Top 20 Greatest Movie Devils

Top 20 Movie Devils

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Movie Devils.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the most interesting and threatening devils depicted in film.

Which of these iterations is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

#20: Satan Goo

“Prince of Darkness” (1987)
Serving as the second installment in John Carpenter’s “Apocalypse Trilogy,” “Prince of Darkness” was named after the character in John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” The Prince of Darkness in Milton’s poem refers to Satan, the name being a translation of the Latin term “princeps tenebrarum.” Carpenter’s film is quite unique, as it depicts Satan as some type of sentient green liquid contained within a cylinder. It is also revealed that Satan is actually the son of a more powerful evil known as the Anti-God. When Satan possesses Kelly, it horrifically disfigures her face and attempts to draw the Anti-God through a wall mirror. This depiction of Satan is disgusting, horrifying, and utterly original.

#19: Mr. Scratch

“The Devil and Daniel Webster” (1941)
This fantasy film from director William Dieterle adapts the legend of Faust and brings it to 1840s New Hampshire. It concerns a poor farmer named Jabez Stone who signs his soul to the devil in exchange for seven years of riches and good luck. In this film, Satan goes by the name Mr. Scratch, and he is wonderfully portrayed by Huston family patriarch Walter Huston. This portrayal of the Devil is in the perfect Faustian mold, befitting its source. He acts like a sly businessman, all chummy smooth talk and never without a cigar in hand. Scratch also goes out with a bang by breaking the fourth wall and informing the audience that they’re “next.” Sometimes the Devil can be fun.

#18: Leland Gaunt

“Needful Things” (1993)
Stephen King has penned many great villains throughout the years, but he rarely goes straight to the Devil. But he wrote a great one in Leland Gaunt. Gaunt is an affably friendly old man who mysteriously arrives in the small town of Castle Rock and sets up an antique shop called Needful Things. He sells personal items to his customers - some of which are obviously supernatural - in exchange for both cash and pranks. Before long, harmless pranks evolve into sinister violence, and the entire town of Castle Rock descends into a metaphorical Hell. Max von Sydow makes for a great and often charming Devil, and “Needful Things” is a uniquely modern twist on the ancient Faustian legend.

#17: Nicky’s Dad

“Little Nicky” (2000)
Before the year 2000, we never thought we’d see Harvey Keitel as a comedic Devil. Yet that’s exactly what “Little Nicky” provided. Keitel plays an aging Satan, who considers stepping down from his reign of Hell after 10,000 years. When he decides to stay on the throne, two of his sons venture to the surface and attempt to make Hell on Earth. They in turn freeze the entrance to Hell, which causes Satan to slowly disintegrate. From then on out, Satan must grapple with his collapsing body, and it makes for some pretty great humor. There’s just something hilarious about seeing a Harvey Keitel Devil nonchalantly reacting to his crumbling body and becoming nothing but a pair of lips.

#16: The Devil

“Faust” (1926)
Often used as a shining example of German Expressionism, “Faust” is a silent film from 1926 that was greatly influenced by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s tragic play of the same name. Unlike “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” “Faust” is more in keeping with the classic German legend. An alchemist named Faust makes a pact with the Devil to achieve power and hopefully prevent the plague that has befallen his village. The filmmaking and visuals on display throughout this film are nothing short of mesmerizing, conjuring nightmarish images that suitably convey the horror of the Devil. Take, for example, the breathtaking shot of the massive Devil standing over Faust’s village, his horns and spreading wings shadowed against the white sky.

#15: Mr. Nick

“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (2009)
This Terry Gilliam film is often known for being Heath Ledger’s final movie, having been posthumously released one year after his death. The film, like many others on this list, serves as a unique take on the Faustian legend. In this one, a traveling theater troupe invites audience members to literally explore and live their wildest imaginations. Tom Waits plays Mr. Nick, a long-time rival of Christopher Plummer’s Doctor Parnassus. Both attempt to entice souls, with Parnassus representing good and Nick evil. Like many Devils made in the Faustian mold, Mr. Nick is charismatic and a ton of fun to watch. Tom Waits also makes for a fantastic Devil, his signature gravelly voice perfectly matching the very personification of evil.

