Since 1951 when the first Superman film hit our screens (Superman and the Mole Men). We’ve had a plethora of Detective Comics-based films and TV shows. Covering all walks of the DC universe, including the many amazing villains!

With a lot of these stories, the narrative is based more around the superhero or supergroup. So much so that across these films and TV shows there are many anti-heroes that didn’t quite get the rollout they deserved. Maybe they were in a TV show and only got a small part? Or they were a part of a film that didn’t quite hit the mark? Or they’ve only been seen as an animated character.

Below are our top six picks of DC villains that have great backstories. But who deserve more airtime and the chance to cause our beloved DC superheroes some real havoc.

6. Circe

One of the supervillains that haven’t yet been given the accolade of coming to life in a live-action movie is Circe. A quick whited ancient sorceress based on the Greek mythological character from Homer’s Odyssey. When she was created in 1949 by Robert Kanigher and Harry G Peter she was the rivel of Wonder woman. Her Magic is one of the strongest of all the DC villains. It seems to have no limits and includes tricks such as mind control, magical blasts, and her most popular trick turning people and objects into animals.

Wonder Woman’s films are building within the franchise. They are bringing to life other amazingly underrated villains like Cheetah (Kristen Wiig). We can’t help but think that we may see Circe in the not so distant future. There are so many great actresses that could play her including the likes of Megan Fox or even Mila Kunis.

5. Thaal Sinestro

There are a few amazing villains that we’ve probably missed out on due to some box office flops. That never rings truer than with Green Lantern.

Unfortunately, as the 2011 film, starring Ryan Reynolds got a lot of poor reviews, any hope of a sequel was brushed under the carpet. This meant some of its great villains for pushed back into the comic book pages. This is a shame as the Green Lantern story is a great one and it has a very complex and forceful villain at the heart of the story.

In the comics Sinestro, who was created by John Bromme and Gil Kane, was at one time a Green Lantern Corps member. He actually instructed Hal Jordan (the human Green Lantern). But after abusing his powers he was dishonourably discharged from the Green Lantern Corps. He then started up Sinestro Corps and became the sworn enemy of Green Lantern.

In the 2011 film, Sinestro was played by Mark Strong, who did a really great job. He nailed the character. It was just unfortunate that we didn’t get to see more of him and his cunning and devious personality. Fans of Green Lantern have been pushing for a reboot for a while and have earmarked Luke Evans as Sinestro which could work! Yet this is all hearsay and wishful thinking at the moment and hasn’t been confirmed. But, there is apparently a Green Lantern TV show coming to HBO. And IF it goes ahead, we’re sure we will see a lot of Sinestro there too which we hope they nail as this villain really is one of the best.

4. Live Wire

A supervillain that has been brought to life more recently in the Supergirl TV Series (by Brit Morgan). And also in Smallville (by Anna Mae Routledge) is Live Wire. She’s a relatively new character to the DC villains world as well only being created in 1997 by Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer for Superman: The Animated Series.

The Radio presenter/electrically charged villain only had her first comic book appearance in 2006 in edition 835 of the Action Comics.

A sworn enemy of Superman. This villain has been seen alongside Lex Luther and helping with his masterful plans. But like a few of the villains in the DC universe, she has also been known to flip flop between good and evil too. At one point in the comic books, she even helped Professor Hamilton defeat Brainiac. As she’s so new to the universe, she has a sympathetic disposition and has only had a few TV appearances. She could really be brought to life and moulded with an interesting story arc.

Also, as she is a friend to Lex Luther, this could slot her nicely into Zack Snyders Next Justice League film. Well, that’s if we are to read into the Justice leagues post-credit scene of course?

3. Brainiac

From comics dating back to 1958, animated TV series and video games. Brainiac has been a constant enemy of Superman, threatening and trying to destroy Superman’s home planet of Krypton where he was created.

Brainiac has had some small live-action storylines on Smallville and Krypton. But it was his superhero descendent Brainiac 5 from the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Universe who’s had more success as a recurring character on Supergirl from season five.

But it’s the original evil and ruthless Brainiac created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, from the planet Colu, who we really want to see on the big screen.

With today’s special effects and award-winning makeup departments, it would be easy to bring this all green extra-terrestrial android villain to life. Making sure he was recognisable with his three distinctive electric power portals in his head. The franchise might need a bit more budget. Especially for Brainiacs aesthetics, demeanour and electrical antics. But we’re sure that’s something Zack Snyder could sort out.

2. Nekron

Now, this badass supervillain hasn’t even had a live-action outing yet! Why? We have no idea, but he deserves one.

Like Brainiac it could be the level of special effects. Or maybe more likely, like Thaal Sinestro it could be because he hails from the Green Lantern Universe. Which as we have already discussed may have trouble getting a reboot due to Mr Lanterns first unsuccessful outing.

Nekron who’s look is the embodiment of death, Scythe and all, was created by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein and Joe Staton, in 1981 for the Green lanterns ‘Blackest Night’ storylines.

The Lord of the unliving is one of the most powerful forces in the DC Universe. Not only does he possess immortality, but he can bring others back from the dead too. On top of that, he can also fire bolts of dark lighting and he gains physical strength from the deaths he causes. He is defiantly one not to mess with and would make an unforgettable villain maybe even one that could rival Marvels Thanos.

1. Poison Ivy (Dr Pamela Lillian Isley)

Many of us can agree that Batman & Robin (1997), is possibly the worst of all the Batman films. IMDB even gave this film an eye-watering 3.8 out of 10, eek. But, within this line up of DC Characters is one of the most iconic female villains in Gotham – Poison Ivy, played by Uma Thurman.

As well rounded as her character arc may have been, nothing could have really saved this movie. Urgh, remember all its cheesy lines, the Batman GothCard and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s questionable Mr Freeze? Not even the scene where Poison Ivy appeared burlesque dancing out of a pink Gorilla costume could save it.

Since Poison Ivy’s appearance in Batman & Robin, she’s only been depicted in the animated series. Plus a few TV series including Canadas Nightwing (2014) and in Gotham (2014 – 2019). But they changed her name to Ivy Pepper in this series. They didn’t really give her the same back story as when she was created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff.

A Catwoman team-up?

From her first DC Comic appearances in 1966, the seductive and devious, plant-loving Poison Ivy often found herself teaming up with Catwoman and Harley Quin. This makes us wonder why none of the films has included her again. Granted she isn’t a member of the Suicide Squad or Birds of Prey, but she could have easily teamed up with Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman in The Dark Night Rises (2012).

Dr Pamela Lillian Isley is screaming out for a reprieve and if you think about it, she’s even got the personality to command a film or TV show of her own.

So come on film gods, give us another Poison Ivy role. There’s a host of amazing actors that could really bring her to life including Lili Reinhart, Zoey Deutch or even Emma Stone.

So, there you have it, these are the six DC supervillains we would love to see more of in the future, what do you think? Did we miss anyone out? If you have a favourite supervillain you think needs another shot at the big or small screen let us know in the comments below.

We defend the indefensible, read HERE why Batman and Robin is the BEST Batman movie of all.