1

Mr. Peanut

Image: Tom Hermans

As familiar as snacking on a handful of peanuts, Mr. Peanut is a beloved symbol for us all. Incredibly, despite being a successful and recognizable character, Mr. Peanut's design only cost $5!

That's right, Planters Company created a contest in 1916 to find the ideal mascot. And guess who won? A 14-year-old boy! Antonio Gentile received $5 in exchange for his cute peanut-bodied mascot, to which the top hat and monocle were later added. Not only is his appearance sophisticated, but his name is, too. Mr. Peanut's full name is Bartholomew Richard Fitzgerald-Smythe. Fancy, right?

2

Tony the Tiger

Image: Sten Ritterfeld

One of the most famous felines, Tony the Tiger , the mascot of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal , first appeared in a TV commercial in 1952, more than 70 years ago!

Despite his age, Tony still embodies the ideas of strength and energy that the brand wants to associate with its delicious cereals.

His distinctive muscular body and unique red scarf around his neck make him one of the most recognizable characters for people of all ages. He is just gr-r-reat!

3

Energizer Bunny

Image: danilo.alvesd

We've all wished we had the incredible energy of the Energizer Bunny , right?

This cute, drum-beating mascot first appeared in a TV commercial in the late 1980s. Its characteristic endless energy symbolizes the power of the brand's batteries, summed up in its classic catchphrase, "It keeps going and going and going..."

Over time, this little pink bunny with sunglasses has gained worldwide fame and has become one of the most recognizable brand mascots.

4

Mr. Clean

Image: JESHOOTS.COM

We've already seen tigers, rabbits, and even peanuts with eyes; now it's the turn of a human-shaped mascot.

Mr. Clean is the legendary mascot of the Procter & Gamble cleaning product line, famous for his look and accessories. With his white eyebrows, classic earring, bald head, and white T-shirt, the beloved Mr. Clean is impossible to miss.

Created in 1958, this mascot has changed very little since his first appearance, making him even more iconic. If you're looking for a Halloween costume, you know who to imitate this year!

5

Ronald McDonald

Image: Brett Jordan

Ronald McDonald , the clown of the most famous fast food chain, has become a global star.

Over the decades, children around the world have excitedly lined up to see him, greet him, and take pictures with Ronald in McDonald's stores.

Created in 1963, Ronald looked a bit different than he does today. Ronald's appearance has evolved, with changes to his costume and makeup, making him more vibrant and approachable. But the magic of this character is still intact.

6

Pillsbury Doughboy

Image: Pablo Lancaster Jones

If we discuss cute mascots, we can't forget the Pillsbury Doughboy . This little man made of dough has been wearing a chef's hat and a scarf since his birth in 1965 when he first appeared in a TV commercial.

While his appearance has remained the same, his name has changed a few times. Originally called "Jonathan Pillsbury," his name was changed to "Poppin' Fresh" in the 1970s, though today we all know him as Pillsbury Doughboy.

His playful personality is captured in his classic catchphrase, "Hoo-hoo!"

7

The M&M’s Spokescandies

Image: Sebastian Gómez

Who can say "no" to a handful of delicious M&M's ? Definitely not us! And as if their great taste weren’t enough, M&M's also has a series of mascots with varied personalities that know how to win us over.

The original characters emerged in the 1950s, and there were only two mascots: the Plain (milk chocolate) and the Peanut characters. This evolved over time, and more characters were added, each with different colors and qualities.

Today, some of the most recognized are Red, Yellow, and Green .

8

Martin the GEICO Gecko

Image: Tate Lohmiller

The GEICO insurance company's Gecko is definitely one of the most famous brand mascots in the country.

Born in 1999, this little Gecko first appeared in a commercial in which he talked to the viewers, trying to convince them to choose GEICO. This appearance was so successful that the friendly and witty Gecko has remained the company's mascot to this day.

One of the peculiarities of this character is his distinctive British accent, which sets him apart from other talking mascots.

9

Kool-Aid Man

Image: Roksolana Zasiadko

If you were one of the many Kool-Aid fans as a child, you probably remember the charming and unique Kool-Aid Man fondly.

