Summary
- The best comic book movie villains often improve over time, with second iterations showcasing more accurate adaptations.
- Filmmakers benefit from refining previously flawed villain adaptations, creating more compelling and intimidating characters.
- Successful comic book movie villains go through rough iterations before finding the perfect balance between comic accuracy and on-screen impact.
Comic book movies are always in need of strong antagonists, but it often isn’t until the second time around that they’re able to perfect the adaptation of a famous comic villain. Establishing a compelling villain is nearly as important as the protagonist themselves in a given superhero movie, driving the narrative tension through their misdeeds. Unfortunately, the best comic book movie villains sometimes had to go through some rough iterations before landing on a successful adaptation.
Filmmakers are often lucky when they’re able to re-use previously adapted villains from other films, able to take what worked and what didn’t from their earlier appearances and refine them for the next installment. In this way, the greatest comic book movies get to benefit from the pitfalls of the worst. Whether it’s a poor performance, bizarre story changes, or simply a terrible costume, the most disappointing comic book villain adaptations often make room for the greatest.
Related 10 Weirdest Superhero Comics in History (That You Should Read)
With almost a century behind it, the comic book industry has experimented with various genres, producing some oddball series. These are the strangest.
2
10 The Juggernaut
Deadpool 2
Close
The Juggernaut is not an easy character to adapt into a live-action film. With his impossible monstrous physique, fish-bowl helmet, and association with the X-Men despite not being a mutant himself, The Juggernaut is an iconic villain that presents a litany of problems for adaptation. X-Men: The Last Stand turned the Juggernaut into a silly minor character whose outfit was reminiscent of a He-Man character, Juggernaut in name-only as he referenced an old meme.
WIth an intimidating voice, an impressive level of power, and one of the best Marvel movie musical themes to his name
Luckily, Deadpool 2 was there to pick up the pieces, once again putting the Juggernaut on the big screen. This time around, Juggernaut is a wholly CGI character, allowing him to fully live up to the impossible expectations of his comic illustrations. WIth an intimidating voice, an impressive level of power, and one of the best Marvel movie musical themes to his name, this more comic-accurate version of The Juggernaut improved on the original in every way.
Deadpool 2 
2.5 RSuperheroActionComedySci-Fi
The Merc With the Mouth returns in Deadpool 2, “the sequel to the first one.” Wade Wilson finds himself alone and without purpose until he reluctantly agrees to join the X-Men. Things take a turn for the strange when Wade finds himself in prison after trying to help a young mutant named Russell, and a time-traveling mutant cyborg arrives to slay Russell to save the future. Determined to save Russell and do the right thing, Wade creates a new team of heroes to fight back and save the world the only way Deadpool knows how – as ridiculously as possible.
Director David Leitch Release Date May 10, 2018 Studio(s) Marvel Entertainment , TSG Entertainment , Kinberg Genre , Maximum Effort , The Donners’ Company Distributor(s) 20th Century Fox Writers Rob Liefeld , Fabian Nicieza , Rhett Reese , Paul Wernick Cast Josh Brolin , Jack Kesy , Ryan Reynolds , Zazie Beetz , T.J. Miller , Shiori Kutsuna , Morena Baccarin , Karan Soni , Julian Dennison Runtime 120 Minutes Franchise(s) Deadpool , Marvel Sequel(s) Deadpool & Wolverine prequel(s) Deadpool Budget $110 million Main Genre Action Expand
9 Bane
The Dark Knight Rises
Close
The Dark Knight Rises is certainly not without its problems, but one arena in which the third entry of the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy unequivocally succeeds is in its depiction of the villain Bane. Bane was represented in the movies once before with the infamous Batman & Robin, in which Bane was a minor antagonist. Essentially a brutish minion of Poison Ivy, this Bane’s costume may have been more faithful to the source material, but his dimwitted personality betrayed Bane’s famous tactical mind from the comics.
