Let’s face it-sometimes the villain is the star of the show. Sure, we cheer for the hero, but there’s just something undeniably thrilling about a bad guy who’s just as layered, entertaining, or downright magnetic as the protagonist. Whether they make us laugh, break our hearts, or simply leave us in awe, the best villains are those we secretly wish we could see more of. So, with a wink to the darker side, here’s a countdown of 10 of the most lovable and underrated villains in film and TV.
10. Jacques (Super)
Jacques, the greasy, charming drug dealer played by Kevin Bacon in James Gunn’s offbeat superhero film Super, may not get much screen time, but he leaves an indelible mark. He’s the perfect foil for this movie’s troubled hero, and it makes the protagonist’s descent into vigilante madness all the more striking. Bacon’s performance is so memorable that you almost wish Jacques had more scenes to savor.
9. Frank D’Amico (Kick-Ass)
Frank D’Amico could have easily become one of those forgettable crime bosses, but Mark Strong imbues him with sly menace and surprising depth. Amid the chaos of Kick-Ass and its scene-stealing heroes, D’Amico manages to shine. Threatening yet oddly relatable, the dad trying to hold on to his criminal empire and protect his family, Strong makes this performance unforgettable.
8. Andrew Detmer (Chronicle)
What happens when a bullied teenager gets superpowers? Chronicle answers with Andrew Detmer, an awkward outsider whose transformation into a tragic antagonist is all at once chilling and compelling. Dane DeHaan gives a raw and profoundly unsettling performance that makes Andrew’s villainy heartbreaking and inevitable. He isn’t bad for the sake of it; he’s the product of the circumstances, which makes his arc easily one of the most interesting origin stories in recent superhero movies.
7. Eli Damaskinos (Blade II)
Guillermo del Toro’s Blade II brings about Eli Damaskinos, the vampire overlord with a sense of the dramatic. He orchestrates much of the film’s chaos, and while he might feel a little like he wandered in from a supernatural soap opera, his style, menace, and cunning make him stand out. Del Toro’s knack for crafting memorable villains shines through in Damaskinos, proving that charisma can be just as dangerous as fangs.
6. Roman Sionis/Black Mask (Birds of Prey)
Ewan McGregor brings flamboyant menace to Roman Sionis, a villain who’s as terrifying as he is entertaining. In a film that’s really full of over-the-top visuals, Black Mask comes off as both hilarious and intimidating. He’s not just some kind of caricature; narcissistic, unpredictable, and delightfully unhinged, McGregor’s performance is impossible to ignore in the most positive ways.
5. Ma-Ma (Dredd)
Lena Headey’s Ma-Ma is the ultimate crime queen, so icily inexorable, so completely terrifyingly ruthless, that she turns every one of the movie’s “Slo-Mo” scenes into a visually breathtaking, heart-stoppingly tense experience. With no hint of mercy, Ma-Ma is a villain you love to hate, one of the most memorable antagonists in recent sci-fi action.
4. Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2)
Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer is a snarky delight as the foil to Tony Stark. He might not be the immediate threat, but his charisma, wit, and spectacular failures make him impossible to look away from. He’s the kind of villain you can’t help but want to watch: in equal measure, funny, flawed, and magnetic.
3. Sandman (Spider-Man 3)
In a cast of super-villains, the Sandman really stands out in terms of tragic background and, consequently, humanity. A father trying to protect his daughter, he is desperate rather than purely evil. This depth makes his confrontations with Spider-Man both emotionally charged and visually impressive. Little wonder he was brought back for Spider-Man: No Way Home, proof of his enduring appeal.
2. Prince Nuada (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)
Prince Nuada is a villain who almost earns your sympathy. With a noble, if misguided, mission and a tragic backstory, he’s compelling and charismatic. Guillermo del Toro adds layers of pathos to Nuada, making his battles with Hellboy as much about ideology and loss as about physical conflict.
1. Top Dollar (The Crow)
Michael Wincott’s Top Dollar is a masterclass in charismatic villainy: over-the-top, deliciously evil, and commanding of the screen with style and menace. Even amid a film that’s dripping in gothic flair, Wincott’s performance grounds the character just enough to make him memorable, magnetic, and endlessly entertaining.
What makes a truly compelling villain isn’t the evil deeds, but their personality and motivations-the catalysts by which they force the hero to grow. The best baddies have backstory, depth, and flair that make us want to see more, even when we know they deserve defeat. Sometimes it’s those tragic flaws, flashes of humanity, or sheer magnetism that make them unforgettable. These loveable, underrated villains remind us that sometimes, being bad can be the most fun of all-at least on screen.