Family Films About Evil Masterminds

Description: Edgar, the butler, schemes to eliminate the cats to inherit his employer's fortune, showcasing a more light-hearted take on villainy with comedic undertones.

Fact: The film was the last Disney animated feature to be approved by Walt Disney himself before his death.

Description: Professor Ratigan, a criminal mastermind, plots to overthrow the Queen of Mousedom. His intelligence and cunning make him a memorable villain in this family-friendly mystery adventure.

Fact: Vincent Price, who voiced Ratigan, was a fan of the original book "Basil of Baker Street" and was thrilled to voice the villain.

Description: The Grand High Witch's plan to turn all children into mice is both terrifying and ingenious, making this film a blend of dark humor and family-friendly horror.

Fact: Roald Dahl, the author of the book, was initially unhappy with the film's ending but later approved of it after seeing the final cut.

Description: Mrs. Tweedy, the farm owner, plans to turn her chickens into pies, displaying her evil genius in a darkly comedic way, making this stop-motion film a family favorite.

Fact: The film was inspired by "The Great Escape," but with chickens, making it a unique blend of humor and adventure.

Description: Emperor Kuzco's selfish plans to build a summer home lead to his transformation into a llama by his advisor Yzma, who then plots to take over the empire. It's a comedic take on the evil genius trope.

Fact: The film was originally conceived as a much more serious drama titled "Kingdom of the Sun," but was reworked into a comedy during production.

Description: Here, the villain, Syndrome, was once a fan of superheroes but turned against them when his idol rejected him. His plan to make everyone super by selling his inventions showcases the theme of misguided genius.

Fact: The film was inspired by director Brad Bird's own experiences with superhero comics. Syndrome's character was designed to be a critique of the superhero industry itself.

Description: While not a traditional villain, Viscount Mabrey schemes to prevent Mia from becoming queen, showcasing a more subtle form of evil genius through political maneuvering.

Fact: The film was shot in Los Angeles, with the Genovian palace scenes created on a soundstage. The character of Viscount Mabrey was added to give the story a more complex antagonist.

Description: Megamind, an alien supervillain, finally defeats his nemesis, only to realize life without a hero is meaningless. His journey to become a hero himself is both comedic and touching, making it a great family film about the nature of heroism.

Fact: The film was initially developed as a live-action project before being converted to animation. Will Ferrell, who voices Megamind, also contributed to the character's design.

Description: This animated film introduces Gru, a supervillain with grand plans to steal the moon, only to find his heart stolen by three orphaned girls. It's a perfect example of a family film where the villain's journey towards redemption is both hilarious and heartwarming.

Fact: The character of Gru was originally conceived as a villain, but his character development turned him into a beloved anti-hero. The Minions, Gru's henchmen, became so popular they got their own spin-off movies.

Description: While not a traditional evil genius, Snowball, a bunny with a vendetta against humans, leads a group of abandoned pets in a humorous yet misguided quest for revenge.

Fact: The film's concept was inspired by the idea of what pets do when their owners are not home, leading to a rich tapestry of characters and stories.