Top 10 Movie Villains with the Saddest Backstories
The Top Ten
Candyman (Candyman)
Born in the late 1800s, Candyman was the son of a formerly enslaved man who became wealthy after the Civil War. He was brutally murdered by a racist mob after falling in love with a white woman, enduring torture and having his hand severed before being covered in honey and stung to death by bees. His tragic death turned him into a vengeful spirit, haunting those who invoke his name.
Born in the late 1800s, Candyman was the son of a formerly enslaved man who became wealthy after the Civil War. He was brutally murdered by a racist mob after falling in love with a white woman, enduring torture and having his hand severed before being covered in honey and stung to death by bees. His tragic death turned him into a vengeful spirit, haunting those who invoke his name.
Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal)
Hannibal Lecter witnessed the brutal murder and cannibalization of his sister, Mischa, during World War II when he was a young boy. This traumatic event shaped his later descent into violence and cannibalism. The loss of his family and inability to protect his sister left deep psychological scars that influenced his transformation into a serial killer.
Hannibal Lecter witnessed the brutal murder and cannibalization of his sister, Mischa, during World War II when he was a young boy. This traumatic event shaped his later descent into violence and cannibalism. The loss of his family and inability to protect his sister left deep psychological scars that influenced his transformation into a serial killer.
Mr. Freeze (Batman & Robin)
Dr. Victor Fries was a brilliant cryogenics scientist whose wife, Nora, suffered from a terminal illness. In a desperate attempt to save her, he accidentally exposed himself to chemicals that forced him to live in sub-zero temperatures. His sole motivation became curing Nora, leading him to a life of crime to fund his research and preserve her in cryostasis.
Dr. Victor Fries was a brilliant cryogenics scientist whose wife, Nora, suffered from a terminal illness. In a desperate attempt to save her, he accidentally exposed himself to chemicals that forced him to live in sub-zero temperatures. His sole motivation became curing Nora, leading him to a life of crime to fund his research and preserve her in cryostasis.
Magneto (X-Men)
Magneto, born Erik Lehnsherr, was a Holocaust survivor who witnessed the murder of his family in Nazi concentration camps. This traumatic experience instilled in him a deep distrust of humanity, especially after enduring further persecution for being a mutant. His backstory shaped his militant stance on mutant supremacy and his belief that peaceful coexistence with humans was impossible.
Magneto, born Erik Lehnsherr, was a Holocaust survivor who witnessed the murder of his family in Nazi concentration camps. This traumatic experience instilled in him a deep distrust of humanity, especially after enduring further persecution for being a mutant. His backstory shaped his militant stance on mutant supremacy and his belief that peaceful coexistence with humans was impossible.
Harley Quinn (Birds of Prey)
Dr. Harleen Quinzel was a psychiatrist who became infatuated with her patient, the Joker, while working at Arkham Asylum. She endured manipulation and abuse as her relationship with the Joker spiraled, leading her to transform into Harley Quinn. Despite her love for him, the relationship was toxic and violent, contributing to her emotional instability.
Dr. Harleen Quinzel was a psychiatrist who became infatuated with her patient, the Joker, while working at Arkham Asylum. She endured manipulation and abuse as her relationship with the Joker spiraled, leading her to transform into Harley Quinn. Despite her love for him, the relationship was toxic and violent, contributing to her emotional instability.
Two-Face (The Dark Knight)
Two-Face/Harvey Dent is a fictional villain from DC Comics. Harvey Dent was one of Gotham's most trusted citizens until he had acid poured on his face making him go insane and become a criminal by the name Two-Face. In film, he has been portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in Batman, Tommy Lee Jones in Batman... read more
Two-Face/Harvey Dent is a fictional villain from DC Comics. Harvey Dent was one of Gotham's most trusted citizens until he had acid poured on his face making him go insane and become a criminal by the name Two-Face. In film, he has been portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in Batman, Tommy Lee Jones in Batman... read more
Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)
Erik Stevens, later known as Killmonger, grew up in Oakland, California, after his father was killed by his uncle, King T'Chaka of Wakanda. His father's death and abandonment by Wakanda left him orphaned and fueled his desire for revenge. Killmonger trained to become a skilled soldier, determined to claim the Wakandan throne and avenge the injustices done to his family.