With his pitcher-shaped body filled with Kool-Aid, the character first appeared on the product's packaging in 1954. It wasn't until over 20 years later that he made his first TV commercial, always smiling and uttering his traditional catchphrase, "Oh yeah!"

The now classic character became very popular and even had cameos in famous animated TV series!

10

Chester Cheetah

Image: Ryan Quintal

If you love snacks, you've probably smeared your fingers with Cheetos crumbs at some point, right? We get it; these cheesy snacks are simply irresistible.

And if you've ever tasted Cheetos, you're likely familiar with the famous Chester Cheetah . With its cool look and relaxed attitude, Chester Cheetah was created in 1986. This feline appeared in TV commercials and on Cheetos packages, always enjoying the snack and never without his trademark sunglasses.

His fame grew to the point that in the '90s, Chester starred in a couple of video games!

1

Darth Vader (Star Wars)

The first time Darth Vader appeared on the big screen in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), his presence was mysterious and ominous . Was he a robot? A human? A monster? This enigmatic figure with a mechanical voice and unmistakable heavy breathing terrified his enemies and allies, too.

One of the most frightening elements of Darth Vader is, perhaps, his unpredictability; he could be talking with a crew member of his ship, and suddenly lift them in the air while choking them using the Force. Darth Vader said one of the most iconic quotes ever in one of the greatest plot twists in cinema history, when talking to Luke Skywalker: "I am your father."

2

The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)

Margaret Hamilton brought to life the unforgettable green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (1939), scaring generations of children with her sinister laugh. In the movie, she relentlessly pursues the protagonist, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), and her friends and delivers one of the most quoted villain lines ever: " I'll get you, my pretty… and your little dog, too !"

The witch also commanded an army of Winged Monkeys in some of the most memorable and nightmare-inducing scenes. The American Film Institute ranked The Wicked Witch of the West as the fourth greatest movie villain of all time in 2003.

3

Joker (Batman)

First introduced in the premiere Batman comic book in 1940, the Joker has been portrayed countless times in movies, animated fare, and TV shows, and it's hard to pick the best rendition. The iconic villain has so many characteristic features that make him unique: his exaggerated smile, green hair, and especially his twisted, vicious laugh . The first time The Joker made his big-screen debut was in Batman (1966) with Cesar Romero in the role, though he inarguably became an icon in Batman (1989) when Jack Nicholson breathed life into the character.

The Joker is Batman’s greatest enemy, and unlike many powerful villains, he doesn’t have powers . His only tool is his intelligence, which he uses to come up with the most macabre methods to terrorize Gotham. In 2009, actor Heath Ledger won a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance playing The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).

4

Norman Bates (Psycho)

Who could forget the shower scene massacre of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) at the hands of Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) — perhaps the most well-known murder scene of all time.

Belying the violent psychopath that lurks within, Norman Bates is the mild-mannered owner of the Bates Motel, and his notorious Mommy issues lead him to murder. Bates was ranked as the second greatest movie villain of all time by the American Film Institute.

5

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs)

The cold-hearted and calculating Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter became world-famous thanks to The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and the fantastic performance of Anthony Hopkins —earning him an Oscar for Best Actor. Hannibal’s refined manners are unsettling when you know the brutality of his actions, creating an agonizingly tense atmosphere every time he’s on screen.

Hannibal uses his deep understanding of human psychology to manipulate almost everyone he meets, including FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), with his iconic "Hello, Clarice" greeting. Hannibal Lecter was named the greatest villain of all time by the American Film Institute.

6

The Terminator (T-800) (The Terminator)

Even though Arnold Schwarzenegger has over 50 onscreen credits, his most recognizable performance was playing the T-800 in The Terminator (1984), a relentless cyborg assassin sent from the future by the artificial intelligence Skynet that will never stop pursuing his target, no matter what.

The T-800 looks human, though beneath the skin, he’s an indestructible machine with a metal skeleton, and he is tasked with the mission of eliminating Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). During the movie, the T-800 delivers the staple line of the saga: "I’ll be back."

