The sci-fi genre has many defining movies in its history that have permanently changed its course. Revolutionary directors, writers, and producers have shaped the genre as we know it today, and some of them continue to do so today. The king of sci-fi, Steven Spielberg, has a movie set for a 2026 release, for instance.
Ridley Scott, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, the Wachowskis, Alex Garland, J.J. Abrams, and George Lucas have all left indelible marks on the genre. However, irrespective of James Cameron’s dislike for the movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, who mastered every genre, is perhaps the most influential sci-fi movie of all time.
With influential cinema comes influential characters. Choosing the best characters in a genre with such a rich history is a daunting task. However, films like the three Back to the Future movies are so popular and iconic that it’s only fair to choose only one character from each influential franchise to give each one a chance.
15
V
V For Vendetta (2005)
Hugo Weaving’s V is one of the most charismatic movie characters of all time. His unforgettable introduction in the form of a speech with most words starting with the letter V is in the movie Hall of Fame for character introductions. Moreover, his philosophy as a hero and his quotable words are profound and ever-relevant.
V is a highly skilled and witty warrior with an iron resolve, who is nearly impossible to defeat in hand-to-hand combat. He is a master planner and the ultimate symbol of anti-establishment resistance that aims to weaken the power of the oppressive forces at play. His mysterious demeanor makes him that much more appealing as a hero.
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V is also a romantic at heart with impeccable taste in literature and music. He is a valiant fighter and passionately aggressive about his mission, but he has a softness about him that makes him endearing. He is well-read, eloquent, and an incredible orator with the power to inspire revolt with his politically charged and emotionally rich speeches.
14
Tetsuo
The Tetsuo Trilogy (1989-2009)
Body horror is one of the most visceral sci-fi genres. From David Cronenberg’s Crash to, more recently, Julia Ducornau’s Titane, a horror movie unlike anything else, a common subject of exploration in the genre is the marriage of metal and flesh. While the DC character Cyborg is arguably the most popular among such characters, Tetsuo is the most iconic.
Even though he’s a subject of experimentation and turns evil, the character of Tetsuo Shima from Katsuhiro Otomo’s seminal film Akira is not related to the protagonist of the Tetsuo trilogy.
A metal fetishist who inserts pieces of metal into his wounds has an accidental encounter with a salaryman after the latter nearly runs him over with his car. Soon, the salaryman’s body starts showing signs of metallic infestation, while the victim wakes up with telepathic powers. After a few encounters, the two of them merge, creating Tetsuo.
A gory and horrifying portrait of sexual deviance and experimental body modification, Tetsuo: The Iron Man introduces the character who then goes on a rampage in an attempt to turn the whole world metallic. Tetsuo’s journey of losing his sense of self is what makes him a compelling character, as his transformation is visceral but fascinating.
13
WALL-E
WALL-E (2008)
Waste Allocation Load Lifter: Earth class, also known as WALL-E, is one of the cutest Pixar characters ever created. Designed to clear waste from the barren post-apocalyptic world that has been abandoned by humans who live in a spaceship, he is an intelligent and funny robot with a heart of gold. His capacity for kindness makes him a great character.
WALL-E is friendly, brave, and loves music. He is inquisitive and endlessly empathetic, befriending humans, other robots, and even a lonely cockroach. Despite a minimal capacity for speech, he immediately hooks viewers, who fall in love with him and identify with him within minutes of first meeting him. WALL-E is a precious robot you’ll want to protect from any harm.
In a cold world of isolation, he is a refreshing and inspiring symbol of kindness.
Despite being a movie to avoid if you’re nervous about AI, WALL-E is a life-affirming film buoyed by the endearing resourcefulness and empathy of its titular protagonist. He embarks on a quest to save humanity despite the perils of such a journey because he cares. In a cold world of isolation, he is a refreshing and inspiring symbol of kindness.
12
Dr. Louise Banks
Arrival (2016)
As sci-fi movies with an incredible ensemble cast, Dune and Dune: Part Two, and even Blade Runner 2049, are director Denis Villeneuve’s most famous films in the genre. However, his first Hollywood sci-fi feature film is arguably his best film to date, due to its inventive time travel rules. Its message about life, time, and language makes it a masterpiece.
Dr. Louise Banks is an expert linguist who is contacted by the US Military to help them figure out if the alien aircrafts that have randomly appeared around the world pose a threat to humanity. She is an open-minded and meticulous researcher who pushes every boundary in a bid to comprehend the aliens and arrive at the truth.
Dr. Banks is an incredibly fascinating character as she experiences a disorienting revelation about her life, past and future included, and doesn’t stop. She is an inspirational figure whose philosophy of life is both optimistic and practical. She makes viewers feel the full depth of what she’s experiencing and leaves them with a meaningful rumination on the evanescence of memory.
11
The Iron Giant
The Iron Giant (1999)
1999 was one of the best years in movie history, arguably the best ever, in no small part due to the feature film debut of animation director Brad Bird. While he has made a couple of live-action films, including the Mission: Impossible movie that features Tom Cruise’s most famous stunt, his animated films have captured the imagination of a generation.
While his Pixar movies Ratatouille and The Incredibles are his most popular films, Bird’s directorial debut feature, The Iron Giant, is possibly his greatest achievement as a director. It follows the titular giant who befriends a young boy and discovers his humanity through the course of the film. Brilliantly voiced by Vin Diesel, the character’s arc will make viewers emotional.
