All of us, at some point in our lives, have faced bullying in one form or another. Whether it’s a senior at school or an aggressive boss, bullying can take place in any environment. When bullies are looked at from a closer angle, various themes of inferiority complexes come to the surface. Despite their tough exteriors, bullies are often soft and vulnerable on the inside, oftentimes causing them to project their insecurities on other people. It’s only as we mature that we realize that the bullies we were afraid of as children are often nothing more than victims of their insecurities.
Given the universality of bullies, cinema has often used them to create antagonists who get in the way of or torment the protagonist. These characters can sometimes be just as appreciated as the hero, but they are always the heel of the movie. To celebrate the famous screen antagonist type, we look at some of the worst bullies in film, ranked.
Update January 27, 2024: The musical remake of Mean Girls has been a box office hit, so in honor of that film, this list has been updated with even more great movie bullies and where you can stream each movie.
12 Amber Von Tussle - Hairspray (1988)
Taking place in the 60s, teenager Tracy Turnball (Ricki Lake) is obsessed with a local TV show that brings on teenagers to strut their stuff in front of a live studio audience. With dreams of stardom, she enters for a chance to be on the show, but her partner, Seaweed, proves problematic with the show's history of segregating white and black students into different programs.
What Makes Her A Great Bully
One of the major detractors of Tracy's rising star is fellow student Amber von Trruslle, who is shown as petty, shallow, snobby, and adamantly against including Seaweed in the dance program. Her competitive nature and sharp tongue make her a constant thorn in the side of Tracy and represent the tired ideals and unwillingness for change many pushed for. Pop singer Vitamin C played Amber Von Tussle in John Water's 1998 Hairspray, while Britanny Snow of Pitch Perfect fame played her in the 2007 remake. Rent on AppleTV+, Vudu, and Prime Video.
11 D.K. - The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
After moving to Tokyo to live with his father, Sean Boswell (Lucas Black), finds himself involved in the city's underground drift racing scene to avoid a jail sentence in America. He challenges the 'Drift King' whose ties to the Takuza brings him deeper into the underground world of Tokyo crime and street racing. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift is one of the few stand-alone entries in the long-running franchise.
What Makes Him A Great Bully
D.K. is the epitome of when talent meets ego. A smug, self-assured car racer, D.K. (Drift King), thinks himself to be the king of the world and the illegal street racing scene in Japan. This confidence is rooted in the fact that his uncle is a senior Yakuza Gang boss. When Sean, an overseas student, arrives from America and pushes for D.K.’s title and his girl, a dark, eerie side of D.K. comes to the forefront, sparing no one and taking no prisoners. D.K. is played by Brian Tee, a talented voice actor who has appeared in many blockbusters such as Jurrasic World and The Wolverine. Stream on Prime Video
10 Scut Farkus - A Christmas Story (1983)
Following a young boy named Ralphie and his family's misadventures during Christmastime, A Christmas Story has become a holiday staple to many. This has made everything from Ralphie's quest for a Red Ryder BB gun, the garish leg lamp, and family dinner at a Chinese restaurant all engrained in our memories around the holiday season. Ralphie faces many challenges, and one of them is the local school bully Scut Farkus.
What Makes Him a Great Bully
Known for his signature laugh, Farkus is an older kid who revels in harassing younger and smaller kids, with Ralphie being a steady target. Zack Ward would play Farkus in the original 1983 movie and would later reprise his role in 2022's A Christmas Story Christmas. Carrying on the tradition of bullying, Farkus is a cop in the 2022 sequel continuing to antagonize Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) as an adult. Stream on TNT, TBS, and TruTV.
9 Bobby Kent - Bully (2001)
Finding himself under the constant abuse of his 'best friend' Bobby, Marty reaches the tipping point of his endless harassment. This is made all the worse when his girlfriend also finds herself a target of constant harassment and cruelty. The two plot, along with other victims, to murder Billy, but indecisiveness and uncertainty about the consequences of their actions leave the group unsure if they can proceed with their plan.
