Top 20 Best Animated Villain Songs

Most of us grew up believing that Fairy Godmothers were good, pure creatures who would always protect good over evil. But then, “Shrek 2” came in hot and shattered those illusions, giving us the meanest, most two-faced Fairy Godmother ever. She may be rotten to her core, but we can’t deny that she knows how to work a stage. Still, she’s not entertaining us out of the goodness of her heart when she theatrically belts out this classic tune. No, she’s trying to make sure that Charming, who’s pretending to be Shrek, ends up with Fiona. The irony of the song choice certainly isn’t lost on us, and neither are her cruel intentions. But we also can’t help but jam along!

You know a villainous tune is good when it has a reprise, and that’s exactly what we get here. This number requires two sections to fully shine, and we’re definitely not complaining! Darla Dimple may be adorable, but she’s far from being a sweet innocent child. The song’s first part sees her singing to Danny, and it’s jazzy, secretly malicious, and addictive. But she drops the façade after he leaves, and that’s when things get super real. The second part of the track makes it clear that the only person she’s interested in helping is herself. Everyone else is in for a scheme of epic proportions. You know what they say, Hollywood’s a ruthless business.

You would think turning Odette into a swan would be enough. But Rothbart isn’t going to stop there, because he can’t have anything or anybody breaking the curse. That means making sure Derek doesn’t declare a “vow of everlasting love” to Odette at the upcoming ball. And what would an evil plot be without a musical number to accompany it? Set against a cheery backdrop, “No More Mr. Nice Guy” puts Rothbart’s dark magic front and center, as he uses it to make his henchwoman Bridget look like Odette. He’s confident, determined, and utterly creepy in the best way. He was never really “Mr. Nice Guy” to begin with, but this song proved that we had just scratched the surface of his wicked ways.

If you weren’t scared of Governor Ratcliffe when he sang “Mine, Mine, Mine,” chances are you got spooked when “Savages” started. And we don’t blame you, because it’s addictive and frightening all at once. Ratcliffe convinces his fellow settlers that war is the only option, and the frenzy just keeps building from there. Meanwhile, the Powhatan people prepare to fight. Pretty soon, the two groups’ voices merge into one as they utter the words to this battle cry. The fiery visuals further drive the point home, making each lyric feel more pointed and deadly. The result is a number that fills us with a sense of dread, and only Pocahontas’ determination to save John Smith can calm us down.

“The Lorax” acts as a cautionary tale, showing viewers exactly what can happen when humans put personal interests above the planet’s well-being. And perhaps nowhere is that message more obvious than in this track. As the Once-ler justifies his actions in the flashback, it becomes increasingly clear what happens when profit is deemed more important than the environment. The scariest part of all is that harmful acts of pollution were framed as something normal and necessary, as opposed to villainous. It’s this disconnect that makes “How Bad Can I Be?” so harrowing. The lyrics, juxtaposed with the dark visuals, answer the title question, and the number is sure to stop and make anybody think.

Whether or not Ratigan is actually “The World's Greatest Criminal Mind” is debatable, especially given the fate he suffers at the end of the movie. But we can likely all agree that he’s among the most terrifying – and musically gifted – criminal minds in animated movie history. The elegant bad guy takes us through some of his past schemes, and guarantees that what’s coming next will outshine them all. And he’s a pretty persuasive creature. Watching him seamlessly switch gears between that deadly interlude and the number’s extravagant finish always sends shivers down our spines. Oh Ratigan, your bragging about the “crime to top all crimes” has given us a villain song we won’t soon forget.

Who doesn’t love a good, honest love song? Well, apparently Hans isn’t a huge fan, because he had no problem using one to lie to Anna and move his plan along. Now, of course, the tune itself is infectious and fun-filled, which makes the fact that he’s secretly playing a game that much harder to digest. We can’t exactly blame Anna for believing him and getting swept up in the moment. If we’re being honest, we did too! Sure, we thought they were moving a little fast, but it seemed like standard Disney fare! This song is a huge part of what makes the reveal that Hans is actually a villain so shocking. That’s why it’s so disturbingly effective!

Freed from the tree that served as his prison, the dark spirit Hexxus sings this despicable ode to sweet, sweet destruction. His enthusiasm for “diesel clouds and noxious muck” shows how much he relishes watching humans ruin the environment, in a way that’s almost sensual. For this villain, destroying nature is intoxicating - pun intended. Of course, the song’s excellence owes a lot to Hexxus’ vocal actor, the legendary Tim Curry. Curry has had plenty of experience portraying diabolical and eccentric characters, and was the perfect choice to put a little extra oomph in this twisted love song serenading environmental ruin.

If we ever met Santa Claus, we’d probably jump for joy and offer him a cozy seat along with some milk and cookies. But Oogie Boogie isn’t really the Christmas type. Not only does he keep Santa in uncomfortable and restrictive positions, but he rips him to shreds with this track! The bearded fellow tries his best to be let go, but to no avail. Oogie Boogie has no trouble asserting his dominance, towering over Santa both literally and figuratively as he sings this zippy tune. His energy and assurance take things to the next level, making the Grinch seem like a delight in comparison! “Oogie Boogie’s Song” really is the stuff of nightmares, and we love it.

We know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but Tamatoa is just so shiny we can’t help ourselves! That, combined with his bold and saucy attitude, infuses this musical number with irresistible wit and pizzazz. He doesn’t hold back, and it’s fabulous. Yes, he’s trying to take Moana and Maui down, but he’s also giving them a show. “Shiny” is a tantalizing piece that’s as grand and enticing as they come. It’s no wonder the song’s official video has been viewed over 500 million times on YouTube. If Tamatoa ever decides to switch career paths, we’re sure Broadway would be happy to have him! We just have one question: who is his jeweler, and can we please get their number?

