The release of the new film Pinocchio, with its famous villains of Honest John, Stromboli, and the Coachman, is a timely reminder of the power of villains in the movies released by Walt Disney. In fact, it’s not going too far to say that the villains are often the most interesting part of a given movie from this particular studio.
While the movies themselves go out of their way to highlight how nefarious these individuals are, they can never quite obscure the fact that, sometimes, the villains are actually justified. In a surprising number of cases, it’s easy to see why they do the things that they do.
Ursula Was Banished From Atlantica
Ursula is arguably one of the best Disney villains. With her throaty voice and her sinister affect, she left an impression that has never quite vanished. While the movie wants the viewer to see her as evil, the truth is that she has good reason to be bitter and to want revenge on Triton.
Though details are rather sparse, it’s clear that he banished her from her own position in the palace. Whatever role she once occupied, one can’t really blame her for wanting to regain a bit of the power that was taken from her by a man.
Scar Was Totally Shut Out Of Government
There are many reasons why The Lion King is regarded as one of the best Disney movies. Part of its appeal is Scar, its sinister villain. While he is notorious for his murder of Mufasa, one can still see why he would be bitter at his elder brother.
In particular, it’s clear throughout the early parts of the movie that he has been shut out of government and is something of an exile. Given that he is the king’s own brother, it’s somewhat easy to see why he would turn to the dark side and become increasingly embittered, particularly once Simba’s birth pushed him even further onto the sidelines.
Edgar Had Every Right To Be Mad About Cats Inheriting A Fortune
The Aristocats is one of the underrated and overlooked Disney movies. Though it doesn’t have quite the level of achievement as some of its predecessors, it stars a notable villain in the person of Edgar, the loyal butler to Madame Adelaide. Of course, it’s hard to sympathize with a man who abandons a mother cat and her kittens in the countryside.
Even so, it has to be admitted that he is justified in his frustration. It would be galling for anyone to have to watch one’s employer – who one has served faithfully – give away an entire fortune to their pets, no matter how cute or beloved they might be.
Hades Was Right To Be Mad About Being In The Underworld
Hades is, arguably, one of the most hilarious of the Disney villains. With his clever dialogue and his fast-paced delivery, he is a standout from others. What’s more, he also has reason to be angry at his brother Zeus, who has stranded him, leaving him in charge of the Underworld.
True, his plans to get revenge might seem a bit excessive, but given that he has been trapped in a world of darkness with the spirits of the dead, it’s easy to see why he might resort to such a plan. Had Zeus done more to make him feel a part of Olympus, it’s easy to see how this could have been avoided.
Peter Pan Did Cut Off Captain Hook’s Hand
There have been many notable portrayals of Captain Hook, and one of the best is in Disney’s telling of his story. As is usual for this story, Hook is angry and bitter at Peter Pan for having chopped off his hand and feeding it to a crocodile.
While the movie wants the viewer to like Pan, the truth is that Hook has every right to be angry and to seek revenge. Not only did he lose a hand out of the whole affair, he also has to contend with the fact that the crocodile wants to eat the rest of him, too.
Shere Khan Is Right: Humans Are A Threat
Shere Khan is a very sinister and dangerous Disney villain. Once he sets his eyes on the human boy Mowgli, it seems only a matter of time until he is able to devour him. As is usual with Disney movies, he’s seen as a threat to the hero.
At the same time, even the movie’s story can’t quite ignore the fact that, when it comes right down to it, the tiger is right. Humans are a threat to the jungle and, whatever his intentions might be, Mowgli would most likely grow up to be one, too.
Yzma Is Systematically Disrespected By Kuzco
There’s no question that The Emperor’s New Groove is a truly hilarious Disney movie. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it is made even better by great vocal performances from David Spade, Patrick Warburton, John Goodman, and Eartha Kitt. Kitt is particularly strong as Yzma, who bears a great deal of resentment toward the emperor.
She’s played for comedy, of course, but it’s pretty clear she has some good reasons to be resentful toward Kuzco and to want to replace him on the throne. Not only does he constantly disrespect her, but he also shows that he’s not a particularly good or thoughtful ruler.
Aunt Sarah Has A Point About Dogs Being Disruptive
Lady And The Tramp has a unique charm, and it remains one of the studio’s better productions during its Golden Age of the 1950s. It also features a rather unique villain, Aunt Sarah, who is notably hostile to both Lady and the Tramp.
While she has a bit of a blind spot when it comes to her Siamese cats, she does have some good reason to be suspicious of dogs, particularly when it comes to children. After all, she doesn’t know that they were trying to save the baby from a giant rat. As far as she knows, the dogs are just causing a ruckus, and so her behavior, based on her knowledge at the time, is justified.
Lady Tremaine Had To Look After The Interests Of Her Own Daughters
Lady Tremaine is one of the iconic Disney villains. She seems to delight in making Cinderella’s life a misery. However, the truth is that in the world the characters inhabit, she realizes that the only path to power is to ensure that her own daughters have more opportunities.
It’s obviously not one of the more palatable truths, but it is nevertheless the case that she does have an obligation to make sure her children have a bright future ahead of them, even if that means Cinderella has to endure some deprivation.
Maleficent Was Right – It Stings To Be Shut Out
It’s easy to see why Maleficent has become one of the most iconic and beloved Disney villains. With her patrician tones and her sinister appearance, she has always left an impression. Furthermore, she has every reason to be angry at the royals, who have literally invited everyone but her to celebrate this key moment in the history of the kingdom.
And, as the backstory revealed in the movie Maleficent reveals, King Stefan’s behavior toward her during their earlier interactions gives her every reason to want to wreak havoc on his own life.