Top 15 Villains That Switch Sides to the Good Guys

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15. Mirage (The Incredibles, 2004)

Everything shifts for Mirage during that tense moment when Syndrome casually proves he doesn’t care if she lives or dies, and her face says it all. One minute she’s the cool, composed assistant helping him run his villainous operations, the next she’s quietly rethinking her life choices. The turning point lands when she frees Helen and the kids, and suddenly she’s more “helpful insider” than “mysterious henchwoman.” Her calm presence makes her switch feel surprisingly natural, especially once she starts undermining Syndrome’s worst impulses. She doesn’t get a huge redemption arc, but the small moves she makes end up saving the Parrs. Sometimes the side-switching MVP is the one working behind the scenes. | © Pixar Animation Studios

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14. Nux (Mad Max: Fury Road, 2015)

The second his big “Witness me!” moment fails and Immortan Joe looks at him like he’s disposable, Nux’s world cracks open. Being stuck with Furiosa’s group pushes him into unfamiliar territory, where suddenly people talk to him like an actual human instead of a tool. His attempts to be helpful – chaotic, eager, and occasionally misguided – become weirdly endearing. Things really click when Capable shows him kindness, and you can almost feel him rebooting emotionally. By the time he’s assisting in the war rig mayhem, he’s fully dialed into a new sense of purpose. His final act? Pure, high-speed redemption. | © Kennedy Miller Mitchell

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13. The Grinch (How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 2000)

The whole town turning into his sworn enemy over some holiday cheer makes the Grinch double down on his plan – until that Christmas morning when the Whos keep celebrating anyway. That’s the moment everything cracks, and it’s hilarious watching him try to process joy like it’s a foreign substance. His switch is sealed when he comes barreling down the mountain with the sleigh, suddenly determined not to ruin Christmas after all. And once he’s carving roast beast with the same people he tried to emotionally sabotage? That’s peak seasonal character development. His turn may be over-the-top, but it’s a holiday classic for a reason. | © Imagine Entertainment

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12. Gru (Despicable Me, 2010)

World domination becomes oddly secondary once Gru has to juggle shrink rays with school runs and adopted-kid chaos. The tough-guy act starts slipping the moment the girls worm their way into his routine, turning his evil lair into something that looks suspiciously like a home. His priorities shift for good when he ditches his big moon heist to show up for their recital, and suddenly the entire villain persona feels like something he’s outgrown. Still, he hangs onto just enough attitude to stay hilarious. His side-switch ends up being one of the film’s best surprises – especially because he never stops being Gru about it. | © Illumination Entertainment

11. Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 1997–2003)

Being forced into non-violence thanks to that pesky behavioral chip pushes Spike into the hero camp long before he’s emotionally ready for it. His constant snark becomes part of the team dynamic, even as he grumbles about helping. Once his feelings for Buffy complicate everything, his willingness to jump into fights on the right side becomes harder for him to deny. He still brings the attitude, the leather jacket, and the occasional terrible decision, but now it’s pointed at the actual threats. His involvement grows piece by piece until he’s risking himself without hesitation. It’s messy, very Spike, and incredibly entertaining. | © 20th Century Fox Television

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10. Nebula (Avengers: Endgame, 2019)

It’s almost surreal watching Nebula go from “deadly blue assassin” to “surprisingly dependable teammate,” but that’s exactly what happens once she’s stuck traveling with the Avengers. Her big turning point comes during that time-heist chaos, especially the scene where she literally helps rescue herself from… herself. The whole thing feels like the universe forcing her into personal growth against her will. And honestly, seeing her awkwardly try to blend in with a group that actually cares about her might be one of the best parts. When she steps up in the final battle without being told, it lands with an unexpectedly satisfying punch. She didn’t drop the attitude, she just started aiming it at the right targets. | © Marvel Studios

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9. Harley Quinn (Birds of Prey, 2020)

Once Harley ditches the Joker, she jumps headfirst into freedom with the enthusiasm of someone who’s never read a warning label. Her accidental path toward the “good guys” side really kicks in when she winds up protecting a kid who swallowed something very valuable to some very angry people. The whole situation snowballs into a chaotic team-up she definitely didn’t plan, but somehow thrives in. Watching her improvise her way through fights, share a breakfast sandwich meltdown, and stumble into genuine teamwork is half the fun. She doesn’t suddenly become a saint, she just picks better battles. And seeing her realize she’s actually kind of good at helping people is weirdly charming. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

8. Megamind (Megamind, 2010)

Megamind’s big switch basically happens because winning turns out to be… boring, which might be the funniest catalyst in any animated movie. When his long-time rival is gone, he spirals into a villainy-existential crisis and accidentally creates a problem only he can fix. That’s when the hero role starts creeping in, usually disguised as some dramatic entrance or goofy plan that somehow works out. His makeover from “evil mastermind” to “city defender” is packed with jokes, misfires, and the kind of enthusiasm only someone who’s never been a hero could bring. And when he finally embraces the gig, it feels like he’s been rehearsing for it his entire life without realizing it. It’s villain redemption, but with speakers blasting and a sense of style. | © DreamWorks Animation

