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Think you know Disney villains? As adults, we see the darkness behind their charm—from narcissistic hunters to manipulative stepmothers, ruthless dictators, and tragic figures shaped by grief. This video dives into the subtle, mature layers that make these iconic bad guys and gals resonate differently once you grow up. From the chilling gaslighting in “Tangled” to the psychological complexity of “Pocahontas,” prepare for a new perspective on Disney’s darkest characters.
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00:00He was such a good man. What happened?
00:03I don't know, but the answer's here somewhere.
00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the evil deeds and questionable
00:11choices of our favorite Disney villains. That hit differently when you've got a few more years
00:16under your belt. Did Pam show a good form when he did this to me?
00:22Number 20. Hans is a red flag, Frozen. When Anna literally fell for Prince Hans,
00:29many of us, especially as kids, thought it was the classic fairytale setup.
00:34This is awkward. Not you're awkward, but just because we're... I'm awkward. You're gorgeous.
00:39Wait, what?
00:40I'd like to formally apologize for hitting the Princess of Arendelle with my horse,
00:44and for every moment after.
00:46He was charming, handsome, and ready to sing a duet about true love after about five minutes.
00:51What's not to like? As adults, though, the alarm bells are deafening.
00:55Hans is basically a walking red flag parade. It's a reminder that when something feels too
01:01good to be true, it probably is.
01:03I've been searching my whole life to find my own place, and maybe it's the party talking,
01:10or the chocolate fondue.
01:12But with you, but with you, I've found my place.
01:16Hans also acts as Disney's meta commentary on its own love at first sight trope, echoing Elsa's point.
01:22You can't marry a man you just met. Most of us have probably met a Hans in real life,
01:27and let's just say, we're much better at spotting these ominous storm clouds now.
01:32The only frozen heart around here is yours.
01:36Number 19. Mother Gothel's Obsessive Vanity, Tangled.
01:41While the thought of kidnap is undeniably abhorrent at any age,
01:45adults can see past the surface to the chilling vanity driving her actions.
01:49Gothel broke into the castle, stole the child, and just like that, gone.
01:53This woman isn't just evil, she's a slave to her own reflection,
01:57willing to commit heinous crimes to preserve her youthful glow.
02:01Her narcissism is so deep that she literally turns to crime to maintain appearances.
02:05Look in that mirror. You know what I see?
02:08I see a strong, confident, beautiful young lady.
02:13Oh look, you're here too.
02:16I'm just teasing, stop taking everything so seriously.
02:19While to a child, Mother Knows Best is another banging villain song,
02:23As grown-ups, we recognize Gothel's actions as a masterclass in psychological manipulation and gaslighting,
02:30a sinister blueprint for keeping Rapunzel isolated and dependent.
02:33It's going to take a first-class therapist to help Rapunzel unpack years of emotional mistreatment.
02:39Gullible, naive, positively, grubby, ditzy, and a bit, well, mmm, vague.
02:45Plus, I believe, getting kind of chubby.
02:48I'm just saying, cause I love you.
02:52Number 18. Lady Tremaine's terrible parenting, Cinderella.
02:56Poor Cinderella.
02:58As kids, we knew her stepmother and stepsisters were mean,
03:01but the true extent of Lady Tremaine's cruelty often went over our heads.
03:05And don't forget the garden, then scrub the terrace, sweep the halls and the stairs,
03:09clean the chimneys, and of course there's the mending and the sewing and the laundry.
03:14Looking back, it's clear Cinderella endured relentless psychological abuse.
03:18She wasn't just treated like a maid.
03:20Her identity and self-worth were systematically stripped away.
03:24The mental toll of living with that kind of degradation for years becomes painfully obvious as adults.
03:30Girls, girls.
03:32That's quite enough.
03:34Hurry along now, both of you.
03:36I won't have you upsetting yourselves.
03:38Suddenly, marrying a man who only knows her by her shoe size seems less absurd and more like a desperate
03:44escape.
03:44Even the stepsisters were victims in a way.
03:46Did she actually love them, or were they just pawns in her ruthless pursuit of social status and wealth?
03:52And then help my daughter's dress.
03:54What for?
03:55If he's in love with that girl, why should we even bother?
