The Most Iconic James Bond Villains Ever

Auric Goldfinger - Goldfinger (1964)

He has a poetic name and simple motives. Auric Goldfinger (Aurum being the other name for Gold) is only interested in being the wealthiest. He doesn't need world domination in front of a fresh stack of bills. His plan to irradiate the U.S. gold supply at Fort Knox to increase the value of his own holdings is one of the most grounded yet audacious plots in the series. He is responsible for the most famous line in Bond history: "No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!" and the iconic image of the woman painted in gold.

Ernst Stavro Blofeld - You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, Spectre, No Time to Die

As the head of SPECTRE, he is the puppet master behind almost every major global threat. Known for his signature white cat and Nehru jacket, he represents the "intellectual" villain who prefers to watch the world burn from a safe distance. His personal connection to Bond (most notably the murder of Tracy Bond) makes him the franchise’s ultimate archenemy.

Raoul Silva - Skyfall (2012)

A former MI6 agent betrayed by M, he operates in the shadows of cyber-terrorism. Silva is terrifying because his motives are purely personal; he doesn't want money, he wants revenge. His flamboyant yet menacing demeanor and his ability to dismantle MI6 from within make him the standout villain of the Daniel Craig era. Raoul Silva is the perfect alter ego to James Bond. He is everything that you would except a dark-natured Bond to become.

Jaws - The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979)

Sometimes, you don't need to be the primary antagonist in order to cement your name as a legendary villain. Jaws is more iconic than the men who hired him. Standing at over seven feet tall with steel-capped teeth capable of biting through cable wires, he was an unstoppable physical force. He was so popular with audiences that he was eventually given a redemption arc, making him one of the few recurring adversaries Bond couldn't simply kill off. Maybe one day the audience will get to witness his solo spin-off that correctly outlines him as the protagonist.

Francisco Scaramanga - The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Played by the legendary Christopher Lee, Scaramanga is the "Anti-Bond.". Charging $1 million per hit, he is a high-ranking assassin who considers himself equal to Bond in every way. His island lair, complete with a hall of mirrors and a signature golden gun that fires a single golden bullet, makes for one of the most stylish and personal showdowns in the series. Scaramanga is the textbook definition of a stylish and sophisticated Bond villain. After all, elegance, complexity and marvelous narratives have been the core theme of James Bond movies.

Le Chiffre - Casino Royale (2006)

Le Chiffre is a unique with an equally unique predicament. The sword is hanging above his head in the casino. As a banker for terrorists, he lost their money while gambling and must win it back during a high-stakes poker game. Mads Mikkelsen portrays him with a desperate intensity that gives him a characteristic personality as the main villain of the story. He doesn't have a dread-inducing lair; he has a chair, a rope, and a brilliant mind, proving that Bond villains can be terrifying without being theatrical.

Xenia Onatopp - GoldenEye (1995)

Xenia Onatopp is the perfect definition of the 'femme fatale' archetype. Her method of killing her victims was interesting to say nonetheless. An ex-Soviet fighter pilot with a sadistic streak, she kills her victims using her powerful thighs. She had an enthusiasm for creating mayhem and was the primary antagonist from Janus's crime syndicate. For Bond, Xenia was among the most dangerous and memorable physical challenges. Her appearance on screen provided the audience with an amazing villain they enjoyed.

Alec Trevelyan (006) - GoldenEye (1995)

With Alex Trevelyan, Bond got to showcase himself by fighting him as an equal. The nature of their relationship before Alec's betrayal raised the stakes further and made their confrontation even more emotional. Alec Trevelyan was 007's close friend and colleague before faking his death and turning against England. Trevelyan knows everything there is to know about James Bond. He knows the tricks, gadgets, and psychological weaknesses of the greatest spy. The entire premise of the character makes him a memorable villain to Bond.

Dr. Julius No - Dr. No (1962)

Dr. Julius No laid the foundations for the upcoming villains of James Bond. He had it all – the secret island base, the physical deformity (metal hands), and the calm, hospitable dinner before the attempted execution. Julius established the crime syndicate as a member of SPECTRE. His organization went on to define the franchise for what it became and established high stakes since early on. In every way, Dr. Julius No is the true James Bond antagonist who started it all.

Red Grant - From Russia with Love (1963)

Red Grant is a famous villain who dictated the entire the franchise's gritty themes of being spy thriller. Long before the movies' reliance on fancy gadgets and other marvelous inventions Red Grant was towering enemy who terrorized the franchise. Red Grant is a cold, calculated SPECTRE assassin trained to kill Bond. His fight with Bond on the Orient Express is a fantastic piece of action sequence in cinematic history.