Who is the most evil Disney Villain?

[Magenta Panther]

But at least Scar has a purpose for his evil. He wants to be king.

True. And his actions do mirror actual lion behavior. Fratricide and infanticide do happen in lion society during struggles for power. So Scar, in a way, was acting naturally, although his choices still horrify us humans (and made him a very solid and believable villain).

I suppose Malificent was a lot more petty in her evil, however, and had no similar justification for her actions. She was just spiteful and vengeful, wrecking everyone's lives just because she wasn't invited to a party. "For lack of an invitation, a kingdom was lost". So I see your point; perhaps she was more evil than Scar.

I really dig her in her dragon form, though. I don't think any other movie dragon, not even Toothless, is as awesome as her.

 

[Chrononymous]

I love Villains, and the study of Villainy.

And Disney movies give you some of the best villains in story...no question!

But as you look through many of their evil plans, intentions, and methods...many of them seem in some respect to be justified.

A lot of them are doing questionable things, because of a sense of Revenge, or a sense of Greed...
Malificent is pretty powerful, and she didn't get invited to be with the cool kids, I can kinda see why she would be POed. Her motivations almost look justified to me.
Almost.

Frollo doesn't think of what he is doing as being evil at all. He sees himeslf as a protector of the Faith, and of the hunchback.

Scar definitely does some pretty horrendous acts, but I believe he really thought he would make a better ruler. After all, he's the only one that cared for the hyenas...who had been banished ot a graveyard, with no food. Really he was for the little people.

Ursula and Hades just got the short end of the stick, and wanted to stick it to their enemies, who had put them in that position. Understandable.

Hook and the Queen of Hearts, I can't imagine ever actually killed anybody. I could be wrong though.

Jafar, the Horned King, Ratigan and Ratcliff are just shortsighted and greedy for power, but ultimately bring about their own ends, because they can't see the big picture.
Put Facilier on that list too...but as someone who shouldn't have put so much faith in his "friends."

The Queen and Mother Goethal are cut from the same cloth, and shouldn't be getting Mother's Day cards anytime soon...but really, they just come off as immature aging beauty queens. Lady Tremaine will use her own children to get what she wants...but she's at least honest about it.

Cruella is practically a folk hero to the fur industry. Shere Khan is doing what's in his nature to do. (eat!)

Of all of these on the list...the one I can't see any justification for his evil...is Shan Yu

And I think he's right up there to get the villain statuette. Wipes out entire villages...innocents and children included! And has absolutely no remorse for any of it.
I don't even think he does it because he truly believes he would be a better ruler...he's just a guy that enjoys making war and killing people, and conquering nations.

He's probably my choice....

But the villain that alwaysscared me the most, isn't on this list at all.

You will have to bear with here...the one who I think is right up there in evil is the carriage driver from Pinocchio.
The friendly grandfatherly looking guy who picks up all the kids and takes them to the magical place called Pleasure Island.

And then, knowingly turns them all into donkeys and after pocketing the cash, goes about doing it all over again the very next night. He's got that creepy factor of coming off being something he isn't, and clearly he loves what he does, with no remorse
(maybe he thinks he's cleaning up the streets by getting rid of undesirables? maaaybe... but he's not giving the young kids a chance at redemption, and instead forcing them into brutal and hard life of slavery!)

Oh...and he doesn't die! In fact never gets his comeuppance. Is probably still out there enjoying his job to this day!

 

[plaz10]

I love Villains, and the study of Villainy.

And Disney movies give you some of the best villains in story...no question!

I would just like to say I love that you have put that much thought into the levels of "villainy" because I do the same thing!

I keep coming back to the point of what role specifically the actual villain plays in the demise of the main character. Maleficent in all her evil glory is scary in physical appearance and presence. But she herself does not do much. Sets up spinning wheel, sends minions out to find Aurora and then her raven actually finds her. So the most Maleficent does is (a very awesome) transformation into a dragon. But sets up obstacles for Philip to go through to get to her. If you have all that power...why not just zap the baby from day 1. bam. done. go home.

This is where I give some credit to Wicked Queen and Ursula for transforming themselves into other people to go get their hands dirty and do some damage themselves. Can't rely on others. Don't play games of setting up a trap. Going to poison you/marry your man so you can't. But, both their deaths were pretty lame...lightening strikes the queen and this GIANT Ursula doesn't see the little ship coming at her?

I agree that many of the villains do seem justified in their evil doings.
Maleficent is slighted by not being invited (lesson to all the kids, invite the nerds to your party - they are the ones that will try to kill your first born if you don't! jk!!!)
Captain Hook - cut off his hand. I think payback is deserved. But he is the very un-evil to me in the fact that he is more scared of a croc than anything else and is last scene running from the croc so not necessarily even dead. Meh. [Which brings me to the point that we should see other villains in the parks besides Hook because Hook isn't as evil as some.]

Killing family members (or conspiracy to commit murder) is what puts Scar and Ursula at the top for me. Actually killing your brother (another one who got his hands dirty!) and trying to kill your nephew is pretty heartless. Ursula trying to kill your brother is pretty heartless in my book. [Though never understood why they don't flat out say the relation, would add to her evilness. Don't know why that fact is only on special features:shrug:]

And most evil voice goes McLeach (George C Scott). I would say Ratigan because Vincent Price has the best evil voice ever (Thriller!) But he doesn't really use it that scary in Great Mouse Detective.