Disney villains: why are they so popular?

Captain Hook, Maleficent, Scar, Cruella from Hell… Disney villains have always fascinated young and old with their charisma, personality and distinctive appearance. For decades, merchandising featuring these characters has remained very popular with Disney fans. In recent years, however, we've seen an increase in the popularity of Disney villains through merchandising, particularly games, fashion and home décor. In this article, we'll explore this trend and find out why Disney villains are more popular than ever.

Disney's villains: impressive chara-design work

It's undeniable: the charismatic personality of Disney villains plays a big part in their appeal. Villains are often more complex than heroes in Disney films, which makes them more interesting to watch. Their complex motivations make them more human and more real to viewers. Their voices are also memorable: often older or more "mature" than the heroes, villains usually have very distinctive voices and/or original ways of speaking, like Kaa from The Jungle Book, and his way of pronouncing the "s "s like the snake he is.

The distinctive appearance of Disney villains is also a key factor in their popularity. Villains are often presented with bright colours, exaggerated shapes and striking accessories that make them instantly recognisable. The costumes of Disney villains are often more elaborate and detailed than those of the heroes, making them more memorable to audiences.

Finally, the nostalgia for Disney classics plays an important role in the popularity of Disney villains. Classic Disney films are often seen as foundational elements of popular culture, and villains from films such as "101 Dalmatians", "Alice in Wonderland" and "Sleeping Beauty" have become icons in their own right. For many Disney fans, adding a Disney villain item to their collection is a way of celebrating Disney's rich history and legacy in popular culture.

Disney's villains: characters brought back into the limelight

Several works over the past 2 decades have helped to revalue these villains, and to make new generations (re)discover them:

• "Wicked : The True Story of the Wicked Witch of the West" : the rehabilitation of villains is nothing new and not unique to Disney characters. Published in 1996, the book, subsequently adapted into a hit musical, tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum's classic "The Wizard of Oz". The musical focuses on the story of the friendship between the unloved green witch Elphaba and the popular and beautiful Glinda, who are both students at Shiz University. The story explores the events that led to Elphaba becoming the Wicked Witch of the West, as well as the reasons why Glinda became the Good Witch of the North.

• "Kindgom Hearts" : the video game series that cleverly combines Disney and Final Fantasy characters in an original fictional universe since 2002 on Playstation 2. The series follows a young boy named Sora, who joins forces with Donald Duck and Goofy to save different worlds from attack by the Heartless, evil beings who seek to plunge the worlds into darkness. The game features a complex story set in several Disney worlds, where Sora meets and helps many iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse, Aladdin, Simba, Jack Sparrow, but also, and above all, a good number of villains whose motivations will take on new meaning.

• "Once Upon A Time" is a fantasy television series that blends fairytale characters and Disney characters into an original fictional universe. The series follows a woman named Emma Swan, who is transported to the fictional town of Storybrooke, where the inhabitants are all fairytale characters who have been trapped in the real world by a curse cast by the Evil Queen. Emma discovers that she is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and that she is the only one who can break the curse and free the people of Storybrooke. Over the seasons, the series explores the stories of many iconic fairytale characters, including Belle, Rumplestiltskin, Cinderella, Rapunzel and many more. This series will have been a great opportunity to show villains in a new light, to question the duality between good and evil, and Lana Parrilla, the actress who plays Regina Mills / the Evil Queen, will have left her mark with her incredible acting performances.

• "Malefic" : The "Maleficent" film series is a reinterpretation of Disney's Sleeping Beauty story, with a particular focus on the character of Maleficent, the evil witch from the fairytale. The first film, released in 2014, follows the story of Maleficent, played by Angelina Jolie, from childhood to adulthood, and reveals how she became the wicked witch we all know. The film also explores Maleficent's relationship with Princess Aurora, whom she curses in revenge for Aurora's father, King Stefan. The second film, released in 2019, takes place several years after the events of the first film and explores the consequences of Maleficent's curse on Princess Aurora and on the relationship between humans and fairies. The film also introduces new characters, such as Queen Ingrith, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, who is Aurora's stepmother. The "Maleficent" series is known for its exceptional performances, particularly by Angelina Jolie, as well as its spectacular visual effects and gothic aesthetic. The films offer a fresh and original perspective on the Sleeping Beauty story, focusing on the complexity of Maleficent's character and exploring themes such as revenge, family and friendship.

