What should have been a nice, simple story of good and evil clashing in The Lord of the Rings has been made far more compelling than it has any right to be, thanks to its memorable cast of villains.
This series of films, adapted from the timeless books by J.R.R. Tolkien, serves as a cautionary tale that details the consequences of absolute corruption. Here is how the best villains from The Lord of the Rings poisoned Middle-Earth with their vile intentions.
5. Grima Wormtongue
If there is one word to describe Grima Wormtongue for a first impression, it is deceptive. This Rohirrim served as King Theoden's adviser when Rohan was vulnerable. Saruman's words and influence came through Wormtongue, which weakened the entire Kingdom of Rohan.
Wormtongue deserves much credit as one of the best villains in The Lord of the Rings because he manipulated an entire kingdom without using weapons! Warriors were often held in high regard among kingdoms in Middle-Earth, but Wormtongue outsmarted so many of them to get what he wanted. Ultimately, the same influence from Saruman led to Wormtongue's failures and eventual death.
4. Gollum (Smeagol)
Gollum is perhaps one of the best villains in The Lord of the Rings and may deserve an ounce of sympathy.
Gollum's knowledge of The One Ring was crucial to Frodo and Sam's journey to finally destroy it. However, it also proved a treacherous gambit since Gollum's split personality often worked to their harm many times over. Gollum met his tragic demise by sinking into the depths of Mount Doom while wearing The One Ring.
3. The Witch King of Angmar
The Witch King of Angmar is so evil that seeing it can make anyone turn white. As the leader of Sauron's most elite fighters, The Witch King does not compromise when exacting Sauron's will, even if it turns violent.
His presence alone in the battle of Pelennor Fields drastically reduced the combined forces of the Armies of the West. Fortunately, Eowyn's valor ended The Witch King's destruction.
2. Saruman
Saruman is an excellent example of how the most intelligent people are capable of unforgivable evil.
He stops at nothing to retrieve the Ring back for Sauron, amassing the powerful Uruk-Hai army in Isengard. As he moves his army to destroy Rohan, he overlooks Fangorn Forest, where numerous angry Ents dismantle his base of operations.
1. Sauron
Even in death, Sauron is responsible for creating the best villains in The Lord of the Rings, naturally earning him the top spot. His goal was to become the Dark Lord, and he moved toward this objective by manipulating anyone weak enough with the promise of glory. If not for Frodo and Sam's courage in scaling the treacherous Mount Doom, Middle-Earth would have succumbed to years of darkness if Sauron had retrieved The One Ring.
While the best villains in The Lord of the Rings are powerful, they are not invincible. So, while the novel does serve as a cautionary tale of the seduction of evil, it does end in triumph. It is also a testament that as long as good people stand in resistance against evil, oppression will not win.