10 Best Animated Movie Villains of the 1980s

Animation is a genre with the unique opportunity to create fantastically terrifying villains because there are so few limitations on what the medium can visually achieve. The 1980s were a pivotal time for animated movies, As new technologies are broadening the horizons of what studios and creative teams are capable of. Some of the best animated fantasy films of the 20th century were made in the 80s, and a work of fiction is only as good as its villain. The films’ antagonists often stole the show, balancing the hero and often providing comic relief.

Every evil Disney villain is fondly remembered by audiences who grew up watching animated movies from the iconic studio. However, it’s not just Disney villains who stand out in animation. The mark of a good villain is one that is nuanced and complex. They can be evil and easy to hate, but they are even more compelling when they have deeper motivations and an intelligence that draws the viewer in. A villain with no charisma and an unattractive personality will not connect with anyone.

10

Ratigan – The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Voiced by Vincent Price

The great mouse detective is one of Disney’s more underrated animated films from the Disney Dark Ages, which included the projects the studio produced between 1981 and 1988 (via BFI). Although the quality of The great mouse detective was just as high as the company’s later work, The great mouse detective had darker elements and did not follow a fairy tale. Based on the children’s book series Basil of Baker StreetThe film saw its protagonist match wits with the fearsome Ratigan.

Drawing inspiration from the work of Sherlock Holmes, The detective, Basil, works to stop Ratigan from creating an artificial clockwork queen so that he can rule the mouse world. Although charming and power-hungry, Ratigan is also smart and charming in his own, slightly sleazy way. Ratigan’s convoluted plots and silly tricks keep the audience guessing until the end. Additionally, Vincent Price’s voicework makes it easy to start rooting for Ratigan to get even more screen time.

9

Ursula – The Little Mermaid (1989)

Voiced by Pat Carroll

Although Melissa McCarthy’s portrayal of Ursula in the live-action The Little Mermaid Bringing this villain to life brilliantly for modern audiences, nothing will beat Par Carroll’s original work. Carroll’s iconic performance as Ursula is one of the most memorable and dynamic parts of The Little Mermaid, Provide an excellent foil to Ariel’s youth and innocence. Ursula is interesting because she is smart and knows how to use Ariel’s ignorance to her advantage. Additionally, she has a fantastic villain song in “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”

The Little Mermaid was a turning point for Disney, as the project marked the beginning of the Disney Renaissance And the long string of smash hits for the studio. Although the main thrust of the story is about the love blossoming between Ariel and Eric, there would be little conflict or stakes without Ursula, who embodies the quirky and charismatic villains that Disney would become known for. From her character design to her motivations, Ursula is a multi-dimensional and hilarious antagonist.

8

Megatron – The Transformers: The Movie (1986)

Voiced by Frank Welker

Before Michael Bay started the live-action Transformers Film series In 2007, the beloved toys were adapted into the animated The Transformers: The Movie. When the movie was first released in the mid-80s, the project made some risky choices in changing and expanding the existing knowledge of the TV series. however, The animation style and performances of the voice actors helped the film gain recognition In the years since it premiered. Frank Weller plays Megatron, the leader of the Decepticons, who is involved with the terrifying Unicron.

Many big stars lent their voices to The Transformers: The Movie In 1986, it included Orson Welles as Unicron, Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, and Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron. Although Megatron is a recurring villain in the Transformers Universe, he is particularly compelling in this movie, because He is betrayed by his fellow Decepticons and forced into an alliance with Unicron. His tragic arc in the story and inability to defeat the Autobots fuels his development and his later transformation into the overpowered Galvatron.

7

Jenner – The Secret of Nehemiah (1982)

Voiced by Paul Shenar

Animals are given incredible powers and intelligence in The secret of NimaA fantasy adventure movie Which sees the mouse woman Brisby embark on an epic quest to save her family. Looking for a way to protect her son and move him somewhere safe, Mrs. Brisby seeks the help of a group of rats that were part of an experiment, giving them human-like abilities and judgment. Their leader, Nicodemus, has access to magic and power, while the scheming Jenner tries to undermine his plan to help the Brisbees.

Jenner is so power-hungry that he is willing to undermine everything Nicodemus has worked for and resorts to extreme violence in the final act of the film. He is desperate for the amulet given to Mrs. Brisby that provides his wearing strength in times of crisis. Paul Schenar makes a great genre, As his performance is reminiscent of classic old Hollywood villains. In addition, the visuals of The secret of Nima What sets this movie apart from other fantastic works of the time is that the set design is gorgeous and immersive.

6

King Haggard – The Last Unicorn (1982)

Voiced by Christopher Lee

The last unicorn is a great animated fantasy movie that most audiences haven’t seen, which is a shame considering how beautiful the animation style is. moreover, The unicorn may be a mythical creature, but her story is one that most viewers can relate to How she seeks out others of her kind after feeling alone. In her journey, she comes to realize that unicorns have been captured and forced into a unique corner of the realm because King Haggard wants their beauty all to himself.

