15 Worst Superhero Movie Villains of All Time, Ranked

Superhero movies live or die by their villains, and a weak one can tank even the flashiest hero’s story. When the bad guy lacks menace, depth, or a coherent plan, the whole film feels flat.

Here’s my ranking of the 15 worst superhero movie villains, counting down from the mildly forgettable to the absolute worst, with Gorr the God Butcher landing at the bottom.

15. Whiplash – Iron Man 2 (2010)

Mickey Rourke’s Ivan Vanko, aka Whiplash, is a Russian inventor out to ruin Tony Stark with electric whips and daddy issues. His gritty look and intense stare promise more than the film delivers, as his revenge plot fizzles fast.

Rourke’s mumbling performance and a pet bird that adds nothing make Whiplash feel like a missed opportunity. The final fight is a brief, forgettable clash, leaving him as a weak foil for Iron Man’s charisma.

14. Ghost – Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Hannah John-Kamen’s Ava Starr, Ghost, phases through objects due to a quantum accident, making her a tragic figure desperate to survive. Her sympathetic backstory undercuts any real villainy, as she’s more victim than threat.

Ghost’s tech-stealing scheme lacks clear stakes, and her fights, while visually cool, don’t feel dangerous. She’s resolved too neatly, making her more of a plot hurdle than a memorable antagonist.

13. Taserface – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Chris Sullivan’s Taserface, a Ravager who mutinies against Yondu, is all bluster with a laughable name. His rebellion drives the plot but lacks weight, as he’s more comic relief than serious threat.

Taserface’s loud posturing and quick defeat make him forgettable. He’s a minor speedbump in the Guardians’ cosmic adventure, overshadowed by the film’s emotional core.

12. General Ross – The Incredible Hulk (2008)

William Hurt’s General Ross hunts Hulk with bureaucratic zeal, driven by duty and personal grudges. Without powers or a compelling evil plan, he feels like a generic military obstacle.

Ross adds tension but lacks the flair of a true comic-book villain. His role as a government antagonist is too ordinary to leave a lasting mark.

11. Obadiah Stane – Iron Man (2008)

Jeff Bridges’ Obadiah Stane, Tony Stark’s mentor, turns traitor in a clunky Iron Monger suit. His greedy corporate villain shtick is predictable, lacking the spark needed for a standout foe.

Bridges’ charm can’t lift Stane’s bland motives or uninspired final battle. He’s a decent but forgettable starter villain for the MCU, outshone by later antagonists.

10. Electro – The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Jamie Foxx’s Electro, a nerdy electrician turned electric menace, has a muddled arc and a cartoonish blue design that kills any intimidation. His obsession with Spider-Man feels forced and unconvincing.

Foxx tries hard, but the overcrowded plot and weak writing bury Electro. He’s a chaotic add-on in a messy film, with no real menace or depth.

9. Enchantress – Suicide Squad (2016)

Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress, an ancient sorceress, aims to end the world with a magical sky beam and a zombie army. Her goofy hula-dance movements and vague motives make her a laughingstock.

The film’s choppy editing and weak script leave Enchantress as a generic, unthreatening villain. Her faceless minions and lack of personality drag the movie down further.

8. Venom – Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Topher Grace’s Eddie Brock becomes Venom, a symbiote-driven rival to Spider-Man. Rushed and shallow, his arc fails to capture the comic’s complex antihero, feeling tacked on by studio demands.

Grace’s miscasting and Venom’s sidelined inner struggle make him a flat villain. The symbiote’s potential is wasted in a cluttered plot, leaving a forgettable mark.

7. Nuclear Man – Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor creates Nuclear Man, a solar-powered Superman clone with no personality. His absurd weakness—cloudy skies—and bland motives make him a non-entity.

Nuclear Man’s dull fights and lack of depth sink an already struggling film. He’s a cheap, uninspired antagonist in a low-budget sequel, quickly forgotten.

6. Laurel Hedare – Catwoman (2004)

Sharon Stone’s Laurel Hedare, a cosmetics mogul, plans to sell a skin-damaging product for profit. Her ridiculous scheme and campy rock-hard skin make her a caricature, not a threat.

Hedare’s over-the-top catfight with Halle Berry’s Catwoman is laughable. She adds nothing but chaos to a film already drowning in bad choices.

5. Vuk – Dark Phoenix (2019)

Jessica Chastain’s Vuk, an alien chasing the Phoenix Force, is cold and lifeless with no clear plan. Her flat performance and vague goals make her a dull void in a messy film.

Chastain’s talent is squandered on a character with no personality or connection to the X-Men. Vuk’s lack of impact leaves the movie feeling empty and pointless.

4. The Octopus – The Spirit (2008)

Samuel L. Jackson’s The Octopus is a manic, nonsensical villain in a stylized disaster. His bizarre Nazi costume and aimless rants about death and architecture are cringe-worthy.

With no coherent motive or threat, The Octopus is a parody gone wrong. Jackson’s wild energy can’t save a character that’s more confusing than menacing.

3. Hector Hammond – Green Lantern (2011)

Peter Sarsgaard’s Hector Hammond, a scientist mutated by alien energy, is a forgettable creep with a bulbous head. His weak arc and vague motives get lost in the film’s bigger failures.

Hammond’s lack of menace or purpose makes him a non-factor. Even Sarsgaard’s effort can’t salvage a villain who feels like an afterthought in a doomed movie.

2. Joker – Suicide Squad (2016)

Jared Leto’s Joker, with tattoos and a grating laugh, is a try-hard mess in a film that misuses him. His minimal screen time and over-the-top quirks fail to capture the iconic character’s depth.

Leto’s choices, paired with a lazy script, make this Joker a cringe-inducing low point. He’s a flashy distraction, not a compelling villain, in a chaotic movie.

1. Gorr the God Butcher – Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Christian Bale’s Gorr, a grieving father wielding the Necrosword, should’ve been a chilling force. Instead, his underused role and the film’s jokey tone dilute his menace, making his god-killing quest feel hollow.

Bale’s talent is wasted as Gorr’s sparse screen time and odd child-kidnapping plan lack impact. In a comedy-heavy movie, he’s a tragic figure turned into a forgettable, blustery baddie.

Which superhero villain disappointed you the most, or did I miss an even worse one? Share your pick in the comments!