It’s hard to believe it’s already been close to a quarter of a century since audiences were given their first ever look at theX-Menon the big screen. The success of the original Bryan Singer film went a long way toward saving Marvel and reigniting interest in superhero films among moviegoers and studios alike. It’s since gone on to spawn a massive franchise that now encompasses 10 films directly related to the X-universe and four more among those likeNew Mutantsand theDeadpoolfilms. Whilewe eagerly await the full introduction of the X-Men to the MCU, many fans have taken to re-watching the old films for one last hit of nostalgia before the next era begins.
With a great range to choose from that includes the first trilogy, prequel films likeFirst Class,and theWolverinespin-offs, we’ve been treated to a wide variety of amazing mutant characters so far already. However, as awesome as many of the main X-Men characters are, it’s often the villains from the movies that stand out more. Between some of their terrifying powers, evil motivations, and ruthless disregard for anyone who gets in their way, there have been a formidable array of X-Men villains seen on-screen. Here’s a look at 15 of the scariest X-Men villains already seen in the films so far.
Also known as Mortimer Toynbee,Toadis a villain that featured prominently in the firstX-Menfilm back in 2000, but also briefly showed up inX-Men: Days of Future Past,andmore recently inDeadpool and Wolverine. Like the name suggests, he has the abilities of a Toad, including enhanced strength and super agility. However, it’s his prehensile tongue that can extend up to 30 feet that truly earns him his designation.
He Can Be Ruthless and Unnerving To Go Up Against
Although sometimes portrayed a little comically inX-Men, as a part of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Toad proves to be a formidable opponent, at one point even disabling most of the team all by himself. He has a particularly memorable encounter with Storm during this time but is eventually neutralized by her.
However, despite all his fearsome attributes, what truly makes Toad scary is his vindictive nature after suffering years of abuse and torment — that and the fact that he’s pretty disgusting to go up against.
14Mystique
A character now made far more famous by theX-Menfilms,Mystiqueis a shape-shifter whose normal appearance sees her with very stark and frightening blue skin and yellow eyes. Although sometimes portrayed as a complex character who is sometimes good, in the comics, she’s classically depicted as a villain. With the power to transform into anyone,she can imitate the physical appearance, voice, and mannerisms of anyone perfectly— making her extremely dangerous.
The Most Compelling X-Men Movie Characters, Ranked
The X-Men Foxverse is about to get its last chapter with Deadpool 3. Let’s look back and see who are the most compelling characters in the franchise!
Mystique Has Some Fascinating Ties to Other Characters
While not often a central character in the comics, in the movies her role was significantly upgraded, moreso afterJennifer Lawrence took over the rolein the rebooted timeline. However, in the comics, she is also the biological mother of Nightcrawler and the adoptive mother of Rogue, two fascinating arcs that were never explored in the films.
13Lady Deathstrike
A formidable foe originally named Yuriko Oyama,Lady Deathstrikeoften finds herself tangling with Wolverine in the comics as she blames him for her father’s death. Another character that has often linked Wolverine to Japan, she is the daughter of a Japanese crime lord, though more notably, he’s also the man who originally created the process used to bond adamantium to Logan’s skeleton.
In the comics, shetransforms herself into a part-cyborg, increasing her strength and agility and infusing herself with retractable adamantium nails capable of even cutting through Wolverine’s usually impenetrable skeleton.
X2: X-Men United
She Probably Deserved a Larger Role inX2
Featuring in theX2film, she wasplayed by the stunning Kelly Huand had one of the most memorable fight scenes in the franchise’s history. Facing off against Wolverine, the pair have a brutal fight that ends horribly for her. However, given what a dangerous and ruthless character she can be in the comics, the fact that herX2role was confined to a single speaking line and a relegation to simply being a malleable pawn of Col. Stryker was a gross under-use of the character.
All X-Men Movies, Ranked
The X-Men series spanned nearly two decades and before the team joins the MCU, here is every X-Men film ranked.
12Silver Samurai
The Wolverine
Another famous nemesis of Wolverine,Silver Samuraiis a prominent enough character from the X-universe that he was madethe main villain inThe Wolverine.A master of the katana, he can also create and channel tachyon energy through anything he wants, usually preferring to use his blade for this so he can supercharge it enough to cut through virtually anything — except adamantium.
His real name is Kenuichio Harada, and he’s descended from Japanese samurai, a fact that usually means he abides by a strict but morally subjective code.
The Character was Changed Drastically On-Screen
Usuallydepicted in samurai armor, his comic arc usually makes him a fascinating character due to his constant inner battles between his sense of honor and his criminal ties with the Yakuza. However, much to the annoyance of comic fans, inThe Wolverine,the character was changed drastically, even using a different name (Ichirō Yashida) and being portrayed as an old dying man who builds a massive adamantium suit instead of having innate mutant powers.
11Emma Frost
Also known by the mutant name White Queen,Emma Frostis a formidable psychic and telepath capable of bending people to her will with ease. She can read minds, control and manipulate others' thoughts, andcreate illusions in the minds of othersand project her thoughts across a very far range. She’s mostly been a villain but can be complex and has had comic roles that portrayed her in a more heroic light too.
