10 Best Villains From ‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Minions,’ Ranked

by

Starting with the first Despicable Me film in 2010, the Despicable Me/Minions series has become incredibly popular and one of the highest-grossing movie franchises ever. It now includes four main films and two Minions spin-offs, with more planned, and its success comes from mixing action, comedy, touching stories, and characters people truly love.

The Despicable Me and Minions movies are known for their incredibly memorable villains. These aren’t your typical bad guys – from a Frenchman with lobster claws to a bitter ex-child star, the films feature some of the most original, funny, and fully developed villains ever seen in animation. Here’s a list of the top 10 greatest villains from the series.

Wild Knuckles

‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ (2022)


Illumination

Wild Knuckles, a villain who looks like he stepped out of the movie Easy Rider, leads the mischievous Vicious 6. Voiced by Alan Arkin, he’s a rebellious spirit, but his age starts to become a problem for the gang. The other members of the Vicious 6 begin to think he’s getting too old and start looking for someone younger and more driven to take his place.

Wild Knuckles finds himself in trouble when his gang betrays him and leaves him for dead. Meanwhile, Gru is rejected during auditions to join the Vicious 6. This shared misfortune brings the two together, and they team up to get revenge on the Vicious 6.

Herb Overkill

‘Minions’ (2015)


Illumination

John Hamm provides the voice for Herb Overkill, who first appeared in the movie Minions and makes a brief appearance as a prisoner in Despicable Me 4. He’s the clever husband of Scarlett Overkill and his style – a pinstripe jacket and a hairstyle reminiscent of The Beatles – fits the film’s 1960s vibe. While he’s a loving husband and the mastermind behind many plans, Herb is the second-in-command villain, taking a backseat to his wife’s more mischievous schemes.

He’s a calm and relaxed person who prefers to support his wife and let her take the spotlight. He rarely seems worried or upset. Behind the scenes, he’s a skilled inventor, creating all of Scarlett’s impressive and often sinister weapons and gadgets.

Valentina

‘Minions 4’ (2024)

In Minions 4, Sofía Vergara (Modern Family) joins the cast as Valentina, a stylish and clever new villain. She’s charming and skilled, making her a perfect partner in crime for the film’s main villain, Maxime Le Mal. Valentina will be a glamorous and cunning addition to the team.

Even though she’s not in the movie for very long, she’s a particularly polished and cunning villain, always managing to outsmart Gru and the Anti-Villain League. She’s a dangerous partner to Maxime because she’s completely devoted to him and his schemes.

Jean Clawed

‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ (2022)


Illumination

Jean Clawed is a member of the Vicious 6, the villains in Minions: The Rise of Gru. He’s easily one of the silliest characters in the Despicable Me series, and his outlandish name – which is based on a lobster – perfectly hints at his over-the-top personality. He’s a French villain who’s delightfully absurd.

Though not a central villain, the character is memorable thanks to his robotic lobster claw and over-the-top French accent. A highlight is when he mistakenly calls a young Gru a “tiny man” – it’s a really funny moment.

El Macho

‘Despicable Me 2’ (2013)


Illumination

El Macho is a professional wrestler who pretended to die to escape the law. He then transformed himself into a glamorous restaurant owner, all while secretly building a criminal organization. As the main villain in Despicable Me 2, he’s a powerful and challenging enemy for Gru.

El Macho is such a fun character because he’s incredibly energetic and always acts like he’s the best. His over-the-top personality and constant boasting, combined with his willingness to be silly, make him a great contrast to Gru. He’s funny because he’s both a villain and a comedian, switching between being a shady businessman and a wild wrestler. He’s intimidating, but also surprisingly likable, because he mixes outrageous behavior with brief moments of showing his softer side.

Maxime Le Mal

‘Minons 4’ (2024)


Universal Pictures

The main villain in Minions 4, Maxime Le Mal (which means “the very bad”), is a flamboyant and spiteful supervillain who holds a long-standing grudge against Gru. They went to school together, and Maxime has been angry ever since Gru embarrassed him during a childhood rivalry.

Will Ferrell’s uniquely quirky voice work gives the character a commanding and memorable presence. Plus, the character’s scheme – turning people into part-cockroach creatures to bother Gru – is one of the most delightfully silly villainous plans in the series.

Scarlet Overkill

‘Minions’ (2010)


Illumination

Scarlett Overkill, brought to life by Sandra Bullock’s voice, is the most powerful supervillain of her era. As the central villain in the movie Minions, she’s a stylish and heartless character determined to achieve ultimate success, no matter the cost.

Scarlett is a captivating character, brimming with confidence and a dramatic presence. The film delves into her past, revealing her incredible transformation from a neglected orphan to a powerful supervillain. Her drive to succeed, fueled by years of being ignored, makes her understandable, even as her actions become increasingly ruthless.

Belle Bottom

‘Minions: Rise of Gru’ (2022)


Illumination

The second Minions movie, The Rise of Gru, is set in the 1970s, a decade known for its bold fashion and energetic music. Belle Bottom perfectly captures the look of the era with her large afro and bright purple, flared jumpsuit – her style is as striking as her name implies.

The movie’s villains, calling themselves the Vicious 6, are more comical than intimidating. After their original leader, Wild Knuckles, seemingly falls to his death, Belle Bottom takes charge. She’s confident, fashionable, and quick-thinking, but also incredibly tough, making her a serious challenge for Gru as he’s learning the ropes of villainy with the Minions. She’s particularly impressive thanks to her zodiac stone, which allows her to transform into a powerful dragon during the Chinese New Year celebration in San Francisco.

Purple Minions

‘Despicable Me 2’ (2013)


Illumination

The Minions began as helpers to the villain Gru, but they remained loyal even after he turned away from a life of crime. These energetic, yellow creatures, with their unique, silly language, quickly became incredibly popular beyond the movie itself. They’ve become well-known characters, appearing on all sorts of products and becoming a big part of internet culture.

MovieWeb Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters

Immerse yourself in the cinematic universe with the latest movie news, reviews, and exclusive content from MovieWeb.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our
Terms of Use
and
Privacy Policy
. You can unsubscribe anytime.

I was totally captivated by what happened to the Minions in Despicable Me 2! They’re usually so adorable, but when El Macho gets his hands on them and they’re exposed to that purple serum, they turn into these wild, chaotic creatures – it’s hilarious and a bit scary to watch!

The purple Minions are just as fun to watch as the yellow ones, but they have a playfully naughty side. Their silly and wild behavior is hilarious and creates a lot of amusing chaos.

Balthazar Bratt

‘Despicable Me 3’ (2017)


Illumination

Balthazar Bratt is the villain in Despicable Me 3. He was a popular child actor who became bitter after his TV show ended, and he’s obsessed with the 1980s. With his over-the-top style, dramatic personality, and huge ego, Balthazar is arguably the most humorous character in the Despicable Me movies.

Balthazar, voiced by Trey Parker—one of the creators of South Park—is a delight to watch because of his energetic and playful personality. However, he’s not just fun and games; he’s also incredibly determined and will do anything to achieve his goals, making him a complex and interesting character.

Read More

2026-02-12 21:38