Best Characters in the Godfather Trilogy

The Top Ten
1 Vito Corleone Vito Andolini Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and in Francis Ford Coppola's film series based on the novel, where he was portrayed by Marlon Brando in The Godfather and, as a young man, by Robert De Niro in The Godfather Part II.

Simply the best character ever in the series, and one of the most fabulous characters in cinema history!

I thought Brando was okay and De Niro was unforgettable.

Brando and De Niro just created magic in this movie.

2 Michael Corleone Michael Corleone is the main character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and the three films based upon it, all directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

He took the family to a different level. He is unquestionably the best.

He surpasses the Godfather. He has to be higher.

I don't know why most people prefer Vito. Michael is the best and Al Pacino is a better actor than Marlon Brando.

3 Tom Hagen

Tom may have done morally questionable things while working in the family business, but he was the kind of friend you wanted in your corner. He's loyal, hardworking, and smart. Yet, Tom is also not afraid to tell you when you're wrong. He desperately tried to persuade Sonny to think pragmatically and raised moral objections to Michael's plan to kill Hyman Roth. Tom and the Corleones, in general, can also be counted on to honor their deals. So, as far as criminals involved in plotting mass murder go, Tom is a stand-up guy.

Tom, along with Vito, are the only major characters that don't have a major flaw. Sonny is a great character, but his hot-headed attitude can make him come off as a jerk at times. Fredo is also great, but obviously lacks intelligence and strength. (I'm counting this as Fredo's flaw rather than betrayal because I really don't think Fredo intended to betray Michael. He was simply lied to by Roth and Ola, which I chalk up to as dumbness.) Michael is obviously an outstanding character as well, but by the end of the second movie, he has become unbelievably cold-hearted, given how his character started out.

Tom doesn't have a major flaw. He's smart, a voice of reason, loyal, etc. At no point did he make a major mistake or commit any act of betrayal. Tom is the most underrated character by far.

4 Santino Sonny Corleone

He was hot-headed, but also loyal and very protective of his family. He's an amazing character in the trilogy.

The coolest mob character ever!

He beats up carlo rizzi after rizzi beats up sonnys sister! Sonny is classic!

5 Frank Pentangeli

He got screwed. He deserved better after a lifetime of loyalty to the Corleone family. Michael should have helped him.

6 Fredo Corleone

I like Fredo because he actually is a pretty sad, realistic, and magnificent character. He would be in the second or third spot if I were to make a list. I don't know. I usually do not like his type, but somehow, I love Fredo.

My one respect for him is he almost killed Kay. Also, rest in peace John Cazale.

7 Peter Clemenza

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

8 Hyman Roth
9 Moe Greene

"I'm Moe Greene! I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders."

10 Salvatore Tessio
The Contenders
11 Vincent Corleone
12 Paulie Gatto
13 Licio Lucchesi
14 Emilio Barzini
15 Philip Tattaglia
16 Connie Corleone
17 Kay Adams-Corleone
18 Ottilio Cuneo
19 Jack Woltz
20 Victor Stracci
21 Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone
22 Virgil Sollozzo
23 Luca Brasi

He may have been a little stupid and slow, but he followed through with his "never-ending loyalty" to the family. He risked his own life and died for them!

24 Captain Mark McCluskey
25 Joey Zasa
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