Movies in the 21st century have given us a vast collection of amazing movie characters, who reshaped the stories they inhabited and stay with the audience after the film ends. From traditional heroes to complex villains, the characters in modern cinema have evolved to subvert expectations and embrace risk. In an era dominated by franchises and reboots, truly great characters stand out by feeling singular and alive.
Here, we list the greatest movie characters of the 21st century. Some of them belong to popular films that shaped our modern culture, and others redefined what audiences expect from the characters they see on screen. Brought to life by career-defining performances, they became inseparable from the actors who played them, turning great writing into unforgettable screen presences. Without a doubt, these characters helped define the cinema of the 21st century.
10 Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) – The Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)
Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series is a Muggle-born, gifted witch. From her first appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Hermione displays outstanding magical knowledge, down to the details of pronouncing a spell. Yes, it's Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sar. In her adventures with Harry and Ron, she becomes the emotional and intellectual backbone of the trio, who is well-prepared, brave and incredibly smart. In hindsight, it's perfectly clear that Harry would not be able to defeat Voldemort without her help.
Emma Watson’s portrayal helped turn Hermione into a generational role model, especially for young audiences. As a proactive and principled character, her character arc is essential to blockbuster and fantasy films in general. Hermione’s legacy extends far beyond the films, influencing conversations around education and empowerment. Even a decade after the series ended, Hermione remains one of the most beloved and impactful characters of the 21st century.
9 Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' (2003)
Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) stands at the helm of the Black Pearl, gazing out at he holds his compass in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' (2003).
Jack Sparrow — sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow enters the Pirates of the Caribbean films as a flamboyant rogue pirate who seems permanently one step behind, yet somehow always ends up ahead of everyone. He’s far from a typical pirate who relies on strength and violence, instead excelling in wit, instinct, and improvisation. With his addiction to rum, he always looks drunk, yet he is always loyal to his closest friends, despite his numerous attempts to betray them. Across the films, especially the original trilogy, he's a wild card lead character who always pushes the story forward.
Jack Sparrow is one of the great characters of the 21st century because he brings a refreshing energy to lead characters in movies. Johnny Depp's performance in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl is so good that he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor, a rare case for a fantasy comedy. Depp based the performance on a mix of Keith Richards and Wile E. Coyote, which explains how chaotic the character is. His walk, voice and mannerisms became instantly iconic, and you can bet someone will be dressing up as him during Halloween.
8 Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) – 'Dune' (2021) & 'Dune: Part Two' (2024)
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides wearing a protective scarf and nose piece in Dune Part Two.
Paul Atreides' journey in Dune begins with him as a thoughtful, uncertain young noble who gradually realizes a destiny that both empowers and traps him. As he integrates into Fremen culture, Paul evolves from a displaced heir into Lisan Al-Gaib, a mythic figure burdened by prophecy and political manipulation. His internal conflict between personal morality and the role imposed upon him defines the emotional core of the story, making his rise unsettling rather than traditionally triumphant.
Timothée Chalamet brings vulnerability and grace to Paul while resisting the temptation to portray him as a conventional hero. This portrayal resonates with modern audiences, reframing "the chosen one" trope as a cautionary tale that's wholly different compared to characters like Anakin Skywalker or Neo. With such complexity, Paul Atreides stands out as a 21st-century protagonist where good and evil are not clearly black and white, making him a more mature, critical depiction of leadership and destiny.
7 Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) – 'There Will Be Blood' (2007)
Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood (2007)
Daniel Plainview, the central character of There Will Be Blood, is the ultimate embodiment of ambition. From his early days as a lone prospector to his rise as a powerful tycoon, Daniel is driven by an all-consuming desire for dominance and wealth. He’s articulate and manipulative, viewing relationships as transactions and people as obstacles or tools, as evidenced by how he treats his mute adopted son and his relationship with Eli Sunday.
Daniel Day-Lewis, who won an Oscar for his role, delivers one of the most commanding performances in cinema,creating a character who is both mesmerizingly repellent and incredibly engaging to see on screen. His voice, posture, and explosive monologues have become legendary, cementing him as a character audiences study and quote. Daniel Plainview depicts the dark side of the American Dream, where violence and isolation reign to service his ambitions.
6 Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) – The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) and The Hobbit (2012-2014) Trilogies
Gandalf (Ian McKellen) confronts the Balrog in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
In The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Gandalf stands as the moral and spiritual backbone of the adventure across Middle-earth. He is a figure of wisdom who understands that true power lies not in domination but in guidance. For Frodo and the rest of the Fellowship, Gandalf is both mentor and warrior. His journey, from the Grey to the White, mirrors the larger struggle of the world around him and also his wisdom to face it.
Nominated for an Oscar, Sir Ian McKellen’s portrayal transforms Gandalf from a traditional fantasy archetype into a deeply human figure whose warmth, gravitas, and restraint provide a timeless quality. McKellen has played him a total of six times and is rumored to reprise the role in a new Middle-earth film. Gandalf’s influence on pop culture and the Lord of the Rings universe is so immense that the Amazon series Rings of Power, which is set centuries before the events of the trilogy, decided to include him even though, according to the books, he is not supposed to appear around that time.
