Top 10 Most Satisfying TV Villain Deaths of All Time
The way these characters greet death deserves a standing ovation. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Satisfying Villain Deaths in TV.
For this list, we’re looking at the most gratifying villain demises in live-action television history. It should go without saying, but spoilers will be everywhere.
#10: Azazel ([aka Yellow-Eyed Demon]
“Supernatural” (2005-)
Responsible for killing the heroic pair’s mother, the Yellow-eyed Demon is pretty much the reason the show exists, with Sam and Dean spending the majority of the first two seasons chasing down said Prince of Hell. Azazel derives great pleasure from sadistically torturing humans, and the Winchester siblings are viewed as little more than playthings by the demon. So, it is particularly satisfying to witness Dean – a lowly human – put Azazel in the ground with a bullet from the Colt. Admittedly, things only get worse from here for the Winchesters, but Azazel’s death remains one of the series' best moments.
#9: Reverend Steve Newlin
“True Blood” (2008-14)
Appearing across all seven seasons, this televangelist ticks all the boxes of a religious con artist that adopts a position of power as a means to spread bigotry and become rich. Originally detesting vampires as a Fellowship of the Sun member before changing his tune after being turned into one, Steven Newlin dies a delightfully slow and agonizing death at the hands of fellow vampire Eric Northman. As someone known for profiting by supposedly speaking the truth and promising to aid the church's followers in understanding God's light, Steve burning in literal sunlight is poetic.
#8: Arthur Mitchell [aka The Trinity Killer]
“Dexter” (2006-13)
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Dexter Morgan is a serial killer who hunts other even worse serial killers. Out of all the villains faced by the forensic technician, Arthur Mitchell is arguably the most memorable. Known as the Trinity Killer, Arthur carries out a series of ritualistic kills per year, while maintaining a facade of a normal suburban dad. Initially, Dexter admires Arthur's ability to sustain a dual life, but this changes once the Trinity Killer is revealed to be an abusive family man. As Arthur's murders tend to be quite graphic, it is only fitting that Dexter gives the Trinity Killer a taste of his own medicine. While Arthur's death is satisfying, the aftermath slightly dampens the mood.
#7: Red John
“The Mentalist” (2008-15)
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Across six seasons, fans watch Patrick Jane desperately attempt to uncover the real identity of Red John, the serial killer responsible for killing the protagonist's family. Spawning multiple copycats and a long-running investigation with many false leads, Red John is evil to the core. So, when the moment arises, Patrick wastes absolutely no time in ending the psychopath's life. In many ways, Red John is a prototypical serial killer who comes across more like a boogeyman than a real person, but few things are as gratifying as watching a lovable protagonist take down their personal demon.
#6: Nina Myers
“24” (2001-10; 2014)
Introduced as a federal agent before turning around and stabbing all of America in the back, Nina Myers' expansive list of crimes include murder,and trying to sell a weaponized virus. Despite being caught dead to rights at the end of season 1, Nina secures a presidential pardon and seems set to weasel out of facing justice. And, if it was not for a royally pissed off Jack Bauer, Nina may have gotten away with it! Nobody kills Jack's wife and gets away scot-free, so it was only a matter of time before Nina ended up on the wrong side of a gun. Fortunately, the moment is worth the wait.
#5: Philip Blake [aka The Governor]
“The Walking Dead” (2010-)
The apocalypse changes people; some discover an inner strength they never knew existed, others abandon their humanity and become worse than the zombies infesting the world. A cold-hearted and vicious sociopath, the Governor organizes and leads a fanatical militia in eliminating anyone deemed a threat, which chiefly includes other humans rather than the walking dead. Responsible for the deaths of dozens of characters and revealed to be keeping his zombified daughter as a pet, the Governor is so unbelievably despicable and hateful that the villain's gruesome and slow demise feels almost too kind.
#4: June Stahl
“Sons of Anarchy” (2008-14)
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Stories centering around a criminal protagonist often introduce an antagonist who is on the right side of the law, and "Sons of Anarchy" is no exception. On the surface, June Stahl is an ATF operative seeking to take down a biker gang; however, this self-serving agent is willing to step over corpses in order to move up in the world. Indirectly and directly responsible for multiple deaths, Stahl somehow makes the outlaws appear noble in comparison, and the cowardly law enforcer goes out pathetically. An utterly detestable character with no morals, Stahl is worse than the criminals she hunts; although Clay Morrow’s death is also rather satisfying.
#3: Kevin Thompson [aka Kilgrave]
“Jessica Jones” (2015-)
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Portrayed deliciously by David Tennant, Kilgrave is a nasty human being empowered with the ability to place victims under a near-unbreakable form of mind-control. Developing a sadistic fondness for Jessica Jones, Kevin essentially turns the powerful hero into a mental slave, and there are no lines the villain is not willing to cross. Once Jones breaks free of the villain's control, Kilgrave grows increasingly more obsessed with the crime-fighter and goes as far as to push his former victim into playing house. After months of torture, Jones finally gets revenge by out-thinking Kilgrave.
#2: Ramsay Bolton
“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
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Satisfying is not an apt word to describe the majority of the deaths on "Game of Thrones," but season 6 includes a few exceptions. While Walder Frey's demise deserves a special mention, it’s Ramsay Bolton's death that takes the cake. An irredeemable sociopath who plays a vital role in House Stark's fall before ultimately assuming control over Winterfell as the Warden of the North, Ramsay is usurped by Jon Snow and locked in a dungeon. A public execution may have been nice, but Ramsay's reluctant wife, Sansa, opts for a more ironic death.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Lorne Malvo
“Fargo” (2014-)
William Rawlins/Agent Orange
“The Punisher” (2017-19)
Apophis
“Stargate SG-1” (1997-2007)
Gaius Claudius Glaber
“Spartacus” (2010-13)
Anthony Cooper
“Lost” (2004-10)
#1: Joffrey Baratheon
“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
While the Night King's death in season 8 certainly got people talking, many fans thought this storyline was cut prematurely, making it unsatisfying to the highest degree; it's for this reason another iconic baddie's death in this epic fantasy series takes our top spot. The definitive despised villain; Joffrey is crowned king after the passing of Robert Baratheon, which only makes the already arrogant adolescent even more openly brutal and malicious. Responsible for giving the go-ahead to behead Ned Stark and embracing every opportunity to torment Sansa, Joffrey embodies the worst traits of a ruler and a Lannister. Even in the show's universe, everyone besides Cersei seems relieved to be rid of such a horrible king.
