Iconic Movie and TV Villains We All Secretly Rooted For

Dec 18, 2025

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We’ve all been there: watching a movie or show and realizing, perhaps with a bit of guilt, that we’re actually cheering for the “bad guy.” While the heroes follow the rules, the best villains often possess a magnetic charisma or a tragic backstory that makes their extreme actions feel surprisingly justified.

From misunderstood outcasts to logical extremists, these antagonists don’t just steal the scene—they make us question what we would do if we were in their shoes.

Here are 11 villains that audiences couldn’t help but root for!