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Top 20 Female Villains in Movie History

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - March 20th 2025, 19:26 GMT+1

Cropped cruella de vil — About this gallery:

For this list, we scoured all of pop culture to find the 20 most iconic female villains of all time. To keep things fair (and prevent this from becoming a *purely* Disney, Marvel, or DC lineup), we decided not to include more than one villain from the same franchise. (*Sorry, Cruella – you’ll always be my favorite, though!*)

Think we missed an essential villainess? Let us know in the comments! | © Walt Disney Pictures

Cropped Mama Fratelli — 20. Mama Fratelli – The Goonies (1985)

Ah, Mama Fratelli – proof that you don’t need superpowers or high-tech weapons to be a nightmare. Played with menacing glee by Anne Ramsey, Mama is the ultimate overbearing mother, just without the nurturing part. Instead of baking cookies, she runs a crime family and terrorizes a bunch of treasure-hunting kids, including a young Sean Astin and Josh Brolin. She’s got two dim-witted sons, a penchant for threatening children, and an iconic growl that could make even the bravest Goonie think twice about booby traps. But let’s be honest – if anyone could get away with making kids walk the plank in a dank cave, it’s her. You just know she’d be first in line to complain about today’s “soft parenting” techniques. | © Warner Bros.

Cropped Madeline Madrigal — 19. Madeline "Ma-Ma" Madrigal – Dredd (2012)

Lena Headey really knows how to play a woman you wouldn't want to cross. Long before she was sipping wine and plotting destruction as Cersei Lannister, she was ruling Mega-City One’s criminal underworld as Ma-Ma, a drug kingpin with a terrifying, glassy-eyed stare. *Dredd* isn’t here for politics – it’s a neon-drenched, ultra-violent thrill ride where Karl Urban’s Judge Dredd fights his way up Ma-Ma’s high-rise fortress, only to find that she’s ten times scarier than any of the goons he’s shot along the way. With her scarred face, deadpan delivery, and ability to make murder look like just another Tuesday, Ma-Ma proves that sometimes the most dangerous thing in a dystopian future isn’t the system – it’s the woman running the show. | © DNA Films / Lionsgate

Cropped Agatha Trunchbull — 18. Agatha Trunchbull – Matilda (1996)

Miss Trunchbull is what happens when you mix pure villainy with an Olympic-level shot putter. Played by the terrifyingly brilliant Pam Ferris, she’s the headmistress of nightmares – flipping kids by their pigtails, forcing them to eat entire chocolate cakes, and striding through the school like an armored tank fueled by spite. And let’s not forget her *personal* vendetta against little Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), whose magical mind is no match for the Trunchbull’s iron-fisted rule… or so she thinks. The best part? This whole movie, directed by Danny DeVito, is just as much a childhood fever dream as it is a comedy. And let’s be real – if we ever heard that horrifying “BOG!” yelled across a playground again, we’d still run for our lives. | © TriStar Pictures

Cropped Regina George — 17. Regina George – Mean Girls (2004)

Few villains have ever been as stylishly ruthless as Regina George. A queen bee with a heart made of pure, glitter-coated ice, she was brought to life with iconic perfection by Rachel McAdams. Whether she’s destroying self-esteem with a single backhanded compliment or running a high school social empire through sheer manipulation, Regina is the kind of antagonist you love to hate – and then secretly admire. (Let’s be honest, the woman made pink on Wednesdays a *global* fashion rule.) Toss in a stellar cast featuring Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, and Lacey Chabert, and you’ve got a high school battlefield that’s more cutthroat than *Game of Thrones*. And let’s not forget: she *did* get hit by a bus and still managed to make a comeback. Now *that’s* a villainous power move. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Lori Quaid — 16. Lori Quaid – Total Recall (1990)

Ah, Sharon Stone in *Total Recall –* the ultimate example of “trust issues.” At first, Lori Quaid seems like the perfect doting wife to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Douglas Quaid. But then – surprise! – she’s actually an undercover agent, sent to keep him from realizing his entire life is a lie. And when the truth comes out? Oh, she does *not* take it well. In a role that’s equal parts femme fatale and full-blown action villain, Stone turns on the charm one minute and unleashes brutal kicks the next. (That roundhouse to the face? *Chef’s kiss.*) With a smirk and a gun, she delivers one of the film’s most memorable lines: “Consider that a divorce,” right after trying to kill her so-called husband. A woman scorned? More like a woman ready to take over Mars. | © Carolco Pictures / TriStar Pictures

