With 2016 in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look back at a year that was filled with villains. Evil certainly reigned supreme these last 365 days, so we’re taking a look at some of the big baddies in the world of film. Here are our top five picks for the Best Movie Villain of 2016. Vote below and tell us who should win!
Here are the nominees for Best Movie Villain:
Darth Vader (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)
The classic heavy of the Star Wars saga returned in force (har har) thanks to a brief appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Even though his time on screen was short, Lord Vader made the best of it. His effortless badassery was on full display. That hallway scene! It’s good to have the guy back. Was his presence enough to make him the Best Movie Villain of 2016? It’s up to you to decide!
Dormammu (Doctor Strange)
Doctor Strange may have spent most of his movie tangling with Kaecilius, but it was all building up to a final confrontation with the Dread One, Dormammu. This immense and ethereal antagonist was certainly one of the craziest looking villains of the year! His Dark Dimension and enormous stature were jaw-droppingly trippy and gorgeous. What say you? Does the Lord of Chaos have what it takes to be the Best Movie Villain of 2016?
Francis (Deadpool)
Sure, he wants us to call him Ajax, but we all know he got that from the dish soap. He’ll always be Francis. This mutant-making twit caused plenty of problems for Wade Wilson and Vanessa. Too bad his cold demeanor and skill with two hatchets couldn’t stop a bullet! Still, you gotta give a lot of props to Ed Skrein’s jerky performance. The guy knows how to be a real $%!^head. Hey, how did those weird symbols show up? Anyway, should Francis (“F, R, A, N, C, I, S.”) get crowned the Best Movie Villain of 2016? Or should we just keep making fun of his name?
Grindelwald (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)
Although we mostly see him as Percival Graves throughout the running time of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, it’s really the Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald in disguise. His cunning ability to infiltrate the Magical Congress of the United States of America is worth some praise. Plus, he’s pretty much the most notable Dark Wizard after Voldemort. Much like Vader, we don’t see tons of him but we understand how dangerous he can be. Is he the Best Movie Villain of 2016? Only you can tell us!
Orson Krennic (Rogue One A Star Wars Story)
The man behind the Death Star – well, running the project at least – is a fearsome foe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. He’s a cold-hearted, egotistic company man with a fierce temper. Actor Ben Mendelsohn brings Krennic to life with a great performance, hinting at a lot of deeper layers to this Imperial lackey. And you gotta love his white cape. The dude certainly deserves a few style points. But is a superb sense of fashion enough to put him over the top as the Best Movie Villain of 2016?
