Only 10% Of People Can Name These Famous Movie Characters
- by Johnny Reynolds
- – on
- in Movies and TV
It's weird to think that film as an art form has only been around essentially for a century. That's not too long in the grand scheme of human kind, especially when compared to other art forms. Still, film has managed to captivate us all through a variety of styles by showcasing some breathtaking talent.
We all go to see movies for different reasons: maybe it's to see jaw-dropping visual effects, maybe it's to be frightened to your very core, or maybe it's to laugh yourself silly. Whatever type of movie is your favorite, one of the most important things we rely on to make a story work is the inclusion of interesting characters.
For many of us, good characters can make or break a movie. There are many fields and aspects that come together to create a movie, but for the general public, they see movies for the characters and their journeys. And most movies are only successful if their characters are.
Film has given us countless wonderful characters to be thankful for. Fictional people that we as an audience could connect with and share emotions with. And many of them are as famous as the movies they appeared in. So how many of these famous movie characters can you remember? Take our quiz to text your movie knowledge.
What is the name of the man trying to get home to his children in "Inception?"
It's hard to believe that Christopher Nolan's "Inception" was released 8 years ago. The sci-fi blockbuster was a massive hit the year it came out and is still considered one of the best modern sci-fi films. The plot revolving around dream worlds and creating/destroying ideas within these worlds was smart enough to capture the imagination of film lovers but accessible enough to not alienate general audience members. Leonardo DiCaprio led the film as a man trying to get back to America to see his children again. What was his name?
What is Magneto's real name?
Superheroes are part of the film world now, and it doesn't seem like they'll going anywhere anytime soon. While the likes of Superman and Batman enjoyed success in the 80s and 90s, the real superhero boom was kicked off when "X-Men" was released in 2000. What moviegoers were finding out that comics fans already knew was that the X-Men had one of the most tragic and diabolical villains of any superhero movie. Magneto was first played by Ian McKellan but has since been explored in new ways by Michael Fassbender. But what is the mutant's real name?
What is the villain's name from "No Country For Old Men?"
In 2007, the Coen Brothers released "No Country for Old Men," a drama about a hunter who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and decides to steal the $2 million left behind. But it isn't too long before he's hunted down by this bone-chilling villain. Javier Bardem's performance as the cold and determined villain won him an oscar, and the film also took home awards for Best Picture and Best Director. This villain was shown to be unstoppable, but what was his name?
Who is the primary antagonist of James Bond?
Everyone knows James Bond: the devilishly handsome agent of Britain's super-spy organization, MI6. Each movie has presented him with a challenge and a villain to surpass. And he's beaten them every time. Spanning many of Bond's films, the evil organization known as SPECTRE would deploy their own agents for secret plots that Bond had to stop. And the man behind SPECTRE was bathed in shadow, until Bond was able to track him down and defeat him. This villain has since been recreated for the Daniel Craig era but was first seen way back in 1963. What is his name?
What is Voldemort's real name?
Every once in a while, a series comes along that completely changes the world of pop culture. Harry Potter is one of those franchises, and is definitely one of the biggest. The conflict between the Boy Who Lived and the horribly evil wizard to tried to kill him captured the imagination of an entire generation and is still going strong today. The villain was built up over multiple entries to show audiences just how dangerous he could be. Characters were even afraid to say the name 'Voldemort.' But what is his real name?
What is the name of the future human resistance leader in "Terminator II: Judgment Day?"
Often called one of the best action movies ever made, "Terminator II: Judgment Day" accomplished something very rare for a sequel: it was better than the original. The plot of the second installment followed a troubled young boy who would grow up to be the leader of the human resistance against the evil Skynet. A T-1000 was sent back in time to kill the boy before he can become this leader, but luckily for him, the resistance sent back Arnie's T-800 to protect him. He's since been played by multiple actors across various sequels, but what is his name?
What is the name of the cop from "Die Hard?"