"The Descendants" : following on from the success generated by Maleficent, this 2015 Disney Channel TV movie series features the children of 4 Disney  fairytale characters: Mal (daughter of Maleficent), Carlos (son of Cruella of Hell), Jay (son of Jafar) and Evie (daughter of the Evil Queen). The story begins when King Ben, son of Beauty and the Beast, announces that he is going to offer the children of the villains a chance to integrate into the society of Auradon, Disney's kingdom of heroes and princesses. The villains' children are sent to Auradon's school to learn how to be good citizens. However, each of them has their own ideas about how they want to live their lives, and some of them plot to overthrow the system. The films are accompanied by songs, dancing and fun adventures, while tackling themes such as loyalty, friendship and self-acceptance.

Products derived from Disney villains

Figurines and statuettes are a popular choice for Disney fans and are valuable and coveted collector's items. The Funko Pop! Maleficent Dragon figurine is certainly one of the most memorable! Mugs and glasses featuring Disney villains are also very popular for adding a touch of naughtiness to the kitchen or dining room. Cushions and plaids featuring Disney villains can also be used to decorate a sofa or bed, creating a themed look in any room. Finally, the Loungefly range of mini bags, wallets and toiletry bags are also popular with Disney collectors, such as this Villains Triple Pocket Glow In The Dark Mini Backpack.

But above all, Disney has launched a range of games based on the theme of villains: Villainous. Villainous is a card game developed by Ravensburger and inspired by the most iconic villains in the Disney universe. In this game, each player takes on the role of a villain and must achieve his or her specific evil goal before the other players achieve theirs. The game includes different villains such as Maleficent, Jafar, Ursula, the Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook, Prince John, Dr Facilier, Mother Gothel and Hades. Each villain has a specific pack of cards containing actions, locations and events that are all inspired by their respective films. The game is played on a turn-by-turn basis, with each player trying to achieve their specific evil objectives while trying to prevent the other players from achieving theirs. Players must also navigate the Disney kingdom, using special cards and powers to gain advantages and overcome obstacles. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay and unique, exciting theme. It won several awards and quickly became a commercial success. The game is recommended for players aged 10 and over, and can be played by 2 to 6 players. It can even be played by many more, if you own one of the many extensions, all of which are compatible with each other. There are even Marvel and Star Wars variants! The games have been so successful that the Villainous theme has also been translated into puzzles, which you can find here.

Who are the most memorable Disney villains?

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to recall some of the most memorable villains from the Disney universes (non-exhaustive list):

