Sadists (a term derived from 18th century French writer, libertine, political activist and nobleman Marquis de Sade) are villains who feel a sense of enjoyment at seeing others suffer, either physically, mentally, or both. This kind of cruelty is also known as "schadenfreude" (from "schaden" = "injury"; "freude" = "joy"). Although the term itself for sadism generally refers to cases where they derive pleasure from pain inflicted on others by someone or something other than themselves, they are often not averse to directly inflicting it. Contrary to common belief, sadism does not necessarily entail extensive brutality so long as the person shows some staunch cruel enjoyment and/or such proclivity in others’ misery.

These villains can be delusional, for example, if they convince themselves that their enemies must suffer and take enjoyment in doing so (e.g. Gil Yepes, Judge Claude Frollo and Akainu).

Notes[]

• Do NOT add ANY sadomasochists (who also take pleasure out of inflicting pain unto themselves) under this category, no matter how sadistic they may be, no exceptions.
• Villains who simply enjoy the thrill of their crimes without taking joy in anyone's suffering do not fall under here. They go under Thrill-Seekers instead, although the two can overlap.
• Villains who simply give off creepy or slasher smiles without being outwardly sadistic or enjoying anyone's pain (e.g. Cartoon Cat and Shou Tucker) also do not qualify.
• Being a sadist does not always mean that the character is Chaotic Evil and vice versa. In fact, it is also possible for Neutral Evil and Lawful Evil villains (e.g. Emperor Palpatine, Lord Shen, Syndrome, Randall Boggs, Turbo (Wreck-It Ralph), Lots-o'-Huggin'-Bear, Dawn Bellwether, Emperor Belos, Light Yagami, Lord Voldemort, and Chief McBrusque). Characters with Lawful Neutral and Chaotic Neutral alignments can be sadists too (e.g. Dwayne LaFontant, Death, Revy, Haruna Kurodate and Cornette).
• Being a sadist does not always mean that the character is Faux Affably Evil (or not affable in any way). Affably Evil villains can also have sadistic tendencies (e.g. Bowser and his Paper counterpart, Mojo Jojo, Tony Soprano, Megamind, Carl Johnson, Felonious Gru, El Macho, Heinz Doofenshmirtz, Rick Sanchez, and the Collector)
• Just because a villain is extremely evil and ruthless doesn't automatically mean they are sadistic, as some of them can be completely indifferent about other's suffering (e.g. Rip Blazkowicz, Hans Gruber, Decagrammaton, Sweyn, John Godolkin, Bob Barnes, Lord Cutler Beckett, Claire Wyden, Carter J. Burke, Kingpin, TIO, Stanley Poole, Sebastian Shaw, Kenjaku, Void and Fyodor Dostoevsky).
• There is a much rarer possibility that these types of villains will redeem themselves if they decided to turn a new leaf and eventually help the heroes out. Even so, not all redeemed villains have permanently shredded their sadistic tendencies; some villains who DO redeem themselves will still retain their sadistic nature, even if they aid the heroes out (e.g. Heinz Doofenshmirtz).