Top 10 List: Bond Villains (Henchmen Included)

Ian Fleming’s creation of James Bond sparked an infinite production of slick, secret agent storytelling. And how convenient that the plethora of films naturally lends itself to various “Top Lists” with deep-seeded diversity from every author. But the most intriguing list than can be extracted from the Bond world is “the best villains.” We all like the villain, but we like the motives behind the villain even more. Find this list as not just an all-star pick of Bond villains (and henchmen if you want to get picky), but also an examination into their psyches.

10. Le Chiffre – Casino Royale

One of the founding members of the Bond Villain club, Le Chiffre graced us with his presence multiple times in the 50’s, 60’s and current day. Onscreen, Le Chiffre displays power through intelligence and a mediated sense of observation, but he is actually more of a failure than we might first think. Considering he is all but bankrupt, it does not help that James kicks him while he is down by not only taking his money, but also outwitting him in Casino Royale. Le Chiffre represents our first look into the competition James has with his enemies – what better way to do this by a game of poker. They know he is the only person who can compete against them; so they always challenge him in roundabout ways.

9. Ernst Stavro Blofield – Thunderball (and more)

Blofield will always belong on this list (no matter the author) due to the simple artistic quirks attached to him onscreen, but here he will be placed higher up because albeit he is a foundational member of this villain canon, he does not genuinely offer that much intrigue. Yes, he has molded a general conception of the quintessential “bad guy,” but that’s actually what makes him not that interesting. But hey, he spawned Michael Myers to perform a hilarious and unforgettable parody so at least there’s that.

8. Oddjob – Goldfinger

One of the more unique villains from the Bond series, Oddjob was considered the ultimate henchman who was always a fan (and gamer) favorite. Onscreen, he was depicted somewhat differently than from Fleming’s source material. In Goldfinger, Oddjob is short and stocky (think Fullback here), but in the novel he is much taller. Oddjob does not necessarily represent a huge force/threat against Bond (yes, I know he is a henchman), but he does offer some unique flavor to the villain list as a hat wielding, Korean killer.

7. Scaramanga – The Man With The Golden Gun

Another unique villain to say the least, <cough cough> third nipple, Scaramanga, similar to Le Chiffre, puts himself on the same level as Bond. He sees Bond as one of the few who can genuinely challenge him – unlike the amateurs hired by Nick Nack. Scaramanga’s KGB/assassin backstory helps give us solid context into his motives and why he fights on the dark side of the coin. Bond is a loose moral version of Scaramanga, but sadly good wins out in the end, eliminating Scaramanga and all three of his nipples.

6. May Day – A View To A Kill

Who can forget the lovable May Day – sadly more popular on Nintendo 64 than in A View To A Kill. May Day had more pizzazz than many of the other henchmen (or women) in the fact that she was insanely flexible and highly terrifying with, well, look at her. May Day is an interesting character because she is much more human than other Bond henchmen and villains – eventually taking a moral stand in the end to become the real hero of the day.  She may have been one of the scariest of Bond’s nemeses, but she was simply hiding all of that good will for one final moment of sacrifice. Just look at the evidence at hand, “May – Day.” 

5. Auric Goldfinger – Goldfinger

Many would say he should be the number one villain, and he does have some serious “classicness” clout, but there are more interesting villains down the line. That being said, Auric Goldfinger is one of the few villains who, at times, seem to have the advantage – the power – over James. He represents an enemy that shows potential loss to the audience. He makes us nervous and we fear that James might actually die due to him. 

4. Jaws – The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker

We are now getting into the villains with edge. Jaws is highly unique in that he was used as a serious henchman in The Spy Who Loved Me, but then as a comedic supporting character in Moonraker. He had his famous, indestructible teeth that ended up contributing to his detriment, but he also was indestructible – be it falling from a cliff, airplane or taking multiple punches to the face, he could not be put down. Luckily, he befriends Bond and even snags a girlfriend in the end. Jaws showed us that sometimes James could not win, and victory came in a different form than defeat.

3. Rosa Klebb – From Russia With Love

Klebb is an unexpected force to reckon with, and alongside her switching over to the SPECTRE side of the fence she is talented at wielding a poison tipped toe alongside her henchman Red Grant. To be so early in the game it was great to see that Fleming coined a villain that, conveniently, appeared to have no threat.

2. Dr. Julius No – Dr. No

Dr. No, similar to Blofield in style, belongs at number two due to him being the debut villain of the Bond series. One main difference he offers compared to Blofield is profundity. No is consisted of rejection and anger towards not just Bond, but the rest of the world. He wanted to eliminate anyone who crossed his path. And the decision to unveil No at the end of the film added to his final onscreen presence, along with those not-so-trusty metal hands.

1. Baron Samedi – Live And Let Die

Finally, Baron Samedi is the strangest, and scariest Bond villain thus far. Live And Let Die inserts James into an environment we, at the time, had never seen him in – one with a spiritual presence acting as much as a villain as Mr. Samedi himself. Samedi is placed at number one because of his attachment to Voodoo rituals, startling attire and questionable immortality. No villain (I don’t really consider him a genuine henchman) has as much onscreen punch as Baron Samedi – one who we will always still think’s presence is still around us after watching Live And Let Die.