The fantasy genre is one of the most widely celebrated and expansive genres, not only in the world of feature filmmaking but also in all of pop culture and non-fiction storytelling in general. From enchanting and widely beloved written novels to captivating prestige television series, there is an enchanting nature to fantasy stories that keeps audiences coming back to them time after time. Several fantasy stories have grown so popular that, even if someone hasn’t seen the original film that popularized them, they may instantly recognize the fantasy character by design alone.
Whether it be a quintessential adaptation that revolutionizes an already popular character and expands its reach to wider audiences or an immediately effective original character, fantasy characters prove to be some of the most memorable and recognizable characters in film. Ever since the very beginning of film, the mystifying nature of the genre was built towards creating unforgettable experiences, so it would only make sense that this unforgettable nature would apply to the characters as well.
10
Totoro
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
One of the most recognizable anime fantasy characters of all time, to the point of even being the logo and primary iconography for the studio that created him, My Neighbor Totoro‘s titular giant cat is a beacon of charm and cuteness. Totoro’s cuddly and adorable energy, as one of the earliest standout characters from Studio Ghibli and anime filmmaking as a whole, propelled the character into instant icon status as a symbol for fantasy anime filmmaking.
The character has grown so recognizable that even those who aren’t as in touch with anime as a whole will be quick to name the lovable Totoro. The cutesy design and lovable demeanor certainly go a long way in terms of giving the character a wholesome and soothing energy, even for those unfamiliar. Even for a film released over 35 years ago, Studio Ghibli’s continued usage of the character for merchandising, as well as their long-standing logo, will mean that Totoro may never truly fall out of recognition with everyday people.
9
Conan the Barbarian
‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1982)
The cliché of a powerful fantasy warrior traveling off on an impactful journey to slay a great evil and do justice to those they love has been a staple of fantasy filmmaking for generations, with one of the most iconic portrayals of this style of character being Conan the Barbarian. While the character was an ever-present figure in pop culture for nearly 100 years after their debut in 1932, easily the most iconic and recognizable version of the character comes from the fan-favorite 80s films, where he was portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger’s performance elevated the character to new heights of popularity and recognition, making the character the defining example of a Stoic barbarian in larger fiction. Especially as barbarians and muscular, sword-wielding warriors continue to be a prevalent character style in fantasy stories, Conan stands tall as the definitive example of this archetype. The design is also incredibly simple yet extremely captivating, allowing Schwarzenegger’s muscles to do all the heavy lifting in terms of leaving an impact.
8
The Grinch
Various Grinch Movies
A classic Dr. Seuss character that only grew in popularity thanks to its various adaptations of film, The Grinch is now a staple of the Christmas season as the symbolic personification of holiday-related grumpiness and anger. The character easily stands out as the most recognizable of all the different Seuss characters, whether it be the classic 60s animated version, the high-energy live-action portrayal by Jim Carrey, or even the modern Illumination film.
Even if someone out there somehow hasn’t experienced any of the notable Christmas films that The Grinch has played a part in over the years, the character’s constant usage and memorability make them incredibly recognizable every holiday season. The character has become the go-to Christmas villain not only within his films but in wider pop culture and fantasy nonfiction as a whole. They’ve held the mantle as the all-time great bad guy of Christmas for over 60 years now, as it’s hard to imagine a future where they don’t continue to be as recognizable as ever.
7
Ariel
‘The Little Mermaid’ (1989)
While all the films may be disconnected from one another, Disney princesses are a powerful brand of themselves, with each of their distinct fantasy stories touching the hearts of young children and adults alike. It’s difficult to point out just a single Disney princess as the most recognizable and iconic, as many of them found their start in classic fairy tales, yet there’s something about the Disney adaptation of mermaid princess Ariel that is still iconic to this day.
While it certainly helps that The Little Mermaid was a widely beloved and acclaimed film in its own right that helped Disney out of their infamous rut and transitioned them to their renaissance period, Ariel’s popularity in itself goes well beyond the musical classic. There’s just something about the wonder and elegance of being a mermaid that makes the character an icon even among the iconic Disney princess brand. Whether it be the animated original or the live-action remake with Halle Bailey, Ariel will always be an icon of fantasy, wonder, and joy.
6
Shrek
The ‘Shrek’ Franchise (2001–)
A character that was built up directly to spit in the face of the style of safe, cutesy fantasy stories that Disney had built their entire brand upon, Shrek was such a massive culture shock to the fantasy genre that it was immediately felt worldwide. While the character technically existed before the iconic Dreamworks animated films, it’s the film adaptations that made the character such an iconic force for fantasy comedy movies. However, the true extent of the film’s icon status wouldn’t be felt until the rise of the digital era and social media.