Cropped O Ren Ishii — 15. O-Ren Ishii – Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

If you’re going to be an assassin, you might as well do it with style – and O-Ren Ishii does *not* disappoint. Played by the effortlessly cool Lucy Liu, O-Ren goes from traumatized child to elite assassin to full-fledged crime boss, all before you can say “Hattori Hanzō sword.” When she faces off against Uma Thurman’s Bride in the snowy gardens of the House of Blue Leaves, it’s not just a fight – it’s cinematic art. The way she wields her katana? Poetry. The way she calmly tells the Bride, “That really was a Hattori Hanzō sword”? Chilling. And let’s not forget that she runs a criminal empire with the help of her equally terrifying bodyguard, Gogo Yubari (Chiaki Kuriyama). If you challenge O-Ren, you better bring more than just revenge – you better bring an *army.* | © Miramax Films

Cropped Mystique — 14. Mystique – X-Men (2000)

The villain who made blue body paint look downright fashionable. Played first by Rebecca Romijn and later by Jennifer Lawrence, this shape-shifting mutant is equal parts deadly and tragic. She can literally become *anyone*, which is a *huge* advantage when you’re trying to take down the human race. (Or, you know, sneak into government buildings undetected.) Whether she’s flipping through the air in skin-tight scales or dropping philosophical one-liners about mutant oppression, Mystique proves that she’s more than just a henchwoman – she’s a force to be reckoned with. And while Magneto (Ian McKellen) may be the mastermind behind many of the X-Men’s woes, let’s be real – without Mystique, his whole operation would be a lot less effective. Plus, that epic line? “People like you are the reason I was afraid to go to school.” Yeah, she’s got a point. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Harley Quinn — 13. Harley Quinn – Suicide Squad (2016)

Harley Quinn is what happens when you mix chaos, a baseball bat, and a whole lot of toxic love into one brightly colored package. Played with scene-stealing energy by Margot Robbie, she’s less of a traditional villain and more of a wildcard who does *whatever* she wants. (Which usually involves causing absolute mayhem.) From her high-pitched giggles to her “puddin’” obsession with the Joker (Jared Leto), Harley is an unhinged delight. But don’t be fooled – under all that glitter and pink, she’s got the skills of a trained psychiatrist and the combat moves to take down pretty much anyone in her way. Whether she’s escaping from prison, taking on an entire SWAT team, or just being the most chaotic member of Task Force X, one thing’s for sure – Harley’s never boring. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped Fairy Godmother — 12. Fairy Godmother – Shrek 2 (2004)

You know you’re a top-tier villain when you can make “I Need a Hero” sound like a war cry. Voiced by the legendary Jennifer Saunders, the Fairy Godmother in *Shrek 2* is not your typical wand-waving sweetheart – she’s a full-blown corporate villain in a ballgown. With a magic potion empire and a deeply questionable obsession with getting her son, Prince Charming, onto the throne, she’ll stop at nothing to ensure that true love (*her* version of it, anyway) prevails. And let’s not forget her dramatic entrance, complete with pink sparkles and a fake sense of kindness that disappears the moment things don’t go her way. By the time she’s belting out that iconic Bonnie Tyler cover while Shrek and Fiona fight for their happy ending, she’s not just a villain – she’s a *diva*. | © DreamWorks Animation

Cropped Alex Forrest — 11. Alex Forrest – Fatal Attraction (1987)

Look, breakups are rough. But if there’s one lesson to take away from *Fatal Attraction*, it’s this: do *not* mess with Alex Forrest. Played by the incomparable Glenn Close, Alex starts as a passionate, confident woman – until she gets rejected. Then things take a sharp turn into bunny-boiling, knife-wielding obsession. She’s the reason “crazy ex-girlfriend” became a cultural trope, but honestly, Glenn Close plays her with such intensity and raw emotion that you can’t help but feel a *little* sympathy – at least at first. (Until, you know, the whole stalking and attempted murder thing kicks in.) She’s a villain that taps into real-life fears, which is probably why she’s still one of the most memorable movie antagonists ever. Lesson learned: If Alex calls, *don’t pick up.* | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Amy Dunne — 10. Amy Dunne – Gone Girl (2014)