7

Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street)

The idea of a homicidal maniac who can murder you in your dreams while you are sleeping is absolutely spine-chilling and still haunts many of us. Freddy Krueger was introduced in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), revolutionizing horror by attacking teens in a place where their parents couldn’t save them .

Freddy became an all-time horror icon thanks to his burned face, red-and-green striped sweater, brown fedora, and glove fitted with razor-sharp blades. Of the nine movies in which Freddy is featured, Robert Englund portrayed him in eight, which makes him one of the longest-running actors to play the same villain.

8

Michael Myers (Halloween)

Michael Myers, originally appearing in Halloween (1978), wears one of the most famous props in movie history: his mask. The undying, knife-wielding killer — whose chief target in the first film and many sequels is Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) — has been portrayed by several different actors over the years, but Nick Castle played him in the original film, turning Michael into a defining villain of the slasher genre .

Like many other villains on this list, Michael Myers’ outfit is unmistakable, and his slow, deliberate walk is a mark of the character. In contrast with other major villains, Michael never speaks, and his silence adds to the mystery surrounding him .

9

Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians)

Cruella de Vil’s film debut was in One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), and although the animated Disney movie is a lovely classic, we cannot say the same about her. The eccentric heiress has an obsession with Dalmatians because she wants to make a spotted fur coat , so she terrifies a family trying to steal their puppies.

Her appearance, with her black-and-white hair (a nod to the Dalmatians), red gloves, and bold makeup, is impossible to ignore . Cruella de Vil became even more famous after Glenn Close portrayed her in the live-action films 101 Dalmatians (1996) and 102 Dalmatians (2000).

10

Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)

Unlike the rest of the villains on this list, Nurse Ratched — brought to life by Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) — doesn’t rely on violence; instead, she controls others through quiet authority and emotional manipulation . Ratched is the head nurse of a psychiatric hospital where patient Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) battles against her for freedom and control.

Her calm yet intimidating demeanor makes her one of cinema’s most chilling antagonists, and in 2003, the American Film Institute (AFI) ranked Nurse Ratched as the fifth greatest movie villain of all time — the highest-ranked female villain on the list.

1

The Joker

Image: Miggy Rivera

We’ll start with comic books’ most nefarious villain . Should an alien visit us tomorrow, it would be very hard to explain that a playing card-themed maniac is an archetypical antagonist to a bat-themed superhero. And yet, ever since appearing in Batman’s very first solo comic book, the Joker has proved again and again why he is known as "the Clown Prince of Crime".

Just like Batman, the Joker doesn’t have any superpowers besides his cunning and wicked sense of humor. Although definitively insane, he is remarkably smart, which is shown by his expertise as a chemist. He is responsible for creating his signature "Joker venom", a chemical compound capable of forcing anyone to smile.

2

The Green Goblin

Image: Uélvis Santana

The Green Goblin is to Spiderman what The Joker is to Batman. Another bad guy with a flare for theatricality (though almost all comic-book villains do), this flying menace soars through the air on his "Goblin Glider", his patented flying device.

Contrary to his superhero antagonist, this villain’s backstory is simple and selfish: wealthy industrialist Norman Osborn became this alter-ego to rule organized crime in New York City. Nowadays, Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of the Green Goblin in the 2001 "Spiderman" movie is perhaps this character’s most remembered iteration.

3

Hans Gruber

Image: Matt The Artist

There are many reasons why "Die Hard" is considered the very best action movie in history, from its groundbreaking setting to its amazing dialogue and fast-paced action. However, one of the most influential factors behind this movie’s legacy is Hans Gruber , the sophisticated and soft-spoken nemesis of John McClane.

Wonderfully portrayed by Allan Rickman, Gruber arrives at the fictional Nakatomi Plaza under false pretenses, with the sole purpose of stealing millions in bearer bonds. Rickman's superb performance almost made us feel bad when his plans got foiled by a certain adventurous NYPD detective. An action movie that made us feel bad about its bad guy! Can you imagine that?

4

Darth Vader

Image: André Volkmann

Should we add a spoiler warning for one of the most iconic reveals in the history of cinema? We won’t disclose it in the very (extremely) slim chance that you haven’t seen "The Empire Strikes Back". However, we are absolutely sure that you are familiar with science fiction's most memorable villain, even if you haven’t seen a single scene in any "Star Wars" movie.

