we’re not saying we condone their
actions but we can’t help but have a
soft spot in our hearts for these bad
guys I’m lots of hugging bear but please
call me lots of welcome to watchmojo.com
and today we’re counting down our picks
for the top ten sympathetic movie
villains so then you can just tell us
for this list we’re looking at those
villains that we come to empathize with
and care for in many cases due to a
tragic backstory I have brought peace
freedom justice and security to my new
empire we’re excluding anti-heroes from
this list as they have to be
full-fledged villains in order to be
eligible also let this serve as your
spoiler alert
number 10 Brigadier General Francis X
Frank Hummel the rock Frank Hummel is
without question a terrorist and a
villain but one with a tragic history
and a surprising amount of heart I’ve
choked on these lies my entire career
well here and now balázs stop Hummel
takes over Alcatraz and holds tourists
hostage but he’s not out to get money
for himself he wants the one hundred
million dollars in government ransom
he’s demanded to go to the families of
soldiers he worked with who died and
were never compensated
however Hummel was unfortunately unable
to hire men as altruistic as himself and
a mutiny ensues this mission was based
on the threat of force I’m not about to
kill 80,000 innocent people do you think
I’m out of my mind it’s a heartbreaking
and selfless story that makes us feel
emotionally invested in the outcome even
if his method of obtaining the money is
a little less than Orthodox
number nine Andrew Detmer Chronicle hey
hold on this underrated sci-fi gem
boasts one of the most unique movie
villains in a while one who is just as
relatable and sympathetic as the heroes
shit man is that Andrew it sounds kind
of like a ninja one today when three
teenagers mysteriously inherit
superpowers Andrew let’s it negatively
influence him using them for destruction
and murder but his motivation for these
actions can in some ways be explained by
the sad nature of his home life with his
mother dying of cancer his father an
abusive drunk and school bullies
tormenting him the rest of the time
while he originally uses his powers to
defend himself he lets things get out of
hand but that only demonstrates his
flawed humanity number eight Khan
Noonien Singh Star Trek – the Wrath of
Khan I cannot help but be touched I of
course remember you this film’s exalted
standing is bolstered by Khan’s strength
as a formidable and sympathetic villain
he was first introduced to TV audiences
in the original series episode space
succeed where the genetically engineered
superhuman awakes after centuries in
suspended animation attempts to overtake
the Enterprise crew and is ultimately
exiled by Kirk on a distant planet I
shall leave you as you between the
events of the episode and the film
however a massive planetary shift
results in the death of Khan’s wife and
others and Khan places the blame
squarely on Kirk still o friend you
managed to kill just about everyone else
but Michael
Marx when you keep missing the target
while we don’t condone his actions we
can certainly appreciate why he’d want
revenge
however Khan’s villainy leads to Spock’s
death and there’s only one thing to say
about that
number seven golem the Lord of the Rings
franchise nice grass on the page or on
screen the creature formerly known as
Smeagol was once a hobbit like any other
precious but thanks to a fateful fishing
trip his life immediately began
spiraling into obsession falling under
the immense power of the One Ring
Smeagol slowly but surely regressed into
a barely recognizable monster pushed to
deceive and murder for his precious
moment seeing the internal struggle
between Smeagol and his alter-ego Gollum
is as heartbreaking as it is pathetic as
the same destiny could have befallen
anyone it was simply an unlucky twist of
fate but not everyone could have helped
in the quest to destroy the ring and its
power meaning Gollum was a conflicted
and sympathetic villain number 6 the
phantom the Phantom of the Opera
an oldie but a goodie this classic
villain has been terrifying and moving
film audiences for almost 100 years
while the deformed face beneath the
Phantom’s mask is certainly scary we
can’t help but feel bad for this tragic
figure as he’s forced to conceal himself
for his own personal comfort and
security June he also deeply and
sincerely loves Christine Daae a a
performer at the Opera and his muse
true he does murder innocent people in
order to make her a star but his blind
devotion to her is quite charming in its
own twisted way
number five Koba dawn of the Planet of
the Apes gilman what gilman what what do
you think would happen if the lab
