Top Fantasy Movies With Sympathetic Villains

Villains often seem sympathetic for various reasons. For instance, Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter is shaped by his upbringing. Similarly, Jareth from Labyrinth is wicked but embodies a likable nature. Some viewers inevitably find themselves rooting for these characters. Despite their morally questionable actions, certain fantasy movie villains capture fans' sympathy and hearts.

Labyrinth — Jareth The Goblin King

Though Jareth serves as the antagonist in Labyrinth, he stands out as the film's most captivating character. By granting Sarah's wish to take her brother away, Jareth doesn't help her at all. Throughout her adventure, he toils with her in his deceptive Labyrinth.

Despite his evil deeds, audiences struggle to despise Jareth. He appears more as an enchanting fae than a malicious villain. Though his backstory remains a mystery, his playful nature endears him to viewers who might root for him, even against the protagonist.

Pirates Of The Caribbean — Barbossa

In Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Captain Barbossa serves as the main antagonist. His relentless pursuit of glory led him to steal cursed Aztec gold, ignoring dire warnings. To rid himself of the curse, he resorted to heinous acts like kidnapping and murder.

Yet, Barbossa's desire to return to a mortal life remains comprehensible. While he often speaks dramatically, his genuine desperation to feel is evident. By the end of the first film, he achieves his wish, but regrettably, he only experiences his own mortality slipping away.

Harry Potter — Draco Malfoy

Throughout most of the Harry Potter series, Draco Malfoy appears unlikable. He embodies a bully with a superiority complex rooted in his blood status. Draco's fascination with dark magic emphasizes his craving for power.

However, in Half—Blood Prince, evidence shows Draco as a product of his background rather than depraved. Unlike Voldemort and other Death Eaters, he finds no joy in murder. His apparent fear and desperation evoke sympathy, revealing a complicated character beneath his unlikable façade.

Fantastic Beasts — Credence

Misunderstood villains frequently arise in fantasy narratives. Credence in the Fantastic Beasts series highlights this notion. An orphan plagued by fear of accidental magic transforms into the destructive Obscurial.

While Credence aids the series' main villain, Grindelwald, he remains a sympathetic figure. His evil acts result from enduring abuse and manipulation, not innate wickedness. Credence’s journey exemplifies how villainy often stems from mistreatment rather than true malevolence.

The Avengers — Thanos

Thanos is notorious for causing the demise of beloved characters in the MCU. He embarked on a mission to eliminate half the universe's population, even killing his daughter in pursuit of his goal.

Although his plans were violently problematic, many viewers grasped Thanos's rationale. Raised in a resource—deprived world, his belief in overpopulation as the root of suffering made some sense. While the ends did not justify the means, his tragic vision allowed some audiences to sympathize with him.

Earlier, SSP told about all Harry Potter movies: ranked from worst to best.