Every good movie needs a bad villain, but how many of those killer actors are roles for women? Whether they're a queen out for revenge or an assassin looking for their next victim, there are tons of female characters who have a bad streak. Read on to find out which ones are the best of the worst...
Regina George- Mean Girls
Teen popularity is the most vicious game of all, and no one demonstrates that better than iconic Queen Bee Regina George. The leader of the Plastics and the only thing standing in the way of Cady and Aaron Samuels, Regina is true early 2000s evil. So not fetch!
Mystique- X:Men
X-Men is a franchise of powerful superheroes, but you don't there without a few good villains. One of these is the blue-skinned, scaly starlet known as Mystique. She can shapeshift into anything, so watch your back, or else she might genuinely ruin your life.
Sarah- Hocus Pocus
Sarah Jessica Parker acted as the wicked witch Sarah in Hocus Pocus. She popularized the "Boys will love me!" screech and made Halloween movies one of the best genres for film and TV. She acted alongside Omri Katz, a heartthrob of the 1990s.
Hela- Thor: Ragnarok
Cate Blanchett scared audiences everywhere when she took on the role of Hela in the Thor universe. She also takes the title of Marvel's first on-screen female villain. She battles against Thor in her effort to destroy the world and the Asgardians.
Harley Quinn- Suicide Squad
The most popular Halloween costume the year of its premiere, 2016, Harley Quinn was the adorable and terrible villain in this film. With blue and pink pig tails, bright red lipstick, and a baseball bat in hand, Margot Robbie took on an iconic look. The comic book fans loved her performance!
Serena Joy- Handmaid's Tale
Yvonne Strahovski acts in the dystopian society thriller series The Handmaid's Tale. Her role as Serena Joy, the commander's wife, shows that cruelty wasn't restricted to just the Aunts. No one gets out easy in this show, no one...
Maleficent- Maleficent
Disney doesn't back down from a female villain, and that much is evident from their movie Maleficent. The story about the evil queen from Sleeping Beauty is big, bold, and unapologetically evil. It's one of Jolie's most harrowing roles to date.
May Day- James Bond, A View to Kill
High cheekbones and a sleek style might give Grace Jones a chic appearance, but her menacing approach is what makes her a true killer. There's always talk about the beautiful Bond women, but what about the absolute worst ones? May Day does not back down from a fight...
Cersei Lannister- Game of Thrones
Villains are not hard to come by in the Game of Thrones universe. None of them can top the heartless, ruthless ruler of Cersei Lannister though. She would do anything to protect her money, her kingdom, and most importantly, her family. However, in the end, she just couldn't make it work and was killed next to her brother, Jamie.
The Bride- Kill Bill
This femme fatal is a deceitful, cunning, and quick with a sword. She's out for revenge, and willing to do whatever it takes to get it. The former assassin, played by Uma Thurman, is looking for blood, and she wants to kill Bill.
O-Ren Ishii- Kill Bill
Kill Bill is one of the films that popularized the idea of a female killer, and O-Ren Ishii solidified this image. Beheading never looked so graceful, elegant, and effortless. Lucy Liu made this brutalized role her own, and she knows her way around a sword.
Evanora- Oz The Great and Powerful
Evanora is the sinister Wicked Witch of the East in this Wizard of Oz prequel. The 2013 movie takes notes and stories outlined in the 1939 classic. Hey, they're not called the wicked witches for because of their kindness!
Volturi Jane- Twilight Saga
The Twilight Saga became a worldwide phenomenon, but for those who were more fascinated by the vampires than the love story, the Volturi caught their eye. Jane, the leader of the Vampire government, had red eyes and no heart (literally). Her empty glare and vicious rulings made her one to be feared.
Bellatrix Lestrange- Harry Potter
Harry Potter had no shortage of enemies, but none were quite as unsettling as his female nemesis, Bellatrix Lestrange played by Helena Bonham Carter. Her attacks were all done for He Must Not Be Named, but she met her match when she tried to take down Ginny Weasley. "Not my daughter!"
Nina- Black Swan
Whoever said dancers couldn't be cutthroat? Natalie Portman stars in this gripping drama about a woman who loses her sense of reality while training for the biggest ballet opportunity of her career. She's willing to do anything for the part, whatever it takes to be the best.
