Watching incredible feats of heroism as timeless figures saved the day led to some of the most iconic moments in film history and solidified their place among the greatest movie heroes of all time. From out-of-this-world superheroes to more grounded protagonists across action, horror, and sci-fi, the appeal of iconic heroes comes down to many things, including captivating courage, spectacular showcases of brute strength, or even more subtle qualities that signal the virtue of a selfless hero. These stars all became icons in their own right, yet each has different qualities that make them stand out in film history.

While many of the movie heroes of all time.

15 Ash Williams

Evil Dead (1981 - Present)

As the protagonist of the Evil Dead franchise, Ash Williams has faced off against sinister Deadites across film, TV, video games, and comics. Bolstered by Bruce Campbell's impeccable comedic sensibilities, the darkest aspects of this horror series were lightened by the slapstick stylings of Ash’s incredible battles with demonic creatures as he utilized his infamous chainsaw and boomstick to fight back against the evil forces let loose after he recited the Necronomicon incantations. As one of the most engaging and iconic horror heroes of all time, Ash Williams was truly one of a kind in his relentless quest for survival.

14 Sarah Connor

Terminator (1984 - Present)

As one of the most badass women in action and sci-fi movie history, Sarah Connor’s role as the mother of humanity’s future savior, John Connor, made her an essential figure in the Terminator franchise. While Linda Hamilton may have appeared like a typical damsel in distress at the beginning of the original The Terminator, as the franchise continued with classics like Terminator 2: Judgment Day, she proved herself a capable hero of serious fortitude. By training and preparing her son for the inevitability of Skynet’s attempted world takeover, Sarah Connor became a noble and selfless symbol of the resistance herself.

13 Harry Potter

Harry Potter (2001 - 2011)

As the boy who lived in J.K. Rowling’s World of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it’s impossible not to feel for the difficult childhood of Harry Potter, who was forced to live in a cupboard by his cruel, unfeeling aunt and uncle. Yet, throughout the series, it was thrilling to watch Harry grow and mature into a true hero capable of taking on the evil wizard Lord Voldemort himself. As a true modern fantasy classic, there’s no denying Harry’s place among the greatest movie heroes of all time.

12 John McClane

Die Hard (1988 - 2013)

When the world was first introduced to Bruce Willis’ portrayal of John McClane in Die Hard back in 1988, action movie heroes had devolved into over-the-top caricatures of brooding musclemen played by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. However, McClane’s everyman portrayal of a no-nonsense cop taking on a gang of terrorists in an enclosed space helped revolutionize the action movie landscape and led to a litany of copycat movies. McClane redefined the notion of an action-movie hero and made Willis a worldwide star in the process.

11 Frodo Baggins

The Lord of the Rings (2001 - 2003)

The affable hobbit of the Shire, Frodo Baggins, was the unlikely hero of The Lord of the Rings, the beloved fantasy film series based on the iconic novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. Having inherited the One Ring from his cousin Bilbo Baggins, Frodo’s heroism was not in brute strength or clever calculations but in knowing the difference between right and wrong and embarking on the quest to Mordor to destroy the ring. The noble way Frodo willingly gave up untold powers showed incredible resilience and was the true mark of a genuine hero.

10 The Man with No Name

Dollars Trilogy (1964 - 1966)

Clint Eastwood’s characterization of The Man with No Name across Sergio Leone’s Dollar Trilogy made him an all-time film icon and was perhaps the definitive representation of a lone, stoic Wild West outlaw who plays by his own rules. Across A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Eastwood’s performance was the epitome of onscreen charisma. While The Man with No Name was not a traditional hero, his anti-hero persona and personal moral code made him an icon of Western cinema.

9 Spider-Man/Peter Parker

Spider-Man (1962 - Present)

While comic fans were first introduced to the teenage web-slinger Peter Parker in 1962, Spider-Man’s film history includes the beloved Sam Raimi trilogy, a reboot series with Andrew Garfield, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe installments with Tom Holland. All these taken together made Spider-Man a true movie hero icon, as powerfully represented by the major excitement when all three major Peter Parker actors appeared together in the multiverse story Spider-Man: No Way Home. As a hero who knows better than anyone that “with great power comes great responsibility,” Spider-Man is one of the all-time great heroes.

8 Rocky Balboa

Rocky (1976 - Present)

With the original Rocky movie in 1976, writer and star Sylvester Stallone gave the world its defining sports underdog story and a heroic character whose popularity has continued to this day. Rocky Balboa’s willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals and his fearless showdowns against his rival and later friend Apollo Creed or sinister villains like Ivan Drago represented some of the most iconic moments in film history. With a Rocky statue genuinely being placed near the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the iconic imagery of this franchise has even bled into real life.

7 Superman/Clark Kent

Superman (1938 - Present)

There’s no denying Superman’s place as one of the most iconic figures in all of pop culture, and his incredible strength and extraordinary abilities make him the quintessential superhero. From serialized films in the 1940s, Christopher Reeve's portrayal in the 1970s, and Henry Cavill’s more recent take on the character, Superman is an enduring hero that audiences will still be talking about and eager to see 100 years from now. With unmatched power and an undeniable impact that laid the groundwork for every superhero that came after him, it’s essential to recognize the importance of Superman.

6 Luke Skywalker

Star Wars (1977 - Present)

The hero’s journey undergone by Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy turned a whole generation of viewers onto sci-fi and led to the development of one of the biggest franchises the world has ever seen. From his isolated, orphaned upbringing on the planet Tatooine to learning the ways of the Jedi, Luke’s story was made all the more impactful through the revelation that his enemy, Darth Vader, was his own father, who he believed to have died. Luke’s story is a timeless tale of reaching one’s potential and overcoming adversity, which makes him an all-time great hero.