Bruce Willis is now one of the biggest stars on the planet, and has been for quite some time. And his rise to superstardom can be traced all the way back to this 80s action classic. Based off the novel "Nothing Lasts Forever," the story followed a New York City cop traveling to LA to try and reconnect with his estranged wife. Unluckily for him, her office's Christmas party gets interrupted by German terrorists and he must fight them all off alone. It's been given several sequels, making the character very famous. What is his name?
What is the name of the unjustly jailed protagonist from "The Shawshank Redemption?"
1994's "The Shawshank Redemption" is considered by many, MANY people to be the best movie ever made. It tells the story of a man who is sentenced to prison for murdering his wife and her lover. The only thing is he's completely innocent. He spends many years behind bars, trying to survive violent tormentors and not lose his humanity. After a time, he's able to escape. And the story of his determination and perseverance has enraptured viewers for years. What is this inmate's name?
Who is the son that takes over the family business in "The Godfather?"
1972's "The Godfather" is considered to be one of the best crime movies ever made, and it deserves that praise. It focuses on the old leader of a crime organization as he tries to pass on his knowledge to his reluctant son. The movie was praised for it's gritty tone and powerful performances. And it would go on to spawn two sequels (one of which is thought to be better than the original) that explore how this son runs his father's business. What is the name of this son?
Who is the killer in "Psycho?"
If ever there was a character to point to that says things aren't always what they seem, it would be this deranged character from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." When a young woman stops at his seemingly innocent motel, she overhears how his mother treats him. While she thinks she is helping the poor man by giving him advice, she's actually striking a nerve. And it's a mistake that results in her being murdered by the mother. The twist that this character is actually insane and murdering people as his mother is legendary by now. What is his name?
Who was the protagonist of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?"
Together, the late great Milos Forman and Jack Nicholson gave the world one of the best movies ever made. The story follows a criminal who admits himself voluntarily to an insane asylum to get out of serving time in prison. Or at least, that's what you're meant to believe at the start of the story. Over the course of the movie, the protagonist's behavior becomes more antagonistic, leading him to do some pretty crazy things. Eventually, the head nurse as him lobotomized so that he won't be a problem any more. What is his name?
What is the name of the "American Psycho?"
Before Christian Bale embodied the role of Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, he played this NYC investment banking executive who liked to spend his free time performing increasingly disturbing and violent acts. Some of these acts included murdering a homeless man and his dog, butchering his co-worker with an axe, and chainsawing a prostitute to death. But as the plot unfolds, the audience becomes aware that the events playing out are just fantasies in his head. What is his name?
What is the name of Kate Winslet's character in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?"
Kate Winslet has given some truly impressive performance such as the love-struck Rose in "Titanic" or the Oscar-winning Hanna Schmitz in "The Reader." One of her most engaging characters, however, was in the 2004 indie darling "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," which takes place in a world where the technology to erase painful memories exists. She plays one half of a couple who erase each other after a painful break-up and her character explored the stereotype of the manic pixie dream girl in unique ways. What is her character's name?
Who is the taxi driver from "Taxi Driver?"
We have the great Martin Scorsese to thank for some of cinema's grittiest and violently delightful films. And we owe "Taxi Driver," his breakthrough film, a great deal too. Scorsese had successful films before that, such as 1973's "Mean Streets," but it was his 1976 psychological thriller that really put him (and star Robert De Niro) on the map. The film focuses on an honorably discharged marine driving a cab in NYC as he tries to deal with his increasingly violent thoughts towards the crime and politics of his neighborhood. What is the taxi driver's name?
What is the name of the final girl in "Halloween?"
This 1978 horror masterpiece started a craze that thrived throughout the 80s: the slasher. John Carpenter's "Halloween" focused on a troubled boy named Michael Myers who spent the past 15 years in a mental institution for murdering his sister. The film's plot followed him after he escaped and returned to his hometown to kill again. The unlucky teens caught in his murder spree were led by this strong-willed heroine, who has since appeared in a number of sequels and is set to return in the franchise's reboot. What is her name?