Erik Stevens, later known as Killmonger, grew up in Oakland, California, after his father was killed by his uncle, King T'Chaka of Wakanda. His father's death and abandonment by Wakanda left him orphaned and fueled his desire for revenge. Killmonger trained to become a skilled soldier, determined to claim the Wakandan throne and avenge the injustices done to his family.
Frankenstein's Monster (Frankenstein)
Frankenstein's Monster was created by Victor Frankenstein through a scientific experiment that defied natural laws. Despite being brought to life, the creature was rejected by his creator and society due to his grotesque appearance. His abandonment and loneliness led him to seek vengeance, desperate for connection but continually met with fear and violence.
Frankenstein's Monster was created by Victor Frankenstein through a scientific experiment that defied natural laws. Despite being brought to life, the creature was rejected by his creator and society due to his grotesque appearance. His abandonment and loneliness led him to seek vengeance, desperate for connection but continually met with fear and violence.
Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street): Benjamin Barker, later known as Sweeney Todd, was wrongfully imprisoned by a corrupt judge who coveted his wife. After years of hard labor, Barker returned to London to find his wife dead and his daughter in the judge's custody. Consumed by grief and rage, he assumed the identity of Sweeney Todd, seeking revenge on those who destroyed his family.
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street): Benjamin Barker, later known as Sweeney Todd, was wrongfully imprisoned by a corrupt judge who coveted his wife. After years of hard labor, Barker returned to London to find his wife dead and his daughter in the judge's custody. Consumed by grief and rage, he assumed the identity of Sweeney Todd, seeking revenge on those who destroyed his family.
Darth Vader (Star Wars)
Darth Vader is a Star Wars character and the main antagonist of the first three original Star Wars films and the main protagonist of the Star Wars prequel trilogy under his original name Anakin Skywalker. He had been trained as a Jedi but defected to the Sith lord and Galactic Chancellor Palpatine... read more
Darth Vader is a Star Wars character and the main antagonist of the first three original Star Wars films and the main protagonist of the Star Wars prequel trilogy under his original name Anakin Skywalker. He had been trained as a Jedi but defected to the Sith lord and Galactic Chancellor Palpatine... read moreThe Newcomers
? John Kramer (Saw)
Jigsaw is a character from the Saw series. He first appears in Saw as a man whose wife passed away. After that, he did lots of tests on people.
Jigsaw is a character from the Saw series. He first appears in Saw as a man whose wife passed away. After that, he did lots of tests on people.
? Arthur Fleck (Joker)
The Contenders
Severus Snape (Harry Potter)
Severus Snape grew up in a troubled household with an abusive father and a loving but distant mother. He fell deeply in love with Lily Evans, but their friendship dissolved when she married James Potter, a man Snape resented. His unrequited love for Lily shaped his life, leading him to protect her son Harry while maintaining his facade as a double agent.
Severus Snape grew up in a troubled household with an abusive father and a loving but distant mother. He fell deeply in love with Lily Evans, but their friendship dissolved when she married James Potter, a man Snape resented. His unrequited love for Lily shaped his life, leading him to protect her son Harry while maintaining his facade as a double agent.
Lotso (Toy Story 3)
Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear ("Lotso" for short) is the main antagonist of Toy Story 3. He takes over Sunny Side Day Care and makes all the other toys work for him.
Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear ("Lotso" for short) is the main antagonist of Toy Story 3. He takes over Sunny Side Day Care and makes all the other toys work for him. He's one of those characters who looks innocent at first but isn't. Apparently, he was actually abandoned on a road trip.
The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)
The Wicked Witch of the West was once a normal woman, but her life changed after the death of her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East. Her desire to avenge her sister's death consumed her, driving her to seek vengeance against Dorothy and anyone else who stood in her way. The loss of her sibling and the isolation that followed turned her into a feared and malevolent figure.
The Wicked Witch of the West was once a normal woman, but her life changed after the death of her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East. Her desire to avenge her sister's death consumed her, driving her to seek vengeance against Dorothy and anyone else who stood in her way. The loss of her sibling and the isolation that followed turned her into a feared and malevolent figure.BAdd New Item