Ursula Is The Best Disney Villain, Right?

When it comes to Disney villains, no one can hold a candle to Ursula.

Though Disney has created several infamous villains over the years, including Jafar, Gaston, Maleficent, and Captain Hook, Ursula reigns supreme. Scar, despite his undeniable charisma and cunning, undoubtedly takes second place.

But what exactly makes Ursula special? How does she remain timeless, relevant decade after decade, becoming less a villain and more a beloved icon for new generations?

Ursula Is Unapologetically Herself

Ursula can choose any appearance she desires with a little magic. One potion and she transforms into Vanessa—with an hourglass shape, long luscious hair, and seductive eyes. Yet, Ursula chooses to embrace her eight octopus tentacles and bold makeup inspired by the late drag queen Divine.

She proudly sashays around her lair with a confident superiority, fully embracing her full-bodied figure. Unlike many Disney villains who typically boast angular features and impossibly thin waists—Maleficent being a prime example—Ursula’s presence demonstrates that one need not be skinny to be sinister.

Power isn’t measured by thinness or frailty. The idea that physical frailty (cough Scar) signals cunning ambition had grown stale by the time Ursula arrived on the scene—or perhaps, swam onto the reef. Ursula proves that while Ariel may have the looks and grace of a princess, she herself possesses the confidence and authority of a queen.

Ursula Is Quite Fair in Her Bargaining

Ursula doesn’t resort to outright murder or theft to gain power. Instead, she bargains openly for what she wants. She offers Ariel a straightforward deal: Ariel’s voice in exchange for human legs.

Ariel knowingly signs a binding contract, fully aware of the consequences. Though young and understandably frustrated by her controlling father, Ariel is no fool. When she later tries to renege on the deal, Ursula’s insistence on enforcing their agreement is entirely justified.

From a purely legal perspective, Ursula is in the right. Her plotting is not particularly ruthless or even unfair. How many Disney villains pursue their ambitions through such relatively reasonable means? Yes, Ursula is targeting Triton indirectly, but her approach remains clever, deliberate, and even somewhat civilized for a villain.

She Was Supposed to Share the Throne with Triton

Ursula admits she was once a bit nasty, but there’s more context to her story. Originally, Ursula and her brother Triton were meant to rule the sea together after their father’s death. However, Triton banished Ursula after she misused dark magic in a power struggle. According to Screen Rant, Ursula attempted to usurp the throne, justifying Triton’s harsh reaction.

Nevertheless, if Triton were the benevolent, heroic ruler expected of Disney’s protagonists, he should have found a way to reconcile punishment with compassion—honoring their father’s wishes by sharing the throne. Instead, Triton took complete control, leaving Ursula to plot revenge and reclaim what was partly hers by right.

No Villain Anthem Beats “Poor Unfortunate Souls”

“Poor Unfortunate Souls” is masterful and cunning, playful yet calculated. It captures everything audiences want from a Disney villain’s anthem. The song positions Ursula in complete control, showcasing her sharp-tongued wit and charismatic delivery.

Ursula taps into the darker aspects of human nature—the pettiness, the grudges, the impulse for revenge. She openly celebrates these hidden impulses with infectious enthusiasm.

How can anyone not admire a villain who fearlessly embraces—with musical brilliance—the very human flaws heroes try so desperately to deny? Being the hero all the time is tiresome. Eventually, the good guy slips up, and the villain prevails. Ursula represents reality, where moral complexity reigns supreme, and black-and-white morality belongs only in fairy tales.