03:59Now you two listen to me.
04:01There is still a chance that one of you can get him.
04:09As kids, Hades was simply the hot-headed, sarcastic god of the underworld.
04:13How are things in the underworld?
04:15Well, they're just fine.
04:17You know, a little dark, a little gloomy, and as always, hey, full of dead people.
04:21What are you gonna do?
04:21But as adults, suddenly, his base-level rage and exasperation hit a little too close to home.
04:27Imagine being perpetually stuck in a dead-end job, handling all the grunt work and soul-crushing responsibilities,
04:33while your big-boss brother, Zeus, and his privileged cronies are up on Mount Olympus, literally partying it up.
04:40Join the celebration!
04:42Hey, love to, babe.
04:44But unlike you gods lounging about up here, I regrettably have a full-time gig that you, by the way,
04:51so charitably bestowed on me, Zeus.
04:53So, can't.
04:55Love to, but can't.
04:56Hades is essentially the universe's most overworked middle manager, dealing with endless paperwork, souls, probably, and a bleak office environment.
05:05Many of us have felt that soul-sucking weight of a job where you're surrounded by ghosts, aka burnt-out
05:11co-workers, and dream of overthrowing the negligent higher-ups.
05:15His frustration is shockingly relatable.
05:17I swear to you, ladies, when I get out of here.
05:21I'm the one giving orders now, bolt boy.
05:24And I think I'm gonna like it here.
05:26Number 16.
05:27Shan Yu's leadership.
05:29Mulan.
05:29Shan Yu is a terrifying force of nature.
05:32A ruthless killer with an army that devastates everything in its path.
05:36By building his wall, he challenged my strength.
05:39Well, I'm here to play his game.
05:41He's the kind of villain who haunted our nightmares as kids.
05:45But watching now, we can see something even more horrifying going on.
05:49It's easy to dismiss a villain motivated purely by terror.
05:52But when a leader can inspire such devotion while committing horrific acts,
05:56it hints at a sinister magnetism often found in history's most notorious dictators.
06:01The quickest way to the emperor is through that pass.
06:07Besides, the little girl will be missing her doll.
06:10We should return it to her.
06:12His unwavering confidence and strategic mind,
06:15coupled with his utter disregard for human life,
06:18paint a chilling picture of calculated evil,
06:20reminding us that true leadership can be wielded for the darkest purposes.
06:24Your walls and armies have fallen.
06:27And now it's your turn.
06:30Bow to me.
06:31Number 15.
06:32Governor John Ratcliffe was a real villain.
06:35Pocahontas.
06:36Back in the day, Pocahontas was a vibrant, overly romanticized tale of star-crossed lovers.
06:41But then you hit adulthood, crack open a history book,
06:45and realize that Governor John Ratcliffe wasn't just some over-the-top Disney villain.
06:49My rival's back home.
06:51It's not that I'm bitter, but think how they squirm and they see how I'm glitter.
06:56Turns out, he was a real English explorer and one of Jamestown's early leaders.
07:01His story ended far more gruesomely than Disney suggests.
07:04They never said he was a direct copy, but the similarities are clear.
07:08I hereby claim this land, and all its riches, in the name of His Majesty King James I,
07:15and do so name this settlement James Town.
07:19Classic Disney, taking these dark, complicated historical figures and sugarcoating them.
07:24Just goes to show, a lot of those fairy tales we loved as kids are rooted in some pretty messy
07:29real-life events,
07:30and that the happily ever after often comes with significant artistic liberties.
07:34Put him in change!
07:36I'll see you all hang for this, and get him as well.
07:41Number 14.
07:42Don Bellwether's Motivations.
07:44Zootopia.
07:45Zootopia's villain reveal was quite the surprise.
07:48How did you know where to find us?
07:50I'll go ahead and I'll take that case now.
07:51You know what?
07:52I think Nick and I will just take this to the ZPD.
07:56But now, her role as a calculating sheep in Wolf's clothing feels all too familiar.
08:02Right from the start, she uses her overlooked, overworked employee status to her advantage.
08:07Oh, I'm more of a glorified secretary.
08:09I think May Lionheart just wanted the sheep vote.
08:12But he did give me that nice mug.