Bully is in the Title
Bobby Kent from Bully is the classic example of a kid who doesn’t know when to stop. Fresh off the success of his 1995 controversial film Kids, Larry Clark’s Bully investigates similar themes that young adults experience as they go about life. The film fearlessly depicts violence, sex, and drug use, with Bobby Kent at the center of it. This depiction is undoubtedly the most confrontational selection on the list, but it acts as an example of the extremes bullying can go to. Brad Renfro (Ghost World, Apt Pupil) is as intimidating as the titular bully, Marty. Stream on Hoopla and The Roku Channel
8 Dudley Dursley - Harry Potter Franchise
While Harry Potter dealt with all sorts of threats once he entered Hogwarts, the lead-up to becoming the iconic wizard saw him being bullied by family members. Notably, the muggle son of Harry’s uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, Dudley, is a thick-skinned dud of a boy. Despite being Harry’s cousin, Dudley and his family show Harry no love, going so far as to make Harry sleep in a closet while forcing him to double up as the house help.
What Makes Dudley a Great Villain
Dudley’s behavior toward Harry shifts when he saves him from an attack by a Dementor, but his initial impression is that he is a classic bully. Harry Edward Melling plays Dudley in the Harry Potter franchise for which he is best known, but he has starred in other notable films, including 2020s The Devil All the Time. One of the best elements of Dudley's characterization was actually cut from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 where he and his cousin Harry would have made amends, showing they have put their childish behavior behind them. Stream all the Harry Potter movies on Max.
7 Sergeant Hartman - Full Metal Jacket (1987)
A movie segmented into two parts, Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket first follows a group of young marines in training, focusing on the grueling and intense process to get them in shape for the horrors they are about to face. The second segment focuses on the actual Vietnam War, centered around two characters, Joker and Pyle, and the dehumanizing and brutal nature of war.
An Iconic Bully
Bullies are not confined to seniors or older cousins. Bullies can also be found in the form of crazy bosses. One such crazy boss is Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. Arguably, the military isn’t a place for niceties, but Hartman’s sadistic approach to training his recruits can make anybody shiver. In the famous scene where he’s addressing his troops, the sergeant asks, “What is your major malfunction?” depicting his lack of empathy. This dialogue became so celebrated that many shows, including The Simpsons, paid homage to it. R. Lee Emery, who played the drill sergeant, would become a cultural icon overnight. You can see him talk about the role in an interview on CBC. Rent on AppleTV, Vudu, and Prime Video.
6 Chet Donnelly - Weird Science (1985)
Weird Science follows two awkward teenage boys, Gary Wallace and Wyatt Donnelly, who aspire to create the perfect woman using a computer and a doll. Their experiment succeeds, bringing to life the beautiful and intelligent Lisa, who helps guide the duo through life, tackling various obstacles, gaining confidence, and dealing with dangerous situations.
What Makes Him a Great Bully
One of the significant and constant obstacles in the lives of Gary and Wyatt is Wyatt's older brother Chet, whose mean and psychotic behavior is made all the more intimidating by his love of collecting weapons. Arguably the worst brother ever committed to the screen, Chet takes great pride in tormenting his brother and his friends in a way that borders on unhinged. In one of his most underrated roles, Bill Paxton plays Chet Donnely in John Hughes's Weird Science, while actor Lee Tergesen of Oz fame plays Chet in the 1994 television series. Rent on AppleTV+, Vudu, and Prime Video.
5 Buzz - Home Alone (1990)
One of John Hughes's most popular films and one that is embedded into pop culture, Home Alone (Macaulay Culkin), saw Kevin McCallister leave home during the holidays when his family went on vacation, only to fight against a couple of home invaders. One member of a big family, the 'staycation' proved to be a blast for the young Kevin, specifically as it let him get away from a specific family member.
