10 Movies Where The Villain Isn't Seen Until The End

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) is the one that started it all, but when Chris Columbus signed on to direct, neither he, the studio, nor the young stars had any idea of quite how big it would all become. Since then, we've had three more books, seven more films, a spin-off series and all the tie-in merchandise you can imagine.

Part of what makes the first film so good is its compelling plot, with a mystery that drives Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) on a journey to discover the secrets of Hogwarts, the magical community and Harry's shrouded past. And the dreaded figure at the centre of it all? The dark wizard Lord Voldemort (Ian Hart/Richard Bremmer).

While Voldemort has a habit of tardiness in the Potter movies, his first and perhaps most iconic character moment occurs at the conclusion of Philosopher's Stone. Professor Quirrell (Ian Hart) strips off his turban during the final confrontation with Harry to reveal Voldemort protruding from the back of his head, having been secretly controlling the Professor, and quite literally whispering in his ear, for the entire film.

It's an excellent reveal, a tantalising glimpse of things to come, and one of the greatest (and strangest) villain introductions of pretty much any series.