18 Villains In TV And Movies Fans Can’t Help Crushing On
Charisma has a strange way of rewriting the rules, especially when it shows up on the wrong side of the story.
Some villains command the screen with such confidence, style, or emotional depth that audiences find themselves rooting for them despite knowing better.
Their moral compasses may be shattered, yet their presence feels impossible to ignore.
This list dives into the TV and movie villains who somehow became objects of fascination, proving that allure does not always belong to the heroes.
Disclaimer: This article reflects subjective editorial perspectives on villain characters and fan appeal and should not be interpreted as definitive fact or universal consensus.
1. Cate Blanchett as Hela (Thor: Ragnarok)
Blanchett commands the screen with fierce elegance, rocking that dramatic headpiece like it’s haute couture.
Her confidence is absolutely intoxicating.
Watching her crush Thor’s hammer with one hand made fans simultaneously terrified and mesmerized.
Power looks incredible on her, and she wears villainy like a designer gown at the Oscars.
2. Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby (Peaky Blinders)
Those cheekbones could cut glass!
Murphy’s portrayal of the Birmingham gangster combines danger with devastating good looks.
His icy blue eyes pierce through the screen like bullets.
Tommy Shelby walks the line between ruthless businessman and broken war veteran, creating complexity that fans find irresistible.
That flat cap and tailored suit ensemble became iconic for very good reasons indeed.
3. Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker (Joker)
Phoenix transformed into heartbreak wrapped in madness.
His haunting laugh and tragic descent into chaos created something disturbingly beautiful.
Fans couldn’t look away from his raw, vulnerable performance.
The character’s pain felt uncomfortably real, sparking sympathy in unexpected places.
That infamous staircase dance scene lives rent-free in everyone’s mind, proving darkness can be strangely captivating when portrayed with such artistic brilliance.
4. Eva Green as Vanessa Ives (Penny Dreadful)
Green’s mysterious medium radiates dark sensuality.
Her character wrestles with demonic possession while maintaining an otherworldly elegance that’s absolutely spellbinding.
Vanessa’s Victorian gowns and supernatural powers create an intoxicating combination.
She embodies gothic romance perfectly, making viewers wish they could join her séances despite the obvious dangers lurking in every shadow.
5. Tom Hiddleston as Loki (Thor / MCU)
Mischief never looked so good!
Hiddleston brings charm, wit, and those piercing eyes to the God of Mischief, making every betrayal feel like a love letter.
His British accent doesn’t hurt either.
Fans forgive his countless schemes because underneath all that chaos lies a wounded soul seeking acceptance.
Plus, that smirk could launch a thousand ships straight into danger!
6. Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal)
Sophisticated, cultured, and absolutely terrifying!
Mikkelsen’s Hannibal serves exquisite cuisine while plotting murder with impeccable taste.
His refined manners contrast deliciously with his dark appetite.
Fans found themselves drawn to his intelligence and aesthetic perfection despite knowing better.
7. Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad)
Robbie brings bubbly energy and unpredictable danger to Gotham’s favorite psychiatrist-turned-villain.
Her playful pigtails hide a seriously damaged psyche.
Fans adore her fearless attitude and refusal to play by anyone’s rules.
That baseball bat became an instant icon, proving that crazy can be incredibly charming when delivered with such infectious enthusiasm and unapologetic confidence.
8. Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring (Breaking Bad)
Esposito’s chicken restaurant owner hides a ruthless drug empire beneath that professional smile.
His controlled demeanor makes every threat feel like a promise.
Fans respect his business acumen and terrifying efficiency.
9. Angelina Jolie as Maleficent (Maleficent)
Those cheekbones deserve their own movie!
Jolie transforms the classic villain into a misunderstood protector with a tragic backstory.
Her towering horns and dramatic wings create an unforgettable silhouette.
She proved that sometimes the villain was right all along, making audiences reconsider everything they thought they knew.
10. James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb (Split)
Twenty-three personalities, one incredible performance!
McAvoy switches between identities with breathtaking skill, making each personality disturbingly distinct.
His physical transformation into The Beast left audiences stunned.
Fans marveled at his range, from childlike Hedwig to sophisticated Patricia.
11. Rebecca Ferguson as Rose the Hat (Doctor Sleep)
Ferguson’s psychic vampire leads her cult with confidence and killer fashion sense.
That top hat became instantly iconic.
Her character feeds on children’s souls while maintaining an eerily magnetic presence.
Fans couldn’t help admiring her commanding leadership despite her horrifying dietary preferences.
12. Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries)
Bad boy vampire with a redemption arc!
Somerhalder’s smoldering eyes and sarcastic wit made immortality look incredibly attractive.
His leather jacket became as iconic as his character.
Damon’s transformation from villain to hero kept fans invested for eight seasons.
Those eyebrows alone could communicate entire paragraphs, and his complicated relationship with humanity made everyone wish vampires were actually real.
13. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman (Batman Returns)
Pfeiffer defined feline villainy for an entire generation with that iconic stitched leather suit.
Her transformation from mousy secretary to confident cat burglar remains legendary.
The whip-cracking skills and purring voice created instant infatuation.
Fans still debate whether she’s truly a villain or just misunderstood.
14. Andrew Scott as Moriarty (Sherlock)
Criminal mastermind meets theatrical genius!
Scott’s portrayal brings manic energy and unsettling charm to Sherlock’s nemesis.
That famous rooftop confrontation had fans simultaneously terrified and captivated.
Moriarty’s playful cruelty and obvious obsession with Sherlock created tension that crackled across every scene, making him the perfect intellectual match for our favorite detective.
15. Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)
Queen of scheming and surviving!
Headey portrays Cersei’s ruthless ambition with captivating intensity throughout Westeros.
Her love for her children humanizes even her darkest decisions.
That walk of shame became television history.
She proved that female villains can be complex, sympathetic, and absolutely terrifying all at once.
16. Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva (Skyfall)
Former agent turned vengeful villain!
Bardem brings unsettling charisma to Bond’s most personal adversary.
That creepy dental prosthetic reveal still haunts viewers.
Silva’s obsession with M creates psychological depth rarely seen in franchise villains.
17. Adam Driver as Kylo Ren (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
Conflicted heir to Darth Vader’s legacy!
Driver portrays internal struggle with raw emotional intensity beneath that intimidating mask.
His character’s vulnerability makes him surprisingly relatable.
Those shirtless Force connection scenes broke the internet for good reason.
18. Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne (Gone Girl)
Cool Girl facade hiding calculated revenge!
Pike delivers a chilling performance as the wife who fakes her own murder.
Her meticulous planning and cold intelligence create terrifying fascination.
That bloody return scene remains unforgettable.
Amy’s manipulation skills reach diabolical levels of genius.
