Pixar is known for its animated films that often get an emotional response from audiences, but the studio also has some of the scariest animated characters. Generally, the scariest characters in each movie are Pixar’s villains. A commonality between many of the villains is their deceitfulness, which covers up their true intentions, tricking both the audience and the film’s protagonist. Antagonists in some of Pixar’s saddest movies, such as Up and Coco, are thought of as an inspiration and idol for the film’s main character until their corrupt behavior is revealed in a shocking twist.
Other characters, such as Toy Story 2‘s Stinky Pete or The Incredibles‘ Syndrome, turn to a life of evil after feeling as though others wronged them. The intelligence of Pixar villains also plays into the scare factor. The scariest characters in Pixar movies are smart, helping advance them toward their common goal of power. Combining smarts with determination, the characters won’t allow anything, or anyone, to get in the way of reaching their goals, making for a truly terrifying character.
Related
Every Pixar Movie Ranked From Worst To Best
Pixar Animation has made 22 movies going back more than two decades, and almost all have been remarkable achievements. But which is the best?
12
AUTO (WALL-E)
Attempts To Prevent Humans’ Return To Earth
WALL-E is a movie with little to no dialogue, but it tells an important story regarding humans’ relationship to the Earth and technology. One of the scariest characters in WALL-E is an autopilot named AUTO. The programming of AUTO is set to return humans to Earth once it’s suitable for living.
The movie opens with its titular protagonist cleaning up the uninhabitable Earth when he finds a seedling, signaling that it’s safe for humans aboard Axiom to return home. However, AUTO misunderstood its programming and believes it must prevent any and every attempt to return to Earth. To be stranded in space for the rest of time is a terrifying scenario and AUTO’s preventative measures are as destructive as they are scary.
11
Zurg (Lightyear)
Buzz Battles A Version Of Himself
There are a few differing explanations for the origin of Toy Story‘s Emperor Zurg, but the iteration of the character in Lightyear is the scariest because of what it means for the film’s protagonist. In every version of Zurg, he acts as the enemy of Buzz Lightyear, but his backstory in Lightyear reveals he is controlled by an elderly Buzz from the future. Despite being two versions of the same person, Zurg and Buzz have vastly opposing ideologies.
This results in the present Buzz fighting against an older version of himself. It’s scary for audiences and Buzz to see a version of himself act recklessly and counteract the characteristics established by the character in the franchise. Though it confuses Toy Story fans and their understanding of Zurg, the premise is a complex idea for a Pixar movie.
10
Bruce (Finding Nemo)
Switches Instantly From Friendly To Vicious
It only makes sense that in Finding Nemo, Dory and Marlin encounter some of the ocean’s scariest creatures while on their journey. When they come across a great white shark named Bruce, it’s believed that he has the intention of eating the fish. However, it’s humorously revealed that Bruce and his fellow shark friends are working to change the perception others have of them, reminding one another, “Fish are friends, not food.”
Bruce is among Pixar’s scariest characters, because, though he is mostly welcoming towards others, he can easily flip. When he smells blood, Bruce’s animalistic instinct takes over and he changes entirely, beginning an intense chase after Marlin and Dory. Ultimately, Bruce snaps out of his rage and it’s because he is trying to better himself and other sharks that he is not completely terrifying.
9
Stinky Pete (Toy Story 2)
Holds A Dangerous Grudge Due To His Past
In every Toy Story movie, being owned and played with by a kid is all a toy could ever want. In Toy Story 2, Stinky Pete has never been a child’s toy, which causes resentment and anger towards those who were loved by their owners. Pete tries to ensure Woody and the others join him in a museum rather than finding their way back to Woody’s owner, Andy.
Pete uses his pickaxe to rip a tear in Woody’s shoulder, further threatening to break him into pieces if that’s what it takes to get him on the plane to the museum. Pete continues to be scary in the way he tricks others. Pete puts on a harmless act for others, but throughout the film, his mischievous behavior is exposed to the audience. The measures Pete takes are scary, but just as heartbreaking as audiences are aware of how important it is to be played with as a toy, as seen in Jessie’s backstory.
8
Charles F. Muntz (Up)
Charles Shatters Carl’s Perception Of Him
Charles Muntz, Up‘s antagonist based on a real person, is scary for reasons similar to Zurg in Lightyear. His actions are intense on their own, but an additional scare factor is added when audiences realize what it means for Up‘s lead character, Carl Fredricksen. As an aspiring explorer, Carl considered Charles his childhood hero, as Charles was once a respected explorer on the hunt for a rare bird species.
However, scientists don’t believe Charles’ findings are authentic, and from then on, Charles made it his mission to bring back the rare bird to prove he was right all along. With the determination of the scariest fictional antagonists, Charles stops at nothing to secure the bird, including setting Carl’s beloved home on fire. Charles’ actions are ruthless and a difficult reality for Carl to grapple with.
7
Ernesto De La Cruz (Coco)
Shows No Remorse For Killing A Friend
Thought to be a kind man and legendary musician, Ernesto de la Cruz’s true colors are revealed in Coco. In Coco, Miguel idolizes Ernesto and is thrilled when he believes Ernesto is his great-great-grandfather. Unfortunately for Miguel, when he’s in the Land of the Dead, he discovers Ernesto killed Héctor, his friend, so he could steal his songs and pass them off as his own.
