The Most Hated Characters in Movie History

Movies often mirror life and no life is complete without that one person who no matter how hard we try, we can't seem to escape – the bad guy. We've all known one, that person who strives to make our lives just a bit harder, slightly less enjoyable simply, and the movies bring this to life perfectly. Movies give us heroes, villains, and everything in between. Audiences often identify with a hero, the protagonist of a film. But with heroes, come villains, antagonists that become the most hated characters in movie history.

Whether you root for the protagonist or the antagonist, there is no denying that the characters listed here have earned their spot on the list of the most hated movie characters of all time. Perhaps new movie releases will have a new villain we can all love to hate. (Click here to read about the 25 most annoying characters in TV history.)

There was more than one hated character in the Stephen King novel brought to the big screen by Frank Darabont. But the worst of all was Percy Wetmore, the easy-to-hate character played by Doug Hutchison in "The Green Mile" (1999). There's nothing quite like a coward with authority and Wetmore is exactly that.

Due to his connections, he walks through the prison like he owns the place, earning the hatred of both prisoners and fellow guards. Though terrified when confronted, he delights in sadistic actions, which makes the blood of viewers boil.

John Cassavetes played the character of Guy Woodhouse in the film, "Rosemary's Baby" (1968). In the early part of the film, Woodhouse doesn't start as a villain but rather garners the audience's sympathy as he struggles following his wife's miscarriage. But his character soon turns detestable when he trades the well-being of his wife for his career in a deal he carries out with a witch's coven. He then turns his attention to fooling his wife into spawning the son of Satan.

Christopher Waltz took on the role of Hans Landa in the film, "Inglorious Basterds" (2009). Landa is a Nazi who finds Jews in hiding and then ends their lives. He isn't necessarily fueled by hatred, but he is an expert at his job and has no remorse for his executioner duties. He's a cynical, self-centered opportunist, focused only on what benefits him. The worst aspect of his character is that he's brilliant with his undertakings, leaving the distraction of emotions by the wayside.

The physical form of Darth Vader was played by David Prowse but was voiced by James Earl Jones. This fictional character in the film, "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" (1977) is a high-ranking military commander whose interests are limited to domination, no matter who he has to hurt. His past is complex but it's hard to find any sympathy when he's so stoic, revealing only his sadistic and heartless character traits.

Leonardo DiCaprio played the role of Calvin Candie in the film, "Django Unchained" (2012). Candie proclaims himself a Southern gentleman but there's a reason why he's the only one to refer to himself as such. He's a rich and racist plantation owner who gets off on hosting "mandingo fights," which are brutal to-the-death fights he subjects his slaves to for his sadistic entertainment. Candie has no redeeming qualities.

Scar, voiced by Jeremy Irons, is the evil brother of King Mufasa in the animated Disney movie, "The Lion King" (1994). His attitude is rooted in resentment and he spends his life plotting against his stronger brother, King Mufasa. He executes a malicious plan by using King Mufasa's son, Simba, as a pawn. Though he's weak in character and physical strength, Scar is intelligent and effective with his conniving ways.

When it comes to committing evil deeds in a movie, trying to kill a bunch of the cutest puppies has got to be among the worst ever. That was the aim of Cruella de Vil in the "101 Dalmatians" film of 1996. Glenn Close played the character of a chain-smoking, fur-loving evil woman to perfection. As you would expect, her ruthless and selfish ways did not get her what she wanted.

Max Cady, played by Robert De Niro, is a character in the film, "Cape Fear" (1991). Cady is not just a convicted rapist; he's also a psychopath. He spends his time in prison devouring books but not for any other reason than to carry out his plan of homicidal revenge, which he executes ruthlessly, leaving a trail of focused, intentional destruction in his path.

Malcolm McDowell expertly embodies the role of fictional character, Alex DeLarge in "A Clockwork Orange" (1971). He has a certain charm which you can't ignore but despite having some redeeming moments when his depth intrigues you, he's ultimately a sadist who relishes participation in a host of heinous crimes.

