Audiences love to hate a villain. From high school mean girls to power-hungry doyennes to magical witches, movies have showcased a variety of vicious villainesses. The best performances stick with us far after we’ve watched a movie.
Although we’re sure that these ladies are lovely in real life, they’ve successfully embodied unforgettable villains on screen.
Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch
Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West begins our list. The classic and iconic villain from _The Wizard of Oz_ scared all of us—at least a little bit—as children.
As the Wicked Witch seeks revenge on Dorothy for inadvertently killing her sister, we see her fly on her broomstick, command her army of flying monkeys, and, of course, melt into a puddle when splashed by water. The Wicked Witch is a pop culture icon that has been referenced in other media time and time again. And who could ever forget that perfect witchy cackle?
Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly
Perhaps a more modern wicked witch, Meryl Streep portrays Miranda Priestly in _The Devil Wears Prada_. This she-devil is the ambitious, malicious, and belligerent editor-in-chief of _Runway_ magazine.
Cruel and unapologetic, she makes her new personal assistant Andy’s life a living nightmare. From forcing Andy to get an unpublished manuscript of the next _Harry Potter_ book to delivering a scathing monologue about the color cerulean, this truly terrible boss is an outstanding performance from Meryl Streep.
Kim Walker as Heather Chandler
In the dark comedy _Heathers_, dorky Veronica Sawyer is adopted by high school popular girls Heather Chandler, Heather Duke, and Heather McNamara. Although all three of the titular Heathers are mean girls, queen bee Heather Chandler is the meanest of them all.
Cunning, cruel, and fantastically fashionable, she rules Westerburg High in her shoulder pads. Although killed rather early on in the film, her presence is felt throughout. In the _Heathers_ musical adaptation, Veronica is literally haunted by Heather Chandler’s ghost!
Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson Sisters
A perfect combination of hilarious and evil, the Sanderson Sisters from _Hocus Pocus_ absolutely steal the show. From Bette Midler’s comparatively calculated Winifred, Kathy Najimy’s second-in-command Mary, and Sarah Jessica Parker’s air-headed (yet sinister) Sarah, these characters are perfectly nefarious in this spooky and campy film.
After being inadvertently resurrected by a high-school-aged boy, the Sanderson Sisters wreak havoc on the town of Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night. Watching _Hocus Pocus_ around Halloween each year is a tradition for many and the Sanderson Sisters make this cult-classic unforgettable.
Elaine Hendrix as Meredith Blake
Elaine Hendrix plays gold-digger Meredith Blake in the ‘90s remake of _The Parent Trap_. Outwardly dignified, calm, cool, and collected, Meredith has a secret evil plan.
She is determined to marry Hallie’s (and Annie’s) father for all the wrong reasons, getting in the way of the twins’ plan to get their parents back together. Meredith is cruel and uppity, with plans to send Hallie away to boarding school after the marriage. A wicked step-mother, indeed!
Rachel McAdams as Regina George
How could perhaps the most well-known high school queen bee from film, Regina George, not make the list? Rachel McAdams as Regina George in _Mean Girls_ veils her evil nature with a fake sweet demeanor to get her way.
Manipulative and with a penchant for pink, she changes sweet new-girl Cady into a mean girl, too. With many scathing asides, her devious three-way calls, and her spite-filled Burn Book, Regina George may just be the most iconic movie mean girl ever.
Jennifer Coolidge as Fiona Montgomery
The story of Cinderella has been adapted time and time again, but one of the most memorable evil step-mothers is the always-hilarious Jennifer Coolidge as Fiona Montgomery in _A Cinderella Story_.
Fiona is vain, vapid, selfish, and downright despicable. She treats her biological daughters Brianna and Gabriella like princesses while belittling her step-daughter, Sam.
Megan Fox as Jennifer Check
A popular high school girl becomes a demon (literally) in cult-classic horror movie _Jennifer’s Body_. Megan Fox’s portrayal of devilish and diabolical Jennifer Check is unforgettable.
When possessed by a blood-thirsty succubus demon, Jennifer becomes an unhinged serial murderer. Although the flesh of boys can temporarily satisfy her almost insatiable hunger, she also preys on her best friend, Needy.
Michelle Pfieffer as Velma von Tussle
Velma von Tussle from _Hairspray_ holds antiquated and prejudiced ideals of what society should look like. Michelle Pfieffer does an excellent job of portraying a mean-spirited, selfish, and downright racist producer of _The Corny Collins Show_.
She shames the ever-positive Tracy Turnblad for her weight, attempts to turn the group of _Corny Collins _teenagers against each other, tries to seduce a married man, and does everything in her power to uphold racist ideals and continue segregation.
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn
Even if you haven’t watched one of the several DC movies Margot Robbie portrays Harley Quinn in, you’ve almost certainly seen someone wearing a Halloween costume of this iconic character. From her split-died platinum pigtails, colorful makeup, and baseball bat weapon of choice, Harley Quinn is fierce, unhinged, and unforgettable.
Once a psychiatrist named Harleen Quinzel, Harley Quinn turns to the dark side when she falls in love with one of her patients—The Joker. Although she becomes something of an antihero as the DC cinematic universe expands, it would be remiss not to include this fantastically twisted villainess.
Selma Blair as Vivian Kensington
Vivian Kensington, portrayed by Selma Blair in _Legally Blonde_, is snobby, cold, and competitive. She is everything that Elle Woods is not. Worst of all, she’s dating Elle’s ex!
As the movie progresses, it is revealed that Vivian is complex—sure, she is extremely ambitious, but she’s also insecure and deep down, empathetic. Despite their initial romantic and academic rivalry, Vivian becomes an ally to Elle and they become friends.
Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans
The _High School Musical_ movies were Disney Channel smash hits, and part of the reason has to be due to Ashley Tisdale’s perfect portrayal of drama club diva Sharpay Evans.
Spoiled, sassy, and totally fabulous, Sharpay commands the stage at East High. She is determined to get what she wants and won’t take no for an answer. Sharpay is definitely the kind of antagonist that you end up rooting for (at least a little bit).
Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate
Margaret Tate, played by Sandra Bullock, literally strikes fear into the hearts of her employees at the beginning of _The Proposal_. She is bitter and hostile, and her long-suffering personal assistant, Andrew, gets the worst of it.
Throughout this witty and very funny romantic comedy, Margaret and Andrew fall in love while fake-dating each other. Underneath the aggressive and toxic exterior, Margaret can be silly and kind. Sandra Bullock excellently portrays this complex businesswoman.
Tilda Swinton as The White Witch
The White Witch from _The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe_ is a magical menace. A true ice queen, she is terrifyingly cold and heartless.
The White Witch, also known as Jadis, is an incredibly powerful sorceress who uses her magic for evil. She takes over the magical land of Narnia and makes it an eternal winter—but makes sure that Christmas never comes. How despicable!