5 Loki (Tom Hiddleston) – The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2011-Present)
Tom Hiddleston as President Loki smiling mischievously with a tattered suit and gold horns in Loki.
Loki first appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the adopted son of Odin, living in the shadow of his brother, Thor. As the God of Mischief, he is a cunning trickster and a confident villain. Nevertheless, his early journey is defined by resentment and a desperate need for validation. Across multiple films, he shifts between villain, antihero, and reluctant ally. Audiences saw one of his variants die in Avengers: Infinity War, yet his journey continues in a solo series, where he ultimately assumes the role of God of Stories.
Loki is one of Marvel's most complex characters. Initially framed as a villain, his character has arguably the biggest development throughout the vast film series. Tom Hiddleston infuses Shakespearean tragedy into the comic-book character, making him full of menace, vulnerability, and charisma. Hiddleston, who was previously unknown, became a household name, and the character became a fan-favorite who is immensely rewatchable. Marvel knows how audiences love Loki and cannot easily let go of the character, as he is one of the very few characters to appear in all the phases, including the upcoming massive Avengers: Doomsday.
4 Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) – 'Gone Girl' (2014)
Rosamund Pike looking at the camera in Gone Girl
Amy Dunne in Gone Girl seems to be the perfect wife. She is loving and faithful to her husband, who takes her for granted. But, in actuality, Amy controls the situation as a meticulous and intelligent psychopath resentful of her marriage, as it forces her to keep up a performance that gradually erases her true self. When she goes missing with a violent crime scene, the supposedly doting husband becomes the prime suspect.
Amy Dunne became a defining character of the 21st century because she criticizes the female role in society, albeit in an extreme way. The character becomes alive on screen thanks to the incredible script by author Gillian Flynn, who adapted her own novel for the screen. Rosamund Pike’s performance balances icy detachment with glimpses of vulnerability, making Amy relatable even though her actions are horrific. The character sparked intense cultural debate about gender roles and media sensationalism, refusing to fit neatly into moral categories. With precise direction from David Fincher, Amy made an impact in cinema as one of its most provocative characters.
3 Joker (Heath Ledger) – 'The Dark Knight' (2008)
Heath Ledger as The Joker leans out of the window of a moving police car in The Dark Knight.
Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight is pure chaos. His character is not motivated by money or power but only by chaos, a desire to disrupt order and morality in the fragile Gotham City. Joker easily manipulates the city's crime bosses and heroes, Batman, Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Dent, pushing Dent, who was a respected District Attorney, to embrace his dark side and become the vengeful Two-Face. As Batman's archnemesis, Joker's showdown with the Caped Crusader is everything fans wanted.
Ledger’s performance redefined cinematic villains. His performance was awarded a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, which is the first one given to an actor playing a comic book character. Infamously, there was fan backlash to his casting as the Joker, but Ledger proved his naysayers wrong right from his very first appearance in the film. His Joker left an indelible mark on pop culture, raising expectations for future Joker iterations and also antagonists across all genres.
2 Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) – 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), (Anya Taylor-Joy) – 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' (2024)
Charlize Theron as Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road
Imperator Furiosa first appears in Mad Max: Fury Road, stealing the thunder from the titular character as a hardened warrior determined to reach her goal. Her rebellion against Immortan Joe isn’t fueled by ego, but by a desperate need for justice and redemption. Audiences learn further about her character through her solo origin film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, where she is taken by a group of bandits from her home and rises through the ranks, driven by revenge.
Charlize Theron’s performance in Fury Road is ferocious. The character became an instant cultural icon, celebrated for redefining female action heroes without sacrificing complexity or vulnerability. When the torch is passed to Anya Taylor-Joy, she gives her all to Furiosa with an intense and physical performance, making her one of the best movie heroes in recent memory. Both actresses portrayed Furiosa beautifully, displaying the strength and emotional weight the character carries through minimal dialogue. Furiosa is not just a great female hero, but she is one of the best film characters in cinema.
1 Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) – 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009)
Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds
Hans Landa, the so-called “Jew Hunter” of Inglourious Basterds, is an educated and charming SS officer who loves to discuss various things and presents himself as a friend, but everything is like a game to him; he uses his civility as a mask for cruelty. In the film, he becomes enemy number one for Shosanna Dreyfuss, a French Jewish girl whose family was brutally murdered by Landa. Driven by self-interest, Landa also becomes instrumental in the Basterds' mission to kill Hitler.
Christoph Waltz’s Oscar-winning performance turned Landa into an instant classic villain. His ability to switch from affable to monstrous within seconds keeps both characters and audiences perpetually on edge. Quentin Tarantino writes Landa's dialogue masterfully, making each of his sentences intense and eerily entertaining. His character is wholly different than a typical movie villain, and that makes it both refreshing and disturbing, making him one of the most unsettling antagonists of modern cinema.
