The Walking Dead has some of the best villains in TV history. Over its 11-season run on AMC, fans were introduced to many villains of all kinds, but these 10 definitely stood out more than the rest.
Within this group, there are villains we can empathize with. Some of them we almost agree with, while others we just hate. The Walking Dead has scores of villains that fit that criterion. For this exercise, I ranked the dastardly villains from the hit zombie series from worst to best.
Let's get the list started with Tomas.
10. Tomas and the prison crew
Played by Nick Gomez
When our survivors found the prison, it was already occupied by a small group of prisoners. This group was led by the violent criminal Tomas.
Tomas tries to murder Rick Grimes multiple times before he dies. As vengeance for Tomas’ death, Andrew leads a group of walkers to the prison, causing Lori’s and T-Dog’s deaths. These might be small-time villains, but their actions majorly impacted the story forever.
9. Merle
Played by Michael Rooker
I’m sure we can all agree to having mixed feelings about Merle. Merle started the show as an openly racist and abrasive jerk. It only gets worse from there.
He found himself taken in by Woodbury, where he had no qualms about murdering to survive. Merle kidnapped Maggie and Glenn. Shot his own companion. Yet we still love him.
8. Dawn and the hospital group
Played by Christine Woods
The leader of the hospital group, Dawn was thrust into her role and failed spectacularly at it. She turns a blind eye to the corruption festering right under her nose.
The hospital group as a whole pretends to be saviors and yet the hospital is rampant with systematic abuse and cruelty.
We'll never forgive her for murdering Beth Greene, either!
7. The Claimers
The Claimers are what happen when systems fail and the walls crumble. Their only code is taking from others. They revel in wanton destruction and violence.
They have no limits and are willing to violate others. They may appear "fair," but they just want to take whatever they can claim.
6. Gareth and Terminus
Played by Andrew J. West
Cannibal, and a proud one at that. That's all that needs to be said about the villainy of Gareth.
You could argue that Terminus did what was necessary to survive. But forcing people to be food or join the group is no real choice at all. Terminus lured desperate people into a sense of false security before tightening the noose.
5. Leah and the Reapers
Played by Lynn Collins
I feel like the Reapers should have a higher spot. But the group with all of their military training felt a little bit underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, their non-stop hunt for Maggie was villainous , but we've also seen worse. This group was dangerous, but not the worst.
4. Shane Walsh
Played by Jon Bernthal
I’d like to rate Shane Walsh higher, but I can’t. He was a great villain for the beginning of the show, but as The Walking Dead progressed and the stakes got bigger, his antics seemed less important. That’s not to say that he’s not arguably my favorite villain here, because he is. There are others that deserve premium billing.
3. Alpha and the Whisperers
Played by Samantha Morton
Alpha herself is a whole weirdo. She killed her lover and mentor, which is already bad. Then, Alpha stole her face. She treats her own daughter horribly. Then, there’s the issue of the baby. And the rest of the Whisperers just go with her unrivaled levels of crazy. Even being crazy themselves, they managed to cause a lot of damage with their plotting.
2. The Governor
Played by David Morrissey
Phillip Blake was a monster, cruel, sadistic, and incredibly manipulative. The Governor is the reason for so much trauma in The Walking Dead. He was organized and calculating, offering kindness while plotting to stab the group in the back. He's a true wolf in sheep's clothing.
1. Negan
Played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan
This list wouldn’t be complete without Negan. Brutal and efficient, Negan stole the show from Day 1. He changed the group permanently with his bloody arrival in The Walking Dead season 6.
Armed with only a bat and a plan. Negan broke the group’s bodies and spirits constantly. While we should hate him, I can’t help but love him.
Those are the 10 best villains in The Walking Dead's 11-season history! I'm sure there is some room for debate, but it's hard to argue with the top three!
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