If revenge was an art form, Amy Dunne would be Picasso. Played to chilling perfection by Rosamund Pike, Amy takes the concept of the “cool girl” and flips it into something terrifyingly brilliant. She’s not just manipulative – she’s an *architect* of destruction, framing her cheating husband (Ben Affleck) for murder with a level of precision that would make even the FBI take notes. Her infamous “Gone Girl monologue” alone cemented her as a villain for the ages, peeling back the layers of societal expectations with the cold, calculated precision of a surgeon. Oh, and let’s not forget her DIY crime scene skills – blood spatter, fake diary, the works. Whether you fear her, admire her, or both, one thing’s certain: Amy *always* has a plan. And if you’re on her bad side? Well, good luck. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Debbie Jellinsky — 9. Debbie Jelinsky – Addams Family Values (1993)

Few villains are as delightfully unhinged as Debbie Jelinsky, the psychotic, gold-digging *Black Widow* of the Addams universe. Played by the gloriously campy Joan Cusack, Debbie arrives as a seemingly sweet nanny for baby Pubert, but in reality, she’s got one goal: seduce, marry, and murder Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) for his fortune. The woman electrocuted an entire summer camp, gave Wednesday (Christina Ricci) her biggest challenge yet, and still managed to look flawless while monologuing about being *denied* a Malibu Barbie as a child. (We get it, Debbie. We *really* do.) Whether she’s pulling off glamorous costume changes or wielding an axe with perfect precision, Debbie is a villain with a vision. A *terrifying*, unhinged vision, but a vision nonetheless. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Dolores Umbridge — 8. Dolores Umbridge – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Some villains kill people. Some destroy entire cities. Dolores Umbridge? She ruins *education.* Played by the brilliant Imelda Staunton, Umbridge is the pastel-pink nightmare of the *Harry Potter* universe, proving that sometimes the scariest people are the ones hiding behind fake smiles and cat-themed office decor. With her high-pitched giggle and a wardrobe that screams “grandmother’s tea party,” she might *look* harmless – but oh no, she’s a tyrant in disguise. She tortures students with a quill that *writes in their own blood* (Harry learned that the hard way), bans fun, and basically turns Hogwarts into a dictatorship. Even Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) seems more reasonable by comparison. She’s proof that pure evil doesn’t always come in the form of a dark lord – sometimes, it wears kitten brooches. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped Catherine Tramell — 7. Catherine Tramell – Basic Instinct (1992)

Some villains rely on brute force, others on manipulation. Catherine Tramell? She uses *mystique*. Played by Sharon Stone in one of her most iconic roles, Catherine is a crime novelist whose greatest work seems to be the murders she may – or may not – have committed. The moment she crosses her legs in *that* interrogation scene, Michael Douglas’ detective (and quite frankly, the entire audience) is under her spell. She’s not just dangerous – she’s hypnotic. And while the movie tries to keep you guessing about whether or not she’s the killer, let’s be real: even if she *was*, she’d still walk away scot-free. Why? Because Catherine Tramell never plays by the rules – she *writes* them. | © TriStar Pictures

Cropped Miranda Priestly — 6. Miranda Priestly – The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Let’s be honest: Miranda Priestly isn’t a villain. She’s an *institution*. Played with icy perfection by Meryl Streep, she’s the editor-in-chief of *Runway* magazine, the undisputed queen of high fashion, and the woman who can silence a room with a single raised eyebrow. Sure, she torments Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs with impossible tasks, delivers soul-crushing monologues about cerulean sweaters, and generally treats her assistants like disposable accessories – but let’s not pretend she doesn’t *own* every second of it. With a whisper-soft voice that cuts deeper than any scream, Miranda is the boss from hell… but also, let’s be real, kind of a role model? Because if being ruthless means getting your way *and* having impeccable style, then maybe – just maybe – Miranda Priestly was right all along. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Nurse ratchet — 5. Nurse Ratched – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

If there were an Olympic event for psychological torment, Nurse Ratched would take the gold – without even raising her voice. Played with eerie precision by Louise Fletcher, she’s the kind of villain who doesn’t need weapons or superpowers to be terrifying; she just needs *control*. As head nurse of a psychiatric ward, she rules with an iron grip disguised as gentle “care,” emotionally breaking her patients with a cocktail of condescension, manipulation, and subtle cruelty. Jack Nicholson’s Randle McMurphy thinks he can outsmart her, but – spoiler alert – Ratched always wins. The worst part? She genuinely believes she’s *helping*. And honestly, that’s scarier than any axe-wielding maniac. | © United Artists

