The classics of Disney animation span the era before the 21st century, but they’ve stuck with us for more than just their happy endings. These films contain some of the darkest, most frightening characters in fairy tale history. But, what we adore about these films can also be what scares the heebie-jeebies out of us. Classic Disney played this card well, so here are the faces of animated evil that still send chills down our spines.
The Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
The Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs lives up to her name the way she coldly and calmly plots to murder anyone who happens to be prettier than she is. Her target is her stepdaughter, Snow White, who escapes the first murder attempt after her assassin is unable to bring himself to follow orders. The queen then takes matters into her own hands and turns herself into a hideous old woman to trick Snow White into eating a poisoned apple… and it works.
This royal witch is merciless, and we can’t help but cower in fear during her murderous pursuit to become the Fairest One of All. Her transformation into a manipulative old hag is the diabolical cherry (or apple) on top.
The Headless Horseman (The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad)
The Headless Horseman darkens the stage of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which was adapted from Washington Irving’s book of the same name. The short film is the second segment in The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and its unfortunate victim is Ichabod Crane. The schoolteacher becomes spooked after hearing a superstitious story about a beheaded horseman who goes around collecting new heads every Halloween. With Ichabod’s luck, it happens to be Halloween night when he rides home alone, and sure enough, the Headless Horseman is hot on his trail with a swinging blade.
This nightmare of a horseman is extra chilling because he shows up right as we think Ichabod was only imagining things. The poor schoolteacher’s laughing with relief, only to turn around and discover that the horror he fears is real. We feel his terror as he desperately flees and dodges countless blade-swings at his neck. Only his hat is found the next morning; no one can feel safe watching this film.
Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
The sea witch Ursula from The Little Mermaid is a vile sorceress who preys upon merfolk who are unsatisfied with their lives. Her magic produces seemingly beautiful results at first, but in reality, she imprisons them all with a binding contract. Ursula’s next victim is the mermaid princess Ariel, who wants to become part of her human lover’s world. This ultimately becomes Ursula’s leverage against Ariel’s father, King Triton during her pursuit of power.
This half-octopus Disney villain is sadistic and downright creepy the way she collects merfolk in the form of a mutated sea garden. Their magic contract transformed them all and Ursula dooms them to wallow in her cave as pitiful, squiggly creatures who fail to warn new victims. If that isn’t enough to frighten you, then Ursula’s sensual way of expressing “concern” with her tentacles hovering too close for comfort will send you running.
Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
Classic Disney’s Maleficent is nothing like her recent live-action counterpart. In 1959’s Sleeping Beauty, she lives up to the definition of her name. Maleficent shows up uninvited to a royal celebration for the newborn princess Aurora, whom she curses to die in 16 years from pricking a finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. The plan ultimately fails, however, thanks to three good fairies and a true love’s kiss from Prince Phillip.
Aside from calling upon the powers of hell and transforming into a dragon, Maleficent is most frightening when she lures Aurora to the cursed spinning wheel. Something about that eerie voice calling “Aurora” within the green flame makes your hair stand on end, and doors begin to appear where they’re not meant to. The princess becomes possessed and oblivious to all the warnings as she approaches her doom, and you begin to wonder if you’ll get possessed, too.
Oogie Boogie (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
This Boogeyman is the real deal, and he puts the nightmare in The Nightmare Before Christmas. On a dark Christmas Eve, Santa Claus is kidnapped and sent to the lair of Oogie Boogie while the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town takes over holiday delivery duties. A visit to the underground lair is considered the most hospitable treatment for Halloween Town inhabitants, but Santa experiences the horror that us mortals define as the Boogeyman.
The insect-filled, talking burlap monster wastes no time in making everyone squirm as he gambles to decide which kind of horrible death Santa should endure. With his sick bondage antics, Oogie Boogie twirls around and sheds insects while the dice rolls. If that wasn’t enough to make us cringe, a loose thread has gone wrong ultimately exposes his disgusting body beneath the burlap. Watching his disintegration into thousands of slimy insects is a surefire way to keep us up at night.
There are many memorable villains in Disney’s hall of fame, but the classics will always haunt us. Their unique horror stands the test of time, and their eyes will always be following us from the shadows of Classic Disney.
Of course, we’re still going to come back and watch it all again anyway.