Though Tom Hardy’s vocal performance may have been questionable, he’s nevertheless an intimidating presence worthy of Bane’s name
In The Dark Knight Rises, Bane is given the credit he deserves as a cunning mastermind as well as a Venom-enhanced heavy-hitter. Though Tom Hardy’s vocal performance may have been questionable, he’s nevertheless an intimidating presence worthy of Bane’s name, unlike the oafish fetish-gear-wearing Bane of the character’s previous Batman movie appearance. There’s still room for improvement in Tom Hardy’s Bane, but he was a unanimous upgrade from what was shown off in Batman & Robin.
The Dark Knight Rises 4.0 13+ActionSuperheroDramaThrillerCrime Sci-Fi
The Dark Knight Rises is the final chapter in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy, with Christian Bale donning the cape and cowl once more to save Gotham City from certain destruction. Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman has left the public eye after taking the fall for the crimes committed by a twisted Harvey Dent. However, he is called back into action when a mysterious villain named Bane arrives to bring disorder to Gotham, forcing him to confront deeper, darker recesses of his past to be able to face a challenge he may not be ready for.
Director Christopher Nolan Release Date August 16, 2012 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Christopher Nolan , Jonathan Nolan Cast Christian Bale , Anne Hathaway , Michael Caine , Gary Oldman Runtime 2h 45m Franchise(s) Batman Sequel(s) Batman Begins prequel(s) The Dark Knight Budget 250 million USD Expand
8 General Zod
Man of Steel
Close
If there’s one thing Man of Steel got right that previous Superman films struggled with, it was the terrifying presence of a non-Lex Luthor villain. Originally, Zod was played by Terence Stamp, who imbued the alien invader with a hilarious level of melodrama that made his iconic demands to “Kneel before Zod!” more silly than threatening. Looking more like a Las Vegas strip performer than a world-conquering tyrant, Stamp’s Zod had his own charm to him, but wasn’t a compelling villain.
Meanwhile, Michael Shannon’s General Zod earns a worthy spot as one of the greatest Superman movie villains of all time. His cruelty towards humans and frustration with Superman’s sympathy for them is reprehensible, but almost sympathetic considering the devastation he suffered from Krypton’s destruction. Not to mention, Shannon’s alien armor puts Stamp’s open-chested suede robes to shame. Zod certainly benefited from a second-draft as a cinematic Superman antagonist.
Man of Steel 4.0 PG-13Adventure Sci-FiActionFantasySuperhero
This new take on Superman’s origin story, Man of Steel, centers on young journalist Clark Kent/Kal-El, a being who came to Earth as a child from Krypton. Though he has trouble fitting in with his secret superpowers and questions his purpose in life, Clark is forced into action when fellow Kryptonian General Zod arrives on Earth hellbent on conquest. Clark is built by the values set upon him by his parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, who adopted him as an otherworldly orphan, inadvertently raising him to become the hero humanity needs.
Director Zack Snyder Release Date June 14, 2013 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers David S. Goyer , Christopher Nolan Cast Kevin Costner , Laurence Fishburne , Richard Schiff , Amy Adams , Harry Lennix , Antje Traue , Michael Shannon , Henry Cavill , Christopher Meloni , Diane Lane , Russell Crowe Runtime 143 minutes Franchise(s) Superman Sequel(s) Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice prequel(s) Man of Steel 2 Budget $225 million Expand
7 Venom
Venom
Close
Topher Grace’s Venom had plenty of issues to contend with in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3. Fighting for screen time with two other unique antagonists, not to mention Peter Parker’s own arc with the symbiote, Spider-Man 3 doesn’t have a ton of time to explore the relationship between Eddie Brock and his newfound alien parasite buddy. Not only that, but the cheesy performances of Raimi’s films further dilluted the impact of finally seeing one of Spider-Man’s greatest villains come to life on the big screen for the first time.
Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock is by far the better of his two comic book movie villain performances
Luckily, Sony has been there to not only give Venom a second chance at the silver screen, but to have him headline his own solo series as an anti-hero. Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock is by far the better of his two comic book movie villain performances, illustrating the life of a man with nothing to lose who is overtaken by his relationship with an unknowable alien entity. The chemistry Eddie Brock and Venom have in this version is off-the-charts, owing to the film being successful enough to spawn a whole Venom trilogy.
Venom 3.0 PG-13 Sci-FiActionHorror
Venom is an action sci-fi movie that stars Tom Hardy as the titular Marvel anti-hero. When the Life Foundation begins experimenting on alien lifeforms they find on a comet that landed nearby, Investigative Journalist Eddie Brock begins to investigate them. When an infiltration goes wrong, Eddie finds that one of the aliens has bonded to him, forcing him to learn to live with his new uninvited host. Giving him superhuman powers, the two begin to work together to stop the rest of the symbiote’s invasive species.
Director Ruben Fleischer Release Date October 5, 2018 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Marvel Entertainment , Arad Productions Distributor(s) Sony Pictures Releasing Writers Scott Rosenberg , Jeff Pinkner Cast Woody Harrelson , Jenny Slate , Michelle Williams , Scott Haze , Tom Hardy , Riz Ahmed Runtime 112 Minutes Sequel(s) Venom: Let There Be Carnage Main Genre Superhero Expand
Related Every Version of Venom, Ranked From Weakest To Most Powerful
Venom is one of Marvel’s most popular characters, which has led to several different versions of the symbiote hero, and some are stronger than others.
1
6 Rhino
Kraven the Hunter
Close
Like the Juggernaut, Rhino is a headstrong bruiser from the comic books that isn’t exactly a straightforward character to make look cool in a feature film appearance. The Amazing Spider-Man 2‘s solution was to make Rhino a simple gangster who comes into possession of a rhinoceros-like mech suit. Paul Giamatti’s ludicrous Russian accent and bizarre blink-and-you’ll-miss-it performance in the film ended up just being one entry on a long list of problems The Amazing Spider-Man 2 had.
Once again, Sony seems willing to provide more faithful adaptations of Spider-Man villains in solo films where the mainline Spider-Man films fail. The most recently-released trailer for Kraven the Hunter shows off a Rhino with a comic-accurate appearance, featuring scaly gray skin, a massive size, and an imposing horn sticking out of his head. Somehow, this appearance that should be goofy-looking on paper ends up looking quite impressive, leaving high hopes for the character in the upcoming film.
Kraven the Hunter ActionAdventure Sci-Fi
Kraven the Hunter is the fourth movie in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, set in the same Marvel continuity as Tom Hardy’s Venom and Jared Leto’s Morbius. Played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the titular Kraven goes on a solo adventure as an anti-hero, this time independent of his comic book counterpart’s crusade to hunt down Peter Parker.
Director J.C. Chandor Release Date December 13, 2024 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Art Marcum , Richard Wenk , Matt Holloway Cast Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Russell Crowe , Ariana DeBose , Christopher Abbott , Alessandro Nivola , Levi Miller Franchise(s) Marvel Comics , Marvel Cinematic Universe Budget 130 million Main Genre Adventure Expand
5 The Joker
Batman (1989), The Dark Knight
Close
Few cinematic superhero villains are as famous as the Joker, and for good reason. With so many different on-screen interpretations, many prestigious actors have thrown their hat in the ring in an attempt to portray the Clown Prince of Crime. However, the character’s first movie appearance in the Adam West Batman series tie-in movie left much to be desired. Caesar Romero’s Joker placed a heavy emphasis on the clown theme without being particularly threatening, and the actor famously didn’t respect the role enough to shave his mustache for it.
Jack Nicholson’s take on the Joker in 1989’s Batman was a far more menacing approach, adding a layer of genuine terror to the psychotic clown-themed gangster. Of course, years later, Heath Ledger would make history as the character with one of the most iconic movie performances in general of all time, let alone within the context of a superhero villain. It’s safe to say that almost every live-action interpretation of the Joker has been an improvement over the painted-over mustache of the original Batman film’s version.
