While it is easy to root for the underdog protagonist in cartoons, it is undeniable that many villainous characters are far more interesting than the good guys they are fighting against—from the over-the-top, drag-inspired Ursula from The Little Mermaid to the kind-hearted maternal figure turned wretched skeletal/spider monster Other Mother from Coraline.
However, not all cartoon villains possess compelling traits that make viewers question who they ought to be rooting for. Whether they're simply lacking sound motivations for being villainous or are more irritating than they are antagonistic, these villains capture the attention of viewers for all the wrong reasons.
10 Wreck-It-Ralph's King Candy Is Too Blinded By Jealousy And Greed To Be Effective As A Villain
Upon first glance, it is easy to empathize with King Candy since he sorely missed his place in the spotlight as former Turbotime players quickly tossed him aside in favor of newer, fresher games. This especially stings in consideration of how King Candy was once one of the most well-liked characters in the arcade.
Despite this, King Candy's stupendous, unbridled jealousy essentially flattens him as a character—even when he reveals his true identity (Turbo) to Vanellope during the climax of Wreck-It Ralph. In addition, it is impossible to root for a villain who is ruled by his own greed to the point of putting younger characters in danger at even the slightest opportunity of being celebrated once again.
9 Mr. Boss Pales In Comparison To Other Villains In Codename: Kids Next Door
Codename: Kids Next Door is known for its eccentric cast of villains, from the candy-loving pirate Stickybeard to the nefarious walking shadow Father. However, the cartoon also has a wide crop of villains who are less effective, like Mr. Boss, who is defined by his hatred of children and his domineering respect and fear of Father.
Even though there are captivating elements of Mr. Boss as a character—like him being the father of Fanny Fulbright, a Kids Next Door operative who is also known as Numbuh 86—they are only focused on fleetingly in the series and most of his character is devoted to showcasing his fickle attempts at defeating the Kids Next Door.
8 Bendy Was So Hated By Fans That His Creators Threw Him Out Of Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends
One villainous character who has become infamous for his stark unlikability is Bendy. A fleeting antagonist from Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Bendy garnered so much backlash that the show's writers deemed both Bendy and the episode he appeared in non-canonical to the cartoon as a whole.
While unlikability alone doesn't always ruin a villain's potential, Bendy is made even more unbearable due to his gas-lighting trickster ways. To make matters even worse, Bendy is quick to shift the blame onto Bloo and smiles an obnoxious sneer every time Frankie and Mr. Herriman buy into his lies hook, line and sinker.
7 The Powerpuff Girls' Mojo Jojo Is Only Interesting Due To His Appearance
Although Mojo Jojo is one of the most successful villains in The Powerpuff Girls due to his proven track record of triumphing over them, many viewers agree that Mojo Jojo is solely compelling on an aesthetic level. Unfortunately, his backstory as a chimpanzee mad scientist does not make much sense—especially when considered alongside his motivation for wanting to destroy the Powerpuff Girls and take over the world.
While there are redeeming aspects of Mojo Jojo, like his comedic, fleeting affability when communicating with citizens of Townsville and how even a villain like him enjoys having days off, these qualities only comprise a small portion of Mojo Jojo as a character.
6 Big Hero 6's Robert Callaghan's Villainous Motivations Don't Add Up
Although Big Hero 6 is widely beloved for the endearing relationships Hiro forms while grieving the tragic passing of his older brother and the eccentric character designs and personalities of Tadashi's close friends, many fans thought the film's villain was lackluster.
Despite Yokai's intimidating appearance and interesting powers, the reveal of the villain's true identity (Robert Callaghan) only caused viewers to deeply question why Callaghan went to such extremes to steal Hiro's microbots when he could have gotten his student Tadashi to tell him more about Hiro's project. Callaghan's plan makes even less sense in consideration of his remark that his students have the power to shape the future for the better with their technological innovations.
5 Bill Cipher Is A Polarizing Antagonist Among Gravity Falls Fans
The introduction of Bill Cipher into the Gravity Falls canon certainly marks a dynamic shift in the show, as it went from depicting the Pines siblings' amusing paranormal antics to showcasing an ominous, all-powerful being who could easily take over the world. While many fans appreciated how Cipher embodied the unbridled evilness expected of chaotic cartoon villains, others could not get past his grating voice and jarring appearance that drastically varies from the show's pre-established art style and aesthetic.
Despite being a polarizing character among Gravity Falls fans, Cipher has made cameos in several other cartoons—from Rick and Morty to Amphibia and even an episode of The Simpsons.
4 The Powerpuff Girls' Princess Morbucks Is A Flat Villain Who Viewers Quickly Grew Tired Of
The Powerpuff Girls is notable for its wide array of interesting villains, from the androgynous and devilish HIM to the scheming, too-good-to-be-true Sedusa. However, The Powerpuff Girls also contains villains that fall drastically flat in comparison, like Princess Morbucks, the archetypal snotty, rich kid.
Whereas many charming cartoon villains are likable in spite of—and even because of—their atrocities, Princess Morbucks is entirely unlikable since she was modeled after spoiled children who were born with silver spoons in their mouths. Princess Morbucks is solely memorable for her irritatingly spoiled ways and being the butt of several visual gags.
3 Gaston Appears Far Too Sporadically To Be Considered A Villain In Beauty And The Beast
Despite his clear lack of respect for Belle and his domineering chauvinistic ways, Gaston's atrociousness is nothing in comparison to the initial tribulations Belle faces as a prisoner in the Beast's castle. In fact, Gaston is solely interesting as a perfect foil to the bookish, kind-hearted Belle and as one of the few good-looking Disney villains. Besides that, Gaston is not memorable as a villain—which is undoubtedly a problem since he is recognized by many viewers as the main antagonist of Beauty and the Beast.
2 Steven Universe's Spinel Allowed Her Sour Emotions To Get The Best Of Her
Although it can initially be easy for fans to empathize with Spinel as someone who was essentially abandoned by her one and only friend Pink Diamond thousands of years ago, this does not excuse her actions in Steven Universe: The Movie.
Rather than confront Pink Diamond sooner, Spinel allowed her negative emotions to fester and lashed out at people who had nothing to do with her hurt feelings in the first place. In addition, many fans were irritated by the random juxtaposition of her short, cutesy side and the angsty, rough exterior she adopts after recognizing that Steven is related to the person who hurt her all those years ago.
1 The Emperor's New Groove's Yzma Lacks The Proper Motivation To Be Considered A True Villain
While Yzma has her moments as a villain due to her dynamic with Kronk and her captivatingly glamorous appearance, the motivations behind her villainy are confusing. Yzma's sole motivation behind being a villain was getting fired by Emperor Kuzco after acting as his long-standing advisor—a jab that would certainly sting in the moment, but one Yzma could have easily bounced back from.
Since much of her persona is centered around her constant, comedic failures, Yzma is never given the chance to properly shine. Although these factors do not diminish Yzma's likability, they have encouraged fans to wonder how Yzma could have been written differently to showcase her as the eccentric star she truly is.