Tops 10 80’s Villains

Everyone knows the 80s was the golden age for cartoons. The decade was filled with great animated characters going back and forth each week in the great battle of good vs evil.

Thankfully good always won and the world was always a better place. But there were some worthy villains nonetheless. Here’s our top 10.

10. Cyril Sneer, The Racoons
This sinister aardvark did try to demolish an entire forest on multiple occasions just to make a quick buck. A greedy industrialist with a major inferiority complex, there is nothing he wouldn’t do to swindle a poor soul out of their property or land (the precursor for a future world leader perhaps?)


9. Hunter, Babar the Elephant
The Hunter only featured in the show for 5 episodes, but his impact is ever lasting and starts the journey off for Babar. The Hunter kills Babar the Elephant’s mother in the opening episode forcing Babar to flee the jungle and find his way to the big city for hiding. Killing a baby elephant’s mother has got to be one of the evillest things a villain could do on Saturday TV.


8. Venger, Dungeons and Dragons
Venger’s sole purpose in the show is to destroy the Dungeon Master and claim the realm as his own. He was given his dark powers by a being called the Nameless One, which is actually another name for Satan! He travels around on a dark horse and has a henchman called the Shadow Demon, as well as an army of orcs, at his beck and call. So, he is certainly no slouch when it comes to pure unadulterated evil!


7. Shredder, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The master and leader of the criminal organization of the Foot clan, Shredder, formerly known as Oroku Saki, is the main antagonist of the turtles. He is a formidable foe with expert skill in martial arts (far out matching that of the turtles!) and a knack for science as well. To top it all off he walks around in body armour covered by Samurai blades.


6. Saw Boss, Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors
This efficient villain was ahead of his time. Despite having the ability to transform into a tank-like vehicle with a monstrous face on its front, laser weapons, and a giant circular saw attached to it, Saw Boss rarely went into battle himself. Nope his Saw Troopers did most of the fighting for him as they were all clones of him and possessed the same weapons. If he was around now, he would be replacing his Saw Troopers with an app.


5. Dr Claw, Inspector Gadget
We never got to see what Dr Claw looks like, but his voice alone allows us to know we are dealing a serious badass. Unlimited funds and minions allow this menace to create weapons of mind control and plot mass destruction, from sinking entire islands to all manner of assignation attempts.


4. Gargamel, The Smurfs
Gargamel is an evil wizard and the sworn enemy of the Smurfs. His main goal in life is to destroy the Smurfs to turn them into gold. Gargamel is a man who is perpetually stooped. His dark robe is worn and patched, and his teeth are rotten. When it comes to being mean-spirited there’s not many that can live with him, he pretty much hates everyone and everything.


3. Megatron, Transformers
Megatron was the leader and warlord of the Decepticons. He serves as the arch-nemesis to the Autobot leader Optimus Prime. In terms of being fit for purpose, he is the business; extremely cruel, ruthless and cunning as well as incredibly strong and intelligent. Only Optimus Prime can be compared with him in force. Megatron is the only villain on this list to actual kill their nemesis – albeit only temporarily.


2. Skeletor, Masters of the Universe
With a title like Evil Lord of Destruction and an actual skeleton for a face, Skeletor is the type of baddie that baddie’s love. The archenemy of He-Man, Skeletor seeks to conquer Castle Grayskull so he can obtain its ancient secrets, which would make him unstoppable and enable him to conquer and rule the fictional world of Eternia. A cruel warlord that rules the dark side of Eternia with an iron fist, he has all the makings of an iconic villain.


1. Mumm-ra, Thundercats
The top spot goes to Mumm-ra. As the all-time undead evil sorcerer, he receives his power directly from the ancient spirits of Evil (that’s as about as direct a line you can get to Evil!) He has an unlimited lifespan to reign terror and physical powers that include transforming into a Hulk-like figure, flying and throwing energy balls. Not to mention the ability to influence the heroes via mind control. And his favourite line is “Where evil exists, Mumm-ra lives!” Who says that before the watershed!