With Minions: The Rise Of Gru performing exceptionally well at the box office, the Minions film franchise is clearly alive and well. This franchise got its start in 2010, and The Rise Of Gru is the fifth film in the beloved series. One of the most entertaining aspects of the film series is the colorful cast of villains who try to thwart the franchise's antihero, Felonious Gru.

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The villains each have a unique gimmick that sets them apart and an ample supply of zany weapons at their disposal. Although all the villains are funny and diabolical in their own right, a few of them stand out from the pack.

10 Despicable Me 3's Dru Gru Is An Aspiring Villain

Dru and Gru in the Minions franchise

As if one Gru isn't funny enough, Despicable Me 3 gave audiences a second version of the beloved villain protagonist. Gru's long-lost twin, Dru Gru, tracks down his brother in an attempt to learn how to be a supervillain.

The incredibly wealthy and aspiring villain drags Gru out of retirement and inadvertently reminds him why he loved being a villain in the first place. The brothers take many of their deceased father's favorite weapons and gadgets out for a spin, which reignites Gru's passion for evil. Watching Gru in this familial dynamic helps Dru Gru stand out as a solid villain, and their antics are entertaining.

9 The Evil Dr. Nefario Is A Great Gadgeteer

Dr. Nefario from the Minions franchise

Dr. Nefario appears in several Minions movies, including Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2. He also has cameos in Despicable Me 3 and the first Minions movie. He is Gru's gadgeteer and designs most of the weapons used by the franchise's antihero. Dr. Nefario lives in Gru's underground lair with the Minions.

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Dr. Nefario may have some strange ideas about weaponry at times, but his talent for inventing makes him a formidable force of evil. This indispensable behind-the-scenes villain makes all of Gru's evil plots possible.

8 Minions 1's Scarlet Overkill Is Fancy And Ferocious

Scarlet Overkill from the Minions franchise

When it comes to the franchise's villains, Scarlet Overkill has it all: a flashy personal style, a convincing fake smile, and an arsenal of ingenious weapons. Scarlet uses her looks and charm to get her way, which works in any situation, but she has a hidden domineering side behind all her class.

Scarlet Overkill is undeniably evil and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. In the first Minions movie, Scarlet has big plans to steal Queen Elizabeth II's crown and bullies the Minions into helping her. Scarlet's ruthless ambition makes her a very worthy adversary.

7 Minions 2's Svengeance Is A Rollerskating Rogue

All the villains in the Rise of Gru.

Sometimes, all a cartoon villain really needs is a catchy name and a flashy set of wheels. That's definitely the case for Minions: The Rise Of Gru's villain Svengeance, a Swedish man who uses his excellent roller skating skills to chase down his opponents.

Svengeance is a member of the infamous Vicious 6, a group of supervillains who go toe-to-toe with young Gru and his minions in the franchise's latest installment. He may not be the strongest member of the group, but he certainly has the best footwork and is fun to watch.

6 Despicable Me 2's El Nacho Has Super Strength

El Macho from the Minions franchise

In Despicable Me 2, Gru and Agent Lucy Wilde meet restaurant owner Eduardo Perez while canvassing the Paradise Mall. Eduardo seems like a kind man, but what Gru and Lucy fail to realize is that he is actually the supervillain El Macho.

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This diabolical villain is famous for his bank-robbing skills. El Macho is also a formidable foe due to his super strength, a skill he uses to easily overpower his enemies. He attempts to use PX-41 to create an army of evil henchmen, but ultimately fails to achieve this goal.

5 Balthazar Bratt Is A Musical Villain

Balthazar Bratt playing with toys in the minions franchise

Balthazar Bratt is a very flash villain from Despicable Me 3. He is a former child star who turned to a life of villainy when his TV series went off the air. He is motivated by revenge, and uses an arsenal of '80s-themed weapons as an homage to his glory days.

Balthazar's signature weapon is the Sonic Keytar, a musical weapon that he uses to try to defeat Gru. He plays Van Halen's "Jump" to generate a powerful sonic blast. Balthazar may not succeed in his diabolical aims, but he won fans over for his musical talent and fashion sense.

4 Belle Bottom Is A Charismatic Diva

Belle Bottoms from the Minions franchise

Belle Bottom is one of the newest villains in the Minions movie franchise, but she has already made an impression on fans. Belle Bottom is a true '70s diva and is the powerful leader of the Vicious 6. In Minions: The Rise Of Gru, she and her evil crew face off with young Gru after he steals their prized possession, the Zodiac Stone.

Belle Bottom uses fancy dance moves and her smooth charm against her enemies, and her take-no-prisoners attitude makes her very intimidating. She's also quick to double-cross anyone who stands in her way. She's able to transform into a dragon, boasts superhuman strength, and has an extendable belt that's attached to a mace.

3 Vector Is A Talented But Entitled Inventor

Vector from the Minions franchise

As a spoiled but clever character, Vector's personality traits make him a very effective villain. Vector is the king of gadgets in Despicable Me, rivaling the great gadgeteer Dr. Nefario for creating the most interesting and innovative weapons. Vector begins Despicable Me as merely aspiring supervillain, but he quickly rises through the ranks with his ambitious plans and flashy gadgets.

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Having kidnapped girls and committed an unknown number of crimes, Vector poses a big threat. Unfortunately for Vector, his entitled and arrogant nature sometimes distracts him from his goals, and this weakness ultimately allows Gru to defeat him.

2 Despicable Me 2's Purple Minions Are Hilariously Evil

Evil Minions sticking their tongues out and grimacing

The Minions are as strange and lovable as cartoon villains can be, but their purple alter-egos are even more odd and evil than the originals. The purple Minions are the result of a mutation caused by the chemical agent PX-41.

While the yellow Minions speak Minionese, the feral purple Minions communicate with angry roars and growls. Like others subjected to PX-41, the purple Minions have increased power and aggression, which makes them very formidable as a group. They happily eat or destroy anything in their path. Evil Minions are bloodthirsty, aggressive, and have increased durability.

1 Felonious Gru Is A Lovable Antihero

Gru from the Minions franchise holding a tool

At the heart of the Minions film franchise is Felonious Gru, a relatable antihero who strives to be the most powerful supervillain on Earth. Like many people, Gru can be awkward and self-conscious at times, but his sarcasm and dry sense of humor has been beloved by audiences.

Gru also has a soft spot for kids and his loyal crew of Minions, which makes him a very endearing character. Despite the fact that he is hellbent on carrying out evil schemes, fans can't help but root for Gru to succeed in his ventures. While he was initially a cruel and coldhearted man, Gru has become a much kinder person. Nevertheless, he still has many interesting weapons at his disposal and he possesses great strength.

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