The best and most iconic movie characters permeate the zeitgeist, contributing to pop culture and culture at large.

Sometimes we love to root for these film presences; sometimes we fear them.We swoon for them sometimes.

Some of them are beautiful; others aren’t.

The-25-Best-Movie-Characters-of-All-Time-Ranked

Custom Image by Federico Napoli

Rowling, the Harry Potter franchise is one of the highest-grossing film series ever.

It was headline international news whenDaniel Radcliffewas cast as Harry, withRupert GrintandEmma Watsonrespectively as Ron and Hermione.

It’s hard to overstate just how remarkable this casting coup turned out to be.

Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in ‘Psycho’

Image via Paramount Pictures

Die Hard’s status or non-status as a Christmas movie has been long debated.

Oh, but when will Quentin releaseThe Whole Bloody Affairfor general public consumption?

Thurman gave a highly physical emotional ripper of a performance for all time.

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The film was an Oscar-winning financial mega-success, and paved the way for the star’s long-running film career.

Lest we forget, Rocky doesn’t actually even win in the original picture.

It spawned a long-running and lucrative franchise.

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It also won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry performs the spell Expecto Patronum in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Image via Warner Bros.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Movie Poster

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Bruce Willis as John McClane crawling down a vent while holding a lighter in Die Hard.

Image via 20th Century Studios

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Iron Man without his helmet in ‘Iron Man’

Image via Marvel Studios

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Close up shot of Scarlett (Vivien Leigh) in Gone With the Wind.

Image via MGM

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Kill Bill Movie Poster

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Clint Eastwood standing in the desert in ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.'

Image via United Artists

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Freddy Krueger, played by Robert Englund, brandishing his finger-knives in A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Image via New Line Cinema

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Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) looking serious in Rocky

Image via United Artists

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Maria (Julie Andrews) getting married in The Sound of Music

Image via Twentieth Century Fox

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Movie

The Dark Knight