With the release of the 800th episode of The Simpsons in December 2025, we’re taking a look back at some of the show’s most memorable villains. While The Simpsons usually focuses on everyday situations, a few truly iconic bad guys have appeared over the years. Here are seven of the best, with one notable omission: Sideshow Bob.
Okay, so everyone agrees Sideshow Bob is the ultimate Simpsons villain, right? He’s always at the top of those ‘best villain’ lists online. But honestly, it’s too obvious! I thought it would be more fun to highlight some of the other, lesser-known bad guys from the show and give them a chance to shine. We all love Bob, so let’s see what the others can do!
7) Snake Jailbird
While not as central a villain as some others, Snake Jailbird is one of the most entertaining characters to cause trouble in The Simpsons. He’s typically shown as a petty criminal, stealing cars and generally causing problems for the Simpsons family. Throughout the series, Snake occasionally teams up with bigger villains like Sideshow Bob, though he’s not quite as evil as they are.
6) Russ Cargill
Unlike the other villains on this list who appeared in the TV show, Russ Cargill is from The Simpsons Movie. In the film, he’s the head of the Environmental Protection Agency and leads the effort to trap Springfield under a massive glass dome. This power goes to his head, and he tries to destroy the town until the Simpsons intervene. Because The Simpsons Movie has a larger scope than a typical episode, Russ Cargill stands out as one of the most important villains in the entire franchise.
5) Frank Grimes
Frank Grimes isn’t a typical villain, but he’s one of the most memorable antagonists in The Simpsons. Introduced in the Season 8 episode “Homer’s Enemy,” Frank is a hardworking new employee at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant who resents Homer’s lack of effort and intelligence. He tries to get Homer fired, but fails, leading to a breakdown and ultimately, his death. Despite being the serious, straightforward character, Frank is incredibly funny and remains central to what many fans consider one of the show’s greatest episodes.
4) Lyle Lanley
Many fans debate the greatest episode of The Simpsons, but the Season 4 episode “Marge vs. the Monorail” consistently comes up. The episode features a charming con artist, Lyle Lanley, who convinces the town of Springfield to build a monorail. Lanley’s real plan is to cut corners on construction, pocket the remaining funds, and leave town. He’s a hilarious villain for Marge to face, and the episode features what many consider to be the show’s best musical sequence.
3) Kang and Kodos
Most of the villains on The Simpsons are people, but Kang and Kodos are a memorable exception. These aliens first showed up in the “Treehouse of Horror” episode, where the Simpsons family thought they were being targeted as food. Kang and Kodos have been in many other “Treehouse of Horror” segments, though they usually play funny supporting roles instead of being the main bad guys.
It’s surprising, but Kang and Kodos have become two of the most recognizable characters on The Simpsons. They’re featured in many spin-offs, including video games and comics, and even have their own attraction at Universal Studios Florida. Their oddness is a big part of why they’re so enjoyable as villains.
2) Hank Scorpio
Hank Scorpio is a memorable villain from The Simpsons, often considered one of the show’s best. He first appeared in the episode “You Only Move Twice,” where Homer starts a new job at his company, Globex Corporation. What Homer doesn’t realize is that Scorpio is actually a supervillain plotting to take over a significant portion of the country. Despite his evil plans, Hank is surprisingly nice and offers Homer plenty of friendly advice throughout the episode.
Hank Scorpio is a truly memorable villain from The Simpsons. He has everything you’d expect – a secret base, henchmen, a sworn enemy, and a plot for world domination! Though he’s appeared briefly in a few later episodes, his standout role is in “You Only Move Twice,” and he makes a huge impact despite only appearing in that one episode.
1) Mr. Burns
As a huge fan of The Simpsons, I think only Mr. Burns rivals Sideshow Bob in terms of memorable villains. He’s the super-rich, ancient owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant – basically, Homer’s boss – and is always causing trouble. He’s such a classic bad guy that the whole ‘Who Shot Mr. Burns?’ storyline worked so well because, honestly, so many people had a reason to want him gone!
Mr. Burns has been a regular character on The Simpsons since the very first episode, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.” While Christopher Collins originally provided the voice for Mr. Burns, Harry Shearer took over the role and has voiced him consistently ever since. Mr. Burns is a hugely recognizable character and is widely considered one of the show’s best villains.
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2026-02-25 18:42