The Dark Knight 5.0 PG-13ActionThrillerDramaCrimeSuperhero
Christian Bale once again embodies the man behind the mask in The Dark Knight, reuniting Bale with Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman has been making headway against local crime—until a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker unleashes a fresh reign of chaos across Gotham City. To stop this devious new menace—Batman’s most personal and vicious enemy yet—he will have to use every high-tech weapon in his arsenal and confront his beliefs if he hopes to stand a chance against the Clown Prince of Crime.
Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 18, 2008 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Christopher Nolan , Jonathan Nolan , David S. Goyer Cast Nestor Carbonell , Morgan Freeman , Ritchie Coster , Cillian Murphy , Chin Han , Gary Oldman , Eric Roberts , William Fichtner , Aaron Eckhart , Maggie Gyllenhaal , Christian Bale , David Dastmalchian , Michael Caine , Anthony Michael Hall , Heath Ledger Runtime 152 Minutes Franchise(s) Batman Sequel(s) The Dark Knight Rises prequel(s) Batman Begins Budget 185 Million Main Genre Crime Expand
4 The Penguin
The Batman
Close
Batman Returns’ version of Selina Kyle may have been one of the single best movie Catwoman designs ever, but Tim Burton’s interpretation of The Penguin left much to be desired. In the comics, Oswald Cobblepot is a disgraced socialite desperate to win back the wealth and influence of his fallen old-money family by criminal means, despite his ill reputation and diminutive physical presence. Batman Returns took Penguin’s physical characteristics to the extreme, diminishing him into a feral sewer monster fond of eating raw fish.
Meanwhile, the second major movie version of The Penguin leaned much further into the organized crime aspect of the character, making The Penguin into a fast-talking Italian mobster with a New Jersey accent. Colin Farrel excellently portrays this villain through astounding layers of makeup, crafting a much more multi-faceted and realistic character compared to Danny DeVito’s nightmarish goblin. Reeves’ version of The Penguin has been successful enough to get his own self-titled prequel spin-off series on HBO.
The Batman 4.0 PG-13CrimeActionDrama
The Batman is a part of the DC Elseworlds series of films and centers around a younger Bruce Wayne, who has taken up the mantle of Batman only two years prior. Batman finds himself stuck in a game concocted by a dangerous new foe known as the Riddler, a serial killer who targets elite members of Gotham’s society. Working together with Lieutenant James Gordon, Batman will attempt to uncover the mystery surrounding the Riddler’s killing spree.
Director Matt Reeves Release Date March 4, 2022 Studio(s) DC Writers Matt Reeves , Peter Craig Cast Colin Farrell , Jeffrey Wright , Paul Dano , Andy Serkis , Robert Pattinson , Zoe Kravitz Runtime 176 minutes Franchise(s) DC Universe , DC Comics Sequel(s) The Batman Part II Budget $200 million Expand
3 The Riddler
The Batman
Close
The Penguin isn’t the only Batman villain Matt Reeves was able to reform in the eyes of the movie-going public after a previously-disastrous film incarnation. In Batman Forever, Jim Carrey lends his performance as a woefully over-the-top version of Edward Nygma, a.k.a. The Riddler. Dancing around in a bright green jumpsuit, the enigmatic mastermind villain from the comics is reduced to a shrieking, oddly sexual jester in Batman Forever, contributing to the film’s unfortunate reputation.
In The Batman, The Riddler is given the respect he deserves, being more of an unknowable criminal with dark plans in lieu of the Jigsaw killer from Saw rather than a Saturday-morning cartoon villain. His intimidating mask and ghoulish voice-disguiser makes The Riddler into a very realistic serial murderer, shockingly brutal from the earliest opening moments of the film. Even if Dano’s performance echoes Jim Carrey’s eccentricities once he’s captured, his version of The Riddler is far more compelling.