Roger Radcliffe has been looking for lyrics for his new song, and he may have found the perfect inspiration – the devil woman herself, Cruella De Vil. Along with a smooth tempo and sinister rhythm, the lyrics don’t pull any punches – describing Cruella as an evil, malevolent creature. Roger was always suspicious about her and it turns out he and his jazzy heckling were right on the ball. The ultimate kicker is that Roger’s mocking tune becomes a big hit and makes his family more money than he could have imagined. On top of that, it serves as a delightful roasting of an iconic villain.

It’s the despicable track we always look forward to during the holidays. As we watch the Grinch performing his sinister schemes, we’re treated to this fun and catchy little tune where every verse roasts the green trickster in every way imaginable. Written by Dr. Seuss himself, the lyrics don’t hold back as they describe how deplorable, disgusting, and dastardly our leading character is… and yet, we still can’t help but love him. This devilishly enjoyable Christmas tune is made even better thanks to the deep bass voice of Thurl Ravenscroft. While other versions of the song definitely brought something unique, it’s hard to hold a candle to the original tune that made insulting scoundrels so much fun.

Empty nest syndrome is a real thing. But Gothel’s not Rapunzel’s mother, she’s her kidnapper. And she’s not trying to protect her by keeping her locked inside the tower, either. She’s only interested in the blonde hair’s magical properties. Of course, she can’t tell Rapunzel, who’s longing to head outside, any of that. That’s where “Mother Knows Best” comes in. Gothel takes the age-old adage and pairs it with a stimulating melody in an attempt to spook the wanderlust right out of Rapunzel. The number plays out within the tower, which is already jail-like enough as it is. Yet the song makes the space feel even more suffocating with its faux-caring nature and alarmist lyrics. It’s absolutely petrifying, and we’re seriously impressed.

Upon his return to Egypt, Moses demonstrates the power of his god to Pharaoh Rameses II. More amused than frightened, Rameses has high priests Hotep and Huy show him what THEIR gods are capable of. Their demonstration is a confident, intimidating spectacle of smoke-and-mirrors magic tricks and creative wordplay, set to Middle Eastern-tinged music. Hotep and Huy are certain that their deities reign supreme over anyone Moses chooses to follow, and have no qualms trying to knock him down a few pegs. Of course, their attempts to undercut Moses are in vain, but at least they know how to dazzle with their oversized egos and pulse-pounding imagery.

No one sings their own praises like Gaston. After being embarrassed by Belle, Le Fou tries to cheer Gaston up by leading a lively waltz in the bar –the lyrics, of course, regaling the crowd with how amazing he is. It certainly does the trick of lifting Gaston’s spirits and stroking his ego, but then it shifts into him plotting out how to make Belle marry him … and the townsfolk STILL cheer him on. Guess it just goes to show that you can get away with anything if you have a catchy enough song and a charismatic personality. No wonder the villagers were so willing to join Gaston’s little manhunt with “The Mob Song”.

It takes a charismatic song to sway someone into a deal with the devil, and Keith David definitely nails it as Dr. Facilier. He lures Prince Naveen and Lawrence into his home with a sinister, jazzy beat that sends shivers down your spine – promising that he can fulfill all their wishes. When they have a deal, everything explodes into a demonic, colorful extravaganza as Naveen is turned into a frog. Evil or not, the Shadow Man definitely knows how to put on a show, with one of the most haunting, toe-tapping numbers of all-time.

His power restored, Rasputin is more eager than ever to eliminate the last surviving member of the Romanov family, Anastasia. With the help of a chorus of insects, he sings out his goal for vengeance with a hellish theatrical rock anthem as he prepares for his ultimate scheme. The haunting choir and driving rhythm adds a nice level of zest to this track – adding a frightening chill and renewed fear for Anya’s safety. While Christopher Lloyd – Rasputin’s voice actor - didn’t provide the vocals, his singing stand-in, Jim Cummings, does a phenomenal job of carrying the tune and really capturing the dark wizard’s depraved obsession with settling the score.

Remember that deal with the Devil issue we talked about? Well, the same rules apply under the sea. Ariel takes that risk when she goes to Ursula’s grotto for a chance to be with the human she loves. The sea witch tempts the naïve mermaid with a slow, gothic tune claiming that she only wants to help – but the menacing undertones and music arrangements say otherwise. That uneasy feeling only gets worse when the song’s pace picks up and eventually explodes into a terrifying eruption of colors as the deal is made. She may be deceitful, but we can’t deny that Ursula knows how to do business – with a Broadway and burlesque flair.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is one of the most risqué Disney films of all time – tackling subjects such as religious hypocrisy, ethnic persecution, and lust... fun for the whole family, right? We see these themes beautifully displayed in Judge Frollo’s captivating song, “Hellfire”. Here, Frollo confronts his inner demons, trying to justify his horrific actions by blaming them all on Esmeralda – the gypsy woman of his sinful desires. The horrific imagery perfectly matches his twisted mindset, while the haunting music – complete with a Hellish choir - chills viewers to the bone.

Scar has a plan to commit his most despicable act ever so that he can finally be crowned king –and he’ll need the help of his army of hyenas. How does he motivate them? Why, with an intense and conniving anthem that doubles as a declaration of war, of course. The song is so powerful that Scar’s actor, Jeremy Irons, actually developed vocal problems during recording – leaving Jim Cummings to bring it home… and boy does he deliver. Couple that with malevolent lighting and colors, and imagery straight out of the Third Reich, and we’re left with the ultimate villainous musical number. And though nothing can quite live up to “Be Prepared,” Zira manages to give us major chills in the sequel.