With Disney's live-action remake of Pinocchio bringing back classic heroes and villains, fans can't help but recall some of the most dastardly heels that Disney has ever put on screen. While all of Disney's villains are unsavory in one way or another, some are actually quite dangerous and pose a serious threat to the good guys.
From evil witches like Ursula in The Little Mermaid to cruel and violent goons like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, Disney's gallery of rogues is packed with ne'er-do-wells of the worst kind. No matter what era they originate, Disney's most dangerous antagonists are also their most memorable fiends.
Gaston (Beauty And The Beast)
Though Beauty and the Beast doesn't really have a main antagonist, the neighborhood brute Gaston is a side character who causes big trouble for Belle. Known for his brash and egotistical mannerisms, Gaston is so self-obsessed that he often can't see beyond the end of his nose, and he has no respect for others.
As a physical specimen, he would be no match for the Beast, but Gaston's true danger comes from his unthinking drive to win Belle's heart. Other villains are conniving and clever, but Gaston is such a thoughtless brute that he can actually cause more damage through sheer ignorance.
Mother Gothel (Tangled)
Of all of Disney's magic-wielding villains, Mother Gothel from Tangled is perhaps one of the most understated of all. Supposedly driven by her desire to keep Rapunzel locked away from the world, she actually reveals herself to be a conniving person who is only looking out for number one.
Often considered one of the most underrated Disney villains, Mother Gothel is especially dangerous because she is driven by a desire that can't be reasoned with. While other villains are out for revenge or simply believe they are doing the right thing, Mother Gothel is an unpredictable monster who has lost her humanity over time.
Queen Of Hearts (Alice In Wonderland)
Considering the time period that the film debuted in, Alice in Wonderland was an ambitious step for Disney and was actually quite harrowing for younger viewers. One of the movie's scariest moments was the arrival of the Queen of Hearts, and her famous catchphrase of "off with their heads!" still echoes in the ears of many traumatized adults.
While not particularly imposing herself, the tyrannical power that she wields over her subjects makes her such a dangerous adversary. Her seemingly flippant ability to send people off to their implied doom is a level of depravity that few Disney villains have matched since. Even if other baddies are deadlier, the Queen of Hearts is one of the cruelest villains of all.
Shere Khan (The Jungle Book)
As the antagonist of The Jungle Book, Shere Khan is often overlooked when fans make a roster of great Disney villains, but he is nevertheless a foe that shouldn't be taken lightly. The Bengal tiger Khan is already equipped with razor-sharp claws and teeth, and his overwhelming hatred of humans means he'll stop at nothing to get Mowgli.
In a pound-for-pound fight, Khan would give any other villain a run for their money, and he hides his seething hatred behind a suave persona. The movie's goofy tone keeps things from getting too scary or dangerous, but it is obvious that Mowgli wouldn't have stood a chance if Shere Khan ever got his hooks in the boy.
Scar (The Lion King)
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Already known as the kings of the jungle, lions are at the top of the animal food chain and are dangerous as is. The dastardly Scar from The Lion King takes things up a notch by not only being a lion but by being a completely ruthless heel who lusts after power before all else--even family.
Murdering his brother in cold blood early on in the movie, Scar even has no qualms about trying to eliminate his nephew simply because young Simba stands between him and the throne. Motivation is a big part of what makes a villain so dangerous, and Scar's overarching search for power means he isn't above bumping off a family member or two to get it.
Dr. Facilier (The Princess And The Frog)
Many of Disney's most famous characters have mystical abilities for better or worse, and the nefarious Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog tends to skew towards the dark side. Using his magic to trick his victims for reasons that aren't quite clear, there is still a bit of humanity to the doctor that makes him even spookier.
Bragging about his friends on the other side and insinuating he is turned on to all sorts of evil magic, Facilier is a dangerous foe because he opts to outsmart the heroes as opposed to taking them by force. An obvious villain is easier to combat, but the most dangerous weapons in Facilier's arsenal are his cunning and superior intellect.
Jafar (Aladdin)
Sinister from the word go, the evil sorcerer Jafar is the main antagonist of the film Aladdin and is generally one of the scariest villains in Disney's illustrious stable of goons. Hungry for the power that the Sultan possesses, and also desirous of Jasmine, Jafar uses his magical abilities to influence others and even tries to eliminate the plucky young Aladdin.
Though there are more powerful magical beings like the Genie, Jafar's evil in partnership with his magic is what makes him a force to be reckoned with. Symbolizing his true evil, Jafar has himself transformed into a gigantic snake, and his most powerful form is a truly terrifying moment in Disney's long history of frightening scenes.
Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
If left alone, the notorious sea-hag Ursula would hardly be the villain of The Little Mermaid, but she was ever the opportunist when given the chance. Possessing a seemingly boundless capacity for magic, Ursula puts Ariel in a bit of a bind and is not afraid to get rough when it came to collecting her bill.
Though she lacks the wild unpredictability of other villains, her black magic is still so powerful that she is always a danger to her fellow undersea beings. Also, as is evidenced by her gigantic transformation at the end of the film, Ursula is also capable of being a physically imposing threat as well as a magical menace.
Hades (Hercules)
The mythical god of the underworld has a leg up on his fellow villains seeing as he is an immortal being with powers unimaginable. Fortunately for his nemesis, the eponymous character of Hercules, Hades is part of a hierarchy that keeps him from completely overrunning the world of the mortals.
One of the most charismatic villains by far, Hades showed his dangerous power throughout the film, but it was theoretically only a small piece of what he is capable of. Villainous because his designs conflict with mortals on earth, Hades' stature as a god means he operates on a level that other villains couldn't even imagine.
Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
A villain doesn't earn the nickname of Mistress of All Evil lightly, and Maleficent's appearance in Sleeping Beauty forever cemented her spot among the evilest villains in cinematic history. Shown to be a powerful sorcerer of almost boundless ability, it is her penchant for grudges that makes her so dangerous.
Slighted but once by the royal family, the icon of evil put a curse on their child that served to be the main crux of the classic animated film. Lording over the movie from on high, she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty when challenged in a fight, and her deadly dragon form was almost too much for Prince Phillip.