Batman Forever 2.5 PG-13ActionAdventureCrimeFantasySuperhero
After Tim Burton’s plans for a third Batman film fell through, director Joel Schumacher took over the franchise with 1995’s Batman Forever. Replacing Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer stars as Bruce Wayne opposite to Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones, who play The Riddler and Two-Face, respectively. Batman Forever also marks the first time Robin appears on the big screen since Burt Ward reprised his Boy Wonder role in 1966’s Batman: The Movie.
Director Joel Schumacher Release Date June 9, 1995 Studio(s) PolyGram Pictures , Tim Burton Productions Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Bob Kane , Lee Batchler , Janet Scott Batchler , Akiva Goldsman Cast Jim Carrey , Nicole Kidman , Tommy Lee Jones , Drew Barrymore , Chris O’Donnell , Val Kilmer , Pat Hingle , Michael Gough , Debi Mazar Runtime 117 Minutes prequel(s) Batman (1989) , Batman Returns Budget $100 Million Expand
2 Two-Face
The Dark Knight
Close
The Riddler wasn’t the only villain from Batman Forever to be done justice in a later Batman continuity. Enter Tommy Lee Jones’ Two-Face, a strange, feverish take on Harvey Dent that creates more questions than answers. While Two-Face in Batman Forever stays true to his obsession with duality and random justice, he isn’t given enough backstory to make memorable, ultimately turning him into a colorful goon for Jim Carrey’s The Riddler to exploit.
Meanwhile, Aaron Eckhart’s Two-Face is an underrated gem of The Dark Knight. Rather than simply showing him already as Two-Face, Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy first introduces Harvey Dent as an honorable district attorney trying to do the right thing for Gotham City, driven to madness by the insidious criminal elements therein. The CGI and makeup of Two-Face’s scarred visage still holds up today, and Ekchart gives a commanding performance as the chance-obsessed villain.
1 Galactus
Fantastic Four: First Steps
Close
Galactus’ inclusion in Fox’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer may be one of the single most disappointing comic book villain adaptations of all time. In the comics, Galactus is one of the most threatening and iconic Marvel villains ever conceived, devouring entire planets in his eternal hunger. Traditionally, Galactus is depicted as a massive humanoid wearing a signature purple Celestial armor, giving him a recognizable profile in his journeys throughout the Marvel cosmos.
While his full character design has yet to be revealed, hopes are high for a redemption for the initially poor adaptation
Related Marvel Has Finally Learned From A Big Post-Endgame Mistake & Comic Con & D23 Prove It
After San Diego Comic-Con and D23 2024, it has become clear that Marvel Studios has learned from its biggest post-Avengers: Endgame mistake.
1
Sadly, in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Galactus was reduced to little more than an angry sentient purple cloud, much to the dismay of Fantastic Four fans. Thankfully, the Marvel Cinematic Universe seems to be presenting a more faithful version of Galactus in Fantastic Four: First Steps, which revealed early footage of a humanoid Galactus peering through the top floor of the famous Baxter Building. While his full character design has yet to be revealed, hopes are high for a redemption for the initially poor adaptation of this comic book movie villain.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) 3.5 pg
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is the only sequel to Tim Story’s 2005 introduction of Marvel’s First Family. Starring Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm, Chris Evans as the Human Torch, and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm a.k.a. The Thing, the 2007 superhero film marks the Silver Surfer’s live-action debut with Doug Jones portraying his motion capture and Laurence Fishburne providing his voice. The sequel also features Julian McMahon’s return as Doctor Doom and Galactus first big-screen appearance.
Director Tim Story Release Date June 15, 2007 Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Tim Story , Stan Lee Cast Chris Evans , Jessica Alba , Stan Lee , Ioan Gruffudd Runtime 92minutes Franchise(s) Fantastic Four prequel(s) Fantastic Four Budget $130 million Expand