He commits incest, protects an evil queen, and pushed a kid out a window and crippled him. But he’s also charismatic, hella handsome, a good brother to Tyrion, not to mention he is in love with Cersai, like, for real. We hate to love Jaime Lannister! (Photo: Release)
When Marvel released “Thor” in 2011, the surprise heartthrob turned out to be Chris Hemsworth’s onscreen smaller, more wicked brother Loki. His pitiful attempts for power are so endearing that we find ourselves rooting for his success. (Photo: Release)
Negan is undoubtedly the worse villain Rick and friends have faced on “TWD.” That being said, he is one hell of a likeable guy. Intimidating, mean as the day is long and charismatic in a way that makes you mad at yourself for loving him. (Photo: Release)
Ever since Michael Fassbender entered as a young Magneto, his charm and good looks earned him, and the character, a piece of our hearts. His desires to do right by mutants leads him down a dark path, but we can’t help but feel sorry for the guy! (Photo: Release)
You can curse him for being a coward, deceitful man that he is but Thomas Barrow was a sufferer in the first place. Barrow was a Gay man living in a tough time when he had to face a narrow, judgmental society for his sexuality. (Photo: Release)
It’s impossible to really separate Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega since their personalities and charm work best when they’re working together. It’s also hard not to love the criminal duo and their ability to enjoy their work while getting the job done. (Photo: Release)
There is something very wrong when fans are more in love with bald-headed baddie Lex Luthor than Clark Kent. Yet, that’s exactly what happened in “Smallville”. Even when he did unspeakable acts, like kill his father, we all had a soft spot for Lex. (Photo: Release)
The reason why we love Ledger’s Joker is because, while many other villains are in the business of gaining power, fame, or money, his take on the Clown Prince of Crime doesn’t care for those things. Instead, he “just wants to watch the world burn”. (Photo: Release)
“Once Upon A Time” puts a different spin on the look that is the Captain Hook we can’t help but love. He’s a villain that sometimes you think is turning around and becoming a good guy, but then he jumps right back to being a villain again. (Photo: Release)
Sandman in the comics isn’t as loved as his portrayal by Thomas Hayden Church in Spider-Man 3. We know it wasn’t the greatest movie in the franchise, but Church’s Sandman was a character we came to love. The guy just wanted to be a good father! (Photo: Release)
Game of Throne’s Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is the epitome of boyfriend material: family oriented, charitable, and incredibly handsome. However, unlike the Danish heartthrob, his onscreen persona is nothing but shallow, arrogant, not to mention he has a disturbing romance with, uh, his freaking, even more evil sister.
But none of the above seems to matter since we happen to love real-life Nikolaj and sinful Jaime Lannister equally as much.
Just as The Kingslayer, there are many other villains who have the amazing ability to keep us so interested an invested in their crazy schemes that we even end up rooting for them! Sure—we aren’t supposed to like them. But with the way they live their live—taking what they want no matter the consequences—, their often-tragic backstories, and their bad guy looks, we just can’t help but love them.
In honor of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s 48th birthday, here’s a list of the 10 most likable villains on TV and movie who have managed to capture the hearts of viewers. Because, sometimes, we just want to see the good guy lose…