animals we experimented on suddenly
developed extreme intelligence and
escaped
after spending his life being tortured
for the Advancement of science Koba
became cruel and aggressive when exposed
to a LZ 1:13 his intellect skyrocketed
making sure that this pissed-off ape had
the brains to escape and fight the
humans who had brutalized him for so
long
Hey what wha Apes together strong when
with his kind Koba is a good friend who
will fight to save lives
when faced with his human tormentors or
any ape dissenters it’s a different
story apes follow go by now but can you
really blame him by the end you’re
barely sure who to root for you
number four Anakin Skywalker Darth Vader
the Star Wars franchise I’m a person my
name is Anakin one of the most iconic
villains ever Darth Vader is both
terrifying and intensely tragic help me
take this mask off but you’ll die
nothing
can stop that now in the original
trilogy Vader is the catalyst for most
of the action destroying planets warping
Luke’s morality and causing havoc across
the galaxy I find your lack of faith
disturbing while he has a change of
heart at the end his backstory is even
more heartbreaking once a hero Anakin
Skywalker turns to the dark side to save
his wife’s life but when he suspects
Padme of plotting against him the death
he tried so hard to prevent happens at
his own hand losing his love leads
Anakin to truly embrace the dark side
making him one of the film’s most brutal
characters and one of its most human
number three dr. octopus spider-man two
arguably the greatest villain in
arguably the greatest spider-man movie
dr. Otto Octavius was once a lovable
dork who couldn’t understand PS Elliot
I’m serious TSM is more complicated than
advanced science but that was before his
accident affected not only his physical
being but also his mental health during
an experiment
the good doctor loses his wife when the
test goes wrong and has mechanical arms
grafted onto his body at the same time
to know that your own creation led to
your loving wife’s death is sure to
bring anyone into dark territory shut it
down hawk you’re gonna hurt a lot more
people that’s time well that’s our risk
we’re willing to take well he give
spider-man a good fight we can’t help
but feel sorry for him as he’s doing it
these things have turned you into
something you’re not
don’t listen to them
it was my train number two Roy batty
Bladerunner yes questions it’s hard to
believe that this Ridley Scott
masterpiece was disliked in its time
especially with an iconic villain like
Roy batty Nexus 6 Roy batty in Sept 8
2016 possessing exceptional strength and
smarts Roy comes to earth hoping to
extend his extremely short lifespan as
he’s a replicant and will die within
four years leaving him with only a
couple of months you were made as well
as we could make you but not to last as
mortality is one of the most relatable
sources of anxiety we can easily
identify with batty who offers up one of
cinema’s greatest soliloquies to muse on
his impending demise I’ve seen this
fantastic philosophical argument
regarding death cements Roy status as
one of cinema’s most sympathetic
villains Dyk tears
Rane before we shed a tear for our most
sympathetic movie villain here are a few
honorable mentions
you live you die
now we’re talking I am a god you dull
creature and I will not be bullied by
I’m not gonna fight you you’re my friend
number one Magneto
the x-men franchise I will bring you
home old friend when a character is
portrayed by talented actors like Ian
McKellen and Michael Fassbender he gets
automatic sympathy points so much for
diplomacy but to delve deeper Erik
Lehnsherr is a Holocaust survivor deeply
affected by the atrocities he witnessed
oh it’s not so surprising really mankind
has always feared what it doesn’t
understand becoming something of a civil
rights activist along the lines of a
malcolm x magneto goes further than his
real-life counterpart when faced with
persecution wishing to have mutants take
their rightful place in control of the
world the humans have played their hand
now we get ready to play ours with his
single mindedness ultimately leading to
the paralysis of his good friend turned
mortal enemy flincher makes the
transition from eric to magneto a super
villain of the highest order you sure
you saw what you saw
he’s a dark character but a sympathetic
one in the context of his motivations
take off your blinders brothers and
sisters the real enemy is out there do
you agree with our list I’ll drop him
why did you guys you what movie villain
do you sympathize with hey no kill
Hey for more heartbreaking top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com there’s a bad move
soldier
