10 Best Sci-Fi TV Villains of the 1990s (And #1 Is the Most Evil)

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Science fiction is known for its memorable villains, but sometimes those roles are flipped. In the 2025 film Predator: Badlands, a member of the alien Yautja species—usually the enemy—finds himself fighting with the good guys. Dek starts out hunting for fun, but soon discovers the real danger is the Weyland-Yutani Company, who want to exploit him and other creatures in experiments. Similarly, in 28 Years Later, Samson just wants to protect his child and isn’t afraid to deal with anyone who causes trouble.

Science fiction movies often get all the attention, but the genre also boasts some fantastic TV shows. The 1990s were a particularly strong decade for sci-fi on television, producing many popular shows that still resonate with audiences today. Here’s a list of the 10 best villains from those ’90s sci-fi TV series.

10) Eugene Tooms (X-Files)

As a huge fan of The X-Files, I always appreciated how most episodes featured a different creepy monster. But even with all those one-off baddies, Eugene Tooms really stood out. He was one of the few villains they brought back for a second appearance, and honestly, he was terrifying! This guy could basically live forever by… well, let’s just say he needed human livers. Plus, he was super strong and incredibly flexible. He wasn’t the most complex character, and we didn’t really know why he did what he did, but Tooms was, without a doubt, the scariest villain the show ever had, and that says a lot!

9) Gul Dukat (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

Villains can become predictable over time, but a character like Gul Dukat from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine keeps things interesting by constantly shifting his loyalties and keeping the Federation guessing. While his unpredictable nature ultimately leads to his downfall and imprisonment with the Pah-wraiths, he’s a memorable antagonist who consistently creates tension and unease for everyone on the space station.

8) Borg Queen (Star Trek: Voyager)

Star Trek features many memorable villains, including Khan and the Klingons, but the Borg Queen stands out as particularly terrifying, especially in Star Trek: Voyager. What makes her so effective is her ability to persuade anyone to listen to her – she’s a skilled manipulator. Her conflict with Seven of Nine is a central theme, continuing all the way through the final season of Star Trek: Picard.

7) Mom (Futurama)

Unlike other sci-fi shows, Futurama doesn’t take itself too seriously. The series follows Philip J. Fry, who unexpectedly finds himself in the future and goes back to work as a delivery guy. However, he quickly encounters enemies like Mom, the powerful and ruthless CEO of MomCorp. Mom’s company embodies everything that’s wrong with society, prioritizing profits over people by replacing humans with robots and engaging in dishonest practices.

6) Ba’al (Stargate SG-1)

Some of the most dangerous villains are those who have to fight for everything they get. In Stargate SG-1, Ba’al consistently seizes any chance he finds, regardless of the consequences. While he isn’t the show’s strongest villain, he compensates for his lack of raw power with his intelligence and resourcefulness. He’s also aided by his use of clones, which allow him to extend the reach of the Goa’uld empire wherever he wants.

5) Vicious (Cowboy Bebop)

Although anime is often seen as separate from science fiction, Cowboy Bebop really leans into the best elements of the genre, with cool spaceships and interesting worlds. However, the show’s central conflict – the intense rivalry between Spike Spiegel and Vicious – is so compelling that it often overshadows everything else. Vicious is driven by a relentless desire for power and won’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to get it.

4) Cartagia (Babylon 5)

Life is already difficult in the world of Babylon 5, but things get much worse when ruthless leaders start gaining control. Cartagia unexpectedly becomes emperor of the Centauri Republic and gradually descends into madness, putting his people at risk. The situation becomes so critical that Londo Mollari must devise a plan to assassinate him, making it look like a natural death to avoid further chaos.

3) Gendo Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Many fantastic anime series include a villainous father figure, but Neon Genesis Evangelion presents one of the most shockingly absent dads ever. Though Gendo Ikari’s work is important, he consistently avoids his parental duties. He’s completely focused on achieving his own goals and will eliminate anyone who stands in his way—a truly ruthless act.

2) Pudface (RoboCop)

I’ve always thought being truly great isn’t about being the most powerful, but about never giving up. That’s really clear in the RoboCop TV series – it’s less violent than the movies, but this villain, Pudface Morgan, just keeps coming after RoboCop, determined to get his revenge. Even though Pudface eventually gets caught, he manages to land a few hits along the way.

1) Evil Dick (3rd Rock From the Sun)

Despite being a comedy, 3rd Rock From the Sun sometimes deals with surprisingly serious themes. The show centers around Dick Solomon, who leads a group sent to Earth by a powerful alien being, making him a potential target. One particularly dark storyline involves an alien impostor kidnapping the real Dick with the intention of fathering an army through numerous women. While the plan ultimately fails, the very idea is disturbing enough to stand out.

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2025-12-20 23:16