Meredith Blake- The Parent Trap
Sure, this movie is a feel-good family film, but the only thing holding it back is how evil this stepmother can be. She wants nothing more than to get rid of her new step-daughter, or in this case, stepdaughters. The twins use their cunning and conniving skills to get rid of Ms. Meredith Blake once and for all.
Baroness- G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Is there anything more terrifying but impressive than a catsuit for a female villain? The Baroness, played by Sienna Miller, rocks this iconic leather look in the 2009 action blockbuster. If G.I Joe didn't take her out, maybe the movie would have ended with him taking her out on a date!
Shego- Kim Possible
Don't call her or beep her if you want to reach her. Shego was the assistant to the main villain of the Kim Possible universe, but she was the one doing all the work. The ruthless fighter and heartless scheme queen took Kim down almost every episode.
Elle Driver- Kill Bill
Daryl Hannah took on the role of Elle Driver in the Kill Bill franchise. She uses poison to take down her enemies and does it without any remorse. For anyone who is afraid of hospitals, this character is definitely a nightmare come true.
Amy Dunne- Gone Girl
The ice-cold Amy Dunne would do anything to leave her cheating husband, even frame him for murder. She killed her ex-boyfriend too, just in case that didn't work out. Don't let Rosamund Pike's comforting girl-next-door smile fool you, this protagonist is ready to kill.
Evil Stepmother- Cinderella
Cinderella is a timeless fairy tale, and with it, a timeless evil stepmother. She abuses her beautiful stepdaughter and dotes upon her equally as evil children. When she prevents Cinderella from attending the ball and from meeting the Prince, she solidifies herself as one of the worst characters of all time.
White Witch- The Chronicles of Narnia
The White Witch might look beautiful, but her heart is ugly. The trilogy of Narnia made this character one of the most beloved because of how unlovable she is. Tilda Swinton brought the novel character to life in a way that terrified audiences for years.
Catherine Tramell- Basic Instinct
Has being evil ever been so stylish? This Sharon Stone character, Catherine Tramell, sports a white cocktail dress, stiletto heels, and unbridled confidence. This is one of cinema's most impressive and beloved femme Fatales, and it's no wonder as to why!
Lamia- Stardust
Eternal youth can be hard to come by, and no one knows that better than Michelle Pfeiffer's Stardust character, Lamia. The murderer goes on to attempt to murder Yvaine, played by Claire Danes. Looking young might take someone's whole life...
Joan Crawford- Mommie Dearest
Based on true events, Faye Dunaway portrays the famous former actress Joan Crawford and her abusive relationship with her daughter Christina. Never before had audiences seen such a harrowing mother-daughter relationship on-screen. The biopic showed Crawford's controlling dark side in a way that was never expected.
Alex Forrest- Fatal Attraction
Glenn Closes plays one of the best female villains of all time, Alex Forrest. In this action thriller, adultering men are not the ones getting the last laugh. When this heartbroken lover goes on the warpath, it's clear that she's completely lost her mind, which just so happens to make for a great movie.
Ravenna- Snow White & The Huntsman
Charlize Theron takes on the role of the envious queen in this adaptation of the Disney classic. This queen takes evil to a new level, eating the hearts of birds and sucking the souls out of her youthful subjects. Ravenna remains a beauty, but at the cost of many lives.
Bonnie Parker- Bonnie and Clyde
Has anyone ever done crime as glamorously as Bonnie Parker? This Faye Dunaway character takes bank-robbing and murder and makes them her own, as much as you can when you're robbing and murdering. This version of Bonnie became a fashion icon for years to come. Who knew crime looked so good?
The Heathers- Heathers
"What's your damage, Heather?" While having the same name as your popular clique is bad, murdering them all with your spooky new boyfriend has got to be worse. This mean girl movie brought the worst of two worlds together: high school cliques and killers.
Catwoman- The Dark Knight Rises
Anne Hathaway took on the role of Catwoman in this Batman flick and reminded everyone how catty this woman would really be. Her role as Selina Kyle kept audiences on the edge of their seats. And to do it all while fighting in a skin-tight suit? Impressive!
