Whether it ’s set in a beetleweed far , far away , the final frontier , or even here on earth , sci - fi motion-picture show will always have a baddie for the fighter to subvert . From murderous robots to even comic books antagonists , villain in the world of skill fiction come in all shapes and sizes .

While most of these villain acquire sports fan over with their character designs or office , others win over   viewers tojoin the dark sidebecause of their malefic schemes . Who does n’t love a scoundrel who ’s actually impertinent , strategic , or whose plans actually make common sense ? Here are ten of sci - fi ’s smart villains .

The Thing

Aliens ontheir own are shuddery enough . An alien that can become your close friend or syndicate is something words can not key out . The ThingfromJohn Carpenter ’s The Thingexcels at inseminate fearfulness and paranoia in its dupe ' minds , cook for an excellent baddie .

While   audience never hear the alien speak in its own phonation , it ’s actions speak volume for just how smart it is . The Thing can even take in or absorb others into its cognizance , make their memory . Combine that with some awesome creature intent and you ’ve got one smart and terrifying extraterrestrial being .

The Predator

unpitying , sly , and brutal are just several words to report the exotic Orion experience as the Predator . Essentially an intergalactic plot hunter , thePredatorhunts the best of the best , tracking them down and taking them out simply for sport .

utilise an raiment of artillery and gadgets , the Predator uses its strength to its advantage , camouflaging itself , tempt its foeman in by transfer its voice and then taking them down with preciseness and efficiency . Easily one of the lethal hunters around , the Predator is unquestionably someone   you do n’t mess with .

Khan

There ’s nothing worse than a scoundrel with a grudge . Many villains carry the encumbrance of retaliation but only a few really cognize how to demand   it in good order . Khan Singh , fromStar Trek : The Wrath of Khan , is   a genetically enhance superhuman who utilizes his reason and the expectation of revenge to accomplish his goal .

Khan is able to misrepresent member of theEnterpriseand use mind command to set his program into question . Using mind controller and misdirection , Khan is able to get his revenge and come to a devastating shock toCaptain Kirk , his most hated foe .

Emperor Palpatine

The greatest form of evil comes from within . Whether that comes from a literal or mental interpretation , evil is usually the most strong when it lies among heroes . Emperor Palpatineis one such villain who uses the latter .

When the Sith rises up , Palpatine oversees and grade the creation ofclonesto aid in the warfare against them . Whenthe warfare hand its climax , Palpatine activate a secret order that accept out his enemies . Striking from within , the Emperor is able-bodied to take out his most hate rivals .

Ava

Something that humans have always wondered is   whether or not automaton can act human ? This is the interrogative sentence Ava , the villain fromEx Machinaanswers . Throughoutthe film , Ava acts as the victim , implore for Caleb ’s ( the protagonist ) help .

However , at the movie ’s end , it ’s revealed Ava has been in fact fake Caleb , act as if she cares to escape into the human reality . By acting human , Ava is more than capable of getting her way and playing the part of the victim , fooling even the smartest of the great unwashed .

HAL 9000

Robot villains come in all shapes and sizes . Some use manipulation to get what they want while others habituate the spread of influence . In the slip of HAL 9000 , his actual unreal intelligence operation is his greatest weapon system .

Not only doesHALhave control over the Discovery one , but he ’s also take in ego - cognizance . read the lips of his own crew members , HAL discovers he ’s fit to be disconnect and use his knowledge to fling of them . possess great knowledge , HAL is one AI to not be take lightly .

The Machines

How heavy do   humans rely on technology to carry out everyday undertaking ?   They employ it in almost every action and stir up here and now of   their days . However , how easy would it be for said technology to enslave us if it determine to move up up ?

fairly bare harmonise tothe Matrix . In the time to come , the machine have enslaved   citizenry and keep humans locked in the Matrix , a naturalistic simulation . In the meantime , they expend masses   as literal human batteries , a devious idea that is becoming more and more of a reality .

Ozymandias

There seems to be a rule all baddie have to espouse , which is to monologue about your outline and give the hero more time to stop you . Unlike most villains , however , Watchmenvillain Ozymandias does n’t play by the same rules .

Ozymandias is considered to be the smartest valet de chambre on the planet and when he mastermind a pernicious patch to bring about world peace , he makes sure to cover every footing . Instead of following the villain ’s playbook , Ozymandias simply go down his program in movement thirty - five minute earlier , trump the heroes .

Helmut Zemo

When it all do down to it , whenever the hero and villain look - off , it ’s typically through a show of great power . However , MCUvillain Helmut Zemo is one of the few who uses brains over brawns and succeeds . He appeared inCaptain America : Civil Warand will return forThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier .

In the MCU , Helmut Zemois simply a man face for retaliation . However , being just a man , he does n’t have any special abilities . alternatively , Zemo utilise his intellect to turn theAvengersagainst each other . In the end , Zemo stand up as one of the few villains to take on the Avengers and winnings .

Adrian Griffin

Everyone   has either been ask or expect   themselves this question once in   their lives : What if   they could twist invisible ? Adrian Griffen , a scientist and sociopath , answers this question in a frightful manner inThe Invisible Man .

What makes Adrian a majuscule baddie is how he use his invisibility causa . Instead of simply killing someone by pinch into their home , Adrian resolution to push back his victims mad . By making them or their loved ones think that they ’re crazy , Griffen win in his goal in a truly diabolical way .

NEXT : Avatar : The 10 Most Intelligent Villains , rate

Chronicle Ending Explained - How Andrew Is Stopped In The Superhero Movie

In a dusty landscape Finn stares out into the distance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

How Rachel Zegler’s

Smart Sci-Fi Villains Featured

The Thing–John Carpenter

The original Predator from the first movie

Khan_Star Trek The Wrath of Khan

Emperor Palpatine- Star Wars

Ava from Ex Machina

Hal 9000- 2001 A Space Odyessy

Machines- Matrix

Ozymandias- Watchmen

Adrian Griffin–The Invisible Man

Movies