Top 10 Iconic Movie Characters of All Time

There’s a lot of competition, but it doesn’t get much better than this !

For this list, we’ll be looking at the greatest and most popular characters in cinema. These characters can come from any genre of film and any time period. So long as they are popular, critically adored, and important to the medium to some degree, they’ll be included.

1. James Bond” franchise (1962-)

You know his name, you know his number. Agent 007 has been on screen for over fifty years, and his spy film series has become one of the highest grossing franchises of all time. So far portrayed by six different actors under Eon Productions, James Bond has continually shown us exotic locales, beautiful women, and exciting action. Known as one of the deadliest and most charming men in cinema, always accompanied by handy gadgets and clever one-liners, the character of Bond and his films are known all over the world. Without a doubt, 007 has been ingrained into pop culture and is certainly here to stay.

2. Vito Corleone - “The Godfather” (1972) & “The Godfather Part II” (1974)

Portrayed by Marlon Brando in the original and Robert De Niro in the second film, this character truly got lucky since he was portrayed by two of the greatest actors of all time. As head of the Corleone crime family, Vito is a deeply complex character. While his job involves death on a daily basis, he is also very human, as he cares for his family and tries to do right by them, especially his son Michael - who, may we mention, is another fantastic and timeless character. A deeply flawed, yet violent man, Vito is one powerful crime boss, and one truly iconic character for the ages.

3. Darth Vader - “Star Wars” franchise (1977-)

The “Star Wars” saga boasts many iconic characters, including the legendary Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, but it is Vader himself who gets our vote. Portrayed as a one-dimensional but cruel villain in the first film, Vader becomes progressively more complex and “gray” as the film series continues, amassing great acclaim along the way. He is one of the most fearful yet complex villains in cinema history, and the plot twist delivered by him in the original trilogy is one of the best in cinema. With his all-black attire, haunting voice and dedication to the dark side, Darth Vader’s cultural impact is astronomical, and his status as the greatest cinema character is more than secured.

4. “Indiana Jones” franchise (1981-)

Star of several movies and featured in multiple Disney attractions, Indiana Jones first became insanely popular over 30 years ago, but he continues to be revered today. Created by George Lucas, who was inspired by action heroes of the 1930s, Jones has been expertly portrayed by Harrison Ford throughout the years. Known for his trademark style, including his fedora and whip, Indy is especially famous for his ability to survive many perilous encounters, his biting sense of humor, and his extreme intelligence. Unsurprisingly, Jones has already gone down in history as a true cinematic star and there he will remain, alongside Ford’s other cinematic icon Han Solo.

5. The Joker - “The Dark Knight” (2008)

Villains are often “showier” and meatier roles than that of the heroes, and that is certainly the case with “The Dark Knight.” While Batman will forever remain an iconic character, everyone honors Heath Ledger’s Joker as one of the finest villains in cinematic history. Christopher Nolan and his team of filmmakers helped elevate “The Dark Knight” above the typical superhero trappings, offering up rich social commentary on the war on terror and themes regarding lawlessness, anarchy, and moral foundation - all of which the Joker horrifically embodies. Future iterations will always be compared to Ledger’s. It’s a wonderfully unhinged, fantastically entertaining performance that changed a classic character forever.

6. Hannibal Lecter - “Hannibal Lecter” franchise (1986-)

You might not expect a cannibalistic serial killer to ever be acclaimed and respected, but Hannibal Lecter is just so mesmerizing that audiences can’t help but love – or at least be intrigued by - him. Most notably portrayed by Anthony Hopkins on the big screen, Hannibal is the creepy and calculating murderer who helps the FBI go after more important madmen currently on the loose. Originally portrayed as an antagonist with limited screen time, Hannibal ultimately won over audiences to become a fan favorite. He is so good at being bad that he was voted the #1 villain of all time by the American Film Institute.

7. Scarlett O’Hara - “Gone with the Wind” (1939)

Actress Vivien Leigh was ranked as the 16th greatest female movie star by the American Film Institute in 1999. She earned two Academy Awards throughout her lifetime - one as Blanche in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and the other as Scarlett O’Hara in the epic to end all epics - “Gone with the Wind.” Author Margaret Mitchell believes that her novel is about survival in turbulent times, and Scarlett embodies that theme in various interesting ways. She goes from spoiled, pampered girl to strong, independent businesswoman, which itself is a major deviation from the other southern belles of the time and the story. Perhaps the story is arguing that there are no gendered “standards,” and in that way, it was truly ahead of its time.

8. Mary Poppins- “Mary Poppins” (1964)

Julie Andrews won her only Academy Award for portraying Mary Poppins, the titular character of this fantastically unique and imaginative Disney film. Poppins is a magical nanny who teaches the Banks children valuable life lessons through magic and glorious song and dance. Her personality is utterly magnetic, utilizing music, a sharp wit, and a gentle, nurturing approach to reach the children. Who amongst us hasn’t thought of “A Spoonful of Sugar” whenever we’re taking nasty medicine? She has become an iconic part of our collective pop culture consciousness, being referenced from the 2012 London Olympics to “Gilligan’s Island” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Everyone loves their cool nanny, but Mary Poppins is the coolest of them all.

9. “The Terminator” franchise (1984-)

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a rather inexperienced actor at the time of “The Terminator,” yet his cold and emotionless performance helped create one of the most iconic characters in movie history. What makes the Terminator such a great character, aside from Schwarzenegger’s literally robotic performance, is his wonderful character arc. It was a move of inspired genius to turn the malicious Terminator into a hero, and “T2” is just as well remembered for its touching writing and character development as it is for the groundbreaking action. No matter what you think of the later movies, the first two “Terminator” films will always be classics, a reputation that is undoubtedly aided by its fascinating titular character.

10. “Rocky” franchise (1976-)

Who knew that a little movie made for around $1 million would spawn a franchise spanning over four decades? While Rambo is certainly Sylvester’s most badass role, Rocky is arguably his best. Maybe what makes Rocky so timeless and consistently popular are his pure ideals. He embodies everyday heroism - he believes in himself when no one else does, he stands up for what is right, he works hard to accomplish his goals, and he pushes on despite the spiritual and physical pain. These are universal themes that helped the “Rocky” franchise span countries and generations, and they made Rocky Balboa into a beloved cinematic icon. Those and his Greek God physique.