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

By Michael Patterson

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)
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) /
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6. Mr. Freeze

Film: Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero

No, don’t panic, we’re not about to delve into how Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pun-filled Mr. Freeze in 1997’s Batman & Robin is secretly a Shakespearean marvel (though it was an underappreciated delight). This entry is devoted to the Mr. Freeze that inspired the story that the film would attempt to adapt – the one who showed us all that animation was capable of out doing live action. Yes, this is devoted to the legendary Mr. Freeze from Batman: The Animated Series who headlined his own feature film in Batman & Mr Freeze: Subzero. 

Just like he was in the series, Freeze was a tragic character (that actually did feel somewhat Shakespearean in his characterization), driven not by hatred or revenge but by love. Yes, it was the love of his wife that ultimately transformed him into the icy villain and now, it was that love (and desperation to save that love) that was driving him to kill Barbara Gordon so that his beloved Nora might live.

The juxtaposition between him and ally Dr. Gregory Belson – who was only driven by money and gold – intentionally strengthened his character, for he wasn’t mindlessly stooping to these unbelievable depths for a thin purpose; he was, again, doing it for love. And that not only made him a sympathetic villain, it made him worthy of redemption – something he proved throughout the film.

Building upon the foundations that Batman: The Animated Series had laid, SubZero‘s release in 1998 couldn’t have come at a better time, as it reminded audiences that there was so much more to this wonderful villain than an array of ice puns, highlighting his depth of character and ultimately proving that animation can indeed be superior to live-action.

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