Who says evil can’t provide some laughs? Disney has been known for its iconic villains that have frightened children across history. They can be sinister, creepy, or downright terrifying as shown with the likes of Scar from The Lion King or Judge Frollo from The Hunchback Of Notre Dame.
However, there are several times where the villain is just as, if not more entertaining than the protagonists. Sure, their schemes and evil plots can provide some dark moments and keep the heroes on their toes. However, from darkness comes light and these villains also provide plenty of laughs.
Professor Ratigan – The Great Mouse Detective
Fans of the horror genre will get a kick out of hearing film icon Vincent Price voicing a cartoon rat. As he does with all his performances, Vincent Price brings buckets full of charisma in The Great Mouse Detective. The evil Professor Ratigan is a seemingly sophisticated mastermind that wishes to overthrow the mouse queen of England.
On the surface, Ratigan provides a plethora of hilarious banter and slimy plotting but it’s a mask for what hides beneath. Ratigan is really a dark and violent vermin that is willing to commit the worst tasks to get what he wants. Still, when he’s making jokes, cackling, and enjoying his schemes, it’s impossible not to laugh with him.
Prince John – Robin Hood
While King Richard is fighting in the crusades, Prince John usurps the throne. Everyone knows the story but Disney’s Robin Hood throws in a twist where Prince John is nothing more than a man-child. He throws tantrums, he loves being praised, and he sucks his thumb while crying after one mention of his mother.
Obviously, the idea that the great tyrant of England is nothing more than a mama’s boy is enough to make anyone laugh. Add some great rapport with his henchmen like the Sherrif of Nottingham and Hiss, Prince John became a fan-favorite villain.
Syndrome – The Incredibles
This villain from Pixar’s The Incredibles is the perfect example of a toxic fanboy. Buddy was an uber fan of Mr. Incredible but when he was denied the chance to be a sidekick, he reacted by wanting to destroy the thing he loved.
Being voiced by Jason Lee, it is obvious that Syndrome is going to have some great sassy lines. He’s a fanboy who reacts like a fanboy when he’s fighting superheroes and his twisted mind lends to some dark jokes. There are even some jokes that likely went over some kids’ heads but adults loved it.
Madame Mim
When one thinks of an evil sorceress rival for Merlin, the mind might immediately think of something akin to Cate Blanchett’s Hela from Thor: Ragnarok. Disney instead went with a villainess that is far from terrifying or menacing in the least with Madame Mim in The Sword In The Stone.
Madame Mim is a tiny yet mean witch who is more akin to a crazy grandma than a threat. She’s loud, obnoxious, and completely insane which leads to a hilarious rivalry with Merlin. Martha Wentworth voiced the character and it’s easy to hear that she has a lot of fun playing a wicked witch.
Captain Hook – Peter Pan
The leader of the pirates, Captain James Hook in Peter Pan is ruthless in his pursuit of Peter Pan. That is until he hears the sound of ticking or the sight of the crocodile that took his hand. That’s when Hook goes from a fearsome villain to a big coward who screams with a high-pitched voice for his loyal servant Smee.
Hook’s cowardly ways, banter with Smee, and the slapstick comedy made for one of the first laugh-out-loud villains in Disney history. This portrayal of Hook was so beloved that it inspired Dustin Hoffman’s version in Steven Spielberg’s Hook.
Jafar – Aladdin
This villain is just pure slime much like Ratigan. For every sinister and evil act, Jafar also brings about equally funny scenes in Aladdin thanks to his chemistry with his pet parrot Iago. The two make for some of the funniest scenes in the movie that don’t feature Robin William’s Genie.
As evil, as he is, it’s almost impossible to hate Jafar at times due to his charm. Especially when he’s in disguise as a creepy old hermit or simply talking with Iago. It’s the perfect balance of light and dark elements that make the animated Jafar so much more memorable than in the remake.
Bowler Hat Guy – Meet The Robinsons
One of Disney’s most forgotten villains, the Bowler Hat Guy is a mysterious villain from the future intent on ruining Lewis’ life. The character is a child in a grown man’s body and this leads to him constantly screwing up his own plans in Meet The Robinsons.
The Bowler Hat Guy is executed perfectly through great character animation and voice acting. The childlike mentality and antics combined with slapstick lead to nearly every scene with him providing at least one good laugh. On top of it all, there is a twist to the character that makes why he is the way he is tragic in the end.
Hades – Hercules
It’s James Woods being James Woods so not much else is needed to be said. Much like Robin Williams with the Genie, James Woods provides that same high-energy fourth-wall-breaking character with Hades. Every second he’s on the screen in Hercules, Hades steals the entire movie.
Sure, he has the mean and dark nature that is needed for Hades and can even be scary at times. However, most remember Hades for being the fast-talking James Woods character that he is. He’s similar to a shifty car salesman and Woods perfects the character from beginning to end.
Percival McLeach
The Rescuers Down Under was a huge flop at the box office so many did not get the chance to see this villain. However, since it has gained a cult following, more have discovered the hilarious Percival McLeach played brilliantly by George C. Scott. McLeach is not a supervillain or some genius mastermind: he’s just a simple poacher.
As a result, he’s not the brightest bulb and has to rely on his equally unintelligent pet Joanna. Since both are dumb, their banter leads to a lot of hilarious situations. Still, McLeach is a mean and nasty poacher who can still provide that sinister side of a villain with George C. Scott delivering on all sides.
Yzma – The Emperor’s New Groove
She’s hideous, she’s power-hungry, and she’s got a terrible temper: it’s Yzma. Nearly every scene featuring Yzma features her and her equally hilarious henchman Kronk dealing with craziness. Yzma is voiced by Eartha Kitt and she fits the character perfectly with her mean yet dastardly performance.
The filmmakers also gave her a design that can make anyone laugh with one look. Throughout The Emperor’s New Groove, she has to put up with frustration after frustration which makes her give the best tantrums. She somehow gets even funnier when she is transformed into a cat.