08:14Oh.
08:15Hmm.
08:15Feels good to be appreciated.
08:17Bellwether is a great example of passive-aggressive behavior,
08:21hiding behind a sweet and harmless appearance while carefully carrying out her plan.
08:25Her resentment comes from believing she was just a diversity hire,
08:29which adds a realistic touch to her bitterness.
08:31Prey outnumber predators 10 to 1.
08:38Think of it.
08:3990% of the population united against a common enemy will be unstoppable.
08:46The night howlers are essentially a political tactic meant to spread fear and gain power by dividing people.
08:52The scariest thing is that, while Bellwether gets caught,
08:55in real life, people like her often keep climbing, leaving a toxic culture behind.
09:01Former Mayor Dawn Bellwether is behind bars today,
09:03guilty of masterminding the savage attacks that have plagued Zootopia of late.
09:08Number 13.
09:09Edgar's Inheritance.
09:10The Aristocats.
09:12Look, nobody out here is rooting for catnapping, especially not of beloved felines.
09:16Still, as adulthood and bills hit us like a ton of bricks,
09:20it's hard not to feel a tiny bit sorry for Edgar.
09:23This mansion, your country's shadow, our treasures, jewels, and...
09:28Oh, no, no, George, to my cats.
09:32To your cats?
09:34Bits!
09:35Imagine spending your whole life waiting on a rich old lady,
09:38only to find out your entire retirement plan hinges on the lifespan of a pampered cat and her three kittens.
09:44Sure, Duchess and her crew are adorable,
09:47but what were they gonna do with all that money?
09:49Meanwhile, Edgar's just trying to secure his future after years of loyal service.
09:54Cats!
09:54Inherit first, and I come after the cats.
09:58I, me, after...
09:59No, it's... it's not fair!
10:02In an era of soaring living costs and stagnant wages,
10:06it's not hard to see why someone might start thinking outside the litter box.
10:10Rock a bike it is, bye bye you go.
10:15La, la, la, la, and I'm in the dough.
10:19Number 12. Maleficent's FOMO, Sleeping Beauty.
10:22There's a reason Maleficent is known as the Mistress of Evil.
10:25So she's just an evil person who does evil things, right?
10:28Quite a glittering assemblage, King Stefan.
10:33Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and...
10:42Let's pause a moment and consider her perspective.
10:45There's a huge party, and everyone in the kingdom seems to be invited, except her.
10:50Sure, she's an evil fairy and all that,
10:52but that level of social exclusion and the FOMO that comes with it can sting.
10:56I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation.
11:00You weren't wanted.
11:02Not what?
11:05Oh, dear, what an awkward situation.
11:08I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight.
11:11Imagine being the only one deliberately left off the guest list for a major public event.
11:16Wouldn't you feel a little miffed?
11:17Do we think cursing a baby was a slight overreaction?
11:21Absolutely.
11:22But as adults, we can't empathize.
11:24Feeling like an outcast can flood your brain with dark thoughts.
11:28Before the sun sets on her 16th birthday,
11:31she shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die!
11:37Number 11. Jafar's Ambition
11:40Aladdin
11:40Whoever thought we'd grow up to relate to Jafar?
11:43For starters, he works for an incredibly childish, incompetent, and frankly, annoying boss.
11:49You are most gracious, my liege.
11:51Now, run along and play with your little toys.
11:55Who among us hasn't fantasized about what we'd do if we were in charge instead of our utterly useless superiors.
12:01Jafar isn't just evil.
12:02He's fiercely ambitious and possesses a clear vision for what he wants.
12:07You can't help but respect his drive.
12:09There's a new order now.
12:10My order.
12:12Finally, you will bow to me.
12:15He wants power.
12:17And he wants it now.
12:18And with a genie at his disposal,
12:20he sees a direct path to skipping the tedious middle steps.
12:23His arc also serves as an adult lesson.
12:26Be kind on your way up.
12:27Because you might end up in an itty-bitty living space on your way back down.
12:32Everything that goes with it.
12:34No!
12:36No!
12:37I'm getting out of here!
12:38Phenomenal cosmic powers!
12:40Come on, you're the genie!
12:41I love you!