Truly, Darth Vader needs no introduction: From his menacing mask, cold demeanor, and lightsaber skills, this Sith knight is truly a force to be reckoned with. What’s perhaps most iconic about Vader is his deep and powerful voice, provided by Hollywood legend James Earl Jones.

5

Wicked Witch of the West

Image: Ksenia Yakovleva

Granted, the 2003 musical "Wicked" made us realize that Elphaba, also known as "The Wicked Witch of the West" , was a truly nuanced character. However, by the time she received her dishonorable title in "The Wizard of Oz", Elphaba had become a dastardly green-skinned witch, hellbent on foiling the plans of Dorothy and her friends.

Margaret Hamilton’s performance in the 1939 version of "The Wizard of Oz" was so iconic that it cemented the look that most media witches would have over time: You can thank Hamilton for the pointy black hats, green make-up, and terrifying cackles you hear every Halloween.

6

Norman Bates

Image: Maxime Roedel

Just like with our Darth Vader entry, we have to ask: Is anyone not aware of the groundbreaking twist in Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous movie? We’ll once again have to tread lightly, but that doesn’t mean we can properly remember Norman Bates , the bone-chilling villain from "Psycho".

Portrayed by Anthony Perkins in the original 1960 movie and its 3 sequels, Norman Bates is the shy, mild-mannered proprietor of the "Bates Hotel", co-owned by Norman and his mother. However, anyone watching this classic thriller for the first time will quickly realize that there’s something sinister hiding in this hotel.

7

Hannibal Lecter

Image: Elchino portrait

You would expect someone nicknamed "Hannibal the Cannibal" to be a feral brute with an insatiable bloodlust, but Dr. Hannibal Lecter is, above all, well-mannered. While he definitively has the bloodlust part going, Lecter has been described as a soft-spoken, intelligent, and cultured monster since his first appearance in the 1981 horror novel "Red Dragon".

Most of us remember this character from Anthony Hopkins’ character in "Silence of the Lambs" and "Red Dragon", but did you know that there was a previous film portrayal of Hannibal Lecter? Scottish actor Brian Cox portrayed him in the 1981 film "Manhunter", although under the last name "Lecktor".

8

Xenomorphs

Image: Hossam el-Hamalawy, CC BY 2.0

When posters for the movie "Alien" first appeared in movie theaters, they had a simple yet terrifying tagline: "In space, no one can hear you scream". This 1979 horror masterpiece by Ridley Scott introduced the world to the now-iconic "Xenomorph", the perfect killing machine that haunts outer space.

Part of what makes the Xenomorph so memorable is its groundbreaking design, a huge departure from the traditional aliens depicted up to that point. It helps that they were designed by Swedish artist H.R. Giger, who in turn based them on his own 1976 surrealist painting "Necronom IV".

9

Lex Luthor

Image: Jon Tyson

Who knew that the perfect nemesis for "The Man of Steel" would be a bald billionaire? Lex Luthor is Superman’s lifelong and most-famous nemesis, always plotting to bring the world’s most powerful superhero to his knees.

In a way, the fact that Luthor has no superpowers other than his remarkable intellect is particularly fitting: While heavy-hitters like Doomsday or Metallo can physically hold their own against Superman, Luthor’s human greed and resourcefulness ultimately prove to be the biggest threat to this hero.

10

HAL 9000

Image: Axel Richter

We’ll end with the only robotic villain in this article. When audiences first met the artificial intelligence known as HAL 9000 in Stanley Kubrick’s groundbreaking "2001: A Space Odyssey", they were perplexed by how a single red light talking in a monotone yet calm voice could be so downright terrifying.

In truth, that’s part of what makes HAL such an incredible villain: He is not a sadistic, murderous monster, but rather a cold and calculating machine run by logic. HAL chooses to destroy the astronauts aboard the "Discovery One" only because he considers them a threat to the spacecraft’s plans. So, in a sense, this machine was only doing what it was programmed to do.