50 Greatest Fantasy Movie Characters

Bilbo Baggins - The Hobbit (2012-2014)

The Character: Hobbits may not like adventures, but that doesn't stop Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) from accompany a brood of axe-swinging dwarves on a quest to save their Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug.

Developing from resolute homebody to nifty sword-wielder, Bilbo becomes the unlikeliest of heroes, which are often the best kind.

Fantastic Dialogue: "In a hole in a ground, there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole full of worms and oozy smells…"

Olaf - Frozen (2013)

The Character: A snowman created by ice queen Elsa (Idina Menzel, or Adele Dazeem), Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad) is an eternal optimist.

His only problem? He wants to know what summer's like. Which is a bit of a problem when you're made out of frozen water.

Fantastic Dialogue: "Winter's a good time to stay in and cuddle, but put me in summer and I'll be a... happy snowman!"

Bavmorda - Willow (1988)

The Character: One of the best ever fantasy villains, Bavmorda (Jean Mash) is an evil queen who lives in fear that a prophecy will come true - that a child will be born who will have the power to destroy her.

Living in Nockmaar, she'll stop at nothing to find the child. Also, she's got scary magical powers - at one point she turns Madmartigan's army into pigs…

Fantastic Dialogue
: "You're all PIGS!"

Thor - Thor (2011)

The Character: He of fulsome golden locks and bulging shoulders. The son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is cast out of Asgard when his arrogance threatens to destroy the entire kingdom.

It's on Earth that he rediscovers his humility - and what it takes to become a true hero. Ah, bless.

Fantastic Dialogue: "This drink, I like it. ANOTHER!"

The Child Catcher - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

The Character: With his lengthy, protruding nose (all the better to smell you with), ruffles and his spider-like way of crawling all over the place, the Child Catcher (Robert Helpmann) is the thing of kiddie nightmares.

Dreamed up by Ian Fleming and adapted for the screen by Roald Dahl (aka the king of kiddie nightmares), he couldn't be any scarier if he tried. Sweet dreams…

Fantastic Dialogue
: "Come along, kiddie-winkies!"

Iorek Byrnison - The Golden Compass (2007)

The Character: The film may have been a disappointment, but one of the main things it got right was Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellen).

A hulking polar bear who's fallen into disrepute, he becomes allies with Lyra in her quest to find her missing friend. Iorek's fight with other bears in the North is nothing short of awe-inspiring (or should that be jaw-inspiring?).

Fantastic Dialogue : "Do you wish to ride me?"

The Skeksis - The Dark Crystal (1982)

The Character: Skeletal and bird-like, the Skeksis are the epitome of evil.

They rule the planet Thra and are pretty much a horror movie version of the upper class, decked out in finery and stuffing their beaks with the finest food.

Fantastic Dialogue: "Trial by stone!"

Westley - The Princess Bride (1987)

The Character: A farm boy in love with the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), Westley (Cary Elwes) is presumed dead when his ship is attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts.

He survived, though, and returns as the masked Man In Black to rescue Buttercup from the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon).

Fantastic Dialogue: "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."

Fairy Godmother - Shrek 2 (2004)

The Character: "Don't you point those dirty green sausages at me!" Now, HERE'S a diva.

Plotting to install her son, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), as the king of Far Far Away, the Fairy Godmother's (Jennifer Saunders) as wicked as they come, casting a spell here, manipulating there - and singing a killer version of Bonnie Tyler's 'I Need A Hero'.

Fantastic Dialogue:
"We have to go. I have to do Charming's hair. You know, he's all high in the front and he can't reach the back. He always needs someone to take care of the back."

Sir Didymus - Labyrinth (1986)

The Character: If you were going to describe Sir Didymus, you might use the word 'pompous', but Didymus' guard-dog like sense of duty belies his true soft-hearted nature.

His inability to understand the real danger of a situation is his most endearing quality. Even when surrounded and staring death in the face, he advises his captors to lay down their weapons. Alright, we'll go with 'brave'.

Fantastic Dialogue: "I say, does anyone want to play a game of Scrabble?"

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.