Though animated movies are typically created for children, they have some of the most terrifying villains. Due to the nature of animation, creators have a lot more wiggle room to make a villain as threatening as possible. The shows may be aimed at kids, but the villains still terrify adults.
These animated villains come from a variety of production companies and are created in many mediums. Hand-drawn animation, computer generated, or claymation – the art style does not matter with villains as scary as these. Fans may have grown up, but many are still afraid of some of these animated villains.
This article includes major spoilers for Puss In Boots: The Last Wish.
10 The Ice Cream Lady Is The Ultimate Deception
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
When SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star go out to prove their manliness they never expected to run into peril with The Ice Cream Lady in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. After successfully escaping from a band of thugs, the duo stumbles upon what seems to be a free ice cream stand with a sweet old woman inside.
Despite the piles of bones around them, SpongeBob leaps at the chance for free ice cream and approaches the old woman. Yet, when he tries to take the ice cream from her, his hands stick to the bowl, a rumbling occurs, and the old woman is revealed to be the tongue of a giant red fish. This foe is not only horrifying for its full appearance, but also its deception. Plus, the second cat tongue that appears to meow at Patrick and SpongeBob is just gross.
9 Vincent Is Silent And Seems Deadly
Toy Story 4
Vincent is one of the many ventriloquist doll henchmen to Gabby Gabby in Toy Story 4. While there are always anxiety-inducing villains in Toy Story films, Vincent stands out simply because he is a ventriloquist dummy. His gaping mouth accompanied by his unnerving walk chill audiences to the bone while they are trying to enjoy a beloved film about talking toys.
To add to his fearsomeness, Vincent does not speak, which makes him even more enigmatic and horrifying. Though he has redemption by the end of the film (to an extent) Vincent remains an unsettling and upsetting villain.
8 Mr. Hyde Shows Another Side To Dr. Jekyll
The Page Master
Mr. Hyde is one side of the curious Dr. Jekyll. Where Dr. Jekyll is scientific and genteel, Mr. Hyde is crass and villainous. Viewers only get to see him for a short time in The Pagemaster, but his introduction and grotesque visage are forever etched into their minds.
Despite the many protestations from the heroes, Dr. Jekyll imbibes a potion that transforms him into the dastardly Hyde. Fans do not see him at first, but just as he says his name, his greenish face fills the screen revealing sharp teeth and red eyes. He then chases Richard Tyler and the books around the Horror Section, until they find their way through it. Mr. Hyde makes a lasting impression on young audiences – even if his time onscreen is brief.
7 Shan Yu Leads A Conquest
Mulan
Shan Yu is the leader of the Hun army on a murderous rampage through China in the Disney film, Mulan. Shan Yu is a ruthless commander, who has little qualms when people’s lives are on the line. Additionally, he feels that he is unstoppable until Mulan enters the scene.
Shan Yu is terrifying, because of how human he is. Rather than being a mythical character, Shan Yu is based on real-life person, Attila the Hun. Shan Yu’s thirst for destruction and conquest is an all too real part of the world. Plus, his dark eyes and yellow irises gave him an even more menacing look to go along with his innumerable crimes.
6 Forte Plays A Wicked Tune
Beauty And The Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
Forte is one of the many employees of the castle who was turned into an inanimate object in the Beauty and the Beast franchise. Though he did not appear in the first film, fans got to witness him in all his terrifying glory as the main antagonist of Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. Forte may be chained to a wall, but he causes a lot of misunderstandings that keep Belle and the Beast apart.
Forte is voiced by the beloved Tim Curry, who has portrayed many sinister villains in his time. Apart from his voice, Forte is loud, large, and plays eerie music. He also has black sockets for eyes, making him one of the creepiest animated villains.
5 Frollo Is A Hypocrite
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
Claude Frollo is a judge working for the French government in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Despite his claims of holiness, Frollo is anything but. He has a vendetta against anyone he does not believe is living up to his standards, culminating in him having to take in an orphaned child. Put off by the child’s appearance, Frollo locks the boy in the bell tower of Notre Dame, never allowing him to leave the church walls.
Frollo is a despicable character not only for his crimes but for his desires. His obsession with the brave Esmeralda is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl. However, Frollo most terrifying act occurs at the end as he brandishes a sword to strike Quasimodo and Esmeralda. Just as he is about to take action, his eyes glow wildly, and he slips – only catching himself on a gargoyle. It then comes to life to growl at Frollo and send him to his fiery death. Practically everything about Frollo is frightening, solidifying him as one of the scariest animated villains.
4 Hexxus Pollutes The Earth
FernGully: The Last Rainforest
Hexxus is the personification of pollution in the film, FernGully: The Last Rainforest. Though he was defeated and trapped in an enchanted tree for hundreds of years, he is released to cause havoc once more when construction workers knock the tree down. Hexxus wastes no time in continuing his assault on FernGully – destroying everything in his path with glee.
Not only are Hexxus’s actions terrifying, but his visage also is not pleasant to look at either. While he mostly looks like a black cloud of smoke and sludge, Hexxus also has another, fiery-skeletal appearance that makes him look even more sinister. Additionally, Hexxus is voiced by Tim Curry who is well-known for his deep and uniquely-frightening voice. Hexxus is a grim reminder to viewers of the true dangers of pollution and the destruction of the planet.
3 The Horned King Tries To Use The Cauldron
The Black Cauldron
The Horned King is the antagonist of the notorious Disney flop, The Black Cauldron. Not only does his sinister voice linger in viewers' memories long after the film, but his appearance still haunts them to this day. As a robed skeleton with red eyes and antlers, the Horned King has a unique look that fans cannot soon forget.
The Horned King also has his own eerie theme that plays when he incites his army of living dead soldiers. Plus, his plan to use the titular cauldron to take over the world has frightful implications. Fans everywhere were thankful when the Horned King was ultimately swallowed by the very cauldron he hoped to use to dominate the world.
2 The Beldam Lures Children To Her Den
Coraline
The Beldam (also known as Other Mother) in Coraline does not initially appear terrifying. She shapeshifts into a familiar figure to lure children into a world that seems vibrant and magical. Yet, under the cheery facade lies a monstrous demon with a sinister plot.
The Beldam is not only terrifying for her deceit, but also her true appearance as an emancipated humanoid arachnid. This goes without mentioning that there are black buttons where her eyes should be. The Beldam still haunts viewers to this day for her appearance and how easily she convinces children to stay with her forever.
1 The Wolf Is Death Incarnate
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
When the Wolf first appears in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, audiences immediately get an uneasy feeling. When the Wolf turns his bright red eyes on Puss, it erases all doubts about his nefarious intentions.
The Wolf is fear-inducing with his fearsome fangs and sharp claws, but the most frightening things about him are his unending crimson stare and the tune he whistles to taunt Puss. The Wolf is later revealed to be death incarnate, ensuring this animated villain’s presence stays with fans long after the movie is over. After all, death comes for everyone in the end.