• Ursula - "The Little Mermaid": A sea witch who makes a deal with Ariel to allow her to become human. She has a particularly frightening appearance and uses her magic to manipulate the other characters.
• Jafar -"Aladdin" : An evil vizier who seeks to take power from the Sultan. He uses magic to try to control the other characters and tries to manipulate Aladdin to achieve his goals.
• Scar -"The Lion King" : Mufasa's brother, who is jealous of his older brother and wants to take over the kingdom. He uses intimidation and manipulation to achieve his ends.
• Evil - "Sleeping Beauty": An evil witch who curses Princess Aurora in revenge for not being invited to her christening. She is extremely powerful and has a taste for drama.
• Cruella de Vil - "The 101 Dalmatians": A wealthy, eccentric woman who wants to use Dalmatian puppies to create a fur coat. She is selfish and cruel, and is often depicted wearing extravagant clothes.
• Gaston - "Beauty and the Beast": An arrogant, narcissistic hunter who wants to marry Belle. He is obsessed with himself and doesn't see the point of other people's lives.
• Frollo - "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" : The corrupt judge of Paris who is obsessed with Esmeralda, the gypsy girl. He is violent and a religious fanatic.
• The Queen of Hearts-"Alice in Wonderland": An authoritarian and ruthless queen who wants everyone at her mercy. She is impulsive and very short-tempered.
• Captain Hook - "Peter Pan" : A vicious pirate captain who wants revenge on Peter Pan for cutting off his hand. He is often depicted with a crocodile chasing him.
• Shan Yu - "Mulan" : The leader of an invading army who wants to conquer China. He is brutal and ruthless.
• Madame Mim - "Merlin the Enchanter": An evil witch who competes with Merlin to see who is the most powerful. She is mischievous and loves to play tricks.
• Prince John - "Robin Hood": The evil prince who unfairly taxes the poor to enrich his own purse. He is cowardly and despicable.
• Ratigan -"Basil, Private Eye" : An evil rat who wants to control London. He is clever and manipulative.
• Yzma - "Kuzco, the megalomaniac emperor" : A treacherous advisor who tries to kill Emperor Kuzco in order to take power. She is extravagant and has an eccentric appearance.
• Gideon and John - "Pinocchio"  : Gideon is an anthropomorphic cat and John is a fox. They are the sidekicks of Foulfellow, the manipulative fox who uses Pinocchio for his own ends. Both characters have comic personalities and serve as comic relief in the film.
• Hades - "Hercules": This is the Greek god of hell in Greek mythology. In the film, Hades is portrayed as a villain, plotting to overthrow his brother Zeus and take control of Mount Olympus. He is known for his sarcastic and angry personality, as well as his blue flame hairstyle when he is calm and red when he is angry.

• Dr Facilier - "The Princess and the Frog": He is a voodoo magician who offers deals to the frog Naveen and Princess Tiana for their own nefarious interests. Facilier is known for his manipulative personality and talent for illusions.
• Mother Gothel - "Rapunzel": She is known for her eternal beauty and youth, which she obtains by using the magical powers of Rapunzel's hair. She raises Rapunzel in a tower for her own selfish purposes, while keeping her trapped in her lies and manipulations.
• Clayton - "Tarzan": He is a gorilla hunter and seeks to capture the gorilla Kerchak to sell to a circus. He is known for his arrogant and ruthless personality.
• Syndrome - "The Indestructibles": He is a former fan of Mr Indestructible and seeks revenge on him for rejecting him. He is known for his arrogant personality and his ability to use technology for his own malevolent ends.
• The Queen Witch - "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs": She is known for her desire to remain the fairest in the kingdom and for poisoning Snow White with a poison apple.
• Madame Medusa - "The Adventures of Bernard and Bianca": She is known for her desire to find the Devil's Diamond and for using Bernard and Bianca's child and friend to achieve this. She is portrayed as cruel and manipulative.
• Madame de Trémaine - "Cinderella": She is known for her malice towards her stepdaughter Cinderella and her desire to keep her a prisoner. She is portrayed as cruel and manipulative.
• Shere Khan - "The Jungle Book": Shere Khan is a fierce and ruthless tiger who seeks to kill Mowgli, the young boy raised by wolves in the jungle. He is arrogant, cruel and dangerous, and sees humans as a threat to the jungle animals.
• Si and Am - "Beauty and the Tramp": They are mischievous and manipulative Siamese cats who seek to disgrace Lady, the beloved cocker spaniel of the masters of the house, in order to take her place. They sing a very famous song in the film called "We are Siamese", which is often associated with their devious and cunning personalities.
• Hans - "The Snow Queen": He is Prince Charming of the kingdom of Arendelle. At first, Hans appears to be a kind, caring and charismatic character, who helps Anna in her quest to find her sister, Queen Elsa. However, we later discover that Hans actually has a manipulative and selfish personality. He is only interested in his own power and wealth, and will do anything to secure the throne of Arendelle. He reveals his true nature when Anna falls seriously ill, and he decides to abandon her to freeze to death so that he can take control of the kingdom. In the end, Hans is defeated and exiled after his ambitions are discovered by Elsa and Anna.

In conclusion, Disney villains are making a big comeback in merchandising and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Disney fans can now wear their favourite villains and incorporate them into their home decor. With their charismatic personalities, distinctive looks and iconic status, Disney villains are a timeless source of inspiration for all Disney fans!

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