12:43Itty-bitty living space.
12:44Number 10.
12:45Prince John's real-life influence.
12:47Robin Hood.
12:48The character of Robin Hood has long since become a symbol of rebellion and hope in popular media.
12:53I rob the rich to feed the poor.
12:56Rob?
12:57That's a naughty word.
12:59We never rob.
13:00We just sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it.
13:03Although this green-clad bandit is more of an alias for outlaws rather than a real historical figure,
13:09his long-standing nemesis, Prince John, has a real-life basis.
13:13John was the king of England for 17 years, and has historically often been dubbed a bad ruler.
13:19This crown gives me a feeling of power!
13:23Power!
13:24Forgive me a cruel chuckle.
13:28Power.
13:29Throughout his reign, he lost a great deal of land to France, was excommunicated from the church,
13:34and implemented many contentious financial measures.
13:37These actions, in combination with a reportedly vicious personality,
13:42cultivated the villainous representation we are familiar with today.
13:45Disney may have emphasized or exaggerated some of these aspects,
13:49but adults watching will still pick up on the reference.
13:52For that good for nothing, John.
13:54Incredible as he is inept.
13:56Whenever the history books are kept, they'll call him the phony king of England.
14:02Number 9.
14:03Scar's historical counterpart, The Lion King.
14:06Long live the king.
14:17He murders his brother and tricks his nephew into exile.
14:21That alone cements Scar's place as one of Disney's scariest villains,
14:24but the parallels between him and Adolf Hitler definitely add to his terrifying nature.
14:29I know it sounds sordid, but you'll be rewarded
14:33When at last I am given my dues
14:36And injustice deliciously swear
14:40Be prepared
14:43Indeed, the creators of this family-friendly film loosely base this character on one of the most evil figures in
14:49history.
14:50The similarity becomes blatantly clear during the Be Prepared sequence.
14:53As Scar belts out his plan to seize power, his army of hyenas march onward in goose-step formation.
15:00And though I may not see,
15:03the point that I must emphasize is,
15:07you won't get a sniff without me!
15:10The imagery takes visual cues from Nazi rallies and parades,
15:14intentionally echoing scenes from Triumph of the Will.
15:17Rewatching The Lion King as an adult and making the connection is certainly disconcerting.
15:21Yes, our teeth and ambitions are fared!
15:25Be prepared!
15:29Number 8.
15:30WALL-E's Sci-Fi Tribute
15:31WALL-E
15:32Co-writer and director Andrew Stanton took inspiration from several sci-fi classics,
15:37such as Alien and Star Wars, when creating this beloved Pixar film.
15:40Some mature viewers may have even recognized the influence of Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece 2001 A Space Odyssey.
15:47Open the pod bay doors, Hal.
15:50I'm sorry, Dave.
15:51I'm afraid I can't do that.
15:53For those familiar with the film,
15:55it's clear that HAL 9000's ominous yet iconic appearance had a strong influence over Otto from WALL-E.
16:01Unfortunately for those aboard the Axiom, these red-eyed bad guys also have similar story arcs.
16:07Otto, get out of my way.
16:09We cannot go home.
16:11What are you talking about? Why not?
16:13That is classified. Captain, give me the plane.
16:16What do you mean classified? You don't keep a secret from the captain.
16:18Both AI characters were once friends to humanity, but did not hesitate to turn on them when their missions were
16:24jeopardized.
16:25From the cold physical appearances to the lethal work ethic,
16:28Otto's similarities to HAL somehow make the Disney villain that much scarier.
16:36Otto, you are relieved of duty.
16:45Number 7. Shere Khan's Valid Fears – The Jungle Book
16:49For an anthropomorphic tiger, this antagonist's motives are surprisingly sympathetic when you think about it.
16:55Why would he want to do that?
16:57He hates man.
16:59And Shere Khan is not going to allow you to grow up to become a man?
17:03Just another hunter with a gun?
17:05Shere Khan is the prideful, self-proclaimed Lord of the Jungle, and a powerful force to be reckoned with.
17:11Despite his intimidating demeanor, he really just fears one thing – mankind's destructive capabilities.
17:18He's sure to pick up the man-cum's trail.
17:21Ha, ha, ha.
