Top 10 Movie Characters That Will Become Iconic

These are the characters that’ll inspire generations for years to come. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the Top 10 Characters That Will Become Iconic in the Future.
For this list, we’re looking at modern movie characters that we think will have a lasting impact on audiences. So that this doesn’t just end up being an MCU/DC list, no comic book superheroes allowed! Sorry Tony. We’ll be discussing key plot details, so spoiler alert!

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019)
Sure, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie killed it as Rick Dalton and Sharon Tate, respectively. But the highlight of Tarantino’s film was Brad Pitt's laconic, worldly character Cliff Booth. A war veteran and stunt double in 60s Hollywood, Booth was based on several real-life stuntmen, as well as actor Tom Laughlin’s character “Billy Jack” - a cool, calm and collected lone hero type. Cliff served as the perfect foil for the stressed-out Rick, with their relationship forming the heart of the movie. In a land of phonies and wannabes, Cliff is content with the little he has, living in a trailer with his pit bull Brandy. He stole the show and held his own against some iconic Hollywood figures in the process.

“There Will Be Blood” (2007)
Driven by the pursuit of power, the lead of Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece represents the darkest aspects of humanity. Of course it doesn’t hurt that he’s portrayed with fanatical precision by Daniel Day-Lewis, who won his second Oscar for the role. Plainview presents himself as a family man running an oil business with his adopted son, but under the surface lurks a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and who’s single-mindedness is matched only by his inability to experience happiness. You’ll never forget the way he explains the process of “drainage” to the pastor Eli. There is something utterly absorbing about the character’s descent into madness.

“Whiplash” (2014)
There is nothing worse than mediocrity in the eyes of this fanatical music teacher, played by J.K. Simmons. In his approach to teaching Miles Teller’s determined jazz drummer Andrew, Fletcher employs tactics that are closer to a drill sergeant’s than a music instructor’s, and drives Andrew to almost unbearable limits to get the very best out of him. Fletcher is a man of tyrannical method - possibly the ultimate example of wanting to push people to suffer for their art. Simmons’ performance rightfully won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Fletcher would be proud.

“Gone Girl” (2014)
Played to cold, brutal perfection by Rosamund Pike, Amazing Amy is one of the most complex and memorable villains in a generation. After their relationship breaks down, and her husband Nick cheats on her, she initiates a complex scheme to make it look like Nick murdered her. She then watches him squirm, before deciding to come back and save him. Sociopathic, and shockingly comfortable with her rationalizations, Amy is a compelling character study of someone with no moral compass. Her thought processes and actions serve as a brilliant deconstruction of the “Cool Girl” archetype that keeps popping up in fiction.

“John Wick” (2014)
This film could have been a forgettable shoot ‘em up, if it weren’t for two things: the incredible gun fu choreography, and Keanu Reeves in the title role. John Wick is a hitman with a heart, who after making a career as one of the most dangerous assassins in the world, retires to get married. But after his wife passes away, and Russian gangsters kill the dog she left him as a parting gift, John Wick decides to get revenge. Reeves’s unflinching but subtly emotional portrayal of Wick made it arguably his best role since “The Matrix”, and instantly made the character one of the all time greatest action heroes.

“Drive” (2011)
A Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver, the Driver doesn’t have time for action movie one-liners and stunts just to look cool. In fact, he has very minimal dialogue throughout the film. But his actions say everything they need to about him: He’s powered by his profession, which gives him strength as he gets deeper into the seedy world of Los Angeles gangs and violence. The Driver is an anti-hero that hearkens back to an earlier time, but still keeps us glued to the screen and cheering him on today.

“No Country For Old Men” (2007)
Some killers feel remorse for their crimes. But not Anton Chigurh, the villain brought to life by the creepy, psychotic performance of Javier Bardem in this Coen Brothers adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel. Responsible for no less than 12 onscreen deaths in the film, Anton finds no pleasure in the atrocities he commits, making him even scarier. And it’s good that his actions speak louder than his appearance, because we don’t know how anyone could take him seriously otherwise with that haircut. Chigurh is a remorseless, unstoppable force of evil, a style that Bardem returned to, albeit with more feeling and humor, with his portrayal of Silva in Skyfall.

“Inglourious Basterds” (2009)
We probably could have filled half this list with Tarantino characters, but ultimately we went with this despicable and disturbingly charismatic Nazi Colonel. Landa never fails to both charm and repulse. In one scene he could be feeling giddy and excited, mangling American phrases like “Bingo”, and in another, he could be ordering the cruel, violent deaths of innocent people. He ultimately walks away free, but not without a constant reminder of the crimes he committed against humanity, courtesy of Lt. Aldo Raine. The one of a kind character would be nothing without the abilities of Christoph Waltz, who deservedly won his first Oscar for the performance.

“Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015)
Launching a new Star Wars trilogy was always going to be a challenge - especially finding a new lead. Thankfully, we got Rey, a heroine who was certainly up to the task. In a movie filled with instantly memorable new characters, Rey was able to become the most iconic of all, acting as the perfect bridge between old and new, with her quest to defeat the First Order and locate the mythical Luke Skywalker. Rey combines all the best aspects of past Star Wars heroes - Han’s loner attitude, Luke’s desire for greatness, and the strength and resilience of Leia - giving us a character that feels both familiar and fresh.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Benoit Blanc
“Knives Out”

Scott Pilgrim
“Scott Pilgrim vs The World”

Django
“Django Unchained”

The Armitages
“Get Out”

Lady Bird
“Lady Bird”

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)
Max Rockatansky was an icon going into the film, so he was able to take a back seat and allow a new face to shine. Enter Charlize Theron as Imperator Furiosa, a truly unprecedented character. Sporting a shaved head and prosthetic arm, Furiosa was originally a lieutenant of the repugnant ruler Immortan Joe. But she decides to rebel against him, leading his five imprisoned wives to a life of freedom. The result is an epic car chase through the Wasteland, where Furiosa showcases her fighting, shooting, and driving skills as she demolishes Joe and the War Boys. With Max’s help, she ultimately ends Joe’s tyrannical rule to create a new, better world. Need we say more?