What is The Riddler's real name?
When Joel Schumacher took over as the Batman franchise director from Tim Burton, the result was...less than great. "Batman Forever" took a more family friendly approach, so was therefore still a box office success. One thing about the film that was done right was the casting of Jim Carrey as one of Batman's cleverest foes, The Riddler. Carrey brought his signature zany comedy that made him a star to the character and stole the show. What is The Riddler's real name though?
What is the name of the heroine from the "Alien" franchise?
The two newest entries in the series have given us new heroines to root for, but for the majority of the movies we followed this awesome heroine as she fought to take down the terrifying xenomorphs. First appearing in 1979's "Alien," this woman was part of a crew on a ship that receives a transmission they believe to be a distress call. Landing on a nearby moon, one of them is attacked by an unknown life form and that's when the terror begins. What is the name of this sole survivor of that mission?
What is the name of the Mockingjay?
After Harry Potter, many studios began searching for their own series of young adult books to base a film franchise off of. Unfortunately, way too many of them got made at once and weren't nearly as good. Some only saw one movie, but others were much more successful. One of the most popular ones was "The Hunger Games," which told the story of a dystopian future where the rich force the poor to sacrifice several young children to fight to the death in an arena. What was the name of the character that eventually led a rebellion against this?
What is the name of the possessed girl from "The Exorcist?"
When "The Exorcist" first premiered in 1973, it was unlike anything audiences had ever experienced before. It wasn't like today, where we get movies about demon possession all the time. The practical effects work seen here was so well done that it caused some audience members to faint. The movie focused on an ordinary girl who became possessed by a demon named Pazuzu and her mother who tried anything and everything to save her daughter. The film spawned multiple sequels and a TV show, though nothing ever reached the acclaim of the original. What was the name of the girl?
What is the name of the psychotic father in "The Shining?"
While Stephen King didn't appreciate the amount of changes done to his original novel, there's no denying that Stanley Kubrick created a horror classic when he adapted "The Shining." And that film would incomplete without Jack Nicholson' s terrifying performance in the lead role. It focuses on a small family as they take over management of a massive hotel during the winter while it's closed down. But there is some thing haunting the hotel that causes the father to go insane, creting a desire to murder his wife and son. What is his name?
What is the name of the Blade Runner?
Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is a seminal sci-fi film. But it can be hard to pin down which version you should watch, as there are a surprising amount. But no matter which one you choose, the main character played by Harrison Ford is still iconic. His job as a blade runner is to hunt down four rogue replicants (androids) who have stolen a ship and are on their way to Earth to find their creator. The film was also given a sequel 35 years later that explored this future world even further. What is the name of the blade runner?
What is the name of the little boy from "E.T.?"
"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" is a timeless story about a little boy who becomes best friends with an alien and must help him escape to his home planet before government agents capture him. Directed by Steven Spielberg, it became a giant hit when it was released in 1982 and it's popularity has only grown over the years. It's one of those movies that you simply must see at least once. And every child's imagination was captured as they connected with the young boy who was just trying to help his friend. What was his name?
Who is the patriarch of the Griswold family?
Throughout the 80s, National Lampoon made a name for themselves for producing the wildest comedies around. And one of their films, "Vacation," turned into a popular franchise. The films focused on the Griswold family as they tried to maintain any semblance of a normal vacation. The first film followed them as they tried to make it through a wacky road trip to a theme park. But the most popular one may be "Christmas Vacation," which is still considered a holiday classic. What was the name of the man who led his family through the increasingly absurd situations?
What is the name of the Beverly Hills cop?
