of her dreams, she was actually being tricked. He saw a young woman desperate for love, and used that to make a power play. There’s no doubt that it’s one of Disney’s more unconventional villain songs. It’s also sinister, manipulative, and downright cruel.
#11: “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986)
Top 10 Greatest Disney Songs (Live-Action)
How many Disney villains do you know who walk around plotting while wearing a suit and tie? Of course, Ratigan’s no ordinary bad guy. He has an air of sophistication, class, and intelligence that sets him apart from the rest. His appeal is made all the more obvious through this song, which flaunts his exploits and makes a pretty convincing case for why he’s an unparalleled criminal. But don’t let the fancy outfit and upbeat music fool you. Ratigan’s a ruthless fellow who isn’t afraid to eliminate anyone who rubs him the wrong way. His followers undoubtedly respect him. But more than that, they fear him.
#10: “Shiny” “Moana” (2016)
For Tamatoa, bling is the thing. His blinged out appearance keeps him fed — and looking absolutely stunning. That seems like a pretty good setup to us. His performance is so alluring that you almost forget he’s a bad guy. What can we say? The glamour and sass are simply addictive. Make no mistake, we’re not fans of his evil ways. But there’s no denying he has style! The song’s melody is snappy, and its visuals are extremely appealing. Plus, it contains some insanely hilarious and clever lyrics. Tamatoa may be the most glitzy Disney villain we’ve ever met, and we’re not mad about it.
#9: “Oogie Boogie's Song” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
Having Santa Claus kidnapped so that he could take over Christmas definitely wasn’t the best idea Jack Skellington ever had. But things get really bad when Oogie Boogie gets his hands on the jolly bearded man. Everyone loves Santa. He travels around the world and gives kids presents. What’s not to love? Well, according to the boogeyman, a lot. He makes it clear from the start of this creepy tune that he doesn’t get the hype surrounding the revered character. In fact, Oogie Boogie spends much of the number actively insulting him, and dismisses his demand to be released. It’s a bold, blunt, and spooky piece, to say the least!
#8: “Savages” “Pocahontas” (1995)
“Pocahontas” has serious cultural issues, to be sure. But there’s definitely something to be said for its songs. From the moment the settlers arrive, it’s clear they have bad intentions. The man in charge of the expedition, Governor Ratcliffe, wants to mine the land for any and all gold it has. He craves wealth and power, and isn't afraid to sing enthusiastically about it. And while “Mine, Mine, Mine” is a captivating track, the film’s best villain song comes later, as war erupts between the Powhatan people and the Englishmen. “Savages” is a particularly interesting number, as we see both groups describing their disdain for the other. It’s frantic, and you can feel almost everyone getting pumped for battle.
#7: “Mother Knows Best” “Tangled” (2010)
Top 10 Mother Daughter Movies
We’ve heard of overprotective parents, but Gothel’s really on another level. Of course, she’s not actually Rapunzel’s mother. Rather, she keeps Rapunzel trapped inside the tower so that she can have access to the magic her locks provide. So when Rapunzel asks to go out, Gothel shuts the idea down with this song. Gothel tries to scare her, claiming she would never be safe away outside the confines of the tower — and her. The number’s brilliance lies in the fact that she disguises her spiteful intentions under the guise of motherly love. Yet it’s Rapunzel’s hair she’s trying to protect, not the girl herself. She couldn’t possibly risk her eternal fountain of youth getting away!
#6: “Gaston” “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
To say Gaston is the most self-important Disney character ever is probably an understatement. His whole personality revolves around how much he loves himself! It’s such a big part of who he is, in fact, that his tune is named after him. The number gives us a peek at his inflated ego, and quickly makes it clear that his vanity knows no bounds. Gaston is dangerously narcissistic, yet the villagers are obsessed with him. It’s pretty easy to understand why Belle doesn’t want to marry him. They’re basically polar opposites! But it’s an incredibly fun and energizing tune that convincingly sings his praises, and always gets stuck in our head.
#5: “Friends on the Other Side” “The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
You should never belittle strangers you meet on the street (or anyone else, really). After all, you never know who they might be — or what connections they may have. Prince Naveen learns that lesson the hard way when he gets involved with Dr. Facilier. At first glance, he seems like an ordinary charlatan, which prompts Lawrence the royal valet to dismiss him. Mistake! As Facilier sings about his otherworldly connections, you can’t help but be pulled in by his hypnotic performance. His sultry voice and the scene’s stunning visuals are nothing if not spellbinding. So it’s not hard to understand why Naveen and Lawrence both make a deal with him. But you know what they say: be careful what you wish for.
#4: “Cruella de Vil” “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” (1961)
The Evolution of Cruella de Vil
Unlike the majority of Disney villain numbers, this one isn’t sung by the movie’s antagonist. Rather, it’s about her, which only adds to its appeal. As soon as Roger starts humming the snazzy melody, you can tell it has promise. It simply needs some complementary lyrics. And when he sees Cruella de Vil pulling up, the perfect words come to him almost magically. It’s a catchy number that’s just eerie enough to make you want to sing along. And more importantly, it’s amazingly prophetic. Roger’s just messing around, but he has no idea how right he is about Cruella!
#3: “Poor Unfortunate Souls” “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
How Emma Stone Prepared to Play Bella Baxter in Poor Things
Ursula is an incredibly compelling character.. We know she's evil, yet listening to her belt out “Poor Unfortunate Souls” kind of makes us want to root for her. The song just captures her essence flawlessly, and she lures us in with her tantalizing voice. Even if you think you know better than to listen to her, it’s hard not to be tempted by this number. Her witty attitude and the beguiling lyrics come together seamlessly, and make for a persuasive performance. Ursula really makes it seem like her deal is the best option there is. So it’s easy to see how Ariel — and countless others before her — fall for the trap.
#2: “Hellfire” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
Many villains sing about big or mystical things, like power. But Claude Frollo’s signature track is about lust, something you don’t hear about too often in Disney movies. The song’s grounded and realistic subject matter is precisely what makes it so sinister. As Frollo stands by the burning fire, he blames Esmeralda for his own urges. His attitude is disturbing, to put it mildly. Yet he truly believes he’s some sort of righteous soul. The way Tony Jay brings a depraved and vile energy to the song is absolutely chilling. That, combined with the mystic music and scorching visuals, creates a truly harrowing number. And it never fails to make our blood run cold.
#1: “Be Prepared” “The Lion King” (1994)
Top 10 Satisfying Villain Deaths in Disney Movies - Best of WatchMojo
Jeremy Irons and Jim Cummings together delivered a masterclass in voice acting with this performance. The powerful tone of Scar’s voice gives him a grave and authoritative presence, making this song feel dangerously prestigious. Watching him hatch a plan to eliminate his brother and take over the kingdom is nothing short of frightening. The number is undeniably bold, commanding, and unnerving. In fact, the hyenas actually start goose-stepping. At the end of the day, Scar is a deeply unsettling character, just as a good villain should be. And this number wonderfully encapsulates the mesmerizing terror he inspires. What more could you possibly ask for in a Disney villain song?
1
0
flagged