Ernesto’s actions are heartless and cold, especially because Miguel’s family resented Héctor based on the lies Ernesto told surrounding his death. Once Miguel understands the truth, Ernesto sees him as a liability with the potential to tarnish his image in the Land of the Living. Unable to feel remorse for his past actions, Ernesto tries to stop Miguel’s return home, cementing his selfishness and vanity.
6
Syndrome (The Incredibles)
He Will Stop At Nothing To Accomplish His Goals
A few different Pixar movies touch on the idea that it’s best to not meet one’s hero. The heroes never turn out as expected and, though the reasons why this is are often exaggerated to set up the film’s villain, it remains a scary reminder for audiences of all ages. The Incredibles‘ Syndrome is one of the earliest examples of this villain type.
As a kid, Syndrome met Mr. Incredible and things didn’t go the way he planned. Mr. Incredible brushed off Syndrome, which led the latter to hold a grudge that would fuel his acts of evil as he got older. While workshopping his Omnidroid weapon, Syndrome kills an unknown number of superheroes, showing no mercy. Syndrome becomes increasingly scary when it’s clear he’ll stop at nothing, unbothered by harming innocent non-superheroes, to gain control.
Related
9 Reasons Why Incredibles’ Syndrome Is Actually The Most Evil Pixar Villain
Even if he didn’t accomplish his main goal, Syndrome’s actions and motivations in The Incredibles make him stand out as Pixar’s premier evil-doer.
5
Hopper (A Bug’s Life)
Overwhelmed By His Hatred For Ants
A Bug’s Life antagonist, Hopper, is scary due to his brutal nature and attempt to eliminate an ant colony, Ant Island. Hopper leads a gang of fellow grasshoppers and convinces them of the threat ants pose against them. According to Hopper, the ants may appear weak as individuals, but their true strength lies in their numbers, meaning they can overpower the grasshoppers at any moment.
Hopper devises a plan to kill the ants’ queen, assuring his control over the colony. Hopper’s methods of control are scary, as he often resorts to violence to get the things he wants. Additionally, his way of thinking makes him one of Pixar’s scariest characters, as he feels ants are the inferior bug with the sole purpose of providing for grasshoppers.
4
Mor’du (Brave)
A Ferocious Bear Blinded By His Anger
There’s not much competition for Mor’du when it comes to the scariest Pixar character based on appearance. Mor’du was once a prince who asked a nearby witch for the strength of ten men, turning him into a black bear who had grown increasingly ferocious as the years passed. In the present day, Merida’s mother also gets turned into a bear and has the potential to suffer the same fate.
Mor’du is scary not only because of his outward appearance, but also because of his vicious behavior as a result of the spell’s permanence. Full of rage as a bear, Mor’du allows his ego to overpower his actions and he kills his family. Mor’du’s power has only increased over the years, to the point where weapons are largely ineffective against him. Throughout Brave, Mor’du easily faces those with weapons and he survives each attempt to take him out until he is crushed by a large piece of stone.
3
Sid (Toy Story)
Unknowingly Causes Suffering For The Toys
While Sid may be the main antagonist in Toy Story, he’s not a villain in the sense that others are. Sid is still one of Pixar’s scariest characters due to his actions and creepy interests. After acquiring Buzz Lightyear and Woody from a claw machine, Sid’s hobby of experimenting with toys is revealed. In his room, Sid has an assortment of odd, frightening toys, including the head of a baby doll attached to mechanical spider-like legs. Sid is also highly interested in explosives, taking enjoyment in the destruction of toys.
Upon realizing Buzz is a spaceman, Sid attaches him to a rocket and plans to set it off. As far as Sid is aware, the toys are inanimate, but it’s this lack of knowledge that makes him one of the scariest characters. Believing they are just plastic action figures, Sid has no remorse for ripping the toys apart or setting them on fire, resulting in utterly painful consequences for his collection of toys.
2
Henry Waternoose (Monsters, Inc.)
Kidnaps Children To Save The Company
Following an established pattern for antagonists, Henry J. Waternoose III has a pleasant and welcoming persona that’s appreciated by all at Monsters, Inc. It isn’t until the factory experiences an energy crisis that Mr. Waternoose turns to evil and corruption. In an attempt to gather as many children’s screams as possible, Mr. Waternoose and Randall work together to save the company.
Mr. Waternoose and Randall’s plan is discovered by Mike and Sulley, but after Mr. Waternoose catches up with Sulley, he makes it clear he will stop at nothing to prevent the company from shutting down. Though Monsters, Inc. runs on children’s screams to create energy, the company only intends to create momentary scares, not lasting harm. Mr. Waternoose discards not only the company’s protocol but his morals as well.
1
Lotso (Toy Story 3)
A Ruthless, Ruling Daycare Leader
When first introduced in Toy Story 3, Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear, or Lotso, appeared to be a harmless, lovable teddy bear. However, audiences and the film’s group of toys would soon discover the power-hungry ruthlessness Lotso truly possesses. Lotso runs the daycare the toys wound up in and, echoing themes from Toy Story 2, Lotso is scorned by his experience with a previous owner who abandoned him.
This leads to Lotso holding resentment and making it his mission to remind other toys that they are unimportant and only made to eventually be thrown away. Lotso’s cynical view of toy owners allows him to feel justified in his mistreatment and abuse towards others. Lotso’s cruelty is best exemplified when he tricks the others into believing he is going to stop the incinerator to save their lives. However, he abandons Woody and the gang to be burned, believing they’d be killed, and doing so without a second thought.
