There are countless Disney villains, and many of them are getting a new face via live-action remakes, including The Little Mermaid, which is scheduled to release next year. In it, a few villains make a comeback and change to the good side, while some stay bad until the very end.
Some have a tendency to be much meaner and scarier than others, but others can have a softer and more friendly side. These are some of the villains that would make excellent friends in one way or another.
Gaston - Beauty And The Beast (1991)
One of the most memorable villains in the Disney franchise is Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. The hunter and eligible bachelor has his heart set on Belle, even though she clearly has no interest in him. He ends up turning the town against her and her father and tries to kill the beast, even though Belle begs him not to.
He may be a force to reckon with, but underneath his desire to prove himself to the townspeople he has plenty of redeeming qualities that would make him a great friend. From being extremely resourceful to being able to speak publicly with no problem, Gaston has a lot to offer as a friend, even though he may be a little rough around the edges and maybe even somewhat misunderstood as a Disney villain.
Yzma - The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
Another misunderstood villain is Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove. How she tries to poison Kuzco so she can rule over the empire is inherently bad, but she just wants to rule better. She also isn't all bad, which is proven at various parts throughout the movie.
When a lot of the guards get turned into animals, she allows those that want to leave to go. Yzma is one of the best characters in The Emperor's New Groove, only beaten by Kronk, who is loved by all. Being friends with Yzma would always be exciting since it would be a mystery whether or not she would use her potions or not. She also has a spry and adventurous spirit that would make most outings a great time.
Hades - Hercules (1997)
The villain Hades made Hercules and many other characters' lives very hard. In Hercules, he is shown to lie, deceive, attempt murder, and many other horrible things, but compared to his brothers, Poseidon and Zeus, he did get the short straw.
Despite all the bad things he does, he would be an incredibly powerful friend to have. As the God of the Underworld, he wields a lot of power. It might get grim at times, but he seems to have a fiery spirit that is matched with a dry sense of humor. This works for some people and would make him a good friend to those that enjoy those things.
Dr. Facilier - The Princess And The Frog (2009)
Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog is a bit of a wild card - both literally and metaphorically. He comes across as a trickster and a bit malicious, but this is what helps to make him one of the best animated Disney villains, according to Ranker.
He may not be a great friend option for everyone, but for those who are into the mystical, tarot cards, and magic, Dr.Facilier would be the perfect match. He's friendly, just a little mysterious, but that doesn't cut him out to be a bad friend. It would always be a curious and magical time with him as a friend.
Captain Hook - Peter Pan (1953)
For almost 70 years, Captain Hook has been depicted in several different ways. He is one of the few Disney villains that are based on real people. This iconic villain from Peter Pan is determined, ruthless, and can be a bit of a bully at times, but in all truth, he might just be in desperate need of a new occupation.
If Captain Hook made some new friends and got out of Neverland, he has the potential to be a good friend. He is driven and loyal, and quite the adventurer. Without the crocodile and Peter Pan, Hook would make a great friend that would be wonderful to explore with, and he could always be counted on.
Michael Yagoobian - Meet The Robinsons (2007)
The forgotten orphan in Meet the Robinsons, Michael Yagoobian, also known as Goob, turned out to be a bad guy. Having blamed his roommate for never getting adopted and getting left behind when the orphanage shut down really made him bitter. This bitterness lead him to feel incredibly alone, not to mention that he actually was alone.
This is why Goob would make the perfect friend - because he needs someone himself. Goob was just in search of some love and friends, and once he seemed to find some, his evil intentions went away and he lost his villainous qualities. He's overall not a bad guy, and he has great friend qualities, like always being open to assisting with crazy experiments and always listening, no matter what.
John Silver - Treasure Planet (2002)
John Silver is a cyborg pirate captain in Treasure Planet. He is feared by many across the galaxy and has dedicated his life to finding Treasure Planet, so he can reap the benefits it was rumored to offer. Despite being a pirate, he doesn't seem to like acts of violence that aren't necessary, and he even shows that he has a soft side.
His soft side, which Jim Hawkins seems to bring out, is primarily what would make him a great friend. This, combined with his unending desire to explore the galaxy (despite the malicious intent), would make for a great adventure. Silver also shows that he understands that friendships can be incredibly important and rare.
Captain Gantu - Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Captain of the Galactic Federation, Gantu is the main antagonist in Lilo and Stitch. He is not necessarily evil, but he does tend to use brute force and seems to take joy in capturing fugitives and locking them up without asking questions or seeing if they are good at all. Captain Gantu follows rules and regulations to a tee and does not like being made fun of.
The character has many faults, but he could make a great friend to those that like playing games. He would never cheat, and he would make sure that the other players don't either. He could also be a great friend for those that have the patience to help him learn about ethics, because he does seem to have a small problem in that area, but there is hope for this alien.
King Louie - The Jungle Book (1967)
In Disney's The Jungle Book, King Louie lives a lavish life where he is waited on by his group of monkeys. This character was created for the film and is one of the differences between the book and the animated Jungle Book movie. While technically a villain, he isn't particularly bad.
King Louie enjoys jazz music, parties, and good food, which for him is lots of fruit. This would make him a great villain to have as a friend, although he would be a better friend for extroverts, as he is very outgoing. But who doesn't love a good party filled with lots of delectables?
The Hyenas - The Lion King (1994)
Throughout The Lion King movies, there are a handful of villains, but none seem as friendly as the hyenas in the first film. These three are practically just minions to Scar's overall cause and don't seem to have a choice in what they do. Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed proved they can be intimidating as well as hold their own, but all their laughing makes them come off as much less scary.
In the movie, even though they are serving Scar, the three still seem to find a way to have a good time and get a good laugh in. Whether it's at each other's expense, or because of something that their next meal says, the hyenas are always up for a good laugh and wouldn't be half bad as a friend.