Despite what you may currently think, there was a time when Eddie Murphy was a hot commodity thanks to his hilarious stand up routines. He became one of the go-to actors for 80s comedies and created a legacy because of it. One of his more popular roles was in 1984's "Beverly Hills Cop," where he played an out-of-town cop pursuing the murder of his friend. The film was a hit thanks to Murphy's performance as the freewheeling cop and received two sequels, with rumors of a fourth installment still circulating. What is this cop's name?
Who was the wisecracking member of the Ghostbusters?
When "Ghostbusters" was released in 1984, it set the world on fire. It was a delightful blend of comedy and otherworldly sci-fi. It centered around a group of scientists who always believed that ghosts inhabited our world. And once they were able to prove it, they opened up their own extermination business to get rid of the pesky spirits. Each character had a unique personality, but the stand-out character was Bill Murray's sarcastic funny man. What was the name of this ghostbuster?
What is the name of the main kid from "The Goonies?"
"The Goonies" is one of the few huge movie successes from the 80s that hasn't brought back in some way, by either sequel or remake. Which is probably a good thing since many of it's fans hold it in extreme high regard. And there's no reason it ever should be remade. It's a timeless tale about a group of friends that go on a treasure hunt together and must escape the clutches of actual criminals. "The Goonies" perfectly captured the feeling of going on adventures with your friends as a kid. What was the name of the main kid?
What is the name of the princess from "The Breakfast Club?"
This seminal 80s coming of age movie focused on five very different teenagers as they spent a Saturday in detention together. Though very different, they would soon bond through these differences. Most adults in their lives only saw them for the high school stereotypes that they fit into: the jock, the princess, the basket case, the geek, and the criminal. Molly Ringwald played the princess character and easily became one of the film's most popular and dynamic characters. What is the name of this character?
What is the name of the doctor from "Back to the Future?"
"Back to the Future" is one of the most beloved films of the 1980s, and it's even spawned a couple of sequels, a cartoon, some video games, and a pretty decent comic series. The adventures of Marty McFly and Doc as they try to fix their timeline has provided us all with a lot of entertainment. Doc, being the inventor of the first time machine, has a suitably whacky appearance. With is crazy hair and eccentric flair, he's not a character you'll forget soon. Most of the time he's referred to as Doc, but what is his real name?
What is the name of the dance instructor from "Dirty Dancing?"
1987's "Dirty Dancing" told the story of a young girl who goes to a resort in the Catskills with her family and falls in love with the resort's dancing instructor. It's a simple premise, but the chemistry between the two leads and the sensual dance numbers has propelled it to being one of the essential romance films of all time. Over 30 years later, it remains as one of many people's favorite films of the decade. Patrick Swayze played the dance instructor, but can you remember his name?
What is the name of the hero from "The Princess Bride?"
"The Princess Bride" was first released in 1987 and it has only gotten better with time. It's hilarious sense of humor and wildly entertaining characters have given it a lasting presence in pop culture history that few other movies can match without creating sequels. The story is told by an old man reading to his sick grandson, and follows a young hero as he tries to save his true love from her marriage to the evil Prince Humperdinck. But it's the movie's characters that make it truly special. What was the name of the young hero?
What is the name of the father in "To Kill A Mockingbird?"
Set in the Depression-era South, this 1962 drama based off Harper Lee's novel of the same name followed a town trial of an undeserved rape charge of a black man. The lawyer who defends the man is the father of our young protagonist, Scout. She sees him as a hero, defending those who can't defend themselves. He tries his best to instill in his children the thought that all people should be treated equally, no matter what they look like. What was the name of this lawyer?
What is the name of the main character in "Say Anything...?"
The quintessential scene form this classic 80s romantic comedy has been spoofed more times than we can count. It's been used in other movies, TV shows, and even some commercials. The plot of the movie that the iconic boom box scene is from tells the story of an underachiever who falls in love with the smartest girl in school. It takes place during the summer after their high school graduation as they wade through their feelings for one another while trying to figure out their future. What is the name of the boy?
What is the name of the little boy in "Home Alone?"
