10 Great Movies Where the Villain Is the Hero

Sometimes we just can’t help rooting for the bad guy.

As a cinephile, I’ve found myself drawn to films that challenge our moral compass and blur the lines between good and evil. These productions transport us into the lives of complex characters like the antiheroes, sympathetic villains, or even seemingly heroic figures with hidden darkness.

Examples like “Jennifer’s Body” and “Catch Me If You Can” provoke us as they make us feel empathy towards, support, or even appreciate characters who engage in deceptive actions such as lying, stealing, or even killing.

In the 2009 film “Jennifer’s Body”, Jennifer, a high school girl, becomes a brutal killer and devourer of teenage boys following a demonic ritual that goes awry and results in her kidnap and murder. Although Jennifer is portrayed as the villain in this horror movie, she is also depicted as a pitiful character and a victim herself. This dual role evokes sympathy from viewers even after Jennifer’s resurrection as a succubus who feeds on human flesh.

In the 2002 film “Catch Me If You Can”, the leading character Frank Abagnale Jr., known for his cunning and intelligence, manages to escape law enforcement while carrying out various non-violent offenses. He creates false documents, defrauds banks, and assumes multiple professions such as a doctor and a pilot under false identities. Despite his criminal activities, his compelling past, captivating charm, and unyielding spirit make us root for him to pull off his cons.

I find myself drawn to these films not only for their portrayal of crime and disorder, but also because they delve deeply into intricate themes of morality, ethics, justice, aspirations, and recompense. At times, they seem to hold up a mirror to our own complexities, revealing our flaws and contradictions to us.

In essence, we’re not supporting their malicious deeds, rather, we’re drawn to the intricacy and depth of their characters. Though they may be labeled ‘bad guys’ due to their actions, they transcend traditional archetypes like villains or antiheroes. Instead, they serve as mirrors of human nature, which paradoxically makes us find ourselves rooting for them, despite their heinous acts on screen.

Below, discover 10 more great films that make viewers root for the bad guy.

The Best Movies That Make You Root for the Bad Guy

1. The Godfather

In a film often considered one of the best ever made, it’s no surprise that the central character is intricately layered and thought-provoking. Michael Corleone from The Godfather isn’t easily labeled as good or evil, but he does engage in questionable activities. As the boss of the Corleone crime family, he masterminds several murders, even those within his own family, to preserve power and manage the family business.

He’s a brutal, violent, and emotionless gangster, but that wasn’t always the case. He initially aimed to carve out a life separate from the criminal underworld. Although he unfortunately succumbs to the corruption of power, his initial intentions to safeguard his loved ones make him hard not to sympathize with in the 1972 masterpiece.

2. Pulp Fiction

Vincent Vega is one of the three central characters in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 masterpiece, Pulp Fiction. He’s an intriguing character with a captivating charm, whether he’s standing resolutely dancing on the dance floor or philosophizing about cheeseburgers. However, this doesn’t make him a virtuous individual. For instance, the hitman portrayed by John Travolta in this film is known for brutally taking lives for a living. He’s a career criminal who carries out evil deeds for evil people, and he even makes advances towards his boss’s wife despite better judgment. Most disturbingly, he’s not very proficient at his job, which often leads to unnecessary deaths—including his own.

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

As a devoted cinephile, I found myself captivated by “The Wolf of Wall Street.” The character Jordan Belfort, portrayed brilliantly by Leonardo DiCaprio, manipulates the stock market, commits securities fraud, and washes mountains of cash. Despite his infidelity behind his first wife’s back and deceitfulness to his second, he somehow manages to make audiences empathize with him, even though on paper he seems like an unscrupulous villain. This 2013 film, based on the life of a real man named Jordan Belfort, masterfully turns a white-collar criminal into a charismatic and cool protagonist, as he builds his own empire on Wall Street by using his friends’ loyalty to further his crimes.

4. Carrie

In this analysis, it’s indisputable that the tormented character Carrie White, portrayed in Brian De Palma’s 1976 adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, is not a villain but a victim. The fiery rampage she unleashes at the end, though cathartic and warranted, results in unintended casualties during her quest for retribution. Regardless, Carrie, the tragic heroine of the movie “Carrie,” remains one of horror’s most indelible figures because her actions, while sympathetic, are clearly beyond societal norms. Setting fire to high school dances and exploding cars with telekinetic powers – it’s against the law and generally not advisable.

5. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Anakin Skywalker, despite being responsible for atrocities like killing young ones, choking his pregnant wife out of jealousy, and leading to a militarized fascism across the galaxy, is still one of the most empathetic characters to root for in pop culture. This is because his transformation into the Dark Side is tragic, as he was driven by a self-fulfilling prophecy and desperation to protect his loved ones. Initially a promising, passionate, and loyal hero, Anakin was manipulated by the Sith Lord Palpatine, eventually becoming one of the most renowned villains in cinema history.

6. Joker

In many depictions, the Joker is portrayed as gleefully wicked and full of mischief, making him one of DC Comics’ most notoriously evil supervillains with an enigmatic past. However, the 2019 movie “Joker” presents a surprising twist on his origin story by revealing the tormented soul beneath the Clown Prince of Crime. The film follows Arthur Fleck, a comedian struggling with a neurological disorder who continually faces life’s hardships. As he succumbs to madness due to an unforgiving system in Gotham City, he becomes a symbol of hope for the oppressed. His shocking act of shooting a talk-show host on live television is unforgivable, but his violent transformation seems justified given a lifetime of abuse and neglect.

7. Saw X

In a chilling twist, the infamous serial killer known as Jigsaw, or John Kramer, transitions from a terrifying figure in the horror genre to a seemingly vigilante character in “Saw X”. Portrayed by Tobin Bell with a depth of emotion, John targets a group of unscrupulous con artists who exploit cancer patients for their own gain. Although his methods involve gruesome traps and his moral compass remains questionable, the audience finds themselves empathizing with him, as he appears more understandable and justified when compared to the looming threat of another evil entity.

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8. Ocean’s 11

Let’s be clear: Robbing is wrong, and it’s certainly illegal. Yet, haven’t we all fantasized (in a non-violent way) about snatching some funds from a massive bank vault to settle our financial troubles? In the 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven, the charismatic Danny Ocean heads a talented group of specialists, executing an intricate heist to steal $150 million from three casinos in Las Vegas. Although their actions are illegal, their friendship and the fact that they’re targeting a particularly harsh casino owner – who happens to be dating Danny’s ex-spouse – make them relatable characters you can’t help but support, despite their criminal goals.

9. Gone Girl

In the 2014 thriller directed by David Fincher, Amy Dunne could be one of the most intricate villains ever portrayed. As the central character who seemingly vanishes in this movie, Amy carefully orchestrates her own disappearance and accuses her husband of the crime, turning public opinion against him. This elaborate scheme is a form of revenge for his actions such as relocating her successful life in New York City to a Midwestern suburb and having an affair with a younger woman. Rosamund Pike delivers Amy’s manipulative and ruthless character with remarkable skill, driven by her thirst for personal retribution. Despite her cold-hearted actions, many spectators see her as an antihero, driven to such extremes by her resentment towards her self-centered husband, and her famous “Cool Girl” monologue continues to elicit empathy today.

10. The Silence of the Lambs

With an effortless charm, politeness, and intellectual prowess that could make one overlook his gruesome past, Hannibal Lecter, the cannibalistic serial killer portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in the 1991 psychological thriller “The Silence of the Lambs,” is both captivating and chilling. His performance as the brilliant yet psychopathic convict offers a unique blend of disarming charm and spine-tingling menace. Hannibal assists FBI trainee Clarice Starling in her pursuit of another serial killer, although his aid comes with cryptic, manipulative strings attached. Despite being a self-serving villain, his charismatic persona and rapport with Clarice make him an appealing character, even though his motivations remain questionable.

25 Actors Who Turned Down Huge Movie Roles

Halle Berry – Speed’s Annie

In 2019, Halle Berry admitted she made a foolish decision when she turned down the role of Annie, the heroic bus driver in the movie “Speed”. This part eventually went to Sandra Bullock, who was relatively unknown at that time with only a few roles to her name. The film became a massive success and catapulted Bullock into stardom. Berry defended herself by stating that in the script she read, the bus didn’t even leave the parking lot, suggesting it would have been a less thrilling movie.

Emily Blunt – Black Widow

Emily Blunt, with her captivating charm, knack for light-hearted humor, and background in action flicks, appears to be an ideal fit for Marvel productions. It’s quite unexpected that she hasn’t been cast in a Marvel film yet, but this isn’t due to lack of chances. Her debut opportunity came with Iron Man 2, where she was given the role of Black Widow. However, Blunt shared with Howard Stern that she was keen on the part but had to decline because she was bound by contractual obligations to work on Gulliver’s Travels at the same time. As Blunt put it, “It was a real letdown for me.” Scarlett Johansson eventually took on the role of Natasha Romanoff, appearing as the Avenger in eight Marvel films so far.

