Harry Potter is one of the most beloved fantasy characters today, but there are ten excellent heroes who are even more likable. While the books and films remain strong stories, much of Harry Potter hits differently as an adult. Still, the titular hero is a strong character in a colorful and magical world of magic, wizards, and witches.
The new Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone series on HBO Max is sure to revitalize the brand and make its lead character even more popular with a new generation. Dominic McLaughlin has an incredible legacy to live up to, however, as Daniel Radcliffe significantly helped in making Harry Potter into one of the most memorable figures in all fiction.
Still, the world of fantasy is enormous, and there are all kinds of stories told with fantastic characters. Much of this has been on television, with some of the best fantasy shows of all time airing in recent years. Game of Thrones featured many memorable characters, as did The Wheel of Time, The Shannara Chronicles, and countless others.
The future for fantasy in both movies and television looks to be bright. In future versions of this list, characters like Vin in the upcoming Mistborn movie might qualify. In the meantime, there have already been several fantastic characters seen in movies, with number one being practically undisputed as the most likable of all time.
10
Lucy Pevensie
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a stunning adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ celebrated novel, and the film features a fantastic cast of wonderful characters. However, it is Lucy, the youngest of the Pevensie children, who is the most likable of all.
Driven by curiosity and kindness, Lucy’s innate goodness and deep compassion are on display throughout the film. Even after Mr. Tumnus tries to trick her, in order to give her to the White Witch, he finds himself so enamored by her warmth that he instead helps her to escape.
Lucy’s faith in others helps each of them to be better, including Edmund. In this, she remains the beating heart of the film, serving as a point of audience connection for faith in others.
9
Tristan Thorn
Stardust is one of the most underrated and praiseworthy fantasy movies ever made, and much of this is due to the great characterization of Tristan Thorn at its core. A soulful romantic, Tristan is immediately relatable for his deep affection for Victoria, and grows significantly throughout the film.
Watching Tristan learn, and change throughout the story makes him such a relatable hero. He is a very flawed character from the outset, but he tries his best, and he responds thoughtfully and with great care for everything that comes his way.
Seeing the film’s hero learn exactly what he wants throughout the story’s unfolding helps to make Stardust so effective. Without a strongly layered and complex hero at its core, it would not work nearly so well.
8
Holga Kilgore
The cast of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is fantastic, and even Chris Pine’s Edgin Darvis would make a suitable character for this list. However, it is actually Holga who is the film’s most likable hero, and for several reasons.
Holga is brash, tough, and funny, as seen in the film’s opening prison scenes. More than this, though, she is the beating heart of the story, especially as she serves as a mother figure to Kira, a fact which motivates the entire ending of the film.
One of the best scenes, however, is dedicated to fleshing out Holga’s character. Her encounter with Marlamin at first seems like a silly cameo, casting Bradley Cooper as a halfling. Instead, the masterful sequence briskly examines a deep emotional connection between the characters, helping to make Holga the most complex and likable figure in the film.
7
Nausicaä
One of Studio Ghibli’s best offerings, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind tells an exciting story about the importance of the natural world, with much of the film’s heart being built off the characterization of the titular hero.
Nausicaä is young, and she is not perfect. However, the very real vulnerability that she shows as she attempts to save the Toxic Jungle from destruction highlights her incredible relatability. Bringing a deep care for the Omhu, she immediately endears herself with deep kindness and care.
Nausicaä is one of Ghibli’s finest films, and the eponymous hero is a large part of why it works so well. Dedicated, empathetic, and wanting to understand the world and the creatures around her more than anything else, she remains a very special hero.
6
Conan The Barbarian
1982’s Conan the Barbarian is very different from the kinds of fantasy stories that are popular today. Robert E. Howard’s fantastic pulp hero, who debuted in 1932, embodies a rougher and tougher kind of heroism than most of the heroes seen on this list.