17:23Shere Khan, nonsense, old boy.
17:25Shere Khan is within fire area.
17:28And we can't blame him.
17:30Considering man's use of firearms and fire itself,
17:33we can't begin to imagine the amount of deforestation or hunting that Shere Khan has witnessed.
17:38Now, kids and adults alike probably realize that it's somewhat irrational for him to target Mowgli for fear of what
17:44he may become.
17:45Let go! Blue needs help!
17:52Fire!
17:53That's the only thing I'll strike as a pride of.
17:55You get the fire, we'll do the rest.
17:57But older audiences can also see that his underlying concerns are valid and understandable.
18:02Number 6.
18:04Ursula's divine inspiration, the Little Mermaid.
18:07In another life, this sea witch may have had a successful career in the legal system,
18:11drawing up tricky contracts for those unfortunate enough to sign them.
18:15Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.
18:18You see?
18:19The contract's legal, binding, and completely unbreakable, even for you.
18:24But we know Ursula today as one of the most fabulous Disney villains around.
18:29Yes, I've had without complaint,
18:30but of the whole I've been a saint, to those poor unfortunate souls."
18:39Children, however, probably won't clock the inspiration behind her look.
18:43As the story goes, one of the Little Mermaid's animators drew up a character design of Ursula
18:48that strongly resembled drag icon Divine.
18:51Soon, Divine's signature makeup, style, and larger-than-life persona helped shape this
18:55iconic antagonist.
18:57Though Divine was first known for his controversial roles in counterculture cinema, their captivating
19:02legacy will forever also live on within one of Disney's most beloved villains.
19:06This poor unfortunate soul!
19:16Number 5, The Tragic Irony of Robert Callahan, Big Hero 6.
19:21Big Hero 6 is unique in its approach because it gives the antagonist and protagonist of its
19:26story near identical motivations.
19:28Zadashi, no!
19:35Callahan's in there.
19:36Someone has to help.
19:38When Hiro Hamada realizes the fire that led to the loss of his older brother may not have
19:42been accidental, he seeks justice.
19:45It's later revealed that the man responsible, Robert Callahan, was on his own path of vengeance
19:50after his daughter disappeared during a colleague's experiment.
19:53Although Callahan may have gone a little off the deep end, anyone old enough to have known
19:57grief can sympathize with his motives just as we did with heroes.
20:00That guy in the mask stole my microbots and then set the fire to cover his tracks.
20:06He's responsible for Tadashi.
20:09We gotta catch that guy.
20:11That perspective also allows older viewers to see the tragic irony in Callahan becoming
20:15the very thing he sought to avenge, while afflicting a similar fate onto another.
20:36We've all had moments of frustration at work, and Yzma isn't all that different from us.
20:41In the first 10 minutes of the Emperor's New Groove, it's not exactly clear who we should
20:45be rooting for.
20:58In all honesty, Kuzco comes across as an incompetent ruler who has no regard for anyone but himself.
21:05But as kids, we understood Yzma was the villain and didn't think much of it.
21:09That's not the case now that we're older.
21:11That's gonna be tough.
21:12That's gonna be tough.
21:12More broccoli?
21:13Because you're, I don't know, let's face it, you're no spring chicken.
21:17And I mean that in the best possible way.
21:21Looking back, we can't really blame her for wanting to change the way things are run at
21:25her thankless job, and being upset when she gets the axe, even if her methods are questionable.
21:31She's just determined to get what she wants out of her career.
21:34That your body's part of a permanent out-pacement.
21:37Hey, that's kinda like what he said to you when you got fired.
21:41I know.
21:42It's called a cruel irony, like my dependence on you.
21:46Number 3.
21:47Frollo's Motives – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
21:49While children can understand that this minister of justice isn't a good person, his motives
21:55might be too complicated for them to fully grasp.
21:57Purge the world of vice and sin, and he saw corruption everywhere except within.
22:09Claude Frollo considers himself a pious and devout man in a world full of corruption.
22:14Keep in mind that this is coming from the guy who murdered Quasimodo's mom and almost
22:18did the same to the protagonist, and wanted to eliminate an entire population of people.
22:23You mistreat this poor boy the same way you mistreat my people.