Jessica Chastain – Maya Hansen

Following the success of “The Tree of Life” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” Jessica Chastain found herself courted by numerous studios in Hollywood, even Marvel Studios. They wanted her to portray Maya Hansen, the pivotal scientist in “Iron Man 3.” Although intrigued, Chastain declined the role due to a packed schedule and expressing disappointment that the media had prematurely announced her casting. She expressed optimism for future Marvel projects, which indeed came true; however, it was Fox’s “Dark Phoenix” where she appeared as Vuk. Rebecca Hall took on the role of Maya Hansen instead, delivering an admirable performance.

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Russell Crowe – Wolverine

Prior to Hugh Jackman’s casting, Russell Crowe was initially offered the role of Logan in Fox’s X-Men franchise. Crowe, a popular Hollywood star at the time, declined the part because he had just finished filming Gladiator, where his character wore a wolf emblem and had a wolf companion. He didn’t want to take on another “wolf” role, fearing it would be too similar to being “Mr. Wolf.” Crowe suggested Jackman for the part instead. Although Jackman wasn’t initially chosen (the studio selected Dougray Scott who later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Mission: Impossible II), he eventually landed the role that catapulted him to stardom. Years later, Crowe joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder. To this day, Hugh Jackman remains Wolverine.

Matt Damon – Avatar’s Jake Sully

Matt Damon may have lost more money than any other actor by saying “No” to a role. When James Cameron was casting for Avatar, he wanted Damon to play Jake Sully and offered him 10% of the film’s profits as an incentive. However, Damon was busy with the Jason Bourne franchise at that time and had to turn down the offer. Now, he admits that decision could have cost him around $250 million. That’s a lot of money – enough to buy a considerable amount of unobtanium.

Benicio Del Toro – Darth Maul

Benicio Del Toro didn’t only receive the offer for the role of Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” he agreed to take it on. However, as the part developed during pre-production and George Lucas reduced more and more of his lines to make him a more intimidating, largely silent figure with exceptional fighting abilities, Del Toro chose to depart from the project. In the end, Ray Park was the one who portrayed the character to great praise.

Leonardo DiCaprio – Boogie Nights’ Dirk Diggler

In 2008, GQ inquired about the roles Leonardo DiCaprio declined, to which he responded that one of those was Dirk Diggler in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “Boogie Nights.” This role catapulted Mark Wahlberg into a significant career as a Hollywood leading man. However, DiCaprio found himself at a crossroads and opted instead for a small art-house movie titled “Titanic,” a romantic tale set on a ship. Although DiCaprio didn’t express regret over his decision, he acknowledged that both projects were exceptional, wishing he could have been part of both.

Harrison Ford – Jurassic Park’s Alan Grant

If you’ve ever found Sam Neill’s character Alan Grant in “Jurassic Park” reminiscent of Indiana Jones, you were correct in your observation. Initially, Steven Spielberg considered Harrison Ford for the role of the brave paleontologist, but Ford declined the offer after reading the script. Instead, Neill joined the project at the last minute, and his portrayal resulted in one of the defining roles of his career.

Jon Hamm – Green Lantern

In the annals of acting, few have embodied the likeness of Green Lantern’s Hal Jordan from the comics as convincingly as Jon Hamm from Mad Men. Consequently, it’s not astonishing that Warner Bros. sought Hamm for the part. However, Hamm declined the offer. In a subsequent interview, he explained, “They pursued me quite persistently,” but added, “I just wasn’t keen on it.” Hamm confessed his disinterest in superhero films, stating they aren’t the type of movies he enjoys watching. Interestingly, Hamm seems to have no qualms about them on television, as evidenced by his voice acting roles in several comic-book shows, such as Invincible and M.O.D.O.K., where he portrayed Tony Stark in various episodes.

Josh Hartnett – Superman AND Batman

One notable contender for Brandon Routh’s role in “Superman Returns” was Josh Hartnett, a rising star in Hollywood during the early 2000s. At a certain point, Hartnett was presented with a three-picture deal worth approximately $100 million to portray Superman, an offer he declined. Remarkably, Hartnett has the unique honor of turning down chances to play both members of the World’s Finest team, as he was also considered for the role of young Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins.” Years after, Hartnett admitted that turning down Nolan was a mistake. In an interview with Playboy, Hartnett stated, “I’ve certainly said no to some of the wrong people.” He declined because he was fatigued and desired more time with his friends and family, which is typically frowned upon in this industry.

