Some characters are so perfectly written that they make your blood boil. Others are just plain frustrating to watch. Whether it’s because of their cruelty, arrogance, or sheer annoyance, these are the 10 most hated characters across movies, TV shows, and anime — the ones fans still love to hate.
1. Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones)
Joffrey is the ultimate example of power gone wrong. His sadistic personality, ego, and cowardice made him one of the most despised characters in television history. Jack Gleeson played him so convincingly that fans had to remind themselves it was just acting.
2. Shou Tucker (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Anime fans will never forgive Shou Tucker. His decision to fuse his daughter and their dog into a chimera for his research is one of the most horrifying moments ever seen in anime. It’s a scene that left emotional scars on fans around the world.
3. Todd Alquist (Breaking Bad)
Todd’s calm and polite nature hid a chilling lack of emotion. His shocking actions in Season 5 proved he was capable of true evil. Even in El Camino, viewers couldn’t look at him without remembering what he did.
4. Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter Series)
No villain in the Harry Potter world inspires more hatred than Dolores Umbridge. Her fake sweetness, obsession with rules, and cruel punishments made her even worse than Voldemort in the eyes of many fans.
5. Janice Litman (Friends)
“Oh. My. God.” Janice’s shrill voice and over-the-top behavior made her both hilarious and infuriating. While she brought chaos and comedy, Chandler’s nightmare on repeat became a running gag that fans could never escape.
6. Sakura Haruno (Naruto)
Sakura is one of the most divisive anime characters ever. Many fans found her weak, overly emotional, and inconsistent throughout the series, especially compared to her teammates Naruto and Sasuke. Despite later growth, her early portrayal remains unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
7. Bella Swan (Twilight Series)
Bella’s indecisiveness and constant dependency on Edward made her one of the most criticized characters in modern film. While some saw her as relatable, others found her lack of independence and self-awareness hard to root for.
8. Jenny Humphrey (Gossip Girl)
Jenny started out as the sweet underdog, but by the later seasons, she was stirring drama and betraying friends left and right. Her attitude shift made fans quickly turn against her, turning sympathy into frustration.
9. Izzie Stevens (Grey’s Anatomy)
Once a fan favorite, Izzie fell out of grace after her bizarre and selfish choices. Her relationship with “ghost Denny” and abrupt departure from the hospital made her one of the show’s most controversial characters.
10. Angela (Stranger Things)
Angela had limited screen time, but that was enough. Her cruel bullying of Eleven, especially at the roller rink scene, made viewers instantly despise her. She became one of those characters everyone couldn’t wait to see get karma.
