These are the 10 most dangerous names in the world

The world of movies is no stranger to villains but only a few have been able to permanently capture the audience's attention. And yet, over the years, Hollywood has gifted the public with certain iconic characters whose villainry is petrifying, yet legendary, in its appeal. Here's a look at ten of the most iconic villains from Hollywood movies:

The Joker - Batman series
From Heath Ledger to Joaquin Phoenix, many talented Hollywood actors have given brilliant, terrifying portrayals of this character- and increased the fear associated with the ultimate comic book antagonist. Though he has varying origins stories, the Joker is described as ‘clinically insane’ in the Batman comics and makes recurring appearances in the series.

Alex DeLarge - A Clockwork Orange
The 1971 film A Clockwork Orange (based on the book of the same name) remains a classic - and no list of villains is complete without mentioning its menacing protagonist, Alex DeLarge. DeLarge quite possibly gave nightmares to every individual who ever saw the film, thanks to his sadistic streak and reprehensible actions that are free from even a pinch of remorse.


Hans Landa - Inglourious Basterds
If looks could kill, then Austrian Nazi officer Hans Landa’s deathly stares would wipe away all his enemies - solidifying his position as "the Jew Hunter" in Quentin Tarantino’s fictional drama Inglourious Basterds. Austrian-German actor Christoph Waltz’s top-notch performance is one of the many reasons why Landa’s arrogant, ruthless, and opportunistic attitude leaves the audience disgusted. Talk about a villain in power!


Voldemort - Harry Potter series
A hero is only as good as the villain - a concept that has never been truer than when it comes to the Harry Potter series and its villain, He Who Shall Be Named aka Voldemort. If you think it’s odd how a villain from a children’s fantasy series made it to the list, then let’s take a look at some of his most gruesome acts through the series - the merciless murder of Potters, multiple attempts to kill a child, and of course, the torture of ‘Muggle-born wizards’ i.e. wizards from non-magical families.


Nurse Ratched - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ratched
A nurse at a psychiatric institution, Mildred Ratched is the main antagonist in the 1975 film adaptation of the book with the same name, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. She is also the lead of the 2020 Netflix series Ratched - a prequel to the film. And she’s terrifying in all avatars. Tyrannical in her approach and cruel in her demeanour, Nurse Ratched uses unrestricted access to the institution’s resources to inflict harm on the people in her care - her patients.


Hannibal Lecter - Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal
A cannibalistic serial killer is scary in any universe but what makes Hannibal Lecter even more terrifying is his high IQ and a cultured attitude, which almost normalise, and even act as a cover for his sociopathic tendencies. Anthony Hopkins’ and Mads Mikkelsen’s brilliantly terrifying and engaging portrayal of the character in the film The Silence of the Lambs and the series Hannibal, respectively, further elevates the character as one of the greatest fictional villains.


Thanos - the Avenger series
A villain so powerful that he can wipe off half of the universe with a snap of his fingers - who wouldn’t be scared of him? Thanos, played by Josh Brolin, is a supervillain and a recurring character in the Marvel comics, and the Marvel movie series, Avengers. His unwavering belief that he’s improving the world allows him to justify his cold-blooded actions.


Amy Dunne - Gone Girl
There are villains and then there’s Amy Dunne - the picture of pure, psychopathic terror. Dunne’s actions get scarier as the film (and the book) progresses - because it’s difficult to gauge the extent to which she’ll go to exact her revenge. And the truly scary aspect of the film is how, at one point, you find yourself agreeing with Dunne’s reasoning - if not her actions.


Missy Armitage - Get Out
What makes a horror story go from good to great is the villain - and Missy Armitage perfectly fits the bill of a great horror villain. Jordan Peele’s psychological horror Get Out saw Catherine Keener play the chilling Missy Armitage - responsible for robbing people’s brains and transplanting them into other bodies. Suffice to say, it’s not a performance or a character that one can forget anytime soon.


Patrick Bateman - American Psycho
An investment banker leading a double life as a serial killer, Patrick Bateman is not just one of the greatest villains in movie history but easily one of Christian Bale’s most memorable performances - which, considering Bale’s filmography, is saying something. Originally created by novelist Bret Easton Ellis, Bateman is a character that evokes a morbid interest, even when he leaves you cowering in fear.