Since I recently added a bunch of video game specific Tolkien characters to this website, I figured I might as well also make a list of every villain to show up in the Lord of the Rings and the various associated works. Or at least, every villain with a page here. Enjoy the Rogues Gallery.
As he is the very first evil in Tolkien's setting and also the greatest overall, any list should probably begin with this guy.
The OTHER great evil of Middle-Earth besides his former master, and a poster-boy for pure evil in-universe and beyond.
An extension of Sauron's will and personality, and an item of evil that cannot ever be used for good, at least not in the long-term. Inevitably, it corrupts all who try to use it.
The Istari who betrayed Middle-Earth, and who also schemed to eventually betray Sauron too in an attempt to become the new Lord of the Rings. Naturally, it didn't work out.
Demons of shadow and flame who alongside the Dragons were Morgoth's greatest servants (besides Sauron of course). Said to be only seven in number. Fortunately for Middle-Earth, none remained in the Third Age for Sauron to use for his own wars except for one that didn't live to do so.
Seemingly the last of the Balrog's, and also the most famous one thanks to his memorable role in Fellowship of the Ring.
Video game exclusive Balrog, awakened by Zog the Eternal for use as a living weapon.
Though their origins are not entirely known, what is known is that the Dragons of Middle-Earth were no friends to the Free Peoples, instead counting among Morgoth's mightiest minions.
Last of the Dragons
Well, other than this guy anyway, though this one's a video game exclusive.
The Nazgul's pseudo-dragon mounts.
The 9 Mortal Men, doomed to die.
Sauron's greatest servant, and the leader of the Nazgul
Is one of the Nazgul in Battle for Middle-Earth II's Rise of the Witch-King expansion
Is one of the Nazgul in Shadow of War
Is one of the Nazgul in Shadow of War
Is one of the Nazgul in Shadow of War
Eventually becomes a Nazgul, taking Isildur's place among the Nine. A lesson in trying to fight Sauron with his own methods hard-learned.
In Shadow of War, two of the Nazgul were slain by a pair of sisters from an obscure kingdom to the far East...who then replaced these Nazgul as new ones after taking their rings as their own. Yeah, it's weird.
Another case of a heroic figure in Tolkien's canon who becomes one of the Nazgul in a video game.
Of all the men who have chosen to serve Sauron, there are none greater (or more evil), than the Black Númenoreans, whose oppression of the Haradrim actually inspired them to seek vengeance on Numenor's descendants in Gondor. Which, ironically, prompted them to align with Sauron to get that revenge.
Sauron's emissary. Not a Nazgul, though you'd be forgiven for thinking he was. He is a Black Numenorean.
Leader of the Black Captains, a trio of Black Numenoreans who each represent an aspect of Sauron. In the Black Hand's case, deceitfulness.
One of the Black Captains, a trio of Black Numenoreans who each represent an aspect of Sauron. In the Tower's case, terror.
One of the Black Captains, a trio of Black Numenoreans who each represent an aspect of Sauron. In the Hammer's case, physical power.
An agent of Sauron and the Witch-King causing trouble in the North, and another Black Numenorean.
One of the most prominent of the tribes of Man who chose to aid Sauron, albeit mostly through deception or coercion on the Dark Lord's part. Actually respected by the men of Gondor and Rohan, who ultimately make peace with them after the war's end.
Video game-exclusive Haradrim hero unit in Battle for Middle-Earth II
Another of the more prominent types of Men to align with Sauron, being full-fledged fanatics for the Dark Lord and hating Gondor something fierce.
Video game-exclusive Easterling hero unit in Battle for Middle-Earth II
Like the Haradrim men from the South who have thrown in with Mordor, in their case for the promise of booty.
Brought into the fold by Saruman's manipulations rather than Sauron's, and let loose on the Men of Rohan.
Traitorous Northman aligned with the Witch-King in Battle for Middle-Earth II's expansion
Once a loyal captain of Arnor, he was turned into a wraith against his will by the Witch-King and made to serve him.
Video Game-exclusive man of Darkness pledged to Sauron and the Witch-King. Really love his helmet design.
A man from the North who ultimately aligned himself with the very evils that had enslaved and orphaned him.
Saruman's spineless lackey and a traitor to the people of Rohan
The elite Orcs, being bigger, stronger, and plain meaner than the rest (and unaffected by sunlight to boot!)
What listing of Tolkien villains is complete without the Orcs? Usually the lowliest and most common of Evil's forces, the Orcs can nevertheless be a threat in large numbers (which they almost always travel in).
Technically in Tolkien's writings, the words Goblin and Orc are used to mean the same type of creature, but in various adaptations they are recast as a variant race of Orc, even smaller and weaker than "regular" Orcs.
The muscle of the Forces of Evil, being more common than the Balrogs and Dragons, if not also significantly dumber. Also intended as Morgoth's answer to the Ents, but (again) much dumber.
The foul spawn of Ungoliant, they are not necessarily allied with Sauron, but are no friend to the Free Peoples regardless.
A giant spider who is aligned with no other evildoer, though has an "understanding" with Sauron. Nevertheless, the Orcs who live near her have plenty of reason to fear her.
Within the dark lands of Mordor and those places bordering it are still other evils not listed above.
Undead spirits in Mordor are often called "Wights". Barrow-Wights can be found as far as lands near the Shire.
Vicious, wolf/hyena like beasts that serve as mounts for Orcs and Goblins in lieu of horses that would never consider going near them.
The Warg's bigger cousin.
Large beasts that live in Mordor. So large, in fact, that even Trolls are seen as food to them.
Shadow of Mordor/Shadow of War version, being a cautionary tale in trying to beat Sauron using his weapons and methods. Sadly, he would not learn his lesson and helped to lead Talion down a similar path of folly with tragic results.
Not located in Mordor, nor explicitly aligned with Sauron or Morgoth, but nevertheless a malevolent creature that attempted to kill the Fellowship when they arrived at Moria.
A fitting one to end with, as Gollum is also a rare case of a villain in the setting who is not aligned with The Enemy but who is nevertheless no friend of the Free Peoples, as he covets the Ring to the exclusion of everything else. And it was his death that brought about Sauron's final defeat, since his "precious" was destroyed along with him.
