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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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PERTH, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 12: Film goers watch The Dark Knight featuring Heath Ledger during a public tribute outdoor movie night to the late actor at Burswood Park on February 12, 2011 in Perth, Australia. Australian actor Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in the movie The Dark Knight. Ledger died from an accidental toxic combination of prescription drugs on January 22, 2008. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) /

1. The Joker

Film: The Dark Knight

Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is an esteemed piece of superhero history for many reasons, but perhaps the biggest of all those reasons is the middle installment – 2008’s The Dark Knight – which quite frankly changed comic book films forever. And one of the reasons why that film is held in such high regard revolved around its villain: The Joker.

You don’t have to be a comic book wiz to understand how iconic The Joker is, but that’s not what makes Heath Ledger’s turn as the character legendary. A more grounded take on the character, Ledger’s Joker fit the gritty and realistic world that Nolan had created with his films and it was such a revolutionary interpretation that it took on a life on its own.

An anarchist of the highest degree, it was The Joker’s desire to highlight the flaws in the system. He knew that even the whitest of knights could be corrupted and made it his mission to destroy Gotham from the inside out, utilizing every lowlife that he could along the way to make it happen.

A dangerous individual that saw the world from a surprisingly logical point-of-view, he couldn’t be bought, bargained or reasoned with and simply thrived on anarchy. And, more to the point, he was the perfect foil for Batman, as the Caped Crusader sought to promote order and justice in a city that the Joker was happy to uproot with terror and fear. The only solution to his corrupt plan was the incorruptible Dark Knight.

A masterclass performance from the late, great Heath Ledger and some of the finest writing to ever take place in any film solidified this jester as the greatest comic book movie villain of all time – a fitting place for one of the greatest comic book villains ever.

Next. Ranking all 23 Marvel Cinematic Universe films. dark

Which superhero movie villains were your favorites? Can you think of other villains who didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments below!

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