Forget about the bad guys, we want to take a moment to recognize some of our favorite bad girls. These female villains are fierce, challenging and deliciously dark – and it’s quite captivating.
While we all know that good will triumph in the end, half the fun of any story comes the powerful ladies who cast the spells, hoard the treasure and try to take over the world.
So without further ado, here are 10 of our favorite fairy-tale villains:
1. Maleficent
Soon to be portrayed by Angelina Jolie on the big screen, Maleficent has been the bane of Sleeping Beauty’s existence since her first appearance in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty in 1959. The trouble started way back when she was specifically not invited to baby Aurora’s christening… Was she just supposed to let that go? Most of us have felt a little like vindictive dragons after being snubbed at a social event.
“You poor, simple fools. Thinking you could defeat me. Me! The Mistress of All Evil!”
Special skills: Shape shifting. Maleficent can transform into a vicious fire-spitting dragon.
2. Cruella De Vil
Cruella is famous for her love of fashion and fun clothing, which unfortunately comes at quite a price. This wealthy and wild-haired glamour queen is almost certainly at the top of PETA’s blacklist – as she makes her fur coats out of puppies. But while she may be crazy, she’s also rather enigmatic, not to mention determined to achieve her goals. This is a woman who doesn’t take no for an answer.
“I live for fur. I worship fur!”
Worst habit: Chain-smoking (for someone who cares so much about her appearance, she’s just asking for wrinkles!)
3. Queen of Hearts
The croquet-playing, subject-beheading Queen of Alice in Wonderland is almost as silly and eccentric as she is evil. Her husband, the King of Hearts, has always been something of a pushover, so the Queen had to step up to the plate. As far as she’s concerned, beheading is simply a fast and efficient manner of controlling an unruly crowd.
“Off with his head!”
Favorite lawn game: Croquet played with hedgehogs and flamingos
4. Wicked Witch of the West
As the most feared creature in the land of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West goes out of her way to capture Dorothy to prevent her from returning to Kansas. But is she seriously supposed to be nice to the girl who stole her sister’s shoes after squashing her with a house? Blood is thicker than water, and everyone handles their grief differently.
“Just try and stay out of my way. Just try! I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!”
Weapon of choice: Flying monkey minions
5. Ursula
You’ll find her lurking in dark ocean caves and “helping” merfolk who wish for a more exciting life than what they can find below the sea. She’s half woman, half octopus, and entirely formidable. She was banished from Atlantica after an unsuccessful attempt to take over the throne and it’s clear that she’s still smarting over the whole incident. With her knowledge of contracts, Ursula could probably have a bright future as an attorney, but she’s blinded by her quest for power.
“It’s what I live for, to help unfortunate merfolk, like yourself, poor souls with no one else to turn to.”
Most cliched power: She’ll literally leave you speechless
6. The Witch from Hansel and Gretel
Lost in the forest, Hansel and Gretel come across the cabin of an old hag who, unbeknownst to them, eats soup made primarily of wandering children. That sounds bad, but don’t forget that Hansel and Gretel helped themselves to chunks of her sweet-laden house. If watching your roof be eaten isn’t enough to get on someone’s nerves, what is?
“We will bake first. I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough.”
Weapon of choice: Delicious housing materials
7. White Witch of Narnia
Also known as Jadis, the White Witch rules over Narnia until Aslan threatens to reclaim his lost throne. During her rule, she subjects the land to the Hundred Years Winter. So what if she thought white was a good color for Narnia? Is it really her fault that residents had to find new coats and hats for the cold? Good landscaping requires some sacrifices.
“I have no interest in prisoners. Kill them all!”
Weapon of choice: Turkish delight (Wondering what exactly Turkish delight is? So were we. According to Wikipedia, “it’s a candy confection based on a gel of starch and sugar.”)
Most wicked spell: Proclaiming that in Narnia, it shall be always winter but never Christmas
8. Regina (Once Upon A Time)
As the mayor of Once Upon A Time’s town of Storybrooke, the adoptive mother of a growing boy, and the archenemy of the town’s new girl detective, Regina has a lot on her plate. People seem to think that Regina is aggressive, but on the other hand, Emma’s the one who entered her private property and cut down her apple tree. That’s called trespassing, and it’s both illegal and rude.
“Your body will be your tomb.”
Favorite Fruit: Apples (she just won’t eat them herself)
9. Yzma (The Emperor’s New Groove)
With a promising career as Emperor Kuzko’s adviser, Yzma wanted a taste of the throne herself, which was soon reflected in her advising techniques. She was fine and pleasant until Kuzko fired her from her position. As an intelligent and educated chemist, she really was entitled to more respect than Kuzko ever gave her.
“I’ll smash it with a hammer! It’s brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, I tell you! Genius, I say!”
Yzma wins the award for best Henchman: Her sidekick Kronk is a fabulous chef and can speak fluent Squirrel
10. Lady Tremaine
You may know her as Cinderella’s evil stepmother, who commands her poor and dirty step-daughter to live like a servant while her own daughters bask in the household’s riches. But in a house of four women, it’s no wonder Lady Tremaine’s always pretty peevish. Those cycles sync up and then there’s just too much estrogen in the mansion for everyone to get along.
“Above all, self-control.”
Henchmen: Her own daughters (and her bossy attitude)
Who is your favorite fairy tale villain?