#14: Hades

“Hercules” (1997)
Serving as the Ancient Greeks’ conception of the Devil, Hades ruled the underworld as the God of the Dead. Unlike the Disney version, he did not have hair made of blue fire. Hades has become a cultural icon, transcending the meek popularity of his movie thanks in large part to James Woods’ fantastic vocal performance. Woods makes Hades, complete with his egotistical personality, fast manner of speaking, outbursts of hilarious anger, and dripping sarcasm. He is also quite a smooth talker, often manipulating and persuading those around him with his charm. It’s not often that Disney villains are comedic, but Hades is the marvelous exception.

#13: Louis Cyphre

“Angel Heart” (1987)
Casting Robert De Niro as the Devil was a work of genius. “Angel Heart” stars Mickey Rourke as private investigator Harry Angel, who is sent to New Orleans to investigate the disappearance of a World War II veteran known as Johnny Favorite. Angel, his name a not-so-subtle nod to the movie’s themes, is hired by De Niro’s Louis Cyphre. Louis Cyphre, you may notice, is a cute alias for “Lucifer.” Cyphre obviously has ulterior motives for hiring Angel, and the investigation slowly spirals into cases of brutal murder, post-traumatic stress disorder, amnesia, and deals with the Devil. Robert De Niro makes for a terrific Devil, his suit, beard, and slicked-back hair exuding a charm befitting Satan’s temptation.

#12: George Spiggott

“Bedazzled” (1967)
And once again we have a modern adaptation of the Faust legend. It’s amazing how much creative mileage we can get out of one simple concept. Unlike the other Faust-inspired movies on this list, “Bedazzled” is a comedy. It concerns Stanley Moon, a socially awkward cook who has a thing for his waitress co-worker. While attempting to take his own life, Stanley is approached by the Devil, going by the name George Spiggott, who offers him seven wishes. Comedian Peter Cook proves exceptional in the role of Spiggott, and he shares exceptional chemistry with his long-time comedy partner Dudley Moore. Of all the Faustian remakes, “Bedazzled” is definitely one of the most fun.

#11: Satan

“Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny” (2006)
Starring the comedic rock band Tenacious D, which is composed of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, this film sees the duo looking for a supernatural guitar pick known as The Pick of Destiny. The pick was created from a piece of Satan’s tooth, which was knocked loose with a horseshoe after Satan was drawn to Earth by a dark wizard. The film contains a slew of notable rock legends, and Satan is played by none other than an unrecognizable Dave Grohl. Grohl’s Devil is ripped straight from ‘80s metal depictions of the beast, complete with red skin, curling horns, a huge goatee, and of course, the talent to absolutely shred on the guitar and drums. It’s certainly a unique depiction.

#10: Satan

“The Passion of the Christ” (2004)
It only makes sense that Mel Gibson’s biblical epic contains a tantalizing depiction of the Devil. Satan is portrayed by an Italian actress named Rosalinda Celentano, and it is portrayed as a mysterious, androgynous figure without body hair and cloaked in a black robe. This Satan doesn’t really do much, aside from tempting Jesus and watching him get tortured with sadistic glee. In one of the movie’s most unsettling scenes, Satan slinks through a crowd while watching Jesus get whipped. It is then seen carrying a large, deformed baby...thing that turns and smiles at Jesus. This Satan is pure mockery, defiling images of goodness and purity and replacing it with unimaginable evil.

#9: Mister Frost

“Mister Frost” (1990)
Of all the actors to portray the Devil, it’s bizarre to think Jeff Goldblum is one of the best. The typically comedic actor plays the titular Mister Frost, a rich man who is taken into police custody after 24 corpses are found buried on his property. Frost is subsequently placed in a mental asylum, where he attempts to goad a doctor named Sarah Day into murdering him. Mister Frost is perfectly portrayed by Goldblum, and the movie nicely conveys the idea that Satan is both all-powerful and unimaginably enticing.

#8: Black Phillip

“The Witch” (2015)
Few movies would have the guts to portray Satan as a cute little billy goat, but “The Witch” has those guts. It also proves incredible. Satan takes the form of Black Phillip, the family’s resident billy goat. The twins repeatedly insist that Black Phillip is the Devil, and this is seemingly confirmed when it kills William. The truth is revealed as the goat speaks to Thomasin, asking her if she would like to “live deliciously” (perhaps the creepiest thing ever uttered) and making her sign a pact. Audiences never see Black Phillip’s true form, but the goat proves creepy, mysterious, and menacing. It is also in keeping with the setting, as many people at the time believed goats to be vessels for the Devil.

