Top 10 Likable Movie Villains

“The Departed” disguised itself as a crime drama, but we all know it was secretly a comedy. Jack Nicholson scored the film’s biggest laughs as Frank Costello, an Irish American mobster. It’s hard to think of a character that managed to be so likable while also being a complete bastard. Frank is a flat-out sadist, crushing poor Billy’s already broken hand and laughing about how his victims fall over after shooting them. As despicable as Frank is, he does everything with such gleeful confidence that you gotta love the SOB.

Ernie McCracken is an egomaniac, pervert, and all-encompassing jackass. Whether he’s looking to score a strike, score some extra cash, or score with MILFs, he’ll pull just about any cheap hustle. While he’s undeniably asinine, Ernie never comes off as mean-spirited. Even when he’s insulting somebody and making unwanted sexual advances, it’s unclear if Ernie is intentionally being a scoundrel or if he’s an oblivious sociopath. In either case, Bill Murray’s deadpan delivery will have you laughing at every shameless thing that comes out of Ernie’s mouth.

For a good portion of “Point Break,” it’s unclear if Bodhi is with the bank robbers known as the Ex-Presidents. By the time Bodhi’s true identity is revealed, it doesn’t matter anymore. Undercover agent Johnny Utah has grown so attached that he considers letting his bro slip through the FBI’s fingers. Can you blame him? Bodhi is such a cool guy, always standing up for his friends and acting as a spiritual guru. Just staring into this surfer dude’s dreamy, blue eyes – and let’s not forget his tousled blonde beach hair – it’s enough to convert you to his side.

Although he’s not as malevolent as your average ghost, you still wouldn’t want Beetlejuice haunting your house. This energetic trickster has no social boundaries, is morbidly disgusting, and attempts to marry an under-age girl to lift the curse on him. While not the ideal houseguest, Beetlejuice is simply a ton of fun for the audience to watch. Always cracking one-liners and serving up inventive frights, this bio-exorcist turns the grim and gruesome into a mischievous good time. Beetlejuice is so entertaining that he’ll make you forget he’s technically the villain.

If a contract killer like Vincent got into your cab, you’d be every bit as horrified as Jamie Foxx’s Max. Still, if you’re going to be held hostage by anyone, at least Vincent’s a charismatic captor. Tom Cruise is clearly having a ball playing a hitman who will shoot people without batting an eye. He’s intimidating for sure, but also offers a badass rock star quality you can’t help but cheer on. Cool, well-spoken, and likable despite his lethal tendencies, Vincent makes “Collateral” an absolutely thrilling ride for the audience.

Dr. Evil is the most wanted man in the world, has a legion of other master criminals like Fat Bastard under his pinky, and even has the word “Evil” for a last name. Yet, he’s about as threatening as a ten-year-old. Some of the best-written comedy is derived from characters that are incompetent, but still come off as powerful in the eyes of others. The fact that the childish Dr. Evil is a single father in addition to being an alleged diabolical genius only makes him funnier and harder to dislike.

Magneto is slick and witty, but those aren’t the only reasons why he’s such a compelling antagonist. Unlike some villains that are just one-dimensionally evil, the audience actually identifies with Magneto’s philosophies. Hunted and oppressed for a majority of his life, Magneto envisions a world where his people reign supreme. His methods to rise above humanity might be unethical. If you were in a mutant’s shoes, though, you’d likely see where Magneto’s hate is coming from. He isn’t just a villain we like, but one we’d consider fighting beside.

“The Curse of the Black Pearl” took itself just seriously enough while also having a sense of humor about itself, offering moviegoers breath of fresh air. The same thing can be said about Hector Barbossa. This treacherous captain is one foe you definitely don’t want to encounter on the Seven Seas. Barbossa has so much fun with every dastardly action he commits, however, that you end up having fun with him. He loves being a rapscallion, pillager, and backstabber and we love him for it.

The Sticky Bandits, formally known as the Wet Bandits, are likable in the same vein as Wile E. Coyote and other long-suffering cartoon characters. While Harry and Marv might not be animated, they’re still able to endure any punishment their nemesis throws at them, be it paint cans, bricks, or tool chests, in the hopes they’ll achieve their goal. They never know when to throw in the towel, though, and end up running off a cliff to their doom. While these two may never catch their roadrunner, you have to at least give them props for persistence.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Doctor Octopus
“Spider-Man 2” (2004)
- Vizzini
“The Princess Bride” (1987)
- The T-Rex
“Jurassic Park” (1993)
- Jacobim Mugatu
“Zoolander” (2001)
- Lord Dark Helmet
“Spaceballs” (1987)

Loki is like a spoiled rich boy who desperately wants to be taken seriously. Take away his scepter and Chitauri army, however, and pretty much any Avenger can beat him to a pulp. Regardless, there’s something very appealing about Loki. He never stops scheming, lurking in the shadows and manipulating others like a Shakespearian villain. Whether he comes out on top or not, Loki executes every plan with sophistication, style, and sarcasm. As much as the world loves a hero, sometimes they love a bad boy even more.

Do you agree with our list? What movie villain do you like the most? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.