Hollywood has brought many memorable Top 90’s Villain’s to the big screen over the decades, from action movies to comedies, dramas, and psychological thrillers. And it all came together in the 1990s.
Here’s a look back at eight of our favorite villains and girls we had a good time hating. There is no funnier pair of villains. The most incompetent villains were Harry Joe Pesci and Marv Daniel Stern.
Harry and Marv, “Home Alone” (1990); “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992)
It all boils down to the fact that a little boy can outwit her in so many ways. Here are a few of the villains to choose from. In this sequel to the classic Macaulay Culkin film, we see more of Harry and Marv. There are some remarkable individual performances in this film.
Tommy DeVito, “Goodfellas” (1990)
But Joe Pesci’s (Devito) has to be at the top of the list. He is cruelly vulgar and has a sort of small-man syndrome. This guy is funny when we think about it. And then there’s his madman, who’s always there.
Annie Wilkes, “Misery” (1990)
Based on Stephen King’s classic novel and starring Rob Reiner, the film became a huge hit thanks to Kathy Bate’s Oscar-winning performance as mad fan Annie Wilke. Caring for her favorite disabled writer, James Caan, with her help is creepy and scary enough that it is almost uncomfortable to watch. We don’t seem to see Kathy Bates as convincing as she is here.
Bodhi, “Point Break” (1991)
In one of his most famous roles, Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) is a lighthearted criminal who enjoys surfing and other exciting sports. In terms of coolness, he’s one of those villains that’s easy to like. And gentle on the eyes.
Nino Brown, “New Jack City” (1991)
FBI agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) gets entangled in Bodhi’s lifestyle and job, but in the end, he has a real sense of respect for his attitude to life and for living every day as if it were his last. For Nino (Wesley Snipes), it’s all business, never personal. And I did him no harm. Narcissistic Brown, the leader of the notorious CMB (Cash Money Brothers), is all about money and power. He believes he owns the streets of New York City or the underworld.
When it comes to evil criminals, Nino is about as good as it gets. His role as a psychopathic ex-con who becomes a lawbreaker and seeks revenge on a public defender is pure genius. We could dissect Nino’s legendary action career for days on end. No one looks good in the Hollywood kingdom.
Max Cady, “Cape Fear” (1991)
De Niro is scary as ever in this Martin Scorsese remake of the 1960s thriller. There’s a Hitchcock-esque vibe that lends intensity to his cady.
Hannibal Lecter, “Silence Of The Lambs” (1991)
Anthony Hopkins isn’t the first to play a cannibalistic serial killer, but he’s undoubtedly the most memorable. He won an Oscar himself for this role, which was to define his career.
Lechter is a complex character, clever, funny, and deranged. A lot stems from Hopkins’ brilliance that makes Lechter the most memorable villain of the decade. And I’m appalled that I had to do so much of it.
T-1000, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a shifting android menace who seems unstoppable no matter how many times he is shot, mutilated, or melted down. There’s no Terminator to stop him, but they got his version right. We all thought he was uncompromising in Terminator: The Robert Patrick Update, which later became better sequels.