The audience learns a lot about humanity and the importance of feeling both joy and pain through the unicorn’s experience The last unicorn. Encountering many people who would use her magic and majesty to their advantage, it is incredibly special when the unicorn finds someone she can trust. King Haggard is the reason why the unicorn starts the plot lost and alone In the world, as he thinks only of himself. He is a classic example of a vicious and cruel king who hurts his own kingdom with his short-sightedness.

5

The Horned King – The Black Cauldron (1985)

Voiced by John Hurt

Although The Black Cauldron was a notorious flop for Disney, It has become something of a cult classic in the years since its release. One of the best-remembered parts of the movie is how unabashedly dark the story and visuals are and how the set pieces and character designs are so unique. The Horned King, the antagonist that Taran must defeat, is a horrifying monster that lives in a haunted castle. Each scene with the Horned King marks an immediate tone shift in the story and demonstrates how high the stakes are for Taran.

If Disney remakes the black cauldron, It would have the opportunity to take all the elements of the 1985 film that work and blend them into a story that is more understandable for audiences. Although The Horned King is intimidating and stylistically terrifying, He didn’t have enough to do in the story. This is the problem with many of the characters in this film. however, The Black Cauldron Has the bones of a great movie, and an amazing villain is an important building block for that.

4

Amos – The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Voiced by Jack Albertson

Amos is one of the most nuanced villains in any animated movie, viz Although he is characterized as the force that keeps Tod and Cooper apart; He is just as much a victim of his nature as anyone else. The fox and the dog Grapples with whether a fox and a hunting dog can be friends and keep their love for each other, even though the world puts them at odds. As Cooper’s owner, Amos sees Fox as a threat to his livelihood and trains Cooper to be a proper dog that hunts foxes.

Amos is not a bad person, but someone who is set in their ways and sees the world through a particular lens. By the end of the film, although the negotiation between Todd and Cooper is heartbreaking, the audience cannot solely blame Amos. Many other circumstances lead to Tod and Amos becoming different people as they age, and external factors cannot be kept out of their relationship forever. At the end of the movie, Amos may recognize that his prejudice about foxes is not reason enough to hunt Tod down.

3

Carface – All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)

Voiced by Vic Tayback

All dogs go to heaven is known for being emotionally sharp and surprisingly deep Animated children’s film. Following the story of the German shepherd Charlie, voiced by Burt Reynolds, All dogs go to heaven Begins with Charlie’s death. He is betrayed by his double-dealing business partner, Carface, and is sent to heaven. However, Charlie finds a way to get back to Earth to take his revenge on Carface but ends up healing his soul in the process.

All dogs go to heaven Is defined by its darker elements, such as references and images of hell, as well as many violence and death. It’s hard to finish the film with a dry eye, like Carface’s actions consistently threaten the bond between Charlie and his newfound human companion, Anne-Marie. Carface is really scary and wants to see the protagonists hurt. He crosses lines that animated films usually don’t. His determination to be bad goes hand in hand with Charlie’s journey to become a better dog.

2

Bill Sykes – Oliver & Company (1988)

Voiced by Robert Loggia

It is not surprising that a villain originally written by Charles Dickens would be a thrilling part of the animal adventure. Oliver & Company. Loosely based on Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, Oliver & Company Turns many of his characters into animals, including Oliver, the young cat who falls in with a gang of cons-artistic animals with hearts of gold. however, Bill Sykes is still a man, and a cruel one at that. In the story. His eventual fall is one of the most satisfying parts of the film.

When an imposing person has it for a sweet and innocent cat like Oliver, it is not difficult to immediately be on Oliver’s side and see through Sikes’ place. While Sykes is a threatening and vicious force throughout the film, He becomes truly terrifying when he kidnaps Jenny, a young girl who adopts Oliver, Because of his greed. While Oliver & Company Not as dark as the source material, the story pushes the boundaries of children’s animation with Sykes’ character.

1

Nekron & Juliana – Fire And Ice (1983)

Voiced by Stephen Mendel & Susan Tyrell

The lesser known fantasy film Fire and ice is part of the genre of animation for adults, which did not take off with much popularity in the early 1980s. Directed by: Ralph Bakshi, Fire and ice Used rotoscoping, which is a process that transforms live-action footage into animation. It is an interesting technique that is not used as much today, but was considered highly innovative at the time. The story follows a conflict between the titular elements of ice and fire as the ice villains, Nekron, and his mother, Juliana, send glaciers to trap the fire forces.

There are many aspects of Fire and ice Which are dated, and the plot is not the most innovative in the fantasy genre. However, it is visually compelling, and the antagonists are forces to be reckoned with. While Teegra and Larn, the heroes, fall into predictable tropes and are normal protagonists, Necron and Juliana are more interesting than normal. animated Wicked. Although their motivations are to rule the world, Their ice magic is captivating, and their characterization is similar to some of the great comic book antagonists.