Here we are, the final five villains that make up the top 25 over the last 25 years. It’s been both fun and exhausting reviewing many of the performances that made the list. Even I was surprised at the final results. Speaking of which, here’s numbers 5 through 1…
“You’ve stuck your webs into my business for the last time!” ~ Doc Ock
5. Scarecrow (Batman Begins), played by Cillian Murphy
His power was all psychological. He was able to tap into our fears and use it against us. It’s that type of power that makes Dr. Crane a force to be reckoned with. There’s a creepiness in Cillian Murphy’s eyes and in his demeanor which only adds to his wicked ways. When he dons the hood it sends chills down your spine.
4. The Joker (The Dark Knight),played by Heath Ledger
Probably the hardest decision as to where to place this performance against all the others. A top five performance was a non issue. There’s no denying how good Ledger was in this Oscar winning role. I have often wondered if it’s the actors untimely passing that makes this performance stand out in the minds of others? Ledger took a more realistic approach to the character as oppose to the comic inspired performance of Nicholson. Both memorable and both completely independent of each other. It is one for the ages.
3. Loki (Thor, The Avengers),played by Tom Hiddleston
Here’s a villain you can’t help but like and root for at times. A lot of this is Tom Hiddleston’s impeccable performance. He is deviously clever and charismatic. Loki also steals almost every scene he appears in. No small feat when you consider the talent around him. He was even on the receiving end of one of the best scenes in The Avengers when he “talks down” to The Hulk.
2. The Joker (Batman), played by Jack Nicholson
The original. When The Joker utters the words “wait till they get a load of me!” you knew you were in for one hell of a ride. Twenty-five years later and we’re still talking about Nicholson’s performance as the clown prince of crime. Nicholson’s Joker simply and effortlessly leaps off the pages of the comics and onto the sliver screen. Probably the best pure and “no redeemable quality” villain on the list. Give credit to both Tim Burton and Nicholson bringing to life arguably the greatest villain to ever grace the pages of comics.
1. Doctor Octopus (Spider-Man 2),played by Alfred Molina
When I think of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy one of the biggest standouts was always Alfred Molina and his role as Doctor Otto Octavius. I enjoyed every aspect of how he tackled the character. You felt his pain when he lost his wife Rosalie and when he turned into the mechanical mad man that is Doc Ock, you couldn’t help but fear his rage. He’s number one because his humanity at times struggles against the madness. Molina’s ability to showcase both and make the struggle believable is what gives him the edge over the others. It was perfect casting and an exceptional performance by a gifted actor.
The 25 Greatest Comic Book Film Villains over the last 25 Years
25. Sandman (Spider-Man 3), played by Thomas Hayden Church
24. Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2), played by Sam Rockwell
23. Ozymandias (Watchmen), played by Matthew Goode
22. Ra’s al Ghul (Batman Begins, TDKR), played by Liam Neeson
21. Norman Osborn/Green Goblin (Spider-Man), played by Willem Dafoe
20. Victor Creed (X-Men Origins), played by Liev Schreiber
19. Hector Hammond
18. Mystique (X-Men), played by Rebecca Romijn
17. Lex Luthor (Superman Returns), played by Kevin Spacey
16. Abomination (The Incredible Hulk), played by Tim Roth
15. Max Shreck (Batman Returns), played by Christopher Walken
14. Magneto (X-Men First Class), played by Michael Fassbender
13. The Penguin (Batman Returns), played by Danny DeVito
12. Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger (Iron Man), played by Jeff Bridges
11. Dark Phoenix
10. Bane (The Dark Knight Rises), played by Tom Hardy
9. Magneto (X-Men, X-Men: United),played by Ian McKellen
8. Col. William Stryker (X-Men),played by Brian Cox
7. Sebastian Shaw (X-Men First Class), played by Kevin Bacon
6. Red Skull (Captain America
5. Scarecrow (Batman Begins), played by Cillian Murphy
4. The Joker (The Dark Knight),played by Heath Ledger
3. Loki (Thor, The Avengers),played by Tom Hiddleston
2. The Joker (Batman), played by Jack Nicholson
1. Doctor Octopus (Spider-Man 2),played by Alfred Molina
There they are and for the record, Marvel wins with 15 villains to DC’s 10. I hope all of you enjoyed reading and reminiscing. Like I’ve always said, list like these are always subjective. My 25 can be completely different from yours and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think it’s better when we have differences of opinions. It keeps things more interesting and fresh.
Until the next list….
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