Cropped Aileen Wuornos — 4. Aileen Wuornos – Monster (2003)

Charlize Theron’s transformation into Aileen Wuornos isn’t just acting – it’s a full-body, soul-crushing metamorphosis. Based on the real-life serial killer, *Monster* tells the story of a woman pushed to the brink, turning to murder as both revenge and survival. Unlike most movie villains, Aileen isn’t a power-hungry sociopath – she’s a deeply broken person in a world that never gave her a chance. Theron disappears into the role, giving us a performance that’s both chilling and heartbreaking. With Christina Ricci playing her lover-turned-accomplice, the movie refuses to give us easy answers, leaving us disturbed, conflicted, and maybe even a little sympathetic. And that’s what makes Aileen one of the most haunting villains in film history – she’s *real*. | © Newmarket Films

Cropped Annie Wilkes — 3. Annie Wilkes – Misery (1990)

Kathy Bates didn’t just *play* Annie Wilkes – she *became* the ultimate nightmare for authors everywhere. Sweet and soft-spoken one moment, hammer-wielding and bone-breaking the next, Annie is the ultimate fan-turned-stalker. When she “rescues” her favorite author, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), from a car crash, things quickly spiral into a *Stephen King-brand* horror show. She forces him to rewrite his novel exactly how she wants it, and when he doesn’t cooperate? Well, let’s just say she’s got her own version of “tough love.” (And it involves a sledgehammer.) Bates won an Oscar for her performance, and honestly, it’s deserved – because *nobody* makes “I’m your number one fan” sound more terrifying. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped Wicked Witch Of The West — 2. Wicked Witch of the West – The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Green skin, flying monkeys, a cackle that haunts your dreams – yeah, the Wicked Witch of the West is *iconic*. Played by Margaret Hamilton in a performance that basically defined *evil*, she’s the original movie villain that made kids (and some adults, let’s be honest) hide behind the couch. She’s got one goal: take back her sister’s *fabulous* ruby slippers from that annoyingly cheerful Dorothy (Judy Garland). But despite her terrifying presence, let’s take a moment to acknowledge something: the woman *had a point*. Dorothy *did* steal from her dead sister, and yet *she’s* the bad guy? Justice for the Wicked Witch! Either way, with her booming threats (“I’ll get you, my pretty!”), magical fireballs, and army of creepy minions, she remains the gold standard for movie villains. | © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Cropped Ursula — 1. Ursula – The Little Mermaid (1989)

If you’re going to be evil, you might as well do it with *flair –* and nobody understood that better than Ursula. Voiced by the incredible Pat Carroll, the sea witch is all about *style*, *sass*, and a *contract* that no one ever reads the fine print on. She tricks poor Ariel into giving up her voice in exchange for a shot at love, knowing full well that things will go horribly wrong. But let’s be honest – she doesn’t just steal voices, she *steals the whole movie*. With her slinky movements, dramatic monologues, and that *deliciously* villainous laugh, Ursula is pure *diva energy*. And let’s not forget *Poor Unfortunate Souls*, a villain song so good, even heroes have to respect it. Bottom line? Ursula didn’t just *make* the list – she *owns* it. | © Walt Disney Pictures

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From cunning masterminds to ruthless warriors, female villains have left an unforgettable mark on cinematic history. These powerful antagonists captivate audiences with their complexity, charisma, and chilling evil. Whether they wield psychological manipulation or sheer brute force, these women prove that villainy isn’t just a man’s game.

In this list of the Top 20 Female Villains in Movie History, we celebrate the most iconic, sinister, and unforgettable women who have dominated the silver screen. From classic Hollywood antagonists to modern-day femme fatales, these characters showcase the depth and range of female villainy in film.

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From cunning masterminds to ruthless warriors, female villains have left an unforgettable mark on cinematic history. These powerful antagonists captivate audiences with their complexity, charisma, and chilling evil. Whether they wield psychological manipulation or sheer brute force, these women prove that villainy isn’t just a man’s game.

In this list of the Top 20 Female Villains in Movie History, we celebrate the most iconic, sinister, and unforgettable women who have dominated the silver screen. From classic Hollywood antagonists to modern-day femme fatales, these characters showcase the depth and range of female villainy in film.