Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

50 unluckiest movie characters

Features
By George Wales published 13 April 2012

They can't catch a break.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

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.

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

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!

You may like
  • The Lion King is undoubtedly one of the best movies on Disney Plus The 30 best movies on Disney Plus to watch right now
  • Best superhero movies: close-up images of Captain America, Batman, and Wonder Woman. The 25 best superhero movies of all time
  • Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now

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.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

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.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
George Wales
George Wales
Social Links Navigation

George was once GamesRadar's resident movie news person, based out of London. He understands that all men must die, but he'd rather not think about it. But now he's working at Stylist Magazine.

Read more
The Lion King is undoubtedly one of the best movies on Disney Plus
Movies The 30 best movies on Disney Plus to watch right now
 
 
Best superhero movies: close-up images of Captain America, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
Superhero Movies The 25 best superhero movies of all time
 
 
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Movies 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
 
 
Best James Bond movies
Action RPGs Best James Bond movies, ranked! From Dr. No to No Time to Die
 
 
Thomas Jane as David Drayton screaming at the end of The Mist
Horror Movies People are debating the darkest horror movie endings and, yep, these will keep you up at night
 
 
David Corenswet as Superman in James Gunn's Superman
Superhero Movies All the Superman movies ranked from worst to best
 
 
Latest in Movies
Inde Navarrette as Nikki in Obsession
Horror Movies Obsession passes Sinners to become highest-grossing original live-action film of the decade so far
 
 
Milly Alcock as Supergirl in upcoming DC movie Supergirl
DC Movies Supergirl's official box office opening has been confirmed, and it's lower than Joker 2
 
 
Austin Abrams as Bryan in Resident Evil
Horror Movies Zach Cregger says Resident Evil is like "one gigantic sequence" following a protagonist who is "inept at survival"
 
 
Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem in Supergirl
DC Movies Supergirl writer seemingly misinterpreted the Woman of Tomorrow comic ending
 
 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lily-Rose Depp in Werwulf
Horror Movies First trailer for Nosferatu director's next horror movie is here, and it looks like his creepiest project yet
 
 
Renate Reinsve as Dr. Mary Kline in Backrooms
Horror Movies Backrooms extended cut releasing in theaters soon, with 15 minutes of "extra content" after the credits
 
 
Latest in Features
Guild Wars 3 promotional screenshots
MMO Games Guild Wars 3 may have cracked the MMO code for tired millennials
 
 
X-Men '97
Marvel TV Shows 5 things to remember before X-Men '97 season 2
 
 
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced reveal trailer screenshot shows Edward Kenway steering a ship.
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is both "faithful" to the original and "like a new product", says tech director
 
 
A crowded underground room where someone stands on a makeshift stage addressing a crowd in Metro 2039
FPS Games Metro 2039 returns to Moscow's subway and the post-apocalyptic shooter's creepy roots
 
 
Shiver, Big Man, and Frye - two cartoon squidlings and a manta ray - pose in a wooden area, with the orange GamesRadar+ Summer Preview 2026 frame
Splatoon After 2 hours, Splatoon Raiders is better played with friends than going solo
 
 
Destiny screenshot
Destiny As Bungie closes the book on Destiny, we weigh the legacy of the best, worst, and most brilliantly boring FPS of its era
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Key art for Grave Seasons
    1
    There are no right answers to the supernatural murder plot in Grave Seasons, and that has me excited
  2. 2
    Private Minecraft servers are "illegal," game industry lobbyists declare
  3. 3
    Obsession passes Sinners to become highest-grossing original live-action film of the decade so far
  4. 4
    Xbox pulls funding for 007 First Light dev's new fantasy RPG, prompting layoffs
  5. 5
    Iron Lung and Dusk creator says using generative AI is a great way to say "'I don't give a f***'"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...