X-Men: First Class
Her Powers and Personality Make Her an Agent of Chaos
What also makes her dangerous is the fact that she can transform her skin into diamond-hard armor, creating a shield against physical attacks and telepathy. InX-Men: First Class,she was played by January Jones and features prominently as one of the main antagonists from the Hellfire Club, as she perpetually stoodat the side of Sebastian Shaw.
Showcasing her manipulative traits, willingness to use sexuality as a weapon, and some very disturbing uses of her psychic powers, she cuts a scary figure as someone that could easily cause chaos anywhere she wants.
Every X-Men Movie Ranked by Box Office Gross
The X-Men films vary in quality, but what does the box office have to say?
10William Stryker
What really makes this prominent X-Men movie villain scary is the fact thathe has no powers, yetWilliam Strykerstill came very close to killing every mutant on the entire planet inX2.As the film’s main antagonist, he uses his vast military experience and political influence to put together a brilliant plan to capture Professor X and use his son Jason to make him kill all the mutants.
His Lifelong Hatred of Mutants
In the comics, he’s even more of a handful as he forms a paramilitary group called the Purifiers to relentlessly target mutants — deeming them abominations of nature. Between his fiery rhetoric, hatred of mutants, and twisted ideologies that he uses to devastating effect, he’s caused the X-Men plenty of problems over the years despite never wielding any mutant gifts himself.
9Donald Pierce
Donald Pierceis one compelling X-Men villain who could match William Stryker’s hatred of mutants but what makes him more dangerous is that he’s part cyborg. In the comics, he becomes another prominentmember of the Hellfire Cluband later uses his technological gifts to create other cybernetic soldiers like the Reavers. A tactical mastermind, he often employs large-scale warfare against mutants, making him one of the most menacing villains around at times.
He Was Depicted as Calculated and Ruthless inLogan
Played by the very talented Boyd Holbrook, inLogan,Pierce is the head of security for the nefarious Transigen corporation. Aiding in the deployment of engineered beings like X-24, it’s the depth of Pierce’s emotional detachment that provides a chilling version of the character as he relentlessly hunts down Professor X and uses his forces against Wolverine in some brutal ways.
8Sabretooth
Arguably Wolverine’s arch-villain,Sabretoothis known for his brutality. Possessing enhanced strength, agility, sharp claws, and a powerful healing factor, he’s often like a more feral and rabid version of Wolverine. What makes him extra terrifying is that he lacks Logan’s moral compass and can be utterly sadistic and homicidal as a result.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
He Has Some Shocking Abilities That We Never See in the Films
Their complex past together and comic book ties to the Weapon X project has always left Sabretooth with a deep-seated hatred for Wolverine, often causing him to go after people he loves just to hurt him more. They’ve had some epic fights in the comics and on-screen. Despite Sabretooth featuring in the first film, Tyler Mane’s much tamer version of the character (which recently had another outing) was farbetter portrayed by Liev SchreiberinX-Men: Origins: Wolverine.
Among some of Sabretooth’s scarier abilities that we don’t get to see on screen, he possesses virtually unlimited endurance, shocking ferocity at times, and pain suppression —making him practically unkillable.
7Sentinels
Making for some of the X-Men’s earliest and most notorious adversaries,Sentinelsare like massive Terminators that can fly and have an arsenal of weaponry. However, what makes them horrifying is the fact that their existence is an embodiment of the hatred and prejudice against mutants as their sole purpose is to hunt down and exterminate mutants.
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Sentinels Practically Wipe out All Mutants in Some Depictions
Introduced to the comics in 1965, they were a collaboration between the X-Mendream-team of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Over time, they have been depicted with an ever-evolving array of deadly traits that make them a nightmare to deal with.
Playing a prominent role inX-Men: Days of Future Past,they eventually evolve to become unbeatable and wipe out most of the mutants on Earth by gaining the ability to adapt and respond to any mutant power. Often ascribed to the devious mind of Dr. Bolivar Trask, the Sentinels have become synonymous withsome of the X-Men’s biggest losses.
6Bolivar Trask
Speaking of the man himself,Bolivar Traskwas the chief architect of the X-Men’s downfall inDays of Future Past.Played bythe amazing Peter Dinklagewho brought some stunning depth to the character. An anthropologist and robotics engineer, Trask’s obsession with what he believes is an existential threat from mutants leads him to design and deploy the Sentinels against them.
His Actions Have Devastating Consequences for the Entire World
A poster child of tragic consequences, in the comics, Trask’s own son ironically winds up with mutant gifts. Meanwhile, in the movie, his intentions with the Sentinels end up bringing about an apocalyptic future after the Sentinels' programming becomes so advanced, they begin recognizing the mutant gene in humans and target them as well to prevent future mutants from being born — effectively decimating large tracts of both the mutant and human popualtions.
Aside from Dinklage, he was also briefly played by Bill Duke inX-Men: The Last Stand.