Jim Henson – Yoda

When George Lucas decided to have Yoda, the ancient Jedi master, portrayed by a puppet, he initially thought Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets and puppeteer of Kermit the Frog, would be perfect for bringing the character to life. However, Henson was busy with his own projects at the time and recommended that Lucas work with Frank Oz, one of Henson’s longtime collaborators on the Muppets who performed as Fozzy, Miss Piggy, and Animal. Following Henson’s advice, Lucas made the decision, and the rest, as they say, is history (or, in this case, it became history).

Hugh Jackman – James Bond

Reflecting upon the intriguing journey of selecting the ideal actor to embody the young James Bond in the origin tale “Casino Royale,” I must share my insights as a movie critic. The road was fraught with numerous contenders, yet ultimately, it led to Daniel Craig, who has since cemented his place among the greatest 007s ever. However, before Craig donned the tuxedo, the producers extended an offer to none other than Hugh Jackman, then in the midst of his reign as Wolverine in the X-Men series. Alas, Jackman declined the opportunity, reportedly due to concerns over juggling one franchise while risking missing out on smaller projects that might cross his path. But who knows? With Amazon currently seeking a new James Bond, perhaps it’s time for Mr. Jackman to reconsider and seize another chance at playing this legendary character.

Heath Ledger – Batman

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I must admit that Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight was nothing short of extraordinary. However, what many people might not know is that before Ledger donned the Joker’s sinister grin, Nolan had initially considered him for a different role – Batman itself, offering him the part of young Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. In a later interview, Nolan reminisced about their meeting, sharing that Ledger was “quite gracious” but firmly declined, expressing his reluctance to be a part of any superhero film. It wasn’t until he saw the unique take on Batman presented in Batman Begins that Ledger was ready to embrace the role of the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Madonna – Catwoman

In the early 1990s, when Tim Burton was preparing to cast Batman Returns, Madonna’s film career was at its height. He proposed that Madonna take on the role of Catwoman, which seemed like an almost ideal match between actress and part. However, Madonna declined the offer. Many years later, she expressed regret about turning down Catwoman to Jimmy Fallon, stating it was a missed opportunity for a fierce performance. In the end, Michelle Pfeiffer played the role, and she truly embodied fierceness.

Matthew McConaughey – Ego

In the making of Star-Lord’s father’s role for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”, Marvel sought a well-known actor who could convincingly be the father of Chris Pratt, given his chiseled and charming appearance. Naturally, they considered Matthew McConaughey, who might have been slightly young to play Pratt’s father as they were born only ten years apart. However, when you’re dealing with immortal space gods, age isn’t much of a factor, right?

When asked about his decision to decline the role, McConaughey didn’t cite the age difference. Instead, he revealed that he had to choose between “Guardians” and “The Dark Tower”, opting for the latter. He felt that the filmmakers were more interested in adding another big-name actor to the cast rather than genuinely wanting him or having a clear vision for the character of Ego. In his words, they saw “Guardians of the Galaxy” as successful and now had an opportunity to create a vibrant role for another famous actor. (Apparently, he made the wrong choice.)

Eddie Murphy – Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s Eddie Valiant

Today, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is now recognized as a pioneering mix of live-action and animation. If you hadn’t seen anything like it before, it would be hard to believe that animated characters could convincingly interact with human actors for an entire 100-minute movie. In fact, when Eddie Murphy was offered the role of the main human character, Eddie Valiant, he thought it was a risky idea and declined. As he said on “The Tonight Show,” “Animation and humans? That sounds like nonsense to me!” However, after the movie’s release and its massive success, Murphy came to realize that he had made a mistake. He admitted to Jimmy Fallon that every time he watches it, he feels like an idiot.

Al Pacino – Han Solo

It’s challenging to envision anyone other than Harrison Ford as Han Solo, a fact Alden Ehrenreich can attest to. However, Ford wasn’t always the top pick for the role. At one time, George Lucas attempted to recruit Al Pacino, who was already well-known from “The Godfather,” to portray the charming smuggler. Pacino declined because he didn’t grasp the script. If Pacino had accepted and Ford hadn’t, the film industry might have a very different appearance today.

