Disney has a tradition of portraying villains in their movies that goes back several decades. While many of these disney villains are clearly evil and selfish, such as Ursula in The Little Mermaid and Cruella de Vil in One Hundred and One Dalmatians, there are also several villains who turn out to be good.
Not all Disney movies feature morally simplistic characters. In fact, some of the best villains have been misunderstood or have undergone a change of heart, proving that people can learn from their mistakes and become better. The presence of morally complex villains adds depth to the plot and makes for more interesting and relatable characters. Disney often surprises its audience by subverting expectations and revealing that not all characters are as bad as they may initially appear.
10. Te Kā – Moana (2016)
Moana embarks on a quest to return the heart of Te Fiti, which has been stolen and taken to Te Kā, the volcanic demon responsible for destroying her island and causing chaos in the ocean. Not much is initially known about Te Kā, but Moana is aware that the demon appeared when Maui attempted to gift the power of creation to humans by stealing Te Fiti’s heart, which resulted in catastrophic consequences and Te Fiti’s disappearance.
In the movie Moana, the protagonist discovers that Te Kā and Te Fiti are the same entity. Te Fiti transformed into Te Kā when Maui stole her heart. This implies that Te Kā’s violent behavior was not meaningless, but instead a blend of self-preservation and righteous vengeance. When Moana returns the heart to Te Fiti, she regains her original appearance and uses her powers to heal the ocean and the islands. Although not much is known about the upcoming Moana sequel, it appears that Te Fiti’s story has a neat and conclusive ending. Te Kā From Moana Disney Villains Who Become Good.
Disney Villains
9. Mirage- The Incredibles (2004)
In The Incredibles movie, Mirage contacts Mr. Incredible and offers him a job to take down the Omnidroid on Nomanisan island. She works as an assistant to the true villain, Syndrome, and it is implied that she was responsible for luring multiple other superheroes to Nomanisan. Unfortunately, those superheroes met their demise at the hands of the Omnidroid.
Initially, Mirage supported Syndrome’s evil plans, but she soon realized her mistake. She came to understand that Syndrome had no regard for her, as he didn’t hesitate to let Mr. Incredible capture her and threaten her life. Although Syndrome is one of Pixar’s most malicious villains, Mirage redeemed herself. First, she freed Mr. Incredible and later helped him and his family escape the island. Mirage From The Incredibles Disney Villains Who Become Good.
8. Anton Ego – Ratatouille (2007)
Anton Ego is a highly influential food critic in Paris, renowned for his discerning taste and authoritative opinions on fine dining. His reviews can make or break a restaurant, and the staff at Gusteau’s are well aware of this. While he is not necessarily a villain, his reputation precedes him and he has been known to abuse his power. Ego makes it clear to Linguini that he can expect a negative review, indicating that he may have a tendency towards elitism and a desaire to quash Linguini’s inspiring journey to success.
In the end, Anton Ego proves that he is not a villain as he was initially perceived. After tasting the ratatouille dish prepared by Remy, he is taken back to his childhood, and he rediscovers his passion for food that inspired him to become a food critic in the first place. This experience humbles Ego, who decides to stay and praise the chef. Eventually, he accepts Gusteau’s belief that anyone can cook. Anton Ego From Ratatouille Disney Villains Who Become Good.
7. Iago – Aladdin (1992)
Iago is Jafar’s sidekick in Aladdin, and he is just as greedy and hateful as Jafar. Gilbert Gottfried plays the character, who is known for his loud and angry outbursts. Iago sits on Jafar’s shoulder like a devil, with no angel to balance him out. While Jafar wants power, Iago’s motives are often more selfish and trivial. He hates the Sultan’s stale crackers and wants to take revenge.
In the movie Aladdin, although Iago appears to be an irredeemable character and receives his deserved punishment in the end, he undergoes a change of character in the direct-to-video sequel, The Return of Aladdin. Iago and Jafar have a falling out as he escapes from the Cave of Wonders, and the parrot soon flies to the royal palace to try and win Aladdin’s trust. Initially, this is just a selfish ploy, but as the story progresses, Iago undergoes a transformation, and he even sacrifices himself in the final battle with Jafar. Iago From Aladdin Disney Villains Who Become Good.
6. Amos Slade – The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Amos Slade is the hunter in the movie “The Fox and the Hound”. He owns Copper and trains him to hunt foxes despite his friendship with Tod. In a typical story, Amos wouldn’t be considered a villain at all. However, Disney’s habit of humanizing animal characters shifts this perspective. As a result, Amos is not just a hunter, he’s a tyrant who wants to tear apart two childhood best friends. Similar to the hunter from Bambi, he fills the role of a villain even though his actions would likely be deemed acceptable by normal standards.
