The famous film critic Roger Ebert famously declared more than 40 years ago that "Every movie is only as good as its villain." Even though he might not have been the first to notice this, it's difficult to argue with Ebert's observation because of his in-depth knowledge of the film industry. Whether this was said by Ebert or not, several movies have become iconic because of their memorable antagonists.

Because conflict is a crucial component that makes a story more appealing, viewers are more likely to be emotionally invested in a story with a stronger or more interesting antagonist.

Let's dive into the world of movies and discover the top 10 villains in movie history.

Joker from 'The Dark Knight' (2008)

Dr. Hannibal Lecter from 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991)

Norman Bates from 'Psycho' (1960)

Nurse Ratched from 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1975)

Michael Myers from The 'Halloween' Series (1978 - 2022)

Hans Gruber from 'Die Hard' (1988)

Lord Voldemort from The 'Harry Potter' Series (2001 - 2011)

Gollum from 'The Lord of the Rings' Series (2001 - 2003)

Thanos from 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018)

The Queen from 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937)

-Farheen Ali