Something about the crass absurdity and inherent nostalgia of Shrek as a fantasy character elevated the character into an icon of jokes and memes on the internet. This, compounded with the character’s massive notoriety as a box-office juggernaut to make Shrek largely inescapable throughout the late 2010s, whether it be clips from the movie or incomprehensible memes. Now, with a long-awaited 5th Shrek film on the horizon, the character’s icon status will only continue to grow well into the future.
5
Willy Wonka
‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)
A whimsical Roald Dahl original character who made a massive impact in their jump to film, thanks to a legendary central performance, Willy Wonka’s fantastical eccentricities make for the perfect combination of memorability and flair. Each iteration has its own sense of charm, whether it be the classic performance by Gene Wilder, the cult-classic gothic twist by Johnny Depp, or the modern musical prequel version by Timothée Chalamet.
Each version of the character adheres to the same sense of abnormalities and quirks that make the character such an icon, embodying the exact right balance of childlike wonder and overwhelming personality. Wilder’s interpretation of the character, especially, is massively recognizable among fantasy family characters, reaching wide audiences with his signature anecdotes and sarcastic wit. It also helps that the character of Wonka himself has been utilized for much more than just film, as a name brand for a wide variety of candy, as well as various memes and spinoffs over the years.
4
Jack Sparrow
The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Film Series (2003–2017)
While it seemed confusing at the time to adapt a theme park ride into a film with Pirates of the Caribbean, it quickly proved to pay off with one of the most entertaining fantasy adventure franchises of the 21st century, catapulted by the electrifying presence of Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. Sparrow himself would quickly grow to massive amounts of popularity and memorability outside the fantasy franchise, quickly becoming one of the most recognizable pirates in cinematic history.
The combination of Depp’s invigorating performance filled with memorable Pirates of the Caribbean quotes, the intricate and memorable design, and the dynamic fantasy elements all come together to make the character the defining adventure fantasy protagonist of the 21st century. While the franchise as a whole may not be as widely celebrated and acclaimed as it was in the earlier entries, Jack Sparrow continues to be an icon of the fantasy franchise as well as the fantasy genre as a whole in the modern day.
3
Harry Potter
The ‘Harry Potter’ Film Series (2001–2011)
The excitement and limitless possibilities of magic and wizardry have made for a multitude of great fantasy stories over the years, with one of the most defining and memorable fantasy franchises in film being that of Harry Potter. On top of being a fun, compelling fantasy franchise in its own right, its prospects as a series of compelling stories enjoyed by all ages have made its reach and scope largely inescapable, making the titular protagonist an icon of recognition and memorability.
Between the iconography of the lightning bolt scar on his forehead, the wide array of magical spells and wonder throughout the story, and Daniel Radcliffe‘s evolution throughout the series, many people saw themselves growing up alongside Harry in the films, catapulting the character to all-time icon status. The character was massively inescapable while the franchise was in full force, and with the upcoming HBO TV series on the way, Harry Potter will become a fantasy icon once again for the next generations.
2
Gandalf
The ‘Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy (2001–2003)
One of the most widely utilized character dynamics in fantasy storytelling is the wise, old guiding leader who helps the characters on their path to excellence, with easily the defining example of this trope being The Lord of the Rings‘ Gandalf. While the character was already massively popular before the film adaptations, Ian McKellen’s exceptional turn as the character changed him from a literary fantasy classic into an all-time icon of the fantasy genre as a whole.
Whether it be in his original gray robe or his revived white robe, Gandalf’s presence and strength throughout the entire trilogy have made him one of the most iconic and recognizable wielders of magic in cinematic history. While the acclaimed masterpiece trilogy has made a wide variety of fantasy characters massively popular, Gandalf easily stands out as the most iconic and recognizable, even among those who have never witnessed the greatness of the series.
1
The Wicked Witch of the West
‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
An entertaining villain can make all the difference in terms of a film’s memorability, with The Wizard of Oz understanding this perfectly in its utilization of one of the greatest movie villains of all time, The Wicked Witch of the West. The character was massively memorable in the film, with Margaret Hamilton‘s memorable performance and visual strength quickly becoming the blueprint for evil witches and fantasy villains as a whole for the rest of fantasy movie history.
Even outside of The Wizard of Oz being one of the most recognizable fantasy movies of all time, the very origin and popularity of evil witches wearing black cloaks and green skin originates from this legendary film. The Wicked Witch has been and will continue to be one of the most immediately recognizable villains and movie characters of all time, having a massive influence as they went well beyond pop culture to become seemingly ingrained knowledge of the entire populace. It’s difficult to imagine a single person who couldn’t point out who the Wicked Witch if shown, as they have cemented their legacy as an icon of fantasy for over 85 years, only growing stronger with modern renditions of the character like Wicked.