Louise Fletcher, the actress who plays Nurse Ratched in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975), makes her character easy to hate. She is an absolute authoritarian who holds the reins of her ward tightly, no matter if it's to the detriment of others. Instead of using violence, she resorts to fear and punishment by dehumanizing and demoralizing those around her – whether using emotional tactics, electroshock therapy, or mental control – she is unbearably cruel.

Javier Bardem transforms into Anton Chigurh, the main character in the film, "No Country for Old Men" (2007). Chigurh has made murder his profession and he is adept at it, taking the lives of those he's assigned to kill without a second thought. He is a mystery throughout the film. The only thing you learn about him is he's well-reasoned with his chilling actions.

Al Pacino brought the character of Tony Montana to life in the film "Scarface" (1983). It is one of the most well-known and rightfully-hated characters of all time. Montana is the perfect example of someone who lives hard only to die fast. He is single-minded, wanting to acquire money, power, and women. He's a mob boss and drug dealer and even as bodies drop around him, nothing deters him. He isn't entirely heartless but the carnage he causes makes him impossible to like.

Sociopath Hannibal Lecter took his serial killing to another level when he started eating his victims after murdering them. This ex-psychiatrist is incarcerated in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. He is even more scary when he appears wearing a face mask. The role was played by renowned Welsh actor, Anthony Hopkins, in the 1991 film, "Silence of the Lambs".

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and that is borne out in the 1987 movie "Fatal Attraction". The spurned character, Alex Forrest, is looking for love through her anger and desperation – which turns into obsession. Her behavior turns to violence in a tale that is enough to put you off dating.

John Kreese, played by Martin Kove, is the antagonist in the movie, "The Karate Kid" (1984). Kreese is a martial arts instructor who encourages ruthlessness when dealing with opponents. He takes an at-all-costs approach to life and shows his students that winning, no matter how you get there, is the only place to be. Kreese takes a cruel, merciless position at a tournament meant to settle matters and behaves unethically, encouraging a no-holds-barred approach.

Stacy Keach takes on the role of Cameron Alexander in the poignant film, "American History X" (1998). Alexander is a white supremacist who doesn't keep his ideas to himself and instead uses propaganda to infiltrate the minds of young, impressionable men. He manages to replicate his vicious ideas in the minds of those who follow him.

Alfred Molina plays the two-faced Moody Mahmoody in "Not Without My Daughter" (1991), a film based on a true story. Mahmoody begins the film as an adoring husband and loving father, but things change drastically after he and his family arrive in Iran, where he's from. His character is ultra-infuriating because his actions don't stray far from the truth of what occurred.

Mahmoody plans to move to his home country under the guise of a two-week visit. When his wife, played by Sally Field, uncovers the truth, he begins to beat her ruthlessly, forcing her to flee the country on a dangerous quest with her daughter in tow.

One of the characters easiest to hate is Amon Goeth, also spelled Göth, played by Ralph Fiennes in the film, "Schindler's List" (1993). This character is all the more evil knowing that he's based on a real person. Goeth's job is to oversee the development of the Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp and he does so from atop his villa, rifle in hand, ready to shoot Jews at whim, considering them sub-humans. He is enthusiastic with his cruelty, delighting in his sadistic actions.

The evil character of Miss Trunchbull appears in the "Matilda" movie of 1996 based on the children's book by esteemed author Roald Dahl. The role is superbly played by actress Pam Ferris who strikes fear into children and adults alike. She is more of a drill sergeant than a teacher and one of her terrifying punishments is to throw 'naughty' kids into the "The Chokey." This scary small space with spikes strikes fear into all her pupils.

The character of Meredith Blake in the movie, "The Parent Trap" (1998), is the sort of woman you would do your best to avoid in real life. As a classic gold-digger, she has no time for the daughters of the men she has set her sights on. She would prefer it if they were not around. The role is expertly played by Elain Hendrix, who steers the character through a series of manipulative exploits.