actions but we can’t help but have a
soft spot in our hearts for these bad
guys I’m lots of hugging bear but please
call me lots of welcome to watchmojo.com
and today we’re counting down our picks
for the top ten sympathetic movie
villains so then you can just tell us
for this list we’re looking at those
villains that we come to empathize with
and care for in many cases due to a
tragic backstory I have brought peace
freedom justice and security to my new
empire we’re excluding anti-heroes from
this list as they have to be
full-fledged villains in order to be
eligible also let this serve as your
spoiler alert
number 10 Brigadier General Francis X
Frank Hummel the rock Frank Hummel is
without question a terrorist and a
villain but one with a tragic history
and a surprising amount of heart I’ve
choked on these lies my entire career
well here and now balázs stop Hummel
takes over Alcatraz and holds tourists
hostage but he’s not out to get money
for himself he wants the one hundred
million dollars in government ransom
he’s demanded to go to the families of
soldiers he worked with who died and
were never compensated
however Hummel was unfortunately unable
to hire men as altruistic as himself and
a mutiny ensues this mission was based
on the threat of force I’m not about to
kill 80,000 innocent people do you think
I’m out of my mind it’s a heartbreaking
and selfless story that makes us feel
emotionally invested in the outcome even
if his method of obtaining the money is
a little less than Orthodox
number nine Andrew Detmer Chronicle hey
hold on this underrated sci-fi gem
boasts one of the most unique movie
villains in a while one who is just as
relatable and sympathetic as the heroes
shit man is that Andrew it sounds kind
of like a ninja one today when three
teenagers mysteriously inherit
superpowers Andrew let’s it negatively
influence him using them for destruction
and murder but his motivation for these
actions can in some ways be explained by
the sad nature of his home life with his
mother dying of cancer his father an
abusive drunk and school bullies
tormenting him the rest of the time
while he originally uses his powers to
defend himself he lets things get out of
hand but that only demonstrates his
flawed humanity number eight Khan
Noonien Singh Star Trek – the Wrath of
Khan I cannot help but be touched I of
course remember you this film’s exalted
standing is bolstered by Khan’s strength
as a formidable and sympathetic villain
he was first introduced to TV audiences
in the original series episode space
succeed where the genetically engineered
superhuman awakes after centuries in
suspended animation attempts to overtake
the Enterprise crew and is ultimately
exiled by Kirk on a distant planet I
shall leave you as you between the
events of the episode and the film
however a massive planetary shift
results in the death of Khan’s wife and
others and Khan places the blame
squarely on Kirk still o friend you
managed to kill just about everyone else
but Michael
Marx when you keep missing the target
while we don’t condone his actions we
can certainly appreciate why he’d want
revenge
however Khan’s villainy leads to Spock’s
death and there’s only one thing to say
about that
number seven golem the Lord of the Rings
franchise nice grass on the page or on
screen the creature formerly known as
Smeagol was once a hobbit like any other
precious but thanks to a fateful fishing
trip his life immediately began
spiraling into obsession falling under
the immense power of the One Ring
Smeagol slowly but surely regressed into
a barely recognizable monster pushed to
deceive and murder for his precious
moment seeing the internal struggle
between Smeagol and his alter-ego Gollum
is as heartbreaking as it is pathetic as
the same destiny could have befallen
anyone it was simply an unlucky twist of
fate but not everyone could have helped
in the quest to destroy the ring and its
power meaning Gollum was a conflicted
and sympathetic villain number 6 the
phantom the Phantom of the Opera
an oldie but a goodie this classic
villain has been terrifying and moving
film audiences for almost 100 years
while the deformed face beneath the
Phantom’s mask is certainly scary we
can’t help but feel bad for this tragic
figure as he’s forced to conceal himself
for his own personal comfort and
security June he also deeply and
sincerely loves Christine Daae a a
performer at the Opera and his muse
true he does murder innocent people in
order to make her a star but his blind
devotion to her is quite charming in its
own twisted way
number five Koba dawn of the Planet of
the Apes gilman what gilman what what do
you think would happen if the lab
animals we experimented on suddenly
