Top 10 Greatest Fictional Characters of All Time

Who's your favorite character? Vote for one of those guys!

The Top Ten

Batman (DC Comics)

Batman, also known as Bruce Wayne, is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. On film, Batman has been portrayed by Lewis Wilson, Robert Lowery... read more

What can you say about Batman that hasn't already been said? The guy's a badass. He forged his past tragedy into a legacy and his fear into a symbol that even the most infamous criminals are afraid of. He co-founded the Justice League, has the most kickass rogues gallery, is one of the best tacticians on Earth, and has stood up to Gods when defeat is almost inevitable, and he's just a man.
Batman would do anything to save Gotham and the world, even making contingency plans to defeat his friends if the need arises. Whether in or out of the cowl, Bruce Wayne fights to better the world, and he never gives up. That is why Batman has my vote for the best fictional character.
The Joker (DC Comics)

The Joker is a fictional supervillain created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, who first appeared in Batman #1, released on April 25, 1940, by DC Comics. Credit for the Joker's creation remains disputed. Both Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for his visual design, while Finger is... read more

I'm not just limiting myself to the Heath Ledger Joker, which is, without a doubt, the best Joker the silver screen has ever seen. I'm also counting the Joker from the comics and even series and video games.

Every great hero needs an equally great villain as a foil. The Joker is just that, but sometimes he transcends it and makes the entire circus revolve around himself. He is just that crazy and awesome.

He's easily the most unique, unpredictable, and interesting villain.
Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Darth Vader is a Star Wars character who serves as the main antagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy and as the central figure in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, where he is known by his original name, Anakin Skywalker. Initially trained as a Jedi Knight, Anakin defects to the Sith under the influence... read more

Next to Maul, Vader is perhaps a character with one of the most heartbreaking backgrounds. From growing up as a slave to losing the love of his life in the very way he tried to save her, to going back to being a slave, this time to the Devil himself, Darth Sidious.
Even then, he was a seriously menacing villain, something especially showcased with a nearly minute-long scene in Rogue One. I love this guy.

I hate sand. It's coarse, and it's rough, and it's irritating - and it gets everywhere.
How fierce you are, my Lord.
Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump)

Forrest Gump is a fictional character who first appears in the 1986 novel by Winston Groom. Forrest Gump also appeared on screen in the 1994 film of the same name directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film, starring Tom Hanks, won six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director.

This incredible movie shows that anyone can be anything. And Forrest Gump decided to do it all.

"Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

A reminder that a simple man can do great things.
Spider-Man (Marvel Comics)

Spider-Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, set within its shared universe. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko and first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) during the... read more

This is above Mario, and with good reason. Mario, although a classic, is a very boring character. Spider-Man is the most realistic superhero in the MCU because we all know how it feels when you're not fitting in and facing many, constant problems.

The best superhero ever made, what he's been through, and he's still trying his best to save random civilians. And I believe he's the most relatable character.

Greatest superhero! Superheroes are a significant part of our culture.
Harry Potter (Harry Potter)

Harry James Potter is the title character of the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. The series chronicles his life from age eleven as he discovers his identity as a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Over seven years, Harry confronts numerous challenges and... read more

Why is Harry not number one? He is the bravest, most humble, most understanding, most empathetic, kindest person I have ever heard of. He has never been loved for the first decade of his life, but would still die for the ones he cares about.
Merlin's Pants! How are they so blind! I would have loved him as a best friend or even something more! How in the Wizarding World is Darth Vader and Batman better than our Harry! I will get you in Azkaban for this!

For the love of God, Harry Potter is clearly a top choice. He's humble from the very beginning when Hagrid first told him that he was a wizard. He demonstrates love and compassion throughout the series and has an innocence that is so pure he destroys Lord Voldemort. I worship him. I am his cult leader.
Super Mario (Super Mario Bros.)

He may be portly, he may be a plumber, and he may have a nice mustache, but that doesn't mean he's not at the top! He's constantly jumping on Goombas and saving Peach, or whoever's in danger! Wait... does that make Mario overly devoted?

Either he is very strong because he can kill by jumping, or his enemies are very weak. Either way, he made video games great again and is now the Pac-Man of Nintendo.

The best dang plumber in the Mushroom Kingdom! He can collect different kinds of suits and power-ups and has an awesome, cheery personality!
Superman (DC Comics)

Superman is a fictional comic book character and arguably the first powerful superhero of the modern era. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, who were high school students in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1933. Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1, published by National... read more

Superman was created by Jewish boys who understood the importance of Moses in history -- and Moses himself being a foreshadowing of the central figure of Western Civilization: Jesus Christ. As such, Superman has many Christ-like qualities about him.
He is hope. He is light. He is the future, "The Man of Tomorrow".
All other superheroes are, in essence, descendants of him. Superman is the head of the hierarchy of heroes. The Man of Steel is a picture of what humanity could be like if we got our act together and became a force for good. Strip him of his superpowers and he is still Superman, in one sense, because it's his character that makes him a hero, not his abilities.
Many heroes and villains are capable of doing what Superman can do, but not all possess the heart of a hero as he does.
An alien. Born of another world. An outsider seeking the good of all, including his enemies. An outcast of both Krypton and Earth, yet managing to be the best of both worlds.
What makes Superman the greatest fictional hero of all time? He aims at the highest good he can possibly see, then he saves the day. He reminds us that we can do the same.
Link (The Legend of Zelda)

Link refers to several different incarnations of the same protagonist in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series. Each incarnation of Link is typically chosen by the gods to protect the land of Hyrule from evil forces, often wielding the Master Sword and bearing the Triforce of Courage. His main goal is... read more

Link is so strong! In Skyward Sword, he defeated an entire army of bad guys, then defeated a demon right afterward, and then defeated a god-like being right after that! In Ocarina of Time, he defeated Ganon after fighting off his minions and climbing his tower! In Majora's Mask, he stopped the moon from falling and defeated Majora's Mask. The best part is that he is a kid in all of these games. Link is also a silent protagonist, so his character is up to you to decide! Link is awesome!

He is really fun to play as in Zelda in Smash Bros and many other games. Link is one of the most iconic characters of all time! His games are masterpieces. He has the most iconic weapon in video game history: the Master Sword, slaying evil, saving the world. Maybe he can't talk, but what makes him popular is that his adventures will never get old.
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Sonic the Hedgehog is the title character and protagonist of the video game series of the same name released by SEGA. He has since appeared in numerous spin-off comics, several television shows, an animated OVA, and a live-action movie trilogy. Known for his incredible speed and signature blue color... read more

From day one in 1991, Sonic has been on the grind, rescuing little animals from the genius villain Dr. Robotnik. Sonic's battle was not just against him. He fought hundreds of thousands of foes of different varieties and abilities, all possessing massive skill, speed, and power, even outside his series. He was the only video game character to try and best the great Super Mario, not just in game sales but in sports too.
Ultimately, while he exceeds in everything Mario is not - personality, fighting prowess, and heart - he couldn't achieve the goal of his sole purpose, which was to sell more copies and dethrone Nintendo's No. 1 mascot. He had his rough patches going into 3D like a lot of characters, and Sega and a lot of companies stopped making newer consoles, leaving it to Sony, Xbox, and Nintendo.
But despite all his setbacks, Sonic, when it comes down to it, will always be willing to aid even if they're a rival company like Nintendo or if they're an antagonist like Eggman. He isn't naive like other protagonists either. He uses his brain and countless experience over the years to point out the bad guy plots. He's headstrong, sure, but when it comes to Sonic getting hit, either physically or criticism-wise, he always gets back up and stronger. I know that feeling of getting through tougher times, and he does too. "Never underestimate Sonic's speed!"

The Newcomers

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Judge Holden (Blood Meridian)

Unironically, yes. Cormac McCarthy, you magnificent man.
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Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)

Practically perfect in every way!

The Contenders

SpongeBob SquarePants (SpongeBob SquarePants)

SpongeBob SquarePants is a fictional character and the titular protagonist of the American animated television series of the same name. SpongeBob is known for his bright optimism and naive, childish tendencies. He often gets into trouble in Bikini Bottom.... read more

I will always love SpongeBob. My friend and I are like obsessed with him. I will probably still watch it when I am 99. I hope they never stop showing that show.

I personally grew to like Rocko way more than SpongeBob, but Rocko is a show strictly aimed at the "big" and "cool" kids, so I'm fine with SpongeBob's position.

SpongeBob? Seriously. I just don't know what to say. Now, please excuse me while I go jump out a window.
Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)

Gandalf the Grey, later known as Gandalf the White, is a fictional character and one of the protagonists in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He is an Istar, a type of Maia sent by the Valar to aid the peoples of Middle-earth against the threat of Sauron during the Third... read more

Gandalf, along with many other Tolkien characters, deserves to be higher on this list. The very fact that superheroes are some of the first characters I see makes me sad. I almost laughed when I saw that there were anime characters even here at all.
The very thought that shallow characters are considered better than the likes of Tolkien's beautifully constructed Gandalf and Smeagol, and various other brilliant creations, is a disgrace. Half of this page is made up of depthless and bromidic animated characters, which insults the human capability to be creative and the literary geniuses who brought us such well-crafted stories and, most importantly, the characters that came with them.
Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)

Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, is the central character in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. His eccentric and unpredictable personality is inspired by rock guitarist Keith Richards and the animated skunk Pepé Le Pew.... read more

There should be Captain somewhere... Captain Jack Sparrow is easily one of the best two characters in my opinion, the other being Tony Stark. Johnny Depp is irreplaceable here. His mind-blowing acting, along with the character's fascinating qualities, makes the character one of the best.

Let's face it, Jack Sparrow is - "Captain Jack Sparrow," said Jack. Right, Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the funniest characters, and no one could have played him better than Johnny Depp.

Funniest character ever. Harry Potter is the biggest bot of a main character. He should be down in the 60s, not above The Great Captain Jack Sparrow.
Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes)

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his expertise in observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning that often seems almost superhuman. He solves complex... read more

Yes, yes, a hundred times yes. I swear, Holmes should at least be number two! I mean, look at what the readers did when Conan Doyle killed him off way back in the 1800s! If a character is adored to the point that the readers don't shut up until the author resurrects them, that's a huge honor.

Sherlock Holmes merits his place as the greatest fictional character ever. If not for his wonderful character and intriguing mind, then for the impact he has had on pop culture and literature since his creation.

I absolutely adore this show! They must make a Season 5. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the best Sherlock. The character is very interesting and always vigilant. Definitely number one.
Iron Man (Marvel Comics)

Iron Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. Iron Man first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 in 1963.... read more

I am Iron Man. He finally sacrifices in Avengers: Endgame. Spoiler alert. Sorry.

I love Iron Man.
He is a flawed hero. He makes lots of mistakes and has a bit of a pride problem sometimes but always tries to do what is right and wants to protect the people he loves.
Plus, he has a great sense of humor and is incredibly sexy.
Godzilla (Godzilla)

Godzilla is a giant monster originating from a series of Japanese tokusatsu films beginning with the 1954 film Godzilla produced by Toho. Over the decades, the character has appeared in numerous films, television shows, comic books, and video games. Godzilla is widely regarded as a cultural icon and... read more

Godzilla deserves number 1 more than anybody else on this list! He deserves so much more respect, attention, and love than how much Marvel, DC, and other popular fictional characters are taking away from him! He's more important than most Godzilla lovers will ever think!

He has been in more feature films than any other character and will defeat King Kong in the upcoming movie! Long live the King!

Forget all the guys above him! Godzilla is the coolest!
Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit)

Bilbo Baggins is the title character and protagonist of J. R. R. Tolkien's 1937 novel The Hobbit, as well as a supporting character in The Lord of the Rings. He was the first Hobbit to become widely known outside the Shire and was one of the few to travel to the Undying Lands across the ocean. In film... read more

Bilbo Baggins was a mischievous kid who grew up and thought, "Hey, I should get my head out of the clouds and be a normal hobbit." So what happens? He meets the last dwarves with the birthright of Erebor, an elf-lord, and an elf king. He travels and fights alongside the wizard who would later become the White Rider. He falls into the depths of a mountain and discovers the most powerful ring in the world. He encounters one of the last living dragons and steals something from its hoard right under its nose. Then he goes home and cherishes this story. I mean, he tells everyone who will listen, because those were his best friends! In the end, he is the first hobbit to travel west across the great sea on an elven ship. Bilbo for the win.
Vegeta (Dragon Ball)

Vegeta is a fictional character from the anime series Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. He is the prince of the fallen Saiyan race and initially appears as an antagonist before becoming one of the series' main protagonists. Vegeta is known for his rivalry with Goku and his relentless drive to... read more

Goku is gifted, but Vegeta is more human when it comes to flaws and ambitions. Vegeta shows us what it means to be the 99 others out of the 100 trying to be the best. It also shows how it transforms him into a matured and self-sacrificing individual. The character depth and growth are amazing.

His awesomeness levels... They're over 9000!
Luigi (Super Mario Bros.)

Luigi is a major character in video games and related media produced by Nintendo. He was originally introduced as a green-colored palette swap of Mario and is portrayed as Mario's younger, taller fraternal twin brother.
Created by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Luigi appears in many... read more

This and Mario should switch places at least. Luigi doesn't kill Toads.
Deadpool (Marvel Comics)

Deadpool is a fictional antihero created by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in New Mutants #98, published in February 1991, and was created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza. His powers include accelerated healing and enhanced physical abilities. He is widely recognized for his humor and frequent breaking... read more

Just funny and awesome. An incredible hero.

She's funny and can never die. Perfection, mate.
Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)

Daenerys Targaryen is a fictional character in the fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. She also appears in the television adaptation Game of Thrones, where she is portrayed by Emilia Clarke. Daenerys is one of the last surviving members of House Targaryen and seeks to... read more

It's especially great when you consider the lack of clothing she is often seen in.

She is Daenerys Stormborn, first of her name. You can call her Khaleesi, the Breaker of Chains.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness in the original trilogy and by Ewan McGregor in the prequel trilogy. The character is a Jedi Master who plays a pivotal role in the training of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker. Obi-Wan also appears in the... read more

He held onto his morals despite losing everything he fought for and loved. Truly an inspiration! Best fighter out there and my all-time favorite character.

He is the most famous Jedi, second only to Luke Skywalker. Maybe even more famous.

When you have the high ground but are low on this list.
Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes)

Bugs Bunny is an animated cartoon character created by the staff of Leon Schlesinger Productions, which later became Warner Bros. Cartoons. He is one of the most iconic and recognizable cartoon characters, known for his appearances in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series. His signature phrase... read more
L (Death Note)

L Lawliet, known exclusively by the mononym L, is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note. He was created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata. L is a highly intelligent and eccentric detective who takes on the challenge of capturing the mysterious killer known as Kira.

I am at a loss for words for this guy. He has surprised me plenty of times. He is not just the greatest detective, but also the second and third best detective as well. I curse Light for getting him killed. He was simply too cool.

L is dynamic, interesting, developed, and a top-rate character. I fell in love with the character design from the start of the series. He is intelligent, funny, direct, and a wonderful liar.

He is second only to Sherlock as the greatest detective of all time, and is the greatest anime character of all time too.
Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)

Luke Skywalker is a fictional character appearing as the central protagonist of the original Star Wars film trilogy and as a supporting character in the sequel trilogy of the Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. He is portrayed by Mark Hamill. Luke is a Jedi Knight who plays a crucial role in... read more

Come to the Light Side if you want to vote for this guy!