There's nothing quite like the lasting appeal of a good Christmas movie. When filmmakers create one, they pretty much guarantee that they're movie will be watched by millions of people come the holiday season, and some of them continue to watch each and every year. "Home Alone" is one of those Christmas classics. It's the story of a boy who is accidentally left behind by his family when they go on their holiday vacation and how he must protect their house from a duo of thieves. What is the name of this little boy?
What is Mr. Orange's real name in "Reservoir Dogs?"
Spoiler alert for a 26 year old movie. "Reservoir Dogs" was Quentin Tarantino's first film and focused on a group of bank robbers after a heist gone wrong as they try to figure out which one of them is a rat. Each of them is given codenames to protect their identity, such as Mr. Orange who turns out to be an undercover cop. The twist that he was the rat was surprising, as he took a bullet in the gut during the getaway. What is Mr. Orange's real name?
What is the name of Audrey Hepburn's character in "Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
For those of you who have never seen the movie: no, the main character of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is not named Tiffany. Based on Truman Capote's novella of the same name, this 1961 romantic comedy is now famous thanks to Audrey Hepburn's style in the movie. Hepburn played a naïve and eccentric socialite who falls for a man who moves into her building. This character seems to have transcended the movie itself, and is easily Hepburn's most well-known role. What is this character's name?
What is the name of the crime boss's wife in "Pulp Fiction?"
For Quentin Tarantino's second directorial effort, he sought to create a sprawling violent crime film and came up with the glorious "Pulp Fiction." The film was broken up into sections, each telling a story that was intertwined with the others. One segment focused on the wife of a powerful gangster as she was taken out for a night on the town by one the gangster's men. But the night would get interrupted when she almost overdosed on heroin thinking it was cocaine. What is her name?
Who is the hero of "Jumanji?"
1995's "Jumanji" is one of several movies that kids who grew up during the decade hold close to their hearts. So when a sequel was announced in 2017, many people were understandably upset. But "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" proved to be a fun time, and even paid homage to main character from the original film. This character was a boy who was trapped inside the world of the game for decades before he was accidentally released and allowed to finish the game so he could return to his childhood. What is his name?
Who is the unfortunate first victim in "Psycho?"
For a movie that was released in 1960, "Psycho" is still utterly chilling. And part of what made it so intriguing was the decision to build up this protagonist before killing her off. For the first third of the movie, we spend a lot of time with this young woman. We see how she rips off her boss for a large amount of money and leave town to start a new life. Unfortunately, she stopped at the Bates Motel and the masterful shower scene was born. What is her name?
What is the name of the little boy who can see dead people in "The Sixth Sense?"
When M. Night Shyamalan released his directorial debut in 1999, it blew the collective minds of audience members everywhere. This was during a time where twist ending weren't part of every other movie. So finding out that Bruce Willis's character had been dead the entire time came as quite the shock. Audience members also loved the little boy who had this special and scary ability, played by a young Haley Joel Osment. What was the name of the little boy who could see dead people?
Who plays Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire?
This actor solidified himself as a Hollywood legend with multiple performances. Whether you love him as The Godfather or Colonel Kurtz, he has brought his signature intensity to many films. But his breakthrough performance came in 1951's "A Streetcar Named Desire." The film focuses on a woman from an aristocratic background mysteriously leaving her home to live with her sister and antagonizing husband. As the husband, Brando brought the ferocity he would become known for to the role. What was his name?
What is the name of the group leader in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
Joel and Ethan Coen spent the 1990s creating some of the most bizarrely charming movies of the decade. Most of their films centered around flawed characters who were quite different from the leading heroes most movies were showcasing. And their first movie of the new millennium, 2000's "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" was no different. It was loosely based on The Odyssey and followed three recently escaped convicts as the sought a treasure. The film became an instant hit thanks to its dark humor and catchy folk soundtrack. What was the main character's name?
