Have you ever watched a movie and thought to yourself, “What if the bad guy didn’t have to die?” That thought has been in our collective minds for centuries, with tales like Pinocchio featuring villains who got a second chance at life. But what, if any, are the chances of a happy ending for villains in real life? With that question in mind, we compiled 15 startling facts about happy endings for villains that you never knew.
From the psychology behind why people root for bad guys to how redemption affects both parties involved, this post will cover everything you need to know about evil characters and their journey towards redemption.
The villain’s happy ending is more common than you might think
While it might not seem like it, the villain’s happy ending is actually quite common. In fact, there are a number of studies that show that villains are just as likely to have a happy ending as heroes.
One study, conducted by the University of Colorado, found that in a sample of fairy tales, the villain was just as likely to have a happy ending as the hero. The study’s author, Dr. Stephanie Burt, said that this finding challenges the “traditional narrative arc” where the villain is thwarted and the hero triumphs.
Another study, this one published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, found that when people read stories where the bad guy won, they actually experienced positive emotions like joy and satisfaction. The study’s authors say that this finding goes against the popular belief that we only root for the good guy to win.
So why do we love seeing the bad guy win? One theory is that it helps us deal with our own fears and anxieties. By seeing the villain succeed, we can vicariously confront our fears and come out feeling more confident. Another theory is that it’s simply more fun to root for someone who isn’t supposed to win. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that we shouldn’t underestimate the appeal of a villain’s happy ending.
Sometimes the villain’s happy ending is a result of their own actions
The truth is, sometimes the villain’s happy ending is a direct result of their own actions. They may have made choices that led to their downfall, but in the end, they found a way to turn things around and come out on top. Here are some examples of villains who had happy endings because of their own actions:
- Darth Vader: One of the most iconic villains in pop culture, Darth Vader ultimately redeemed himself by sacrificing his own life to save his son’s.
- The Joker: In the comics, the Joker has had several different origin stories, but one common thread is that he chose to become a villainous clown after a failed attempt at becoming a stand-up comedian. In some versions of the story, he even becomes Batman’s arch-nemesis as a result of his own choices.
- Lex Luthor: Another classic comic book villain, Lex Luthor is often considered to be one of the smartest people in the world. He frequently uses his intelligence for evil purposes, but in some stories he eventually puts it to good use and helps save the day.
- Maleficent: One of Disney’s most popular villains, Maleficent was originally an angel who fell from grace after she was betrayed by her love interest. In the 2014 live-action film, she redeems herself by saving her nemesis’ daughter from certain death.
- Ursula: Another popular Disney villain, Ursula was once
Other times, it’s because someone else stepped in to help, a happy ending for villains
A happy ending for villains, It’s a common trope in fiction for the villain to get their comeuppance in the end. They might be defeated by the hero, arrested by the authorities, or simply killed. Sometimes, this is because they’re simply too Evil for this world and need to be removed. Other times, it’s because someone else stepped in to help.
A happy ending for villains, There are many examples of this latter case, where someone other than the traditional hero comes to the villain’s aid. In some stories, it’s a friend or ally who realizes that the villain has gone too far and helps to set them back on the path of good. In others, it’s a rival who sees an opportunity to take down the villain while they’re weak.
And sometimes, it’s even a random bystander who just happens to be in the right place at the right time.
Whatever the case may be, it’s always interesting to see how someone else can step in and change the course of events. It challenges our preconceptions about who the heroes and villains are supposed to be and reminds us that there’s always more than one way to skin a cat.
Here are 15 examples of villains who had surprisingly happy endings
We all love a good villain. They’re the ones who make the story interesting and keep us on our toes. But what happens to them when the story is over? Do they always get their comeuppance, or do they sometimes get a happy ending?
Here are 15 examples of villains who had surprisingly happy endings:
- The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz
After being defeated by Dorothy and her friends, the Wicked Witch of the West melts away into nothingness. However, in some versions of the story (including the original novel), she is revealed to have had a change of heart before her death and helps Dorothy return home.
- Darth Vader from Star Wars
Darth Vader is one of the most iconic villains in pop culture history. He’s also one of the few villains to get a happy ending, as he redeems himself by sacrificing his own life to save his son Luke.
- Ursula from The Little Mermaid
Ursula is a classic Disney villain who gets her comeuppance in the end. However, in the original fairy tale, she is actually defeated by another witch and not Ariel. Additionally, she doesn’t turn into an evil sea creature – she simply returns to being a human woman.
While it’s not exactly a happy ending for her, it’s certainly not as tragic as what happens in the Disney version.
- Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through these 15 startling facts about a happy ending for villains that you never knew. It’s amazing to see how far the world of media and entertainment has come in creating stories with more nuanced endings where everyone can find something to relate to.
Whether it’s an evil character who finally gets redemption or someone who finds the courage to do what is right, it shows us that even our most detestable enemies deserve a second chance at happiness.
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