22:27You speak of justice, yet you are cruel to those most in need of your help.
22:31Silence!
22:31Justice!
22:32Regardless, when lustful desires begin to stir inside him after meeting Esmeralda,
22:37his internal conflict manifests into a violent rampage.
22:40Frollo's religious views, sexual feelings, and warped perspective in the face of those
22:45sensations become crystal clear as you grow up.
22:48Choose me or your pyre, be mine or you will burn!
22:58We're more scared of him now than we were as kids.
23:02Number 2.
23:03Hook's Justified Revenge – Peter Pan
23:05We're not saying that Captain Hook is in the right for trying to get rid of Peter Pan.
23:09Tell us one of your adventures!
23:11Something exciting!
23:13What do you hear about the time I cut off Hook's hand and threw it to the crocodile?
23:16Oh, I've always liked that one!
23:18Me too!
23:20But the older we get, the more we see that maybe his motivations aren't all that unreasonable
23:24considering his predicament.
23:26After all, Pan did unapologetically cut off his hand and feed it to an ever-hungry crocodile.
23:32Cutting your hand off was only a childish prank, you might say.
23:35Aye, but throwing it to that crocodile!
23:38That cursed beast liked the taste of me so well, he's followed me ever since!
23:43It's clear to grown-ups watching that the whole situation has left Hook with many sleepless nights
23:48and some serious trauma he hasn't fully processed.
23:51To top it off, Pan is an annoyingly bratty and immature kid, in appearance anyway,
23:56who enjoys toying with the villain and driving him to the brink.
23:59All right, if you say you're a codfish.
24:04I'm a codfish.
24:06Louder!
24:08I'm a codfish!
24:10Most adults will agree that some non-violent accountability is in order.
24:15A metaphorical hand-for-hand, if you will.
24:17Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
24:22Long John Silver's surprising heart, Treasure Planet.
24:24It's not often Disney villains actually grow to care about the heroes.
24:28You got the makings of greatness in you.
24:31But you gotta take the helm and charge your own course.
24:35Stick to it!
24:36No matter the squalls!
24:38Ticca's justifiable rage.
24:40Moana.
24:41Yeah, you'd be mad if someone came into your home, created a mess, and stole your most treasured possession.
24:46But without her heart, Te Fiti began to crumble, giving birth to a terrible darkness.
24:54Cruella de Vil's old Hollywood inspirations, 101 Dalmatians.
24:58How old were you when you realized Cruella was based on Tallulah Bankhead?
25:02How are you?
25:03Miserable darling, as usual, perfectly wretched.
25:06Chernobog is based on a real deity, Fantasia.
25:10Unless you were well-versed on Slavic mythology, why would you know this?
25:23Lotso Huggin' Bear, Toy Story 3.
25:26This bad bear needs to work through his abandonment issues.
25:29Something changed that day inside Lotso.
25:32Something snapped.
25:34She replaced us.
25:35Come on.
25:37No, she only replaced you.
25:38She replaced all of us!
25:40Didn't she?
25:41Number 1.
25:43Predator Gaston, Beauty and the Beast.
25:45The townspeople of this film's central village are quick to fear and incite violence against the Beast,
25:51but largely disregard the real monster among them.
25:53So it's time to take some action, boys.
25:57It's time to follow me.
26:04Gaston is the obvious villain of Beauty and the Beast, whose behavior towards women is shocking to see as an
26:09adult viewer.
26:10This narcissistic hunter has set his sights on marrying Belle, but he's only really interested in her looks.
26:16It's not right for a woman to read.
26:18Soon she starts getting ideas and thinking.
26:21Gaston, you are positively primeval.
26:22Despite her consistent rejections and clear discomfort, he attempts to strong-arm her into a relationship.
26:29His actions and mindset are disturbing, as his conduct basically constitutes stalking and harassment.
26:35Here, Disney created an antagonist whose truly evil nature is not lost on mature audiences,
26:40who know that little is scarier than someone who doesn't understand that no means no.
26:45If you marry me.
26:47What?
26:48One little word, Belle, that's all it takes.
26:51Never.
26:52Have it your way.
26:53Who is your favorite Disney villain?
26:55Let us know in the comments.
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