What is the name of the inspector from the "Pink Panther" movies?
Sometimes when filmmakers have a really great character on their hands, they'll give that character an entire series. It's a lot more common in Hollywood now. First appearing in 1963's "The Pink Panther," this bumbling detective would star in a slew of sequels well into the 70s before the death of the lead actor. It didn't stop there however, as there have been two installments starring Steve Martin released. Though those weren't exactly well-received. What is the name of the blundering and hilarious inspector from the "Pink Panther" films?
What is the name of the governor's daughter in "Pirates of the Caribbean?"
Who would've thought that when "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" came out in 2003 that it would turn into a massive franchise? The film series introduced Johnny Depp to an entirely new audience through his performance as the lovable pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow. But it also made a star out of Kiera Knightley, who played a governor's daughter/love interest to Orlando Bloom's Will Turner. Her character was kidnapped by a group of undead pirates looking for Will. What is her name?
What is the real name of the Jigsaw killer?
Creating a massive multiple-movie spanning horror series was a lot more common a couple of decades ago, so it says a lot about the popularity of the gruesome "SAW" movies that it was able to go on for eight movies. The films follow the brilliant mind of the Jigsaw killer as he finds people who take life for granted and puts them in deadly traps. He believes these traps will force them to confront how they've been living, either escaping with newfound respect for life or being brutally murdered. What is his name?
Which Christmas classic is George Bailey from?
This movie was released in 1946 and it is still, to this day, a perfect Christmas movie. The plot follows a man who becomes disillusioned on Christmas Eve. And while that wouldn't sound like a perfect Christmas movie, it's his journey of discovery that makes it so. He is visited by a guardian angel who shows him what the world would be like without him. The angel shows him just how much good he did in his life for his community. And it makes him happy to be alive. What is the name of this man?
Who is the main character of "Casablanca?"
Often heralded as the having the best Hollywood screenplay ever written, this 1942 romantic drama focuses on the bitter owner of a nightclub in Casablanca. It takes place during the beginnings of WWII while the USA was still neutral. The club attracts a variety of guests like German officials, refugees, and the owner's former love. She arrives with her new husband, though both of them never got over each other. It confronts the owner with the decision to let her go so she and her husband can escape to America. What was the owner's name?
Who is the main character from "Singin' In The Rain?"
This 1952 musical classic told the story of a silent film studio's difficult transition into using sound. While that may not sound like much of an enticing plot, it's the joyful and lovable characters, as well as the immensely impressive musical numbers, that have solidified it in film history. The star of the studio's productions falls in love with the actress who gets brought in to dub over his co-star's obnoxious voice. The talent of this film's star helped it to reach iconic status. But what is his character's name?
What is the main character's name from "The Sound of Music?"
Julie Andrews has built a career off of portraying ethereal yet powerful characters. From Disney's delightful "Mary Poppins" to her starring role in "The Sound of Music" up to "The Princess Diaries," she is thought of as Hollywood royalty due to her incomparable talent. "The Sound of Music," one of her most revered performances, follows the story of a young woman in 1938 who leaves her home at an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower. What is the name of this woman?
Who is the main character from "The Graduate?"
This 1967 classic about a recent college grad falling for the daughter of an older woman he had a fling with features multiple scenes that are more famous than some movies entirely. The character of Mrs. Robinson, the sensual older woman, will hold a place in pop culture history for quite a long time. And with it's deceptively dark plot filled with satirical comedy, you can bet the movie will too. But what was the name of the young man who wins over the heart of the daughter in the end?
What is the name of the anti-hero from "A Clockwork Orange?"
Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" is one of the most disturbing movies ever created and it's reached that high spot without even showing that much blood. The first half of the film focuses on a young man growing up in a slightly dystopian London as he and his friends cause all sorts of violent mayhem. The second half focuses on his rehabilitation through torture after he gets caught. This character has been spoofed countless times now and has since reached historic status. What is his name?