They’ve come in many guises over the years, from the monarchical to the Machiavellian, monsters to muscle men, sorcerers, schemers and step-parents. And they have shown levels of genius, incompetence and everything in between in their efforts to thwart our heroes. But they are always without fail ambitious, self-serving and strangely compelling.

In a world of promoting good virtues to children, good must always triumph over evil. And so, Disney villains can’t be left to return and cause havoc another day (unless it’s in an inconsequential direct-to-video sequel) and so usually meet their maker in one of a variety of inventive and sometimes gruesome ways.

If the Disney Princess is the most merchandisable element of the Disney canon, then the villains are a close second and inspire even more fervour among adult fans, perhaps because they’re usually more flawed and interesting than the heroes and especially when so many are (intentionally or not) queer-coded, fabulously designed and played with gusto by talented voice actors giving it their all. 

For this edition of Ranked, we at The Film Magazine have taken every significant villain to be found in Disney animation and ordered them in terms of wickedness, memorability and the threat they represent to our heroes and heroines. So practice your diabolical laughter, rehearse your evil monologue, dust off your best purple attire and enjoy Animated Disney Villains Ranked. 

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36. King Candy – Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

The ruler of arcade racing video game Sugar Rush who is actually Turbo, the resentful title character of a long-disconnected game.

Alan Tudyk has been Disney’s good luck charm in recent years and delivers a manic performance here as a mascot-gone-wrong, but the vocals have to do most of the work to enliven a baddie who’s just not interesting enough to match the heroes.

Demise by: Destroyed by the collapse of Diet Cola Mountain with the addition of Mentos.

35. Prince Hans – Frozen (2013)

A seemingly classic Prince Charming who is actually conspiring to eliminate both heirs to the Arendelle throne and claim it for himself.

Hans is a duplicitous, generic British-accented baddie revealed in the film’s final act, who gets some bonus evil points for taking advantage of Princess Anna’s emotions the way he does, purely to advance himself.

Demise by: Survives but is arrested and banished for his treachery.

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34. Alameda Slim – Home on the Range (2004)

An evil cattle rustler and conman who plans to cheat every rancher he can find out of their land.

Randy Quaid’s growling delivery and the character’s hilariously unconvincing Inspector Clouseau-level disguises aside, what makes Alameda Slim stand out is that he’s a rare villain who uses a combination of theft, foreclosure and cow-hypnotising yodelling to get what he wants.

Demise by: Survives, but his schemes and true identity as a rustler are exposed and the reward for his arrest is claimed.

33. Dr Jumba Jookiba – Lilo & Stitch (2002)

An alien mad scientist on the hunt for his dangerous but cute creation on Earth on the orders of the council who imprisoned him for his work.

Dr Jumba is probably the only character who never underestimates the cute blue title character because he was the one who genetically engineered “Experiment 626” and is fully aware of his destructive capabilities. He finds himself lower down this list for being bumbling and for having a late change of heart, eventually helping to protect Stitch when the council’s military arrives to complete his mission with extreme prejudice.

Demise by: Survives to live a fairly happy exile alongside Stitch on Earth.

Clearly Lydia is wise beyond her years.

Film as an art form has long been dictated by a ruling class of middle aged to old white men, so we here at The Film Magazine thought that we would turn the homogeneity of this critics circle on its head by instead asking a mixed race, dual-nationality little girl what the best movies of all time are. Needless to say, Lydia’s tastes are eclectic.

If you have ever wondered what cinema is to a girl born in the year 2011, make sure to strap in for this exclusive Movie List of the best films of all time according to someone whose favourite daily activities include learning dance moves from YouTube, listening to child pop sensation JoJo and playing Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Switch.

These are the 10 Best Films of All Time (According to a 9 Year Old Girl).

Make sure to follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with more lists like this one.

10. The Muppets: Most Wanted (2014)

Though admittedly a little confused as to which Kermit is which (a drawn-on mole and slight change in accent really isn’t clear enough when you’re getting overwhelmed with excitement every few minutes), The Muppets: Most Wanted is a personal favourite of Lydia’s. “I’ll give you what you want” is usually the quote of choice, and the wall scene in the Russian Gulag is the moment that brings about the biggest laughs.

To adults, this iteration of The Muppets is a little gimmicky and not as original as a lot of the group’s other work, but this nine year old finds it hilarious.

9. Moana (2016)

Like just about any child born from 1930 onwards, Walt Disney Animation has had a profound effect on Lydia’s experience of film. One of her first great loves was Moana, the beautifully animated 2016 animation starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

As you may expect, Lydia went all-in on her fandom, asking Santa Claus for the toys at Christmas and pleading with her Mum for the Moana dress from the Disney Store. She even told people that Maui was her brother, though only because they each shared “a big belly”.

