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Evil comes in all shapes and sizes in Tolkien's seminal masterpiece, The Lord Of The Rings. You've got ancient demons, corrupted wizards, and creatures that just shouldn't exist anywhere outside of nightmares. Each one brings their own brand of terror to the table. So, here are 20 of the scariest villains that roam Middle-Earth.

1. Sauron

From his fortress of Barad-dûr in Mordor, the Dark Lord commands legions through sheer terror and malice. Originally a Maia spirit corrupted by Morgoth, Sauron's essence became bound to the One Ring he forged in Mount Doom's fires. His very presence warps reality.

2. The Witch-king of Angmar

Picture the most feared battlefield commander in Middle-earth's history, and you're looking at the Witch-king. This fallen king of men traded his humanity for a Nazgûl ring. At the Battle of Pelennor Fields, his approach caused seasoned soldiers to abandon their posts in terror.

3. Shelob

In the tunnels of Cirith Ungol lurks a horror. Shelob, spawn of Ungoliant, has devoured countless travelers over thousands of years, growing fat on their terror and flesh. Her massive spider form is complete with a venomous stinger and eyes like clusters of glass.

4. Saruman

The betrayal cuts deepest when it comes from within. Once the White Wizard and leader of the Istari order, Saruman's fall represents a highly chilling corruption in Tolkien's world. His powerful voice alone could bend minds to his will.

5. The Mouth Of Sauron

Standing before the Black Gate, this nameless servant of darkness personifies psychological warfare at its cruelest. That oversized mouth, filed teeth, and burning eyes create an image that haunts readers long after closing the book. He is Sauron's chief lieutenant and ambassador.

6. Gríma Wormtongue

Sometimes the most frightening evil wears a familiar face. Gríma's insidious whispers slowly poisoned King Théoden's mind, showing how corruption can spread through seemingly gentle influence. His pale, worm-like appearance matches his treacherous nature perfectly—always skulking in shadows and watching with calculating eyes.

7. The Balrog Of Morgoth

Fire and shadow incarnate, this demon slumbered beneath Moria until dwarven mining disturbed its rest. The Balrog's awakening devastated the greatest dwarf kingdom, turning Khazad-dûm into a tomb. Armed with a flame whip and sword, he is wreathed in darkness that light cannot penetrate.

8. Nazgûl

The Nazgûl are usually seen as tall, black-clad figures with an aura of dread. They are invisible to the unaided eye and exist in a twilight realm, but wear black robes to give themselves form. Their most potent weapon is supernatural fear, with their mere presence inducing panic.

9. Watcher In The Water

This terrifying creature’s attack on the Fellowship is noteworthy because it forces them into Moria, setting off a sequence of events with critical consequences. It also killed Óin, one of Balin’s dwarves, during their failed attempt to reclaim Moria decades earlier.

10. Gothmog

Deformed beyond recognition, the Orc lieutenant's scarred face and missing eye tell stories of battles survived through sheer brutality. At Minas Tirith's siege, Gothmog commanded the assault with tactical intelligence rare among Orcs. He possesses a distinctive armor with a battle-scarred look.

11. The Barrow-wights

What lurks beneath burial mounds can be worse than death itself. These undead spirits possess the corpses of long-dead kings, wielding their power to trap and torment the living. Well, the Barrow-wights don't just kill their victims; they add new voices to their chorus of despair.

12. Uglúk

A strategic mind and fierce loyalty to Saruman made this figure a formidable opponent during the Fellowship's breaking. Additionally, that scarred face and commanding presence allow him to maintain discipline among quarreling orc factions through force of personality. Unforgettable is his pragmatic approach to evil.

13. Lurtz

Born in the caverns of Isengard, this Uruk-hai represents Saruman's most successful experiment in developing the perfect warrior. His white hand paint and superior combat skills made him the prototype for an entire army of enhanced orcs. Unlike his mindless cousins, Lurtz shows tactical intelligence.

14. Shagrat

Power corrupts, and nowhere is this clearer than in Shagrat’s character. Shagrat feeds on the terror of several victims. His fight with Gorbag over Frodo's mithril shirt reveals the paranoid violence that consumes Sauron's servants when they believe treasure might enhance their status.

15. Gorbag

Jealousy and ambition drive this creature to betray his own allies. Gorbag's fearsome look and cynical worldview reflect years spent climbing Mordor's brutal command structure through backstabbing and violence. His partnership with Shagrat quickly dissolves into murderous competition when they discover Frodo's belongings.

16. The Fell Beasts

Ancient and reptilian, these flying nightmares serve as mounts for the Nazgûl. Their leathery wings span incredible distances, allowing them to appear suddenly from dark skies like harbingers of doom. Fell Beasts possess no intelligence or speech—they're pure predatory instinct given form.

17. Grishnákh

Here comes the servant who nearly derails the entire war effort through his scheming. Grishnakh’s plan to search the captured hobbits for the Ring shows dangerous initiative that could have changed Middle-earth's fate. He holds the ability to think independently while retaining loyalty to his master.

18. Old Man Willow

Nature becomes the enemy when it comes to this ancient tree spirit. His capacity to hypnotize victims with rustling leaves and drowsy songs makes him a master of subtle psychological manipulation. Old Man Willow patiently waits for the best moment to strike.

19. Gollum

Gollum, originally named Sméagol, was once a Stoor Hobbit of the River-folk who lived near the Gladden Fields. He became corrupted by the One Ring after murdering his relative Déagol. Gollum also exhibits violent persistence, following Frodo and Sam relentlessly and biting off Frodo’s finger.

20. The Dead Men Of Dunharrow

Cursed for their betrayal of Isildur, these spectral warriors exist in endless torment between life and death. Their translucent forms and hollow voices give rise to an atmosphere of supernatural dread that even seasoned warriors cannot ignore. These men literally retain their consciousness and memory.