Cartoons | Movies | Pop Culture | TV | 80s | 90s

10 Villains We're Supposed To Hate, But Who Don't Actually Deserve It

Have you ever found yourself watching something, only to realize that you actually kinda like the villain more than the heroes? Or even worse, thinking that the villain might have a point?

Well friend, you're not alone in this! There have been plenty of "big bads" throughout history that are maybe not as bad as people say. In the case of these 10 evildoers, we kinda have to wonder if maybe they weren't so awful.

Hades - Hercules

Wikimedia

In Greek Mythology, Hades has always kinda gotten the short end of the stick, having to watch over the Underworld after being stuck there by Zeus. Honestly, who hasn't gotten mad at their job sometimes and just wanted to break free? Nobody, that's who.

The Grinch - How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Warner Bros.

He's a miscreant who's spent his life on his own aside from a dog who can't actually talk to him, and we all wonder why he kinda snaps when he sees everyone else having a great time and enjoying Christmas? Honestly, it's hard not to feel bad for the guy.

Hexadecimal - Reboot

Mainframe Studios

Hex was spawned from the same super-virus that also birthed Megabyte, but unlike her scheming, maniacal brother, she mostly was just super emotional to a scary degree. Heck, she helped them fight against Daemon, and ultimately became good!

Harley Quinn - Batman: The Animated Series

Warner Bros.

Harley probably has one of the most tragic backstories in comic book history. A budding psychologist who tried to evaluate The Joker, she ended up being twisted and broken by him into what she is now. Sure she's often homicidal and borderline insane, but deep down she's a scared woman constantly being hurt by the man she loves.

These next few "villains" really just got a raw deal...

Syndrome - The Incredibles

Pixar

Okay, he was an absolute tool, but Syndrome was interesting because he also had a point. Life has to suck when you're a normal human in a world full of superheroes, and giving everyone powers would definitely be an equalizing factor.

Captain Hook - Peter Pan

Disney

Have you ever actually sat down and read the story of Peter Pan? Turns out Peter is a total jerk child who abandons the Lost Boys when they grow up and he gets bored of them, and basically treats everyone around him like crap. No wonder Hook hates him so much!

Sid - Toy Story

Pixar

I know Sid is supposed to be super evil given what he does to his toys, but there's two problems with that: 1) Find me a kid that's never wrecked a toy or two on purpose before, I bet you it can't be done, and 2) He has no idea they're alive! None of the humans do! He even freaks out when he discovers that and tries to mend his ways.

Magneto - X-Men

Fox

After surviving the Holocaust and the scorn of humans around him, Magneto becomes convinced that humans will never accept mutants and that they should break away from society and form their own nation. The thing is... he's kind of right. The mutants in just about every version of X-Men are treated like garbage by the public even after saving their asses multiple times, and that's even before things like the Sentinels and Genosha happen.

The Shark - Jaws

Universal

He's a shark. He's doing what sharks do. Sure, he's a danger to swimmers, but did they really have to blow him up?

Edgar - The Aristocats

Disney

He works his butt off as an old rich socialite's butler for years, only to find out that the's leaving her entire fortune to her CATS?! Not gonna lie, I'd be pretty pissed too.

What villain do you think was just misunderstood?

More Throwbacks

Movies

Macaulay Culkin Clears Up Some Confusion About The 'Home Alone' Recreation

When that amazing new Google Assistant ad dropped yesterday starring Macaulay Culkin recreating all of the iconic scenes from the 1990 classic Home Alone, People absolutely lost their minds. But here's the thing, you watch it once and you're like, "Oh wow, that's hilarious!" But if you watch it a second time, you'll see that they really went all out to recreate it shot for shot. Honestly, it's almost creepy how well they did. Whether he's jumping on the bed:20th Century Fox / YouTube - GoogleUsing his aftershave:20th Century Fox / YouTube - GoogleTrimming the tree:20th Century Fox / YouTube

Movies

Macaulay Culkin Is Back As Kevin From 'Home Alone' And It's Actually Amazing

It's Christmas time, and you know what that means! It's time to watch a family abandon their son in their home and not even call anyone to go take care of him while he fends off burglars and makes an enormous mess of their house! That's right, every year we all gather around the TV and watch Home Alone for the millionth time, enjoying the hilarious antics that young Kevin McCallister gets into. Macaulay Culkin's portrayal of the character is what made the movie work, well, that and the fact that the 'Wet Bandits' were pretty funny. Culkin made a

Movies

A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The New Aladdin Is Here And At Least One Of Our Wishes Was Granted

We've been waiting patiently, okay mostly patiently, since Disney announced that Aladdin was being remade. The cartoon remains one of the most iconic movies of all time, and the fact that they were going to try and bring it to life with real humans instead of the animated versions was kind of concerning. We saw the first trailer a while ago, but the only character we actually saw up close was Aladdin himself. We didn't see how the Genie looked, or Jasmine, or any of the other characters. But now, Entertainment Weekly has given us all the first look at

Movies

The First Look Of The New Sonic Movie Is Here And People Just Spilled Their Rings

We've seen these video game movies come and we've seen them go, but how often have they actually succeeded? Not a lot, right? Well, whether it's the best idea or not, the powers that be have decided to bring one of the most iconic video game characters to the big screen once again. Sonic the Hedgehog has his very own movie coming out next November with Ben Schwartz voicing him, but now that the first poster is here, everyone is talking. Now, the thing is, the poster that everyone has seen isn't even a real look at the design. It's

Movies

'Mrs. Doubtfire' Cast Reunited To Discuss The 25th Anniversary And Robin Williams

The cast of Mrs. Doubtfire reunited and we were all so excited to see what that meant. Now we finally know why they were back together again. With nothing really happening for the last month, we kind of just thought it was maybe a nice dinner. But nope! It turns out it was actually a big interview to discuss the anniversary, the legacy, and of course Robin Williams. The interview is a good 35 minutes of reminiscing and sharing memories that all make us remember the iconic comedy as the treasure it truly is. Pierce Brosnan, Matthew Lawrence, Lisa Jakub,

Movies

Tim Allen Reveals The Original Plan For 'The Santa Clause' Was Way Too Dark For Disney

We've all seen The Santa Clause at least a dozen times, right? It's a Christmas classic and ever since it was released, it has become a staple in our holiday movie schedule. There's something about the movie that manages to keep that Christmas feeling without being way too over the top or corny. I mean, sure, Tim Allen literally becomes Santa, but somehow it all feels like that's totally plausible. The sequels may not have the same realistic feeling, but the original remains iconic. However, Allen just revealed that the original plan for the movie was a lot darker than