The rarity of this kind of confident and strong masculinity perhaps helps Arnold Schwarzenegger’s version of the hero to feel even more special today. A quiet underdog, his loyalty to others and care for fighting against corruption help audiences to feel deeply connected to his mission.
The character has remained an important part of pop culture, and there is still hope even to this day that a King Conan sequel could still be produced.
5
Bilbo Baggins
The version of Bilbo Baggins seen in The Hobbit films is certainly one of the most likable and relatable fantasy heroes ever seen on screen. Resistant to leaving his comfortable home, Bilbo takes on his quest with reluctance that often turns to deep excitement.
He is a little bit stuffy, certainly, but also good-humored and complex. Seeing Bilbo come into himself throughout the journey, contributing especially with deep cleverness during his conflicts with both Gollum and Smaug, helps reveal the character’s depth.
All of this makes Bilbo’s perversion by the Ring, shown subtly in The Lord of the Rings, that much more tragic. He is a wonderful hero and a kind person, as well as one of the most likable heroes ever seen in the fantasy genre.
4
Elizabeth Swann
Elizabeth Swann is a fantastic character in the Pirates of the Caribbean cast, and her journey is one of the most effective parts of the franchise’s larger story. While characters like Jack Sparrow and, to a lesser extent, Will Turner have been given the most focus, Elizabeth is arguably even more interesting.
Resistant to the gendered norms thrust upon her, Elizabeth does a fantastic job in forging a path for herself. She rises through the ranks and is even elected as the Pirate King after Sao Feng’s death in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
Keira Knightley is a fantastic performer, and her work in this series is severely underrated. If the franchise continues with Pirates 6, bringing her back in a central role would be a smart move.
3
Matilda
An urban fantasy by the fantastic Roald Dahl, Danny DeVito’s Matilda features a protagonist that is unlike many of the other heroes on this list. Mara Wilson imbues the character with tremendous goodness as she discovers herself endowed with strange, fantastic powers.
Matilda exists in a world that does not support her. She is precocious and wise, but she is also very sweet, young, and vulnerable. This combination urges the viewer to care deeply for her and feel a strong connection with Miss Honey, who takes Matilda under her wing.
A sillier, looser, and more contemporary look at fantasy storytelling, Matilda is an incredibly special movie with a wonderful hero at its core. She stands up for the other students around her, all while striving to be the best version of herself that she can be.
2
Westley
The Princess Bride is a fantastically rewatchable film, and Westley is the beating heart of its story. Charming, witty, and capable, he delivers smart quips even while locked in the heat of battle. Merciful and honorable, he brings humanity to even the darkest stakes.
More than this, Westley remains so likable for his dedication to Buttercup. “As you wish,” his constant refrain, shows a deep respect for and fealty towards her, no matter how dark the depths they become driven to in their journey.
On top of this, he is incredibly competent, with a curious and compelling history both with and as the Dread Pirate Roberts. All of this, delivered with confidence but never arrogance, contributes to one of the most likable characters in fantasy fiction.
1
Samwise Gamgee
It is difficult to imagine a fantasy hero that is more likable than Samwise Gamgee. Frodo’s right-hand man commits to their quest with incredible dedication, bringing kindness, warmth, and an uplifting memory of home whenever the pair need it the most.
His devotion to their mission is unmatched, as is his loyalty to his friend. Even when Frodo falters, Sam’s good heart keeps the pair aligned on their quest. From Bag End all the way through to Mordor, he remains encouraging, selfless, and charming, believing resolutely in the inevitable triumph of good over evil.
While Harry Potter is a likable hero whom many can relate to, Samwise Gamgee is a character to aspire to. The weight of even the most difficult task is made so much lighter simply by having him around.
- First Appearance
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
- Alias
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The Boy Who Lived
- RELATIONSHIPS
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James Potter (father), Lily Potter (mother), Ginny Weasley (wife), Albus Dumbledore (mentor), Sirius Black (godfather), Ron Weasley (best friend), Hermione Granger (best friend), Lord Voldemort (adversary)
- Alliance
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Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore’s Army