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7. Dr. Otto Octavius (Spider-Man 2, 2004)

Everything shifts for Doc Ock during that final showdown when he suddenly snaps out of the mechanical trance and remembers he’s, you know, a decent human being. Up until that moment, he’s throwing cars, ripping roofs off trains, and generally making Peter Parker’s life miserable. But once he recognizes how badly things have gone off the rails, he pulls a full 180 and decides he’s the one who has to stop the mess he created. The sudden clarity hits hard because it comes right in the middle of chaos, sparks flying everywhere. And watching him wrestle back control from those rogue tentacles becomes one of the film’s standout moments. His switch may be late in the game, but it makes the finale unforgettable. | © Columbia Pictures

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6. Darth Vader (Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, 1983)

For someone who spent years Force-choking coworkers, Vader’s big turn happens in one explosive moment – the second he watches the Emperor fry Luke like a broken toaster. There’s no dramatic speech or long buildup, just a sudden “absolutely not” as he hoists the Emperor over the railing. It’s messy, loud, and incredibly satisfying after everything he’s done. What makes it hit so well is the sheer shock of seeing the galaxy’s scariest dad finally pick the right side for once. The mask stays expressionless, but the action speaks louder than any reveal. And that final decision instantly cements him as one of cinema’s most iconic redemption characters. | © Lucasfilm

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5. Loki (Thor: Ragnarok, 2017)

Somewhere between faking his own death for the third time and accidentally ruling Asgard, Loki ends up helping Thor in a way that actually sticks. His switch hits during that wild Sakaar escape, when he finally stops scheming long enough to do something genuinely helpful – even if he still tosses in a smirk. The chaotic banter, the stolen ship, the weird brotherly bonding… it all adds up to one of the movie’s best dynamics. And when he returns with reinforcements instead of running off with the treasure, it feels like a rare moment of sincerity from the universe’s most dramatic trickster. He doesn’t stop being Loki; he just finally aims that mischievous energy where it counts. | © Marvel Studios

4. T-800 (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, 1991)

Nothing prepares you for the moment the same robot that once hunted Sarah Connor shows up as John’s hulking, monotone protector. The shift is immediate and iconic: sunglasses on, leather jacket, motorcycle rumbling, but this time he’s saving people instead of blowing them away. Watching him learn human behavior – badly, but earnestly – becomes one of the film’s biggest surprises. The real turning point hits when he makes it clear he’ll put himself in the line of fire to protect John, no hesitation. It’s a wild reversal that somehow feels completely natural by the finale. And his final thumbs-up remains one of action cinema’s most unexpectedly emotional moments. | © Carolco Pictures

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3. Jaime Lannister (Game of Thrones, 2011–2019)

When Jaime first strolls onto the screen pushing kids out of windows, “future fan favorite” isn’t exactly the vibe. But everything tilts once he’s stuck traveling with Brienne, where all the armor, swagger, and gold-hand arrogance gets chipped away one miserable trek at a time. His rescue of Brienne from the bear pit becomes the moment many viewers realized he was capable of something other than Lannister-branded chaos. From there, he stumbles into something resembling honor, even if he fumbles it more often than not. His gradual shift makes him one of the show’s richest characters, complicated in all the best (and occasionally worst) ways. | © HBO

2. Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender, 2005–2008)

Few animated characters have a turnaround as satisfying as Zuko’s, especially after seasons of shouting “I must capture the Avatar!” like it’s his personal ringtone. His big pivot kicks in during those episodes where he ditches the Fire Nation’s expectations and starts carving his own path – awkwardly, angrily, and with plenty of dramatic hair flips. The moment he offers to teach Aang firebending is the point everything snaps into place, and it feels earned after all that internal wrestling. Every step of his redemption is messy in the most relatable way. And once he joins Team Avatar, he becomes the grumpy, honorable older brother none of them realized they needed. | © Nickelodeon Animation Studio

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1. Severus Snape (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, 2009)

Snape’s loyalty flip has been teased for so long that when it finally clicks into place, it reshapes the entire story. He spends most of the film skulking through hallways, delivering insults with that trademark precision, and generally acting suspicious enough to make everyone doubt him. But the reveal of where his allegiance truly lies turns him from a cryptic antagonist into one of the saga’s most layered figures. His actions, especially toward Draco and Dumbledore, show a side of him that had been buried under years of misdirection and bitterness. By the end, he becomes the character everyone debates long after the credits roll. | © Warner Bros. Pictures