Catwoman- Batman Returns
Before there was Anne Hathaway's Catwoman, there was Michelle Pfieffer's version, but both brought badness to the boys. Rocking a leather catsuit can't be comfortable, or easy to move in, but bad has to look good! This femme fatal is one of comics' most iconic roles for women.
Cruella de Vil- 101 Dalmations
As the song says, if she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will. Cruella de Ville is more than willing to kill a few (okay, literally over a hundred) puppies to get what she wants, and won't let anyone or anything get in her way. So refined, so elegant, but at what cost?
Jiaying- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
Jiaying from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D wanted a life alone with the other inhumans, but her plan was foiled. Her superpower, absorbing other people's youth, kept her young for several decades. She used this time to train the other inhumans, but after her daughter's disappearance, she lost her moral compass.
Madison Lee- Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Though she was remembered as an amazing fighter, Madison Lee made the list of good girls gone bad when she became a double agent. Her skills in astrophysics, fighting, and astrology were useful, but just for the wrong people. As Madison says herself: "I was never good. I was great."
Xenia Onatopp- GoldenEye
James Bond knows how to make a villainess, and Xenia Onatopp might be one of the best. Known for her seductions and deductions, this beautiful killer used her looks to her advantage (and every guy's disadvantage). Her signature move was crushing their skulls...ouch.
Lolita- The Crush
Though she might look like the cute girl-next-door, Alicia Silverstone's character was anything but sweet. Lolita became the psychotic and love crazed lunatic looking for Mr. Right in all the wrong places. Silverstone won Best Villain in 1993's MTV Awards for the role.
Mathilda- Léon: The Professional
At only twelve years old, this gun-wielding Natalie Portman was destined for a life on the big screen. She played the protagonist who wanted revenge for her family's deaths. She also popularized the look of a big choker with a short hair bob. Too cute to kill? Not here.
Grand High Witch- The Witches
Anjelica Huston played the Grand High Witch and brought the character to life on the screen. Though she had one of the best costumes on the set, she also had the task of creating the scariest stares. She pulled it off though and horrified audiences everywhere.
Emma Frost- X-Men: First Class
January Jones takes on this classic X-Men bad girl. Her telepathy and diamond skin made Emma Frost one of the most stylish women to get such a vicious reputation. One of the most dangerous opponents of the X-Men universe, and she did it glamorously.
Wicked Witch of the West- The Wizard of Oz
Witches can be a little overdone, but that's because they all stem from the original evil wizard, the Wicked Witch of the West. Margaret Hamilton has the honor of portraying this anti-hero and giving a face to the cruelest of antagonists. At least green skin paint never caught on.
Kathryn Merteuil- Cruel Intentions
Though she was the hero of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar was the antagonist of this teen queen movie. She plays Kathryn Merteuil and is one of the most unforgiving villains of the Dangerous Liaisons revival. Even the original 1999 version wasn't this exhilarating.
Poison Ivy- Batman & Robin
Poison Ivy might be one of the most well-known villains, female or otherwise. Her venomous kiss of death made her one of the most interesting murderers in the comic universe. Her enemies always fell under her spell, and when they fall, it's to their deaths!
Dolores Umbridge- Harry Potter
While Voldemort was Harry's nightmare outside of school, within the confines of campus, Dolores Umbridge took that title. She was a real stickler for the rules and order, which ultimately led to her gruesome death. It wasn't shown, but Dolores Umbridge probably bleeds pink...
Annie Wilkes- Misery
Played by Kathy Bates, this Stephen King adaptation was bound to include some brutal killers. When Sheldon is discovered in Wilkes' house, Wilkes' brutally murders a state trooper who sees the whole thing. The movie ends with a devastating murder-suicide. Classic Stephen King...
Nurse Ratched- One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
This passive-aggressive tyrant of the nursing ward, Nurse Ratched a.k.a Big Nurse, made this movie great. She was corrupt and abusive, but this ends when she is hit with a hydrotherapy cart. Her voice is then lost and her reign of terror over the hospital ended.
Miranda Priestly- The Devil Wears Prada
The fashion world can be terrifying, and no one proves that better than Miranda Priestly, the fictional Editor in Chief of Vogue. No assistant can last her tyranny, that is, until Andi. When even she gets sick of the worldwide phenomenon, you know this success story comes at a cost.
