Heath Ledger's monumental performance in The Dark Knight illuminated the importance of a certain character for audiences: the antagonist. Though viewers should disagree with the villain, it can't be overstated how compelling a good "bad" performance really is to watch.

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Historical faces in the last century of Hollywood have lent their talents to this practice: the ability to capture the essence of these comic book characters while delivering something wholly new for those familiar with the source material. Whether prior or subsequent to Ledger's rendition of the Clown Prince of Crime, multiple performers have delivered stunning portrayals of some of comics' best bad guys.

10 Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin Is Legendary

Willem Dafoe Green Goblin

An early catalyst for the shift in superhero cinema is Spider-Man, the 2002 film that successfully adapts the character while demonstrating why he's so beloved. Tobey Maguire's portrayal of Peter Parker carries the entirety of the trilogy, but the subsequent antagonists have plenty to live up to following Willem Dafoe's embodiment of Norman Osborn. A brilliant scientific mind split by the Green Goblin persona, Dafoe's Osborn works because of the actor's commitment. He's manic, sympathetic, and deliciously evil. His antics are supremely entertaining to behold and have given way to numerous memes in the age of internet proliferation. Christmas came early for Spider-Man fans in 2021 when Dafoe reprised his role as Osborn in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

9 Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus Exceeded Expectations

Doc Ock in Spider Man

Following up Dafoe's Green Goblin is Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus – and what a herculean task that is. However, against all odds, Molina manages to endear Otto Octavius to audiences in a way that doesn't feel like a simple echo of Parker and Osborn's relationship.

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Octavius is truly a tragic figure, attached to his mechanical arms as the result of a failed demonstration that leaves him widowed. Doc Ock isn't as manic as his predecessor, but he makes up for it with the successful character beats that make up Spider-Man 2. Molina proved so iconic in the role that Kevin Feige made sure the actor returned for the character's reappearance in NWH.

8 Ian McKellen Is Both Inspiring And Frightening As Magneto

Magneto (Ian McKellen) from X-Men

Two competing Magnetos – both with terrific actors like Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender – provide a solid case for X-Men fans being spoiled for choice in regard to the films their favorites have spawned. Ultimately, though, respect and love for the source material matter in comic book adaptations. In this way, McKellen's Erik Lensherr edges out Fassbender's. Not only is the former a spitting image of the comic version of Magneto, but similar to Dafoe's Goblin, the character helped initiate the modern superhero boom in Hollywood. McKellen has made a career of playing iconic characters in geek fandom, and Magneto is a prime example of him invigorating a potentially one-note role.

7 Tom Hiddleston Breaks Villainous Ground With Loki

Tom Hiddleston in Loki Episode 1

Recent developments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have turned Loki into an antihero in his eponymous series on Disney+, where he battles to save the multiverse. Regardless, the character's original portrayal in 2011's Thor and 2012's The Avengers establishes him as a formidable rogue in the legion of baddies in the MCU.

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Tom Hiddleston glows whenever he's in the God of Mischief's shoes and he chewed plenty of scenery leading the Chitauri onto the streets of New York City. Brotherly rivalry fuels his villainy and eventually his more redemptive arc in Thor: Ragnarok. Hiddleston's commanding presence lends undeniable gravitas to every word that escapes Loki's mouth, and he's still regarded by some as the best MCU villain to date.

6 Vincent D'Onofrio Fully Realized The Kingpin

Kingpin Wilson Fisk Hawkeye

Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin began on the margins of the MCU, in the grimy alleyways of Hell's Kitchen on Netflix's Daredevil. His combination of reserve and fury pair with his hunt for power over the demons that haunt him and illuminate the comic book character in a fascinating light. Much like Wesley Snipes' portrayal of Blade, D'Onofrio breaks new ground with Wilson Fisk that subsequently influenced the comic iteration of the character. The immediate popularity of the actor's portrayal started the clock ticking for when he'd be properly utilized in the larger universe. Fans got their wish when D'Onofrio debuted in Hawkeye on Disney+, hinting at future adventures for the overbearing crime boss.

