Top 10 LGBTQIA+ Villains in Movies & TV

#10: Loki

The God of Mischief from the Marvel Universe, Loki perfectly embodies the idea of a villain whose queer identity adds depth rather than just difference. In various iterations, particularly the Disney+ series, Loki is explicitly stated to be gender-fluid, much like the real Norse god. It’s also revealed that he’s bisexual, making him the first LGBTQ+ character in the MCU. Loki’s villainy often stems from feeling like an overlooked outcast, especially in relation to his manly brother—a sentiment that resonates deeply for queer people. Sound familiar? Loki’s become a lovable antihero, which is why he doesn’t rank higher. But make no mistake: he’s still a villain in plenty of stories, with a knack for betrayal, manipulation, and causing absolute chaos.

#9: Jobu Tupaki

In “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” this alternate version of Joy is a sparkly, queer figure that’s central to the emotional core of the film. Her relationship with Becky and that yearning for Evelyn’s acceptance ground her terrifying multiverse powers. Jobu’s actions come from an amalgamation of pain, alienation, and a desperate need to make the universe feel as broken as she does. That layered complexity gives Joy an edge, which makes her villainous side sympathetic and her true side rootable. Plus, her glam-rock styling kicks ass. Ultimately, Evelyn meets Jobu’s nihilism with compassion, choosing to embrace every side of her.

#8: Gus Fring

Gus’ calm exterior is exactly what makes him so terrifying in “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” where he confirms his identity. He founded the drug ring, Los Pollos Hermanos, with Maximino Arciniega. And it’s revealed they were once romantically involved. In fact, it’s Max’s murder that kicked off Gus’ decades long revenge against the Cartel. Unlike our previous two entries, it’s not a lack of acceptance that makes him bitter. Gus isn’t evil because of his queerness, he’s evil because he’s vengeful. And he just happens to be gay. What really earns him a place on this list, though, is the way he weaponizes restraint; Gus need not shout when he can quietly ruin your life.

#7: The Countess

Lady Gaga is a champion for the queer community, and has even come out as bisexual. So it’s fitting that she plays a bi villainess in one of her biggest acting roles. Vampires have long lurked in the shadows of queer-coded subtext—just look at 1936’s “Dracula’s Daughter.” In “American Horror Story: Hotel,” this carnal desire is brought into the light. You know a vampire is going to make an impression when she can be equal parts glamorous, seductive, and horrifying. The Countess’ backstory is tragic: trapped in a loveless marriage to a controlling man, and yearning for a sinful relationship with actor Rudolph Valentino and his wife Natacha Rambova. When their ancient blood virus makes her immortal, her appetite begins to reflect an obsession with pleasure and excess. The Countess’ relationships are both passionate and possessive, and her intense narcissism firmly establishes her as an eternal villain.

#6: Vito Spatafore

In the cutthroat world of the DiMeo crime family, Vito’s stands out as particularly bleak. A high-ranking capo, Vito leads a double life, desperately trying to keep his true self hidden from the violently homophobic and hyper-masculine society he inhabites. His struggles as a gay man who has yet to come out within the ruthless Mafia hierarchy provide a stark look at the cost of repression. While his own actions as a mob enforcer make him a clear villain, his internal conflict and eventual fate make him a profoundly impactful, if tragic, figure. This representation was especially striking, coming in an era where queer characters in hyper-masculine dramas were uncommon.

#5: Villanelle

The colorful assassin from “Killing Eve,” Villanelle mixes childlike whimsy with lethal precision, turning murder into performance art. Her queer identity is part of what makes her dynamic with Eve so fascinating, because the attraction, obsession, and power games all blur together in unsettling ways. Like The Countess, she’s as stylish as she is deadly.

As humorous and enjoyable as she is, villain is still in her name—and Villanelle’s villainy is deliciously chaotic! What makes Villainelle refreshing is that her sexuality is a part of her character from the beginning, not something tacked on several seasons in.

#4: Babs Johnson

Drag, filth, rebellion, and total disregard for polite society? That’s Divine’s iconically campy villain in a nutshell. In John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos,” she stands as the centerpiece of one of cinema’s most infamous exercises in transgressive filmmaking, and her queerness is inseparable from the movie’s anti-mainstream spirit. She revels in her notoriety, clashing with anyone who dares challenge her reign as the ultimate purveyor of bad taste. The subtext of 1970s American culture places Babs in a particular, and fabulously trashy, light. The portrayal permeated the mainstream, with a shocking depiction of queer rebellion.

#3: Catherine Tramell

A modern day femme fatale, “Basic Instinct’s” crime novelist weaponizes intelligence, sexuality, and mystery with intense confidence. More than just a stereotype, Catherine represents the freeing potential of a woman who controls her desires and her narratives. She leans on her razor-sharp mind and explicit bisexuality to toy with those around her. By seducing both men and women with ease, Catherine exploits society's ideas of a bombshell. Her chilling psychological games and calculated villainy establish her as an enduring icon of cinematic menace.

#2: Harley Quinn

Depending on the era, Harley Quinn can be a villain or an antihero—but one thing has become increasingly clear: she’s a queer icon. Across DC stories, her attraction to women and her relationship with Poison Ivy have cemented her as a beloved queer character with massive mainstream appeal. Her modern interpretations, especially in the “Harley Quinn” animated series, celebrate her as a bisexual agent of chaos. Yet she still absolutely qualifies as a villain on this list, thanks to her devious escapades and long history of complicity in the Joker’s madness. Her character shows that queer representation can be loud, proud, and wildly entertaining while still having emotional depth.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few dishonorable mentions!

Hannibal Lecter in “Hannibal” (2013-15)

The cult classic cannibal who was confirmed pansexual by creators because of his profound fascination with Will Graham’s beautiful mind.

Rich in “Swallowed” (2023)

An old queen whose mean streak is buried beneath an unassuming demeanor.

Lestat de Lioncourt in “Interview with the Vampire” (2022-)

A messy and charismatic anti-hero who’s the openly queer answer to classic Hollywood’s mystique of sexually deviant vampires.

#1: Frank N. Furter

In the grand tradition of larger-than-life villains, few can compete with the Transylvanian scientist who turned camp into an art form. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s” villain is outrageous, seductive, and unapologetically queer in a way that made him revolutionary for his time. He seduces both Brad and Janet, revels in hedonism, and transforms lives (and bodies) with reckless abandon, all while wrapped in corset and stockings. From his flamboyant numbers to his drop dead, gender blurring fashion, Frank stands out. Like any good queer villain should, he challenges gender roles in a poignant way. Between the theatricality, the erotic energy, and the gleeful menace, Frank became more than a character; he became a cultural milestone.

Which queer villains did we miss? Comment below!