Miss Trunchbull- Matilda
For any kid growing up when this movie came out, no one was as terrifying as this principal. She was locking kids in cages, force-feeding them cake, and swinging them by her pigtails. And if that wasn't enough, she also looked pretty unsettling. Matilda had a rough time!
Lady Macbeth- Lady Macbeth
While Macbeth himself was the one doing the killing, everyone knows it was Lady Macbeth with blood on her hands. She even has a scene where she imagines blood covering her palms! At the end of it all, she gets her comeuppance, but it takes a few lives.
Ursula- The Little Mermaid
Ariel signed her voice away, but only at the request of this evil sea witch. Ursula's many tentacle arms made certain that she would be the most beautiful voice of the underworld but at the price of another. Not everything is better down where it's wetter...
Veruca Salt- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka's chocolate factory is a child's dream come true, but there are some nightmares along the way. Among these is Veruca Salt, the bratty little girl who wants it all, and will make her dad pay just about anything for it. Her greed takes hold in the end, and she becomes one of the many children brutally maimed in the factory.
Azula- Avatar: The Last Airbender
Before there was Prince Zuko, there was Princess Azula. This fierce and fearless leader wanted nothing more than the crown, but with her brother in the way, she knew there was only one possible way to get what she wanted. Her story arc follows her trying to take down the only person fighting for the people, which is not a great trait in a ruler.
Tiffany- Bride of Chucky
What's more unsettling than a doll out to kill? That same doll's wife. The Bride of Chucky has become one of the scariest villains in all of cinema, even though it's thought of as a self-referential parody film. With a budget of $25 million, the sequel film made about 50.7 million worldwide.
Vicky- Fairly Odd Parents
A whole generation knows the fear and terror behind the phrase "Bed, twerp!" Vicky was the tyrant babysitter who loved to make Timmy's life miserable, no matter what the reason may be. She was mean, evil, and as one popular song referred to her "Icky Vicky". Without his fairy godparents, who knows how Timmy Turner would have survived?
Sue Sylvester- Glee
Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch, wants nothing more than to take down the Glee club, whatever it takes. She's sly, cunning, and horrible to high schoolers. She frequently sabotages the Glee Club and Mr. Schue, purely out of malice. Even worse? She tried to make sweatsuits a fashion trend. And that's how Sue sees it...
Hilly Holbrook- The Help
While some villains are based on comic books or movie characters, Hilly Holbrook demonstrated the ideals and values of time without equality, which makes her the scariest villain of all. Her realistic portrayal of racism in America during the 1950s. Though she may look nice and upper-class, she's just as mean and ill-spirited as many were during the era.
Angelica- Rugrats
Not all children are good at heart. Take, for example, Angelica, the blonde-haired rugrat with a Cynthia doll. She's constantly picking on her younger friends and uses her age as her claim to power. If it wasn't for those annoying babies, she'd be ruling the playground these days.
Eleanor Young- Crazy Rich Asians
Love can bring out the worst in us, but also in the ones we love. For example, Eleanor Young is the mother of Nick Young, the most eligible bachelor in the Philippines. When he falls for an American girl, Eleanor takes matters of the heart into her own hands. She's dedicated to breaking up the power couple, and even though she loses, she doesn't go down easy...
Sharpay Evans- High School Musical
This is not what she wants, this is not what she planned, and I just got to say, she does not understand! Sharpay Evans is a sure shoo-in for the big musical, but when Gabriella gets the part she deserves, she'll stop at nothing to get what's rightfully hers. She also intends on stealing her perfect boyfriend. No one is safe from Sharpay's wrath throughout the trilogy. Now that's a villain...
Queen of Hearts- Alice in Wonderland
She's foul-mouthed, unkind, and has a big head (literally!). The Queen of Hearts wants off with everyone's head and doesn't consider the repercussions of her actions. Her hatred for Alice comes out of nowhere but fuels her for the entirety of the movie. Even though most people get pardoned, her intention of ruthless killing is not forgotten.
Gothel-Tangled
Every good princess movie comes with a villain, but whoever expects the mother? When Rapunzel is a baby, she is taken by a woman who claims to be her mother. The woman, Gothel, locks her in a tower for her whole life for fear of the child finding out. When she finally gets free, everything comes back to bite her in the end...