7 Great Comic Book Villains That Still Need A Movie or TV Adaptation

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Superhero movies are now the most popular and profitable genre in cinema, thanks to sprawling, interconnected universes that have captivated global audiences. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) pioneered this approach, successfully bringing many Marvel Comics storylines to life across multiple films and building a massive, record-breaking franchise. Other comic book adaptations have also thrived, making superhero stories a major part of the annual movie landscape and leading to a constant stream of comic book characters appearing in both films and TV shows.

The most successful comic book movies often focus on characters that aren’t as well-known, bringing unique stories to the big screen. There are tons of characters, especially villains, from Marvel, DC, and other comic publishers that haven’t been adapted into films or TV shows yet, despite having the potential to be great. These overlooked characters offer exciting possibilities for new movies and series.

7) Minotaur / Dario Agger

Minotaur is a compelling villain from Marvel’s Thor comics who hasn’t appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet. The version of the character known as Dario Agger, who runs the Roxxon Energy Corporation, would be especially well-suited for adaptation. He’s often used in the comics to cleverly satirize both Marvel and the corporate world, offering sharp social commentary. While visually and narratively strong, Minotaur hasn’t been featured in any MCU movies or TV shows so far.

6) Imperiex

Several truly exceptional DC villains haven’t made it to the big screen yet, but Imperiex is particularly compelling. He’s essentially the personification of destruction, with the power to wipe out universes. While a version of him appeared briefly in the animated series Legion of Super Heroes, he’s never had a proper on-screen adaptation and could be a fantastic villain in a future DC movie.

5) Onslaught

Onslaught is a controversial but memorable villain who first appeared in a highly-regarded X-Men comic from the 1990s. What sets him apart is his unique origin: he’s a living psychic being formed from the combined hidden thoughts of Professor X and Magneto. This fascinating concept has the potential to make a truly spectacular movie or TV show. So far, however, Onslaught has only appeared outside of comics in X-Men video games.

4) The Batman Who Laughs

The Batman Who Laughs is a popular villain among DC fans who hasn’t yet appeared in a movie. He’s a twisted combination of Batman and the Joker from a different universe, inheriting the worst qualities of both. This makes him a particularly dangerous enemy within the DC Universe. Bringing him to the screen would be a challenge, but a successful adaptation could create a truly memorable story.

3) Annihilus

While Annihilus has shown up in a few Marvel animated series, those appearances haven’t really captured how dangerous he is – they’ve missed a key part of what makes him a compelling villain. As one of Marvel’s most powerful villains who hasn’t been featured in the MCU yet, Annihilus has the potential to be a significant threat if brought to life on screen effectively.

2) Nemesis

Nemesis first appeared in a comic book series created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, published by several companies including Icon Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and Marvel. The character is essentially a twisted version of Batman – someone who became a villain after his rich father died. While people have tried to make a Nemesis movie or TV show, nothing has happened yet, and many fans believe this compelling comic book villain deserves a screen adaptation.

1) Judge Death

While not as globally famous as Marvel or DC, 2000 AD has created some truly memorable characters, with Judge Dredd being the most well-known. Dredd’s greatest enemy is Judge Death, a terrifying villain from another dimension where simply being alive is considered a crime. Judge Death is a compelling and frightening character who would be fantastic in a movie. Though past attempts to make a successful Judge Dredd film haven’t worked out, a character as disturbing as Judge Death is practically made for the big screen.

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2025-12-12 18:12