Picture the scene, you’re deep inside a dark woods on Halloween night, sitting around a campfire with all your friends, you feel weirdly at ease, reaching into the giant bag of marshmallows you impale one onto a nearby stick and bring it closer to the roaring flames.
One of your braver friends has decided to start telling a ghost story, as your once white marshmallow now becomes a toasted brown.
Once upon a time...a grotesque blonde-haired creature, roamed the cobbled streets of London, in sheer pursuit of chocolate hobnobs and no-deal Brexits. This bumbling buffoon is known to hide in fridges and is said to be sexist, homophobic, and racist. If you’re taking a stroll around Westminster on a clear night and you listen hard enough, legend has it that you can hear his bloodcurdling, ‘Um’s’ and ‘Ah’s’ as this beast desperately looks for his next victims - members of the Young Conservatives.
Now as scary as this ‘fictional’ story is, it is often thought that Boris is perfect for animation. Perfectly resembling the type of nightmarish cartoon character thought up in the imaginations of Disney animation in its heyday. So in the spirit of Halloween and traumatising cartoon characters, here are our top 10 scary Disney villains!
*insert evil laugh*
10. Zurg (Toy Story)
Emperor Zurg or Evil Emperor Zurg as he’s known to the ladies is quite frankly one of the most terrifying toys you could ever buy your child. He is the ultimate force of evil, and he will stop at nothing to destroy his sworn enemy, Buzz Lightyear.
“So, we meet again, Buzz Lightyear, for the last time!”
This iconic sentence is the first thing that comes to mind when talking about Zurg, he is intent on being a bad boy, and wherever he goes so does his trusted ion blaster.
But seriously take a look at that hideous face, with his oven-like mouth and fiery glowing red eyes, I’m sorry Zurg, but that’s a face only an intergalactic mother could love.
9. Chernabog (Fantasia)
With a name that makes him sound like he comes fresh out of Chernobyl, we have Chernabog, a demon from the 1940 Disney animated classic, Fantasia.
Perhaps, one of Disney's best representations of pure evil, with his devil horns, yellow-glaring eyes, and jagged fangs, his look is completed with his giant sky spanning black wings. Sounds pretty goddamn terrifying, doesn't he?
Chernabog is based on the God of the Night from Slavic mythology. If only it was the God of Happiness, then we might be able to look at him for longer than five seconds...
8. Henry J. Waternoose (Monsters, Inc.)
With his beady eyes, spider legs, and desire to make a profit, you’d be mistaken for thinking that Henry J. Waternoose was just like any other regular old CEO in this world.
This business mogul is a real nasty piece of work, as he looks to experiment and punish poor Boo while sending Sully and Mike to live out their days with The Abominable Snowman.
Not only is Waternoose's hallway chase terrifying but Monsters Inc. itself has plenty of scary characters which we could have easily made a whole separate list about... Top 2319 monsters in Monsters Inc. anyone?
7. Sid (Toy Story)
Ah, Sid Phillips, the notorious toy butcherer who is simply evil to the core (or is he?) Sid’s infamous buzz cut and skull t-shirt might make him look like a Sum 41 reject that keeps trying to get into the band. But maybe after finally giving up, he decided to dedicate his life to the torture of toys.
Sid previously has no redeeming qualities, and that’s what makes him scary.
Did you know that Sid is now a key worker? Yep, that’s right Toy Story 3 featured Sid collecting trash, even wearing the same skull t-shirt he wore in the first film. I guess he is redeemed in some ways, and he was just a kid, doing what some kids do. But with the laugh, the bedroom, and the behaviour showcased in the first film, it certainly set him up to be the next Hannibal Lecter...
6. The Coachman (Pinocchio)
My soul hurts writing this one.
The 1940 film Pinocchio is a classic. A movie for the generations, although some of the acting was a little wooden, don't you think? It’s also a film that has possibly some of the most creepy characters ever, with our top spot going to - The Coachman.
The scene when The Coachman is sitting around the table with two foxes is firmly imprinted into my mind. Now, you’d think that the reason this scene was in my mind would be because of the scary fox and cat smoking and drinking like troopers. But no, in fact, that’s probably the most normal thing going on in the room.
The Coachman goes to the Worthington Foulfellow, “You see, I’m collecting stupid little boys.” A strange flex but let's see where this goes...
He then adds, “And I takes them to Pleasure Island.” Oh, god!
The Coachman then unleashes the evilest grin ever seen. The smile will take years from your life, and viewer discretion is most certainly advised.
5. Bowler Hat Guy (Meet the Robinsons)
We’re following up a creepy man with an ever creepier one, as we place Bowler Hat Guy on the list from Meet the Robinsons.
That gaunt face, along with his jagged features, and curly moustache screams Child Catcher. Don't even get me started on his posture, god, see a doctor man. He completes his look with a Bowler Hat which is a bold fashion choice and a swiss army of a clothing item, to help carry out his evil deeds.
4. Darla (Finding Nemo)
Ladies and Gentleman! Lock up your fishes….
Keep them away from the evil Darla from Finding Nemo - who will shake a fish in a bag until it dies and show zero remorse in doing so. This little girl definitely belongs on Mindhunter as she is a certified psycho fish killer.
Be aware, this girl is evil, crazy, and has a bite like a piranha.
3. Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)
I can think of 101 reasons as to why this b**** is on this list.
Cruella De Vil is a fashion-obsessed business mogul who wants to use the skin of 99 dalmatian puppies to create a fur coat. The ultimate villainess who is hated by pretty much anyone with a soul and an ounce of empathy.
God knows, what would happen if Cruella ever acquired fast-fashion chain Peacocks. Let's just say the beautiful feathery species could very soon hit the endangered list if she was around.
With her skeletal figure, thin face, and evil smile, it's blindingly clear that her appearance matches her soul. She also lives in a place called Hell Hall... So... Come on?
2. Horned King (The Black Cauldron)
With a skull-like face and a body hidden in a long thick cloak, the Horned King is your typical morbid villain who is the ruler and resident of a derelict castle in the lands of Prydain.
The Horned King is on a pursuit of the magic Black Cauldron, which will aid him in his plan of creating an army of undead warriors. Because you know, living warriors weren’t good enough they had to be undead?
Infamous for scaring many a young child, as well as being voiced by the legendary John Hurt, The Horned King even scared then Disney Animation boss Jeffrey Katzenberg. Many key scenes/ shots of him were cut as they were deemed too scary, including one where the King and the cauldron melt (yes melt) many of his henchmen.
1. The Evil Queen (Snow White)
Here we are, number one, and who better to don the crown than the original gangster, the top dog, the big cheese, the head honcho, or as we know her- The Evil Queen?
When she transforms into the scary old woman we see the extent of her true wickedness, the way she gives the apple to the princess is simply terrifying as her plan of being the fairest of them all comes into fruition.
Whether terrifying audiences with her early pristine image and spooky mirror, or later with her horrific transformation, and grim death (the vultures say it all), The Evil Queen made the title "old hag" what it is today!
The fairest? No. The most iconic villain of them all.
We hope you sleep well tonight, but we’ve got a feeling you’ll struggle after reading this list.
So put your feet up and make sure to spend your Halloween watching some of these classic animated characters to creep yourself and the family out, while reliving those childhood nightmares!
Happy Halloween from all of us at Fresh Take!
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