5 Best Movies with Female Villains | Top Female Villains in Cinema History

In the world of cinema, villains are essential to holding our interest and advancing the plot. Although male villains have dominated movies for many years, the appearance of female villains has given stories more excitement and complexity.

The most memorable and terrible female villains are those whose roles are genuinely legendary, exemplified not only by their complicated and morally corrupt personalities but also by their distinctive and gorgeous dresses. Beyond their evil deeds, these villainesses are a subversion of conventional female tropes, posing nuanced challenges to social conventions and expectations. The darker facets of ambition, power, and morality are explored in their portrayals, highlighting the complex nature of villainy in a world where male antagonists are often the dominant force.

5 Best Movies with Female Villains You Must Watch

Joker (2019)

Joker 2019 was directed by Todd Phillips, which he co-wrote with Scott Silver. Joaquin Phoenix plays the Joker in the movie, which is based partly on characters from DC Comics. It is set in 1981 and centers on Arthur Fleck, a struggling stand-up comedian and former clown whose decline into nihilism and mental illness spurs a violent countercultural revolt against the wealthy in a decaying Gotham City.

• Run time: 2 hours 2 min
• Box Office: $1.074 billion approximately
• Female Villain: Margot Robbie

Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie was aired as a female villain in the Joker movie. Loved by all because of her emotional and ferocious acting skills. Harley Quinn made her comic book debut in 1999. She was portrayed as the Joker’s sidekick and lover, as well as Poison Ivy’s best friend and fellow criminal. With the release of her regular book, Harley Quinn, Quinn was later portrayed as an independent supervillain who had broken out from her toxic and codependent relationship with the Joker.

Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)

American epic and fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones was developed by D. B. Weiss and David Benioff for HBO. It is an adaptation of George R. R. Martin‘s fantasy book series “A Song of Ice and Fire”, the first book of which is A Game of Thrones. With 73 episodes spread across eight seasons, the show debuted on HBO in the US on April 17, 2011, and ended on May 19, 2019.

• Runtime: (8 seasons with 73 episodes with a total run time of 77 hours and 55 minutes
• Box Office: $3.1 billion from HBO subscriptions (rest is unknown)
• Famous female Villain: there were many in the show, but the most famous was Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey)

Cersei Lannister was the 20th ruler of seven Kingdoms widowed to King Robert Baratheon. She was the older sister of Tyrion Lannister and the twin of Jaime Lannister. Her father was Lord Tywin Lannister. Her three bastard children, Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, were secretly fathered by Jaime, with whom she had an incestuous connection. Cersei became the first queen regnant in Seven Kingdoms history to be formally recognized after all of her children passed.

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Harry Potter (2001 – 2011)

Harry Potter series is based on J.K Rowling’s famous book series. The series is still one of the favorites for many even after so many years of the show’s ending. The books follow the lives of Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter, three young wizards enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

• Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes approx. each film
• Box Office: $942 million approximately
• Female Villain: Bellatrix Lestrange played by Helena Bonham Carter

J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series features a fictional character named Bellatrix Lestrange. From being an anonymous supporting character in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, she developed into a significant opponent in the books that followed. She was introduced by Rowling as Lord Voldemort’s “last, best lieutenant” in the story’s climactic chapter. The first female Death Eater described in the literature was Bellatrix.

Maleficent (2014)

Maleficent was released in 2014, an American fantasy film starring Angelina Jolie in a live-action version of the wicked role she played in Walt Disney’s animated Sleeping Beauty (1959), which was itself based on Charles Perrault’s 1697 fairy tale. Robert Stromberg directs the movie based on a screenplay written by Linda Woolverton.

• Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes
• Box office: $758 approximately
• Female Villain: Maleficent by Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, and activist. She has won three Golden Globe Awards, an Academy Award, and other honors. She has also been recognized as Hollywood’s highest-paid actress on several occasions.

Thor Ragnarok (2017)

Thor Ragnarok is a 2017 American superhero movie produced by Marvel Studios, that is based on the Marvel Comics character Thor. Regarded by many critics as the best Thor movie to date, the picture won accolades for its acting and Waititi’s directing, action scenes, visual effects, musical score, and humor.

• Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Box Office: $854 million
• Female Villain: Hela by Venessa Marshall

Marvel Comics publishes American comic books featuring the mythical character Hela. She is modeled after the Norse goddess Hel. Hel and Niflheim are ruled by the Asgardian Goddess of Death, Hela. In most depictions, the figure opposes the superhero Thor. In the 2017 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor Ragnarok, Hela made her live-action debut.