Disney villains are as intriguing, powerful, and, dare we say it, as loved as the heroes they battle. Think about it – why was the live-action Sleeping Beauty centered around Maleficent instead of Aurora? Because Disney villains are unique and unforgettable characters. But it’s the incredible voice acting that makes them iconic! The voices of famous Disney villains characters deliver dramatic monologues and sarcastic quips that make us wonder if Disney villains are really foes – or just misunderstood creatures transformed into darkness by circumstances.
At Voice123 – where you’ll find the best Disney villains voice actors – we know that the secret to a fear-inspiring villain in audio projects is a talented voice actor. So, in this post, we’ll explore the voices behind charismatic male Disney villains, and enchanting Disney villains female.
Get ready to be spellbound by the voices behind this epic Disney villains list!
Top 10 Disney villains
The top ten Disney villains are:
- Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
- Scar (The Lion King)
- Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
- Jafar (Aladdin)
- Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)
- Captain Hook (Peter Pan)
- Prince Hans (Frozen)
- Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)
- Mother Gothel (Tangled)
- Dawn Bellwether (Zootopia)
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the voice actors for the top 10 male and female Disney villains characters
The voices behind the top 5 Disney villains female
1. Maleficent
Maleficent, voiced by Eleanor Audley and portrayed by Angelina Jolie in Maleficent, can silence a room upon entry. Why? While her horned headdress and black, flowing robes contribute to her sinister appearance, when she speaks, no one would dare interrupt her – not even the King. Her voice is a blend of elegance, grace, and commanding power. Maleficent’s vocal style also includes mocking sarcasm, which turns lines like: “I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation” into ominous threats.
2. Ursula
Ursula, voiced by Pat Carroll and played by Melissa Mcarthy in The Little Mermaid, is as conniving as they come; she spends a good five minutes in her song Poor Unfortunate Souls trying to convince Ariel that she has her best interests at heart. Her voice is flamboyant with a sickly sweetness when talking to Ariel. But on her own, her voice is vengeful and bitter, showcasing her character’s malicious nature.
3. Cruella De Vil
Cruella De Vil, voiced by Betty Lou Gerson and portrayed by Emma Stone in Cruella, puts the Vil in Villainous. She can go from “Anita, darling” to “I’m through with all of you!” in a few seconds. Her voice ranges from charming and friendly to maniacal and sinister, showcasing her eccentric personality. Combine that with her unique villainous laugh, and you’ve got Disney villains female at their finest.
4. Dawn Bellwether
Dawn Bellwether, voiced by Jenny Slate, is “underestimated, underappreciated,” and she is sick of it. Her voice style is sweet and innocent with a caring tone, making audiences really feel for her and creating a villain that no one suspects until the big reveal. That’s when her voice changes to a menacing tone that gives you the chills.
5. Mother Gothel
Mother Gothel, voiced by Donna Murphy, stands out amongst Disney villains female as a master manipulator. She speaks to Rapunzel with a kind and warm tone, as if she genuinely wants to protect her. However, there are moments when her true villainous nature shines through, such as her thunderous rant: “You are not leaving this tower. Ever!”
The voices behind the top 5 male Disney villains
1. Jafar
Jafar, voiced by Jonathan Freeman and portrayed by Marwan Kenzari in Aladdin, is a wicked sorcerer who hates to be second best. To showcase his cunning personality, Freeman alternated between a deep, menacing voice for Jafar’s calculating, power-hungry nature and explosive vocal tones for his fits of rage. And he created a male Disney villain with a commanding vocal presence.
2. Scar
Scar, voiced by Jeremy Irons is one of the most devious male Disney villains. Irons’ rich, velvety voice matches Scar’s regal demeanor and manipulative nature. Scar’s voice is sinister, sarcastic, and menacing, especially in his iconic line, “Long live the king.” This line is delivered with such a malicious and gleeful tone it cemented Scar’s reputation as a legendary male Disney villain.
3. Captain Hook
Captain Hook, voiced by Hans Conried, is a pirate who hates Peter Pan and is terrified of crocodiles. Conried’s refined British accent added elegance, authority, menace, and humor to the character. His voice style varies to showcase Hook’s sophisticated mannerisms, fierce anger, and obsession with revenge.
4. Prince Hans
Prince Hans, voiced by Santino Fontana, had one of the most surprising Disney villains reveals. Fontana’s smooth tones throughout the film created a charming hero that no one suspected as the bad guy. And when he’s revealed as a scheming, uncaring scoundrel, his voice becomes harsh and sinister.
5. Gaston
Gaston, voiced by Richard White and played by Luke Evans in Beauty and the Beast, has a deep, booming voice that brings to life Gaston’s boastful, larger-than-life personality. His voice style is charming, with dramatic, powerful vocal tones, highlighting his firm belief that he is the hero.
How to use the power of Disney villains in your audio projects
Would you like to use the power of Disney villains in your audio projects? The voices of Disney villains characters are intriguing, mysterious, captivating, and adaptable. They can bring life to manic villains like The Joker, brooding anti-heroes like Venom, or even reluctant heroes like Joel Miller. To use Disney villains voices in projects, you can create a video game or film character that goes from bad to good and saves the day with a voice that’s commanding and captivating, like Maleficent. Or use the fiendish charisma of male Disney villains like Jafar in commercials to sell products with sass and charm.
And at Voice123, we’ve got a selection of talented professional voice actors who can create villainous voice styles ranging from sinister and menacing to charming and devious. With these voice over artists you can create a thrilling world of hero and villain conflicts.
Final thoughts on Disney villains
Disney villains are unique, memorable, and legendary because, with their one-of-a-kind personalities, these characters have become Disney fan favorites. And the most iconic Disney villains are those whose voices create a terrifying, mysterious aura and a commanding vocal presence. From Maleificant and Ursule to Scar and Jafer, the Disney villains list is full of characters who are loved for their sinister charm and feared for their cunning.
So, are you ready to create a villainous voice style for your next project? Voice123 has you covered! Use our free voice over script resources to create an enchanting villain and hire professional villain voice actors to bring them to life. You can also work with our skilled Managed Services team to complete your project for you.
It’s time to add a wicked twist to your projects with voice styles from Disney villains!
FAQs
In “Sleeping Beauty,” Maleficent is considered Disney’s baddest villain because of her vengeful quest against Princess Aurora.
Disney’s main villain is Maleficent because her live-action film, Maleficient, is the only Disney villain origin story film to receive a sequel.
King Magnifico from Wish is the newest villain. He’s a charismatic ruler who uses magic and power for personal gain.
Hans from “Frozen” is the most realistic because his charm is a façade with hidden motivations that reflect real-world duplicity.