The best movies have the best villains, and sometimes they’re the best part of the whole thing! Here’s a look at some of the foes we love to hate.

Jane (Dakota Fanning) New Moon: Fans are chomping at the bit as this novella character comes to life. Interestingly, while she’s a bad babe, her intentions are to act as the enforcing rule to the vampires. A frightful authority figure.

Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) Harry Potter: Pure evil.

Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund/Jackie Earle Haley) A Nightmare On Elm Street: Insomnia-inducing.

Regan MacNeil/Satan (Linda Blair) The Exorcist: ‘The version you’ve never seen’ came out a few years ago with updated effects and added scenes, so if you still haven’t seen it - you should!

The Joker (Heath Ledger/Jack Nicholson) The Dark Knight/Batman: If you want to see the very best of Jack’s crazy act, get your fright on with The Shining.

Scar (voice of Jeremy Irons) The Lion King: Delightfully devilish.

Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) The Silence Of The Lambs: Only Sir Anthony could deliver this deeply disturbed master villain. .

Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) Psycho: Although it was remade in the 90s, there is only one man who can chime “mother!” with blood curdling results.

Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) Gladiator: Sexy, but still a creep.

Audrey II (voice of Levi Stubbs) Little Shop of Horrors: Plants that eat people are wrong, but funny.

Darth Vader (voice of James Earl Jones) Star Wars: Normally if somebody says they’re your father, you don’t scream. And they don’t cut off your hand. Talk about a dysfunctional family!

Baby Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) What Ever Happened to Baby Jane: By today’s standards, the old-timers like this black and white classic can seem a little, well, dated. The pacing is slower; there are no explosions or special effects. But if you just settle in and watch, there’s a whole story going on in every frame. That’s what makes a good movie, and a great villain, stand the test of time.

While your current fave may not have made the cut, it just wouldn’t be a very well thought out list if I didn’t include some all-time historical favorites. Everything is on DVD, so there’s no excuse not to know your movie classics!