Misunderstood movie villains aren’t easy to identify. In films, they are portrayed as regular villains who oppose the protagonist. They fall into certain tropes that give them variety, but in the end, they are evils that need to be eradicated. However, there are villains whose motives are misunderstood. In some cases, these villains have solid reasons for their actions, making viewers double back and think about the villain’s points. 

Fairy Godmother (Shrek 2)

Fairy Godmother is a shrewd business fairy who is the biggest celebrity in Far Far Away. 

She spent the entirety of the second Shrek film scheming to make her son, Prince Charming, officially marry Princess Fiona, without her knowledge or consent. However, at the end of the film, we find out Fiona’s father, the King, was a frog who made a deal with the Fairy Godmother to turn him into a human to marry the Queen. However, she would only do this if the King promised his firstborn daughter would marry her son.

This is why the King had Fiona locked in a tower in the first film. The King and Fairy Godmother did not count on Shrek to come in and do Lord Farquaad’s bidding. While the King’s actions affected Fiona, I can’t exactly fault the Fairy Godmother for trying to correct a binding contract between two parties.

However, she doesn’t provide her employees with dental insurance. That’s unforgivable. 

Godzilla

Godzilla is one of the most, if not the most, iconic movie monsters. He is a giant radioactive reptilian kaiju that can decimate cities with his iconic roar and atomic breath. 

In some films, Godzilla is painted as a hero, but in others, he’s a villain. In films where he is the villain, it raises questions as to why he’s doing what he’s doing. He doesn’t have dialogue. He enters a city and naturally destroys it due to his size. When the governments retaliate with weapons, he retaliates as well. 

While a 355 ft monster destroying cities and civilization is a problem, you really can’t blame the monster. Godzilla is trying to find his place in the world. Is he a villain because he exists? Well, yes and no.

A giant creature destroying a city is a problem and works as a potential action film where humanity rallies to take down the creature and prevent more damage. However, this is where Godzilla changes the narrative. 

Godzilla was born as a direct response to the nuclear bombs that hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. Godzilla is an allegory that warns of the dangers of nuclear weapons and human arrogance. Considering that aspect of his existence, it’s hard to see him as a villain. If anything, he is a byproduct of humanity’s failures.

Tai Lung (Kung Fu Panda)

Tai Lung is the main antagonist in the first Kung Fu Panda film. He’s painted as a bloodthirsty monster, but he’s one of the most misunderstood movie villains.

Before Po fell from the sky during the Dragon Warrior ceremony, there was Tai Lung. When Tai Lung began his kung fu training as a child, Master Shi Fu saw his potential and took Tai Lung under his wing. As Tai Lung’s talent became undeniable, Shi Fu was convinced that Tai Lung would be the next Dragon Warrior, a legendary prodigy who defends the land. However, when Master Oogway deemed Tai Lung unworthy, Tai Lung lashed out. 

Honestly? Tai Lung’s crash-out is understandable. Shi Fu groomed Tai Lung to become the Dragon Warrior. He was promised the role of Dragon Warrior. He trained his entire life to become the Dragon Warrior, and he was denied the title because Master Oogway saw darkness in his heart. Imagine working for something your entire life, only for some senior official to say, “No, your vibes are off.” I’d have a meltdown.