Thanos, The Joker and the 25 greatest superhero movie villains of all-time

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Joker costume from the 2008 film The Dark Knight worn by actor Heath Ledger and designed by Lindy Hemming is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) /

19 of 26

Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..L to R: Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) and W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya)..Ph: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018 /

8. Erik Killmonger

Film: Black Panther

Black Panther was a triumph in just about every way possible. But, like we’ve already said, every great hero’s tale needs great villains – and that’s exactly what we got in Erik Killmonger. An A.U.S. black-ops soldier, he returned to Wakanda with a vengeance – demanding to challenge his cousin King T’Challa for both the mantles of king and Black Panther.

With his own vision on how Wakanda should operate, he sought to utilize its weaponry in a bid to alert the world of just how powerful it was and ultimately fight the injustice that his people, and his father, had suffered. And it was those origins that ensured that, in spite of his questionable actions and antagonistic behavior, he remained a somewhat sympathetic character.

Michael B. Jordan was a breath of fresh air on-screen. There was a realism that he brought to the role – one which ultimately benefited the film, because it never felt like Killmonger was fighting for the leadership of a fantastical country in a superhero film, it felt like he was fighting for passion, fighting for revenge. His strong backstory complemented that performance and, together, the writers and Jordan delivered something authentic in Killmonger.

Home/Movies