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'The Godfather' (1972) -

Don Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, garnered sympathy from moviegoers as he navigated looking out for his family while trying to navigate the world of organized crime.

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'Scarface' (1983) -

Al Pacino's Tony Montana executed ambition and a magnetic charm that had viewers rooting for his rise to power, even as he progressed into madness.

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'Bonnie and Clyde' (1967) -

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway portray the infamous criminal couple who managed to garner sympathy as they embarked on their crime spree during the Great Depression.

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'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991) -

Anthony Hopkins starred as the dangerously brilliant and extremely manipulative serial killer Hannibal Lecter. He captivated audiences, with many secretly hoping he would outsmart the authorities.

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'Pirates of the Caribbean' (2003) -

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is loved for his witty charm, unpredictable nature, and unorthodox methods, which make him a captivating character despite his questionable morals.

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'Avengers' (2012) -

Tom Hiddleston plays Loki, who is admired for his complexity, charisma, and mischievousness, adding depth to his character as he simultaneously struggles with his identity and rivalry with his brother, Thor.

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'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006) -

Meryl Streep portrays Miranda Priestly, loved for her commanding presence and impeccable style. It made her a loveable antagonist despite her ruthless demeanor.

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‘Zoolander’ (2001) -

Audiences everywhere felt for Mugatu (Will Ferrell), who was desperate to maintain his fashion empire by employing top-tier talent but managed to alienate the very man who enabled him to reach great heights to begin with.

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'The Incredibles' (2004) -

Syndrome, voiced by Jason Lee, is loved for his intelligence and relatable storyline as a former fan turned villain, which adds depth to his character and makes him a sympathetic antagonist despite his villainous plots.

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'Fight Club' (1999) -

The way Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) challenged societal norms and authority figures led viewers to question their own beliefs and root for his anarchic rebellion.

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'The Dark Knight' (2008) -

Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker captivated audiences with his borderline psychotic charisma and devilishly-cunning intellect, making him an unforgettable antagonist we left wanting more of.

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'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' (2003) -

Uma Thurman's quest for vengeance against her former colleagues in the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad led viewers to root for her even as she embraced her darkest instincts.

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'Goodfellas' (1990) -

Martin Scorsese’s epic film follows the rise and fall of mobster Henry Hill, leaving viewers drawn to the charismatic but morally bankrupt characters.

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'Fargo' (1996) -

Carl Showalter’s (Steve Buscemi) charismatic criminal character, along with the film's dark humor, made viewers quite sympathetic to his plight.

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'Ocean's Eleven' (2001) -

George Clooney and his crew of charismatic criminals executed their elaborate heist with style and finesse, leaving audiences rooting for their success despite their illegal activities.

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'The Departed' (2006) -

Two big names, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson, both garnered sympathy from viewers as they navigated their two characters battling the dangerous world of organized crime.

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'A Clockwork Orange' (1971) - Stanley Kubrick's dystopian film challenged viewers with its morally ambiguous protagonist, Alex (Malcolm McDowell), whose charismatic but violent nature made him oddly compelling.

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'Natural Born Killers' (1994) -

Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis came together to play a murderous couple who entertained and drew in audiences with their crazy antics and rebellious attitude, despite their heinous crimes.

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'The Usual Suspects' (1995) -

Kevin Spacey's enigmatic acting and performance as Keyser Söze left viewers intrigued, captivated, and wanting more, even if they shouldn't have...

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'Heat' (1995) - Robert De Niro and Al Pacino's cat-and-mouse game as a master thief and a detective left viewers torn between rooting for each character's success.

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'Training Day' (2001) -

Denzel Washington's interpretation of a corrupt cop captivated viewers with his complexity, even if he was morally reprehensible in the role.

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'Nightcrawler' (2014) -

Jake Gyllenhaal's portrayal of a morally bankrupt freelance crime journalist left viewers simultaneously repulsed and fascinated by his relentless pursuit of sensational stories.

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'The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013) -

Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of the morally-questionable stockbroker Jordan Belfort left viewers torn between admiring his charisma and condemning his greed.

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'The Revenant' (2015) -

Tom Hardy's portrayal of the ruthless fur trader John Fitzgerald left viewers hooked on his survival instincts, despite his despicable actions.

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'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' (2007) -

Johnny Depp's portrayal of the vengeful barber seeking retribution against those who wronged him left viewers oddly sympathetic to his bloody quest for justice.

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'V for Vendetta' (2005) -

Hugo Weaving plays the masked vigilante V, leaving viewers rooting for his revolutionary ideals and quest for justice.

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‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007) -

Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) embodies a chilling presence on screen with his unwavering moral code, ultimately blurring the traditional boundaries between heroism and villainy.

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‘Maleficent’ (2014) -

This modern retelling of 'Sleeping Beauty' shines a sympathetic light on the villain, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie), diving into her tragic past.

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‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017) -

In this Marvel film, Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Hela, the goddess of death, captivates audiences with her commanding presence, evoking admiration for her power and charisma despite her villainous deeds.

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'Cruella' (2021) -

Emma Stone's magnetic performance not only charms us with her wit and charisma but also invites empathy for Cruella's rough past, compelling us to root for her despite her villainous tendencies.

Sources: (Association for Psychological Science) (Medium) (Looper) (Bright Side) (IMDb)(MovieWeb) (Futurity) (Taste of Cinema)

See also: Movies where the bad guys win

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