50 unluckiest movie characters

Do these punks feel lucky? Not so much.

Like real life, films gift us with an assortment of heroes and villains whose triumphant journeys and hare-brained schemes are rife with obstacles to overcome. If it weren't for their conflict and struggle, we'd never punch the air when victory comes or vengeance strikes!

However, a cunning plan and a dollop of smarts aren't always enough to combat fate's meddlesome ways. For some characters even if they do everything in their power to get the job done, lady luck seldom shines on their endeavours. This bunch in particular felt the chill of her cold shoulder. Misfortune greets these 50 at every turn...

50. Peregrin Took

As Seen In: The Lord Of The Rings (2001 - 2003)

The Bad Luck: A perennially clumsy oaf, misfortune seems to follow Pippin wherever he goes. Its a quality that's most evident in the first film, in which he inadvertently disturbs the swamp monster that resides outside Moria, before alerting the goblins to their presence once they're inside the mine. "Fool of a Took," snaps Gandalf, reasonably…

Does It All Come Good In The End? Yes, although he's thankfully kept out of harm's way for much of the final battle.

49. Maximus Decimus Meridius

As Seen In: Gladiator (2000)

The Bad Luck: Having spent his entire life inservice to the Roman Empire, Maximus sees his hard work rewarded by the murder of his family, when the emperor who favoured him is bumped off by his jealous son. As if that wasn't enough, he finds himself forced into servitude as a gladiator, a profession that involves risking his life on a daily basis.

Does It All Come Good In The End? He gets his revenge, but dies in the process. Its not exactly your conventional happy ending, is it?

48. Peter Bretter

As Seen In: Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

The Bad Luck: As if it weren't bad enough that his girlfriend has dumped him for a rock star, the fact that Peter ends up in an adjoining chalet at the exact same holiday resort seems like insanely bad luck. Deciding to stay, however, is just plain old insane…

Does It All Come Good In The End? He gets his career off the ground and ends up with Mila Kunis. Win!

47. John Spartan

As Seen In: Demolition Man (1993)

The Bad Luck: Referred to by his colleagues as "Demolition Man" , Spartan is a walking disaster area famed for leaving every building he has performed an operation in as a pile of smouldering rubble. it's a trait that eventually lands him in prison…

Does It All Come Good In The End? Yeah, he blows up the prison doesn't he? Take that, authority!

46. Thompson & Thomson

As Seen In: The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

The Bad Luck: These bumbling twin detectives are constantly falling over, getting knocked out, losing their possessions and generally stumbling from one misfortune to the next. Its remarkable that they manage to remain so cheery.

Does It All Come Good In The End? Yep, they eventually have their moment in the sun when they slap the handcuffs on Sakharine.

45. Larry Gopnik

As Seen In: A Serious Man (2009)

The Bad Luck: The Coens delivered unto Larry Gopnik a life riddled with misfortune. His cheating wife leaves him, he has two bratty children - a self-obsessed daughter and half-baked son - who don't care for him one jot, a troubled brother and that's not taking into account the events that unfold around him. Lawsuits, bribes... you name it, Gopnik's dealing with it.

Does It All Come Good In The End? The mysterious phone call he receives from his doctor towards the end would suggest that no, the world still has it in for Larry.

44. Ed Rooney

As Seen In: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

The Bad Luck: Despite being correct in his suspicions that Ferris is playing truant, Rooney just can't seem to catch him in the act. In attempting to do so he gets attacked by dogs, kicked in the face and ends up arse over tit in a muddy front garden. Oh Ed, give it up!

Does It All Come Good In The End? Just when he thinks he has Ferris where he wants him, big sister Jeanie shows up with proof that he broke into their house. If it wasn't for those pesky kids…

43. Lovell, Haise & Swigert

As Seen In: Apollo 13 (1995)

The Bad Luck: If you're planning on embarking on as dicey an endeavour as space exploration, don't put your hand up for mission number thirteen. It's just asking for trouble. And sure enough, trouble comes a knocking!

Does It All Come Good In The End? The fact that they made it back in one piece is arguably lucky enough to cancel out their initial misfortune.

42. Rob Hawkins

As Seen In: Cloverfield (2008)

The Bad Luck: Everybody present in New York when the monster attacked could be argued to have been unlucky, but Rob seems particularly cursed, given that he and the beastie always seem to be in exactly the same place at exactly the same time. Spooky…

Does It All Come Good In The End? He ends up buried under a bridge, so not particularly, no.