An Iconic Bully
From one John Hughes film to another, as well as another case of an older brother playing the role of a bully... If Kevin McCallister is cute, considerate, and charming, his elder brother Buzz is all things opposite. Rude, selfish, and boisterous, Buzz is the stereotypical portrait of a bully. Despite being Kevin’s brother, Buzz treats him like dirt, with his only goals revolving around getting 'laid' and troubling his younger brother. Played by Devin Ratray, Buzz remains the actor's most recognizable role decades later, but he has also appeared in films such as Kimi and R.I.P.D. and the TV series The Tick. Stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
4 Fred O’Bannion - Dazed and Confused (1993)
Set in 1976, Dazed and Confused follows the last school days of a group of teenagers in Austin, Texas. A quintessential coming-of-age drama/comedy, the film explores various youth experiences, from partying and hazing to trying to figure out their future. Richard Linklater's movie is considered a classic of the era, thanks to its ensemble cast, including Matthew McConaughey and Milla Jovovich, alongside a killer soundtrack.
What Makes Affleck A Great Bully
After promising roles like Batman and Argo, it’s difficult to imagine Ben Affleck as a paddle-wielding bully out to prey on young juniors. That’s precisely his role in the 1993 film Dazed and Confused. Fred O’Bannior terrorized the young kids by hunting them and giving them a pounding every time he got his hands on one. Affleck’s portrayal of O’Bannion was so brutally convincing that the early signs of potential were there for everyone to see. This role would also become a favorite of director Kevin Smith, who would cast him in Mall Rats and Chasing Amy. Rent on Vudu, AppleTV+, and Prime Video.
3 Johnny Lawrence - The Karate Kid (1984)
After getting tired of constant bullying from karate student Johnny at school, Daniel seeks the help of a reserved master named Mr. Miyagi. Through his training, he learns to channel his emotions and gain the courage and skill to face Johnny and his heartless coach in a tournament. The Karate Kid spawned multiple sequels, a remake, and a hit TV show.
Johnny Lawerence Is a Bully Who Found Redemption
Due to Netflix's show Cobra Kai, Johnny Lawrence's image has recently been revived. Highlighting things from Lawrence's perspective, the show portrays Johnny as a tormented yet compassionate individual. However, in The Karate Kid, Lawrence is anything but that. He was single-handedly responsible for torturing the meek and innocent Daniel LaRusso. Lawrence is the conventional image of a bully, with strong features and an aggressive mindset. His constant picking on LaRusso pushed the meek boy into learning martial arts from Mr. Miyagi to defend himself. Also, who does not love the original film's final fight scene between Daniel and Johnny? Stream on Starz.
2 Regina George - Mean Girls (2004)
After moving to the States after being homeschooled in Africa, Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) finds herself involved with the popular clique at the school. Cady tries to navigate the social workings of high school life while dealing with the school hierarchy, fraught with tenuous friendships and betrayal. The Mark Waters movie would become an instant cult classic, celebrated for its memorable dialogue, themes, and performances.
Mean Girls Features an Iconic Movie Villain
Leader of The Plastics, Regina George from Mean Girls is the opposite of humble. She is loud, boisterous, and unafraid to speak her mind, especially when it revolves around ridiculing her classmates. In Mean Girls, Rachel McAdams portrayed Regina with such accuracy that whenever she came on, she aroused an instant sense of cringe and irritation in the viewer. The character's legacy would be continued in the 2024 remake of the same name, where singer Reneé Rapp played the loud bully. Stream on Paramount+.
1 Draco Malfoy - Harry Potter Franchise
While we already touched on one of Harry Potter's bullies, his time in Hogwarts would see him face a more consistent and powerful foe. Draco Malfoy has proven to be a constant antagonist of the Wizard throughout each movie, with both, literally and figuratively, growing up beside each other through their years of schooling.
Arguably, one of the most famous bullies of this generation, Draco Malfoy, is the definition of a spoiled child. A significant part of Malfoy’s flaws came from his upbringing or lack thereof. Having been born to parents who resided in a place of power, Malfoy’s parents instilled an ego within him from an early age. Malfoy’s upbringing tainted his psyche, making him act out to gain validation from his father and peers. In this pursuit of acknowledgment from others, Malfoy went to great lengths to prove himself to be special, often at the expense of others.