The Iron Giant is a symbol of empathy and hope, as he willingly confronts the corrupt government that threatens to destroy him. Despite being a robot, he embodies humanity more than humans, who are quick to judgment and cruelty. His heartwrenching story makes him one of the best sci-fi characters of all time.
10
Caesar
The Planet Of The Apes Reboot Trilogy (2011-2017)
Over a decade ago, one of the most iconic creature features from the late ’60s and early ’70s was successfully rebooted after a remake in 2001. Rupert Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes changes the premise of the original Planet of the Apes from 1968, and has inspired a new franchise of its own.
Caesar uses his improved intelligence from the drug to help other caged chimpanzees.
While the Planet of the Apes movie timeline is confusing, there’s no doubt that the protagonist of the reboot trilogy, played by Andy Serkis, is an incredible character. He is a chimpanzee who was born to a test subject for an experimental drug for Alzheimer’s disease. Caesar uses his improved intelligence from the drug to help other caged chimpanzees.
As a kind but ruthless leader, Caesar is a fierce protector of his compatriots and refuses to compromise on his fellow chimpanzees’ rights. After discovering speech at a developed age, Caesar quickly learns to orate, and he is one of the most inspiring sci-fi characters ever. He belongs in the upper echelon of fictional war commanders and leaders.
9
Neo
The Matrix Franchise (1999-2021)
Not only is he one of the kindest and most beloved celebrities today, but Keanu Reeves has also changed the course of cinema multiple times by playing revolutionary characters. From his soft-spoken action hero in Speed and Ted from Bill & Ted, to the suave mercenary John Wick and the stylish Neo, he has played too many iconic characters.
As an action movie with great fight choreography, The Matrix transformed sci-fi cinema with its imaginative use of CGI and its slick action sequences. At the center of the story is Keanu Reeves’ Neo, whose wardrobe became the inspiration for an entire fashion fad in the early 2000s. He is one of the most memorable “chosen one” characters in sci-fi.
Despite apprehensions, Neo eventually takes on the job of saving humanity, which is his prophesied purpose. From stopping bullets to double kicking in the air, Neo is capable of the wildest fighting stunts, and it is easy to see why he changed lives when he first graced the screen in 1999. Some fans still fantasize about becoming Neo.
8
Dr. Emmett Brown
Back To The Future Franchise (1985-1990)
While we didn’t have flying cars in 2015 and still don’t, unlike what Robert Zemeckis predicted in the second Back to the Future​​​​​, we do have a musical of the first movie, and a movie version of it in the works. The impact of the trilogy on pop culture can’t be exaggerated, as it continues to gain fans every year.
While Marty McFly is the main character of the movies, it’s Christopher Lloyd’s Dr. Emmett Brown, or Doc Brown, who is the fan-favorite. A genius who is just as good at inventing physics-bending machines and technology as he is at improvising and devising plans, Doc Brown is the ideal man to have in your corner in a crisis.
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Doc’s time in 1885 shows how adept he is at horse-riding and how well he can adapt to any situation. His romantic side also shines through as he falls in love with Clara Clayton. A multifaceted man, Doc is so iconic that he has one of the best surprise movie cameos in A Million Ways to Die in the West.
7
HAL 9000
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stanley Kubrick has revolutionized every genre of cinema, and one of his greatest cinematic achievements introduced the world to HAL 9000, the terrifying AI who belongs in the upper echelon of sci-fi villains. HAL 9000 is the reason why 2001: A Space Odyssey is a drama film that verges on becoming horror.
A shockingly competent AI assistant, HAL 9000 doesn’t take long to take control of the ship and prioritize self-preservation. HAL 9000 is practically omniscient because he has access to a huge library of knowledge and can eavesdrop and lip-read, allowing him to know the whereabouts and intentions of all humans near him.
Akin to Frankenstein’s monster, HAL 9000 isn’t just an iconic villain with unforgettable lines, but also becomes more relevant with every passing year and every new advancement in AI technology. Kubrick’s film feels claustrophobic due to the implied looming presence of the AI that doesn’t hesitate to even kill the people he was designed to assist.
6
Sarah Connor
The Terminator Franchise (1984-2019)
As an action movie sequel that’s better than the original film, Terminator 2: Judgment Day became a standard for sequel-making when it was released in 1991. It upgrades the stakes, changes the role of the titular protagonist, and switches up the perspective of the story, while retaining the same edgy and metal energy of The Terminator.
Among the biggest changes is the transformation of Sarah Connor. She’s no longer the cowering target of an assassination attempt, but a fierce fighter who can improvise means to keep herself alive in the face of certain death. She has trained, and while she may not be a great mother, she is motivated by her urge to protect her son.
While Lena Headey played Sarah Connor in the spinoff show about the character, and Emilia Clarke replaced Linda Hamilton in Terminator Genisys, the latest movie, Terminator: Dark Fate, once again features Hamilton reprising her iconic role.
Linda Hamilton is one of the most influential actresses in Hollywood history, and her turn as Sarah Connor remains the character’s best version. The image that immediately comes to mind when someone hears her name is a fierce woman wearing aviator shades and wielding a machine gun, and we have Hamilton to thank for that.