5 Josh Brolin Established Thanos In The Zeitgeist

Thanos MCU Josh Brolin

"Thanos was right." With that minute easter egg hidden in the inaugural episode of Hawkeye, the Mad Titan's legacy within this universe of superheroes is cemented by his detractors AND supporters. A debate surrounds his actions, both inside the MCU and real life, and the entirety of the Infinity Saga leading up to his inclusion speaks to his monumental stature within the Marvel Universe.

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Josh Brolin brings a cool, collected presence to the villain, taking full advantage of Avengers: Infinity War's focus on Thanos' emotional development as he searches the cosmos for the Infinity Stones. Brolin was a respected actor in Hollywood before taking this role, but he's earned significant goodwill in the comic book community for this faithful rendition. The actor has voiced the animated version of the character and rumors persist that he may yet return in the future. As long as Brolin is attached, Thanos will get the treatment he deserves.

4 Margot Robbie Comes To Bat As Harley Quinn

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn

Often cited as the sole bright spot amongst the 2016 Suicide Squad's many issues, Margot Robbie turns in an alluring performance as the crazy psychiatrist-turned-supervillain Harley Quinn. Though the character is a more recent addition to Batman's canon, Harley has gained significant steam in the fandom since her debut in 1992. The character's first proper live-action adventure demonstrated Robbie's grasp on what makes Quinn tick, delivering a witty, sexy, all-around faithful interpretation. Robbie has gone on to outlive her Mistah J in the DC Extended Universe, at least on screen, and has proven popular enough to warrant appearances in two spinoffs from that original film. If a definitive version exists for each cinematic superhero, Robbie will embody Harlene for years to come.

3 Jake Gyllenhaal Becomes The Storied Spider-Man Villain Mysterio

Peter Parker giving EDITH to Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home

When Jake Gyllenhaal was cast as Quentin Beck (aka Mysterio) in Spider-Man: Far From Home, fans were both excited and cautious. The actor is more than capable, but the choice of Mysterio as the primary villain caused some concern due to how hard it is to depict this villain on-screen. With director Jon Watts at the helm, Gyllenhaal manages to bounce between pseudo-father figure to Peter Parker and manipulative narcissist bent on getting the recognition he deserves. Once the latter reveals himself, it becomes exceedingly clear why the filmmakers chose Gyllenhaal: the actor excels in this unpredictable and unhinged role. Though he is seemingly killed off at the conclusion of FFH, fans hold out hope that this was simply another illusion.

2 Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor Counters Christopher Reeve's Superman

Gene Hackman Lex Luther

Before Spider-Man and X-Men, DC Comics reigned supreme in the realm of cinema. The late '70s and early-'80s yielded the Superman films starring the late Christopher Reeve as the titular Kryptonian. Opposite him is a foe just as definitive in the role he's serving: Lex Luthor, portrayed by an indelibly charming Gene Hackman.

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It's as if the villain has stepped from the panels of Action Comics to the screens of cinemas across the world. He's self-absorbed yet immensely likable as he stalks the Man of Steel at every turn, seeking his enemy's destruction. Hackman provides a contrast to the more recent Jesse Eisenberg depiction of Lex in the DCEU, showing how the character can be as absorbing as he is self-absorbed.

1 Antony Starr Defines The Homicidal Homelander

Homelander The Boys

The cynical world of The Boys is arguably the most realistic depiction of how superheroes would behave. Worshipped by adoring crowds and lavished with material goods by corrupt corporations, the vicious Homelander is bred to be a robot incapable of human empathy. To be fair, the character is accomplishing the goal of the company that birthed him, Vought International, and putting their interests ahead of the good of the inhabitants of Earth. Over time, though, it becomes obvious that even Vought can barely control him. Actor Antony Starr delivers a chilling performance that solidifies the destructive capability of an evil Superman figure. Not since Injustice: Gods Among Us has this archetype been as well-executed as it has in Amazon Prime's original series.

NEXT: 10 Superhero Castings As Perfect As Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man