developed extreme intelligence and
escaped
after spending his life being tortured
for the Advancement of science Koba
became cruel and aggressive when exposed
to a LZ 1:13 his intellect skyrocketed
making sure that this pissed-off ape had
the brains to escape and fight the
humans who had brutalized him for so
long
Hey what wha Apes together strong when
with his kind Koba is a good friend who
will fight to save lives
when faced with his human tormentors or
any ape dissenters it’s a different
story apes follow go by now but can you
really blame him by the end you’re
barely sure who to root for you
number four Anakin Skywalker Darth Vader
the Star Wars franchise I’m a person my
name is Anakin one of the most iconic
villains ever Darth Vader is both
terrifying and intensely tragic help me
take this mask off but you’ll die
nothing
can stop that now in the original
trilogy Vader is the catalyst for most
of the action destroying planets warping
Luke’s morality and causing havoc across
the galaxy I find your lack of faith
disturbing while he has a change of
heart at the end his backstory is even
more heartbreaking once a hero Anakin
Skywalker turns to the dark side to save
his wife’s life but when he suspects
Padme of plotting against him the death
he tried so hard to prevent happens at
his own hand losing his love leads
Anakin to truly embrace the dark side
making him one of the film’s most brutal
characters and one of its most human
number three dr. octopus spider-man two
arguably the greatest villain in
arguably the greatest spider-man movie
dr. Otto Octavius was once a lovable
dork who couldn’t understand PS Elliot
I’m serious TSM is more complicated than
advanced science but that was before his
accident affected not only his physical
being but also his mental health during
an experiment
the good doctor loses his wife when the
test goes wrong and has mechanical arms
grafted onto his body at the same time
to know that your own creation led to
your loving wife’s death is sure to
bring anyone into dark territory shut it
down hawk you’re gonna hurt a lot more
people that’s time well that’s our risk
we’re willing to take well he give
spider-man a good fight we can’t help
but feel sorry for him as he’s doing it
these things have turned you into
something you’re not
don’t listen to them
it was my train number two Roy batty
Bladerunner yes questions it’s hard to
believe that this Ridley Scott
masterpiece was disliked in its time
especially with an iconic villain like
Roy batty Nexus 6 Roy batty in Sept 8
2016 possessing exceptional strength and
smarts Roy comes to earth hoping to
extend his extremely short lifespan as
he’s a replicant and will die within
four years leaving him with only a
couple of months you were made as well
as we could make you but not to last as
mortality is one of the most relatable
sources of anxiety we can easily
identify with batty who offers up one of
cinema’s greatest soliloquies to muse on
his impending demise I’ve seen this
fantastic philosophical argument
regarding death cements Roy status as
one of cinema’s most sympathetic
villains Dyk tears
Rane before we shed a tear for our most
sympathetic movie villain here are a few
honorable mentions
you live you die
now we’re talking I am a god you dull
creature and I will not be bullied by
I’m not gonna fight you you’re my friend
number one Magneto
the x-men franchise I will bring you
home old friend when a character is
portrayed by talented actors like Ian
McKellen and Michael Fassbender he gets
automatic sympathy points so much for
diplomacy but to delve deeper Erik
Lehnsherr is a Holocaust survivor deeply
affected by the atrocities he witnessed
oh it’s not so surprising really mankind
has always feared what it doesn’t
understand becoming something of a civil
rights activist along the lines of a
malcolm x magneto goes further than his
real-life counterpart when faced with
persecution wishing to have mutants take
their rightful place in control of the
world the humans have played their hand
now we get ready to play ours with his
single mindedness ultimately leading to
the paralysis of his good friend turned
mortal enemy flincher makes the
transition from eric to magneto a super
villain of the highest order you sure
you saw what you saw
he’s a dark character but a sympathetic
one in the context of his motivations
take off your blinders brothers and
sisters the real enemy is out there do
you agree with our list I’ll drop him
why did you guys you what movie villain
do you sympathize with hey no kill
Hey for more heartbreaking top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com there’s a bad move
soldier
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