Joaquin Phoenix – Doctor Strange

The quest to find Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme was a prolonged one, with performers such as Ethan Hawke, Oscar Isaac, and Keanu Reeves being potential candidates at different stages. One actor almost secured the role, as Joaquin Phoenix reportedly engaged in discussions in June of 2014 to portray Doctor Strange under director Scott Derrickson’s guidance. However, by October, the agreement fell through, and eventually, Benedict Cumberbatch emerged as Marvel’s magical protagonist. Phoenix later expressed contentment with the outcome, stating “Everyone was quite pleased with how things panned out; all parties were satisfied.” Interestingly, Phoenix subsequently portrayed the Joker for Warner Bros and garnered an Academy Award for his performance. Indeed, everyone seemed content, at least until the Joker sequel.

Julia Roberts – Sleepless in Seattle’s Annie

The classic film “Sleepless in Seattle” is widely recognized, even by those who haven’t watched it, featuring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in a long-distance love story. However, the narrative might have taken a different turn if Julia Roberts, who is often considered as popular in rom-coms as Meg Ryan, had accepted the offer to portray the female lead. Decades later, Roberts expressed contentment with her decision not to star in the movie, stating that she declined because the role seemed too similar to her previous role in “Pretty Woman,” which she had played a few years earlier.

Kurt Russell – Luke Skywalker

In the mid-1970s, numerous aspiring actors tried out for the iconic role of Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars,” including Kurt Russell, a former child star. He was one of the finalists for the part. As the casting process lingered on, Russell had other opportunities to consider, and ultimately he put Lucas in a tough spot: Offer him the role or he would go work on something else. Since Lucas couldn’t make a definite decision, Russell decided to take on a Western project instead. So, one might wonder, how many thank-you baskets of fruit do you think Mark Hamill sent Kurt Russell over the years for turning down the part of Luke Skywalker?

Will Smith – Neo

Initially, the Wachowskis considered casting Will Smith as Neo, the hacker hero in The Matrix. However, Smith opted to star in Wild Wild West instead, explaining later that since the Wachowskis had only made one film at that time, he felt apprehensive about their pitch meeting. He went on to acknowledge that they were indeed geniuses, but the line between genius and his personal experience during the meeting was fine.

John Travolta – Forrest Gump

When John Travolta agreed to star in “Pulp Fiction,” he declined another movie that was set to film simultaneously: Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump.” Both films were contenders for the Academy Award for Best Picture, with “Gump” ultimately taking the prize (with Tom Hanks as the lead). Even though Travolta didn’t star in “Gump,” his portrayal of Vincent Vega in “Pulp Fiction” rejuvenated his career. When asked years later if he had any regrets about his choice, he said he did not. (If you could only be a part of “Pulp Fiction” or “Forrest Gump,” which one would you choose?)

Paul Walker – Superman

Due to his popularity from “The Fast and the Furious,” Paul Walker was a highly sought-after young actor when casting started for “Superman Returns.” He even had the chance to play the new Superman, but after discussing it with Richard Donner, who directed Christopher Reeve’s “Superman” and worked with Walker on “Timeline,” Walker decided against it. In an interview with ComingSoon.net, Walker shared that during their conversation, he asked Donner if he thought he needed the role or should take it. Donner advised him not to do it just for the money, but only if he truly wanted it. Walker was concerned about being remembered solely as Superman, and Donner’s response essentially confirmed his decision not to star in “Superman Returns.

Denzel Washington – Michael Clayton

In 2012, Denzel Washington admitted that he had regretted passing on the role of “Michael Clayton,” saying it was the best material he had encountered in a while, but he was apprehensive about a first-time director. However, the part eventually went to George Clooney, who made it his signature role as a leading man. It didn’t take long for Washington to recognize his error. He confessed to GQ, “I was mistaken. That happens.

Bruce Willis – Ghost’s Sam

In a turn of events, Bruce Willis initially doubted the success of the script for the movie “Ghost”, a story about a man who dies and tries to reconnect with his wife from the afterlife. However, he was proven wrong as “Ghost” turned out to be the highest-grossing film in 1990, and later the most popular VHS rental title of 1991. After realizing his mistake in turning down the role of the central ghost, Willis referred to himself as a “knucklehead”. When offered the opportunity to star in “The Sixth Sense”, Willis made sure not to repeat his previous mistake.

2025-07-30 16:36