Number 30: Hercules becomes a God –Hercules (1997)

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Number 29: Higitus Figitus. Merlin works his magic – The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Number 28: The Evil Queens evil plan – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Number 27: Pink Elephants on Parade – Dumbo (1941)

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Number 26: Copper saves Todd – The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Number 25: Ohana means family – Lilo and Stich (2002)

Number 24: Mulan gets ready for war – Mulan (1998)

Mulan (1998) Review

Number 23: Ray is united with Evangeline –Princess and the Frog (2009)

Number 22: Pocahontas meets John Smith –Pocahontas (1995)

Number 21: Under the Sea – The Little Mermaid (1989)

Number 20: Alice goes down the rabbit hole – Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Number 19: True love’s kiss – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Number 18: 101! – 101 Dalmations (1961)

Number 17: Aladdin wishes Genie to be free – Aladdin (1992)

Number 16: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo – Cinderella (1950)

Number 15: Steamboat Willie – Steamboat Willie (1928)

Number 14: Everybody wants to be a cat – The Aristocats (1970)

Number 13 – I’m a real boy – Pinnochio (1940)

Number 12: The Bare Necessities – The Jungle Book (1967)

Number 11: Bambi goes ice skating – Bambi (1942)

Number 10: Let It go – Frozen (2013)

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Number 9 – The Circle of Life – The Lion King (1994)

Number 8: Ariel gives up her voice – The Little Mermaid (1989)

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Number 7: The Floating Lights – Tangled (2010)

Number 6: Off to Neverland – Peter Pan (1953)

Number 5: Maleficent crashes the party – Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Number 4: Bella Notte – Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Number 3: Mickey’s dancing brooms – Fantasia (1940)

Number 2: Long Live The King – The Lion King (1994)

Number 1: The Dance – Beauty and the Beast (1991)

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What are your favourite Disney moments? Let us know in the comments and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on more articles like this one.

Number 10: Mulan – Mulan (1998)

Mulan is very different to the rest of the characters on our list. Mulan is all about representing strength and honour, and doing whatever it takes to protect your family. She is by no means the typical beautiful princess in a gown, she is a fighter. Not only is she a representation of strong women, she also represents a culture other than the typical American or English settings that Disney are drawn to.

Mulan (1998) Review

Number 9: Jasmine – Aladdin (1992)

In a similar way to Mulan, Jasmine represents a different culture: she is exotic and she is one of the few princesses that has sex appeal (which is mainly down to her strength). She wants her independence, she wants to make up her own mind and she is not afraid to stand up to those who try to control her. Where as many Disney stories are of normal girls longing for a Prince or to be a Princess, Jasmine is the opposite, she has everything but would give that all up if it meant she could live her own life.

Number 8: Tiana – The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Tiana marks a ground-breaking moment in Disney history as she is the first black princess. She is ambitious and independent, and works hard to achieve her dream. She is a feisty character and in no way a damsel in distress. Despite being turned into a frog, she is the one who takes charge in rectifying their situation. Although she has the beauty of a typical Disney princess, we focus more on her personality as she spends most of her time as a frog, and it is this that we fall in love with.

Number 7: Rapunzel – Tangled (2010)

Rapunzel is a princess who is simply fun, and like many teens growing up is discovering the world for the first time (even though her situation is more on the extreme side). Despite loving her ‘mother’ she wants her own freedom. She is cute, energetic, creative and has hair to die for. Rapunzel, along with Tiana, seemed to have started a new wave of Disney princesses.

Number 6: Elsa – Frozen (2013)

Elsa is the most recent princess on this list, but her impact has been incredible – the popularity of Frozen is something that nobody expected. Even two years after the film’s release, hype still surrounds it. Elsa is the only princess with magical powers on this list, she is an outsider, and her journey to accepting who she really is, is a captivating one.

Number 5: Aurora – Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Aurora is a traditional princess in every sense of the word. Her beauty resembles that of an old Hollywood movie star and she is the typical damsel in distress, dreaming of her Prince to come. She may not be rebellious, or particularly strong or ground-breaking, but she is iconic to the Disney brand: her castle is one the main attractions in the Disney parks. Sleeping Beauty is a true Disney classic.

Number 4: Cinderella – Cinderella (1950)

Much like Aurora, when you think of Cinderella you think of the traditional Disney princess: beautiful, kind and innocent but in a tough situation. Cinderella just longs for one night of happiness and when her wish is granted, she just so happens to meet a Prince and her true love. Whereas she may not be as prominent in setting new ideologies when it comes to being a Disney princess, Cinderella is simply iconic when it comes to Disney.

Number 3: Belle – Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Belle’s kindness and representation of acceptance is what puts her so high on this list. She is beautiful and graceful, but it is also her intelligence and her love of books that make her a good role model for young girls. She is independent and a great judge of character, refusing the likes of Gaston and accepting the kind heart of the Beast. She may also have one of the most memorable wardrobes of all the Disney princesses.

Number 2: Ariel – The Little Mermaid (1989)

Ariel was another princess who seemed to brake the mould when it comes to stereotypical thoughts of a princess, and not only because she is not entirely human. Ariel is rebellious, cool and let’s face it she has hair that any girl would kill for. She is the one that every young girl wants to be, whether in mermaid or human form. Ariel’s strive to want more for her life is something that almost everyone can relate to, and her willingness to give up everything to get it makes her stand out in the Disney universe.

Number 1: Snow White – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Not only was Snow White the original princess, but she was the one that started everything in Disney’s first feature length film. Snow White is the pioneer of the Disney Princess, and she is probably the most memorable. She embodies everything you think of when you think of a princess: pure innocence, beauty, kindness and grace. This is why she is number one on our list.

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