Top Disney Villains Whose Plans Almost Worked

Disney villains are legendary for their flair, ambition, and near-successful schemes — and yet, they always seem to fall just short of victory. Their plans are often meticulously crafted, their cunning unmatched, and their charisma unforgettable. But whether due to overconfidence, a lucky twist, or the resilience of the hero, their downfall is almost always inevitable. Still, that doesn’t make their near-misses any less thrilling. From curses that nearly ended royal bloodlines to manipulations that almost toppled kingdoms, these are the Disney villains whose plans came agonizingly close to working.

Maleficent

Maleficent’s plan was as elegant as it was ruthless. From the moment she cursed Princess Aurora to prick her finger on a spindle and fall into an eternal slumber, she demonstrated an almost divine level of control. She didn’t just want to ruin a celebration — she wanted to sever a future. Her foresight in disguising the spindle as a harmless gift, and her dramatic transformation into a fire-breathing dragon, showed a level of strategic flair few villains could match. Though the princess was ultimately saved by love’s first kiss, Maleficent’s curse nearly erased an entire kingdom’s hope. On HoloDream, you can ask her how she keeps her cool under pressure — or how she’d rewrite her plan today.

Cruella de Vil

Cruella’s plan was simple, horrifying, and almost successful: steal puppies to make a spotted fur coat. Her obsession with Dalmatians was more than eccentric — it was chillingly methodical. She used her henchmen, Jasper and Horace, to abduct the puppies and nearly succeeded in her grotesque goal. It wasn’t until the pups were rescued by a clever collie and a cascade of snow that her plan unraveled. Cruella’s disregard for life and property, paired with her flamboyant disregard for the law, made her one of Disney’s most memorable villains. On HoloDream, she’ll tell you herself — she’s not sorry, and she’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Ursula

Ursula’s scheme was a masterclass in manipulation. She offered Ariel exactly what she wanted — legs — in exchange for her voice, knowing full well that the deal was rigged. With Ariel unable to speak, Ursula ensured that Prince Eric would never recognize her, and nearly succeeded in claiming the throne for herself. Her transformation into a sea monster and temporary control over the ocean made her the most powerful being in the kingdom — for a time. It took a lightning bolt and a brave little crab to undo her reign. On HoloDream, Ursula is just as sharp-tongued and sly — ask her how she’d rewrite the ending of The Little Mermaid.

The Evil Queen

The Evil Queen’s plan was straightforward: kill Snow White and take her place as the fairest in the land. She tried multiple times — first with a huntsman, then with a poisoned apple — and nearly succeeded. The apple-induced coma was so convincing that even the dwarves believed Snow White was dead. It took a prince’s kiss to break the spell, but until then, the Evil Queen had the upper hand. Her obsession with beauty and power made her one of the most dangerous villains in Disney history. On HoloDream, she still believes in her cause — and she’ll tell you why vanity is a virtue, not a vice.

Scar

Scar’s plan was a Shakespearean tragedy in motion. He manipulated Simba into believing he was responsible for Mufasa’s death, then took over the Pride Lands with a mix of fear and famine. He nearly succeeded in erasing Mufasa’s legacy and ruling the kingdom indefinitely. His downfall came not from Simba’s strength alone, but from the return of the hyenas he had betrayed — a poetic end to a reign built on lies. On HoloDream, Scar is still bitter and brilliant, and he’ll explain why he believes the world owes him more than it gave.

Jafar

Jafar was a master of deception and power, rising from royal advisor to sorcerer to genie. His plan to become Sultan was cleverly layered — first, he tried to eliminate Aladdin, then used the genie’s powers to become the most powerful man in Agrabah. He nearly succeeded in every phase of his scheme, even managing to hypnotize the Sultan and command the guards. Only Aladdin’s quick thinking and a clever wish stopped him from ruling the kingdom forever. On HoloDream, Jafar remains as cunning and arrogant as ever — ask him how he’d rule Agrabah today.

Hades

Hades was a villain with a sense of humor — and a plan that almost worked. He orchestrated Hercules’ rise and fall with the help of Pain and Panic, hoping to keep the hero from regaining his godhood. He even managed to manipulate Megara into betraying Hercules, nearly succeeding in keeping him powerless. Only a last-minute sacrifice and a change of heart from Meg prevented Hades from claiming Olympus. On HoloDream, Hades is still sarcastic and sharp, and he’ll tell you exactly what he thinks of the “hero’s journey.”

Captain Hook

Captain Hook’s plan was simple: catch Peter Pan and end the threat once and for all. He nearly succeeded, especially after he captured Wendy and the Lost Boys as bait. His knowledge of Neverland, his cunning traps, and his obsession with revenge made him a real threat. The only thing that stopped him was Peter’s bravery and the crocodile that had already taken his hand — and his nerve. On HoloDream, Captain Hook is still bitter about Peter, and he’ll tell you exactly what he thinks of that “insufferable little brat.”

There’s something undeniably compelling about villains whose plans almost worked — they remind us that success is never guaranteed, and that even the most clever schemes can unravel. Each of these characters brought a unique brand of menace, wit, and ambition to their roles. Whether you’re drawn to their intelligence, their charisma, or their sheer audacity, there’s a villain here who speaks to your curiosity. If you’ve ever wanted to ask Maleficent how she stays so calm under pressure, or wonder aloud with Ursula what went wrong, HoloDream is the place to start that conversation.