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By Ken Miyamoto from ScreenCraft · December 15, 2023
Every writer uses various character tropes to populate the worlds and stories they create. Many of these characters have been prevalent in storytelling for thousands of years. Others have evolved as storytelling narratives have evolved, branching out from new genres, sub-genres, and platforms. From poems to plays, novels, movies, radio shows, television shows, streaming shows, video games, and beyond.
Character tropes are best defined as devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members’ minds and expectations. They work because audiences recognize them and have a pre-determined idea of what the purpose is for that type of character.
Writers can either roll with that expectation or, even better, subvert those expectations to create surprising plot twists and turns, characters with more depth, and more engaging story and character arcs.
With that in mind, here we present one hundred and one character tropes that all screenwriters should know, complete with movie and television character examples of each.
Read More: How to Get Inside Your Characters’ Heads as a Screenwriter
Luke Skywalker in ‘Star Wars’
The protagonist who overcomes obstacles and embodies virtues. Examples: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Harry Potter (Harry Potter movies), Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings).
A flawed or morally ambiguous protagonist. Examples: Tony Stark (Iron Man), Walter White (Breaking Bad), Deadpool (Deadpool).
The antagonist who opposes the hero. Examples: Darth Vader (Star Wars), Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs), Hans Gruber (Die Hard).
The wise and experienced guide to the hero. Examples: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars), Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings), Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid).
The loyal companion to the hero. Examples: Short Round (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom), Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of the Rings), Chewbacca (Star Wars).
A character in need of rescue. Examples: Lois Lane (Superman), Buttercup (The Princess Bride).
A seductive and cunning woman. Examples: Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct), Catwoman (Batman Returns), Amy Dunne (Gone Girl).
The athletic and popular high school student. Examples: Andrew Clark (The Breakfast Club), Stifler (American Pie), Reggie Mantle (Riverdale).
The socially awkward and intelligent character. Examples: Brian (The Breakfast Club), Hermione Granger (Harry Potter movies), Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory).
A character who defies authority. Examples: Jim Stark (Rebel Without a Cause), John Bender (The Breakfast Club), Tyler Durden (Fight Club).
Jim Stark in ‘Rebel Without a Cause’
A character known for humor and comic relief. Examples: Shaggy (Scooby Doo), Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Jar Jar Binks (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace).
A character skilled in solving mysteries. Examples: Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes), Hercule Poirot (Murder on the Orient Express), Nancy Drew (Nancy Drew)
A character dedicated to research and discovery. Examples: Dr. Emmett Brown (Back to the Future), Ellie Sattler (Jurassic Park), Tony Stark (Iron Man)
A skilled and fearless fighter. Examples: Maximus (Gladiator), John Rambo (First Blood), Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman)
The royal female character. Examples: Princess Leia (Star Wars), Cinderella (Cinderella), Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
A relatable and ordinary character. Examples: Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump), Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Marty McFly (Back to the Future)
A character who prefers solitude. Examples: John Wick (John Wick), Jason Bourne (The Bourne Identity), Mad Max (Mad Max: Fury Road)
A character who breaks the law. Examples: Bonnie and Clyde (Bonnie and Clyde), Tony Montana (Scarface), Jesse James (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)
A character known for witty one-liners. Examples: Spider-Man (Spider-Man), Chandler Bing (Friends), Marty McFly (Back to the Future)
A character who cares for and nurtures others. Examples: Molly Weasley (Harry Potter series), Mrs. Doubtfire (Mrs. Doubtfire), Maria von Trapp (The Sound of Music)
Molly Weasley in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2’
A character who faces overwhelming odds. Examples: Rocky Balboa (Rocky), Rudy Ruettiