Top 10 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time
Ranking the top 10 greatest movie characters of all time. These are the heroes, villains, and comedians that made our favorite movies into the masterpieces they are. Which film character do you think should top the list?
The Joker is probably my second-favorite villain after Darth Vader. Even with all his high-tech suits and gadgets, Batman constantly gets outsmarted by this criminal mastermind. One thing I love about the Joker is that he never seems to be worried and has a very dark sense of humor. He always ranks high on the list.
I was voting on the best quote just before this, where I wrote that no one could have played this role better. Such a shame that we've lost Heath Ledger. They should never attempt a Batman film with the Joker again - it's an impossible comparison!
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. Are you kidding me!? This is your #1 spot right here! Forrest Gump (1994) is an epic phenomenon! The greatest movie character of all time, tied with Judah Ben-Hur of the legendary Ben-Hur (1959).
One of the most fantastic movies ever made, and I like how Forrest lives such an amazing life despite his mental health issues, which do not interfere with what he wants to do.
Yep. At least my favorite. A simple, lovable man intertwined with some of the biggest moments in the 20th century.
Darth Vader is a Star Wars character and the main antagonist of the first three original Star Wars films and the main protagonist of the Star Wars prequel trilogy under his original name Anakin Skywalker. He had been trained as a Jedi but defected to the Sith lord and Galactic Chancellor Palpatine... read more Probably the coolest character on this list, Darth Vader is obviously the best villain here. Even without his totally awesome outfit, he's a total badass, casually walking through blaster fire, like that totally kick-ass scene in Rogue One. He should definitely be first.
So iconic, pretty much everyone knows him, unlike half the characters on this list. He is also responsible for the greatest twist of all time.
Darth Vader is arguably the most iconic movie villain of all time. Everyone in the Empire is afraid of him except for the Emperor and Grand Moff Tarkin. James Earl Jones provides the unforgettable voice of Darth Vader. Let's not forget the major plot twist: "No, I am your father..."
Royal Navy Commander James Bond is a fictional character created by British journalist and novelist Ian Fleming in 1953. He is the protagonist of the James Bond series of novels, films, comics and video games. This character pioneered most of the action that's in films today. These characters ahead of 007 do not deserve to be here. He could kick their asses any day.
007 is one of the best characters ever. He should be in the top ten ahead of Heath Ledger's Joker.
Definitely the greatest in all its incarnations.
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. I think Vito Corleone is one of the greatest and most iconic characters of all time. One thing that impresses me the most is that there are a number of versions of Vito, especially in "Godfather Part 1" when he is played by Marlon Brando. However, I have never actually watched any of the "Godfather" films.
My final reason for why I believe that Vito Corleone should be higher is because of the number of times that his phrases have been copied and used in other films. For example, Robert De Niro, nicknamed the "GodFocker" in "Meet the Fockers," and of course, the most famous and iconic line in film history, "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse." How many films have used that line over the years?
Even though "The Godfather" is one of the greatest and most well-written stories of all time, I cannot help but say that I only wish Marlon Brando had a bigger part to play in the rest of the "Godfather" movies. Such a fantastic role, but so little of Marlon Brando. Still, Vito Corleone should be number one!
Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, is a fictional character and the main protagonist in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. He is a pirate in the film series... read more He's one of a kind. No one could replace this outstandingly hilarious character. I heard Disney's making a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and I'm upset that they're removing Jack Sparrow and Johnny Depp from the film completely. That's like taking Harry Potter out of Harry Potter. It's probably going to be a horrible movie.
Did you know the "I have a jar of dirt" moment was completely improvised by Johnny Depp at that moment and the director just went with it? So, their reactions are 100% legit. What is he doing?
Dr. Hannibal Lecter is a character in a series of suspense novels by Thomas Harris. Lecter was introduced in the 1981 thriller novel Red Dragon as a forensic psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. Nobody plays this character better than Sir Anthony Hopkins. He's extremely intelligent for a killer and knows how to toy with your mind. If it wasn't for Dr. Lecter, Clarice probably would have never caught Buffalo Bill. He also has that eerie tone of voice, which makes him twice as frightening.
Are you serious? Why is Hannibal Lecter ranked #24? Hopkins and Ledger should be vying for the top spot. Come on now. Hannibal wasn't even the main antagonist in The Silence of the Lambs, yet he stole the spotlight and will forever be the face of that movie.
Dr. Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones, Jr., often shortened to "Indy", is the titular character of the Indiana Jones franchise. Created by George Lucas, Indiana Jones is an archeologist adventurer. His signature fedora and whip have become fixtures in popular culture. Indiana Jones is portrayed by Harrison... read more Indiana Jones is the classic movie hero! Obviously, he should be number one! The only people that I think could compete with Indiana Jones himself are Vito Corleone and Darth Vader.
Indiana Jones is badass, mega-smart, and just about able to survive anything. Though he's not the best at combat, he proves capable. He's by far the best Harrison Ford character.
This guy should totally be number one, with Vader right behind him! A real movie icon who will go down in history as a classic movie character.
Han Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. In the original film trilogy, Han and his co-pilot, Chewbacca, become involved in the Rebel Alliance which opposes the Galactic Empire. He is primarily portrayed by Harrison Ford. Han Solo served as the focus of the 2018 film Solo: A Star... read more One of the best Star Wars characters - actually, scratch that, he's one of the BEST characters in movie history. He's cool, smooth, has a sense of humor, the greatest pilot in the galaxy, and is just darn lovable. He's the second-best Harrison Ford character.
Han Solo is the coolest character in Star Wars. He is also the second most impactful Star Wars character, beaten only by Darth Vader. Harrison Ford delivers a spectacular performance as Han Solo.
We all love Han Solo. Smart, funny, sarcastic, cunning, brave - the coolest character from Star Wars, except for Leia.
Travis Bickle, a 26-year-old honorably discharged U.S. Marine, is a lonely, depressed young man living on his own in New York City. He becomes a taxi driver to cope with his chronic insomnia, driving passengers every night around the city's boroughs. He also spends time in porn theaters and keeps a... read more This is the best character study movie ever created with such an interesting main character. Absolutely amazing and realistically portrayed character. He deserves No. 1 more than anyone else here.
The Newcomers
HAL 9000 is a fictional character in Arthur C. Clarke's Space Odyssey series. First appearing in 2001: A Space Odyssey, HAL is a sentient computer that controls the systems of the Discovery One spacecraft and interacts with the ship's astronaut crew.
He needs a higher rank! He's the Nick Fury in real life! Without him, you would never see any good actors such as Mark Ruffalo or other Marvel's remaining actors. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark is a great performance. Really fresh and natural!
He even acted as Sherlock Holmes, and his performance as Sherlock is great as well! Honestly, he's the best Superhero Actor of all time!
I'm sorry, but 59! Tony Stark is the most charismatic, funniest, and best superhero character of all time. This guy is just amazing, and to see cartoon characters ahead of him is just insulting. Epic character!
We sure got Batman with an English accent now!
He delivered two awesome one-liners and deserves to be higher on the list. He's an unstoppable, bulletproof assassin - or bodyguard - played by the greatest action actor of all time. Why isn't he higher? He's one of the absolute greatest action heroes of all time!
What? Why is Sarah Connor ranked higher than the Terminator? Sarah's a good character, but come on, it's the Terminator. I think he should be at least in the Top 10.
The most frightening cyborg ever. It wouldn't cease until it reached its target.
Antonio Raimundo "Tony" Montana is a fictional character and the villain protagonist of the 1983 film Scarface. How is The Joker (as amazing and captivating as Heath's performance was) above the absolute greatest movie criminals ever?
Nothing is more awesome than a Cuban Al Pacino high on cocaine mowing down baddies with a machine gun and grenade launcher.
Six words will forever keep his place in cinematic history.
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. Michael Corleone should be ranked far higher than 18. He is one of the greatest characters in cinematic history. He was the Don.
You really feel what she's going through, yet you can't help but cheer when she makes it. What a spirit! What an incredible character!
She should be higher than this. She is an inspirational character and always tries to do the right thing.
Katniss is the best heroine. She shows that girls can fight!
Harry James Potter is the title character of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The majority of the books' plot covers seven years in the life of the orphan Potter, who, on his eleventh birthday, learns he is a wizard. Harry Potter's personality is one of the best things about the movies. He is brave, kind, intelligent, and charming. He risked his life more than just once. I remember him saving Ron and another girl in The Goblet of Fire.
What's the difference between Harry in the book and the movies? There's another Top Tens, and in that one (for the books, I guess?), Harry was #2... But still, he's really sweet and a hero!
Harry Potter is supermegafoxyawesomehot... if you know what I mean, and he is also the greatest, most beautiful wizard, the sexiest wizard in the wizarding world... (And yes, I am a Starkid fan)
Sheriff Woody Pride is a fictional character in the Toy Story franchise. He is voiced by Tom Hanks in all of the feature-length and short films and by Jim Hanks in video games and shorts. He is a stuffed cowboy character that leads the other toys in adventures in the movies. His facial features are... read more One of the best animated characters ever!
Jason Voorhees is a character from the Friday the 13th series. He first appeared in Friday the 13th as the young son of camp cook-turned-murderer, Mrs. Voorhees. He may have the highest kill count in horror, but he's not all bad. He just loves his mother.
Easily one of the most iconic horror film characters.
How can people forget Andy, the central character of the most rated movie? He taught us the value of hope and patience. 20 years in prison and the legendary prison break, oh that's so cool. A man with patience and a positive attitude can do anything. Thanks to Tim Robbins, he made this character great. I miss Marty McFly on the list.
Best character in the best movie!
How is he number 17? He is one of the most iconic characters of all time in the best film ever.
Norman Bates is a character created by writer Robert Bloch as the main character in his novel Psycho, and portrayed by Anthony Perkins as the primary antagonist of the 1960 film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock and its sequels. Norman Bates was based on a real-life serial killer named Ed Gein, who was also the inspiration for Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. Although Ed Gein never wore a bodysuit made out of people's skin, he did wear a mask made out of leather, which was the inspiration for Leatherface.
Norman made you hate, empathize with, and fear all the nerdy guys.
The character is sick, but the actor is such a hottie!
This scruffy, plucky, scoundrel - who can go from deadly to adorable in the blink of an eye - makes me laugh harder than any character in a straight-up comedy ever could. Despite all the crimes he's committed, we also sympathize with his plight and are so fascinated by how much he can endure that we end up kind of wanting him to win in the end. He's very easy to empathize with.
If you're likewise feisty and a bit awkward, then he's probably the character in a Spaghetti Western you'll relate to the most. Furthermore, he redefined the Mexican Bandito character for a new generation as a sympathetic figure rather than merely a malicious one.
Hot-headed, temperamental, manipulative, cunning, desperate, animalistic, yet tenacious, goofy, charming, absurdly energetic, absolutely hilarious, and with sort of a warm and welcoming aura about him - this is one of the most interesting movie characters you'll ever see.
Legolas is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He is a Sindarin Elf of the Woodland Realm and one of nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring. He has been portrayed by Orlando Bloom in the live action movies. He is a great person, why?
1. He has Lego in his name, and I love Lego!
2. He never dies. Well, he survives almost anything.
3. He can whoop the butts of the enemies in the movie franchise.
4. I like his bow and arrows.
Only 2% votes? Hello? Legolas is awesome!
Reasons to vote for Legolas:
1. He's an elf.
2. He uses a bow and arrow.
3. He's epic.
Need I say more?
The Lord of the Rings knocks Pirates of the Caribbean's socks off!
The original man with no name, brought to life by Toshiro Mifune's hyperactive and electrifying performance.
Unrelenting emotion and vigor in rags.