In the end, Amos displays a sense of empathy towards Tod after they encounter a bear. As a gesture of gratitude for saving his life, Amos decides to spare Tod’s life. He also reconciles with his neighbor, Widow Tweedy. While it’s uncertain if this incident prompts Amos to change his behavior, he no longer appears to be the harsh and unfeeling owner that Copper needs to run away from. Amos Slade From The Fox and the Hound Disney Villains Who Become Good.
5. Emmitt Otterton – Zootopia (2016)
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde initially team up to track down Emmitt Otterton, whose disappearance is reported by his wife at the police station. However, as the investigation progresses, Emmitt becomes a potential suspect due to some shady business that he may have been involved in. All evidence points towards him being associated with Mr. Big, Zootopia’s most notorious crime boss, as he was last traced to his limousine. The truth is even more unsettling, as Emmitt attacked the driver with wild and feral aggression.
Emmitt is not the only carnivore who turns savage in the movie. However, he is not really a villain as he falls victim to a psychotropic drug called “Night Howlers,” which causes extreme aggression, along with the rest of the savage predators. The real villain is much more surprising. Emmitt eventually returns to his mild-mannered self. It is unlikely that he will make an appearance in Disney’s Zootopia sequel, which is expected to release in late 2025. Emmitt Otterton is one of the best Disney villains who become good. Emmitt Otterton Slade From Zootopia Disney Villains Who Become Good.
4. Namaari – Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Raya belongs to the Heart tribe and her position as princess makes her naturally cautious of Namaari, who hails from the Fang tribe. Their relationship is a reflection of the mutual distrust that exists throughout Kumandra, despite having the potential to become friends when they first met as children. Namaari prioritizes expanding the influence of the Fang tribe over defeating the Druun, but her priorities soon shift.
Raya and Namaari come to the realization that their ongoing conflict is causing more harm than they had anticipated. The situation worsens when Sisu gets caught in the middle of their feud and the Druun start wreaking havoc. In order to restore the Dargon Gem and put an end to the chaos, they both agree to work together and put aside their differences. Raya demonstrates her trust in Namaari by giving her the final piece of the gem, despite knowing that it may lead to her own downfall. This gesture highlights how Namaari’s character undergoes a significant transformation in her way of thinking. Namaari is one of the best Disney villians who become good. Namaari From Raya and the Last Dragon Disney Villains Who Become Good.
3. James Norrington – The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (1967)
In the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Commander James Norrington is portrayed as the antagonist. However, as the story progresses, his character becomes more complex than initially perceived. By the end of The Curse of the Black Pearl, Norrington has come to terms with the fact that he will never win Elizabeth Swann’s heart. He even gives Jack Sparrow a sporting head start before pursuing him once again for his crimes of piracy. This marks the beginning of Norrington’s redemption.
“Dead Man’s Chest” shows James Norrington’s journey to redemption as he crosses paths with Lord Cutler Beckett, a pirate-hating figure who makes Norrington’s character more sympathetic in comparison. For the first time, Norrington finds himself on the same side as Jack Sparrow and his crew. In “At World’s End,” Norrington completes his redemption arc as he sacrifices his life to protect Elizabeth Swann and her crew, ultimately earning him the hero’s ending he deserves. James Norrington From The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise Disney Villains Who Become Good.
2. Bruce – Finding Nemo (2003)
In the movie “Finding Nemo”, there is a great white shark named Bruce who initially seems like a scary villain for Marlin and Dory. However, he surprises them by revealing that he has a kind heart. Although he enjoys teasing the duo at first, he ultimately proves that he is a reformed killer. Bruce leads a group of friendly sharks who advocate for the idea that “fish are friends, not food.”
In the movie Finding Nemo, Bruce, a shark, briefly turns towards true villainy when he senses blood in the water and his hunting instincts take over. He loses his cool demeanor and chases after Marlin and Dory. However, it is hard to blame him for his natural behavior as an apex predator, especially when he is trying his best to control these instincts. In the end, Bruce reappears as another happy inhabitant of the reef, showing that he is back on the right path. Bruce From Finding Nemo Disney Villains Who Become Good.
1. The Beast – Beauty and the Beast (1996)
“Beauty and the Beast” is a Disney classic that stands out for its unique portrayal of redemption. Unlike many other Disney tales, this story has a more nuanced perspective about good and evil. It suggests that evil is not an inherent trait but rather a product of one’s environment. The main character, the Beast, is cursed with a monstrous appearance, which leads him to retreat into isolation. The story suggests that this isolation is a coping mechanism for him to avoid being judged by society.
The tragic backstory of Beauty and the Beast reveals that the Beast is not as cruel as he initially appears. Although he kidnaps Belle’s father, Maurice, and later trades him for Belle, the Beast’s actions are driven by a fear of losing his way of life. He does not wish to establish a precedent that people can get too close to his castle. However, his intentions are not truly evil, but rather fearful. As Belle and the Beast’s relationship deepens, he is eventually able to break the curse and return to his true form. The Beast From Beauty and the Beast Disney Villains Who Become Good.
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