My latest YouTube video is live! In this pop culture short, I showcase iconic moments featuring the 10 greatest villains from beloved 1980s cartoons:

The 1980s hold a special place in my heart as the decade that sparked my love for movies, fueled by Saturday morning cartoons. These animated adventures were often like mini fantasy movies, complete with unforgettable villains (mostly men, but one formidable woman made the cut). Below are my top 10 favorite cartoon villains from that nostalgic era:

10. Cobra Commander (G.I. Joe)

Cobra Commander The leader of the terrorist organization Cobra and the archenemy of the Joes. Beyond his cool appearance, what makes him impressive is his boundless ambition to dominate the world.

09. Evil-Lynn (He-Man)

Evil-Lynn Just her name alone makes her unforgettable. He-Man is one of the most memorable series of the 80s, thanks in large part to fantastic characters like her.

08. Dr. Claw (Inspector Gadget)

The villain whose claw is the only part of him you ever see. Or was his true face ever revealed? Up until a minute ago, I didn’t know. Now I do. The answer, thankfully, is ‘no’ – at least not in the original animated series.

07. Krang (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

In the video ‘Four Disturbing Questions About Krang,’ Daniel O’Brien from Cracked.com gives a hilarious description of Krang, an alien composed solely of a brain with eyes. The main question is why he chose the body above when he could have picked any possible design. Freaky.

06. Venger (Dungeons & Dragons)

An evil wizard with a terrifying appearance. Even though he is described as an evil force comparable to the devil, the series hints that he was once good.

05. The Horned King (The Black Cauldron)

The main antagonist from The Black Cauldron, is a dark sorcerer with an ominous and skeletal appearance, accentuated by his horned headdress. His character embodies pure evil, driven by a relentless pursuit to unleash the power of the mystical Black Cauldron and raise an army of the undead to conquer the world. With his deep, menacing voice and commanding presence, he instills fear in both his minions and foes, making him one of Disney’s most terrifying and formidable villains.

04. Krulos (Dino-Riders)

The frog-like leader of the Rulons, the villains in the animated series Dino-Riders, who battle against the noble Valorians. Under his command are snake-like creatures led by General Rasp, ant-like beings led by Antor, shark-like beings commanded by General Hammerhead, and crocodile-like creatures led by Krok.

03. Shredder (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

This armored Japanese warrior earns a spot in this hall of fame thanks to his ultra-cool appearance. He’s an evil ninjutsu master and the main enemy of the Turtles.

02. Megatron (Transformers)

That voice, that voice… Megatron has more personality than all the Autobots combined. I always felt sorry for him when his evil plans fell apart. I have nothing but respect for this legend.

01. Skeletor (He-Man)

Name a cooler villain than Skeletor! You can’t, because he surpasses the rest in every way. Name, appearance, the panther he rides… Only in terms of voice does Megatron have the upper hand, but otherwise, Skeletor rules the world. Now for Eternia…