#7: Satan

“South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” (1999)
This being “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone are not content with giving audiences a typical portrayal of Satan. In this film, Satan has a good heart and comes equipped with a Disney-esque showstopper about burping babies and shirtless men frolicking in the pool. He is also in a relationship with Saddam Hussein, because why not? The plan for this Satan is to conquer Earth during a war between Canada and the United States - a war begun over raunchy Canadian comedians Terrance and Phillip. Despite having the ferocious appearance of the typical Christian Devil, the one found in “South Park” is actually a gentle giant, and it proves both hilarious and refreshingly creative.

#6: Daryl Van Horne

“The Witches of Eastwick” (1987)
It seems like every Hollywood legend has had their turn at playing Satan, and in “The Witches of Eastwick,” that legend is Jack Nicholson. Based on John Updike’s novel of the same name, this movie tells the story of Daryl Van Horne, a manipulative and mysterious man who arrives in the small town of Eastwick, Rhode Island. While there, he seduces the titular Witches and impregnates them with his offspring. This Jack Nicholson Devil is everything you’d expect it to be. He’s creepy, he’s incredibly charming and charismatic, but above all, he is absolutely insane. Watching Nicholson chew the scenery is always a delight - especially when he’s playing the bad guy.

#5: Satan

“End of Days” (1999)
This action horror film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Jericho Cane, a former New York City police officer who is forced to battle the Devil after it possesses a banker. Mixed in are some “Rosemary’s Baby” elements, including a woman who has been chosen to birth the Antichrist. The movie tries its hand at some timely social commentary, depicting its Devil as a suave and attractive investment banker, but this is mostly lost in the typical Schwarzenegger shenanigans. Gabriel Byrne’s Satan is by far the greatest thing about this otherwise forgettable action flick, somehow toeing the line between effortlessly cool and utterly insane.

#4: John Milton

“The Devil’s Advocate” (1997)
Al Pacino is perhaps the biggest chewer of scenery in movie history, and he chews all the scenery as John Milton in “The Devil’s Advocate.” The movie stars Keanu Reeves as an incredible defense attorney named Kevin Lomax who is able to get a sex offender a nonguilty verdict. In return, he is goaded to work with John Milton, the head of a massive New York City law firm. Pacino spends most of the movie smooth-talking Keanu Reeves and going off on Shakespearean soliloquies about God and the flaws of Christianity. It would never have worked without Al Pacino in the driver’s seat, but he perfectly toes the line between camp goofiness and genuinely threatening.

#3: Lucifer Morningstar

“Constantine” (2005)
Another Keanu Reeves flick, “Constantine” is based on the DC Comics series “Hellblazer” and stars Reeves as John Constantine, a cancer-stricken man who can see half-angels and half-demons on Earth. Peter Stormare briefly appears as Lucifer Morningstar, a fallen Archangel who personally collects the soul of Constantine. Or, at least attempts to. Lucifer only appears in one brief sequence, but Stormare’s performance proves so incredibly magnetic, and the visuals of the scene prove so gorgeous and unique, that it leaves a lasting impression. Many Devils have been depicted as well-dressed smooth talkers, but Stormare’s Lucifer is undoubtedly one of the greatest among them.

#2: The Lord of Darkness

“Legend” (1985)
You really can’t go wrong with Tim Curry dressed as the Devil. You really can’t go wrong with Tim Curry, period. Just as he embodied Pennywise in “It,” so too does he embody the Devil in the 1985 dark fantasy film “Legend.” This is the type of Devil that immediately springs to mind upon hearing the word, the type that has been ingrained in our collective imaginations - large, red, horned, somewhat humanoid, and very, very evil. Curry not only looks the part, he acts it as well, exuding his typical charm and camp with a menacing baritone. “Legend” may not be one of Ridley Scott’s best movies, but he gave us one of the best on-screen Devils.

#1: Lucifer

“The Prophecy” (1995)
This 1995 thriller from writer-director Gregory Widen tells the tale of an angelic civil war being fought on Earth and a human detective who is caught in the crossfire. Viggo Mortensen appears as Lucifer, and like Peter Stormare in “Constantine,” he does exceptionally well with surprisingly little. Mortensen steals the show as Lucifer despite a disappointing lack of screen time, horrifying viewers and characters alike with his calm and ancient knowledge before ripping out Gabriel’s heart, eating it, and dragging him down to Hell. He’s perhaps the coolest Devil ever portrayed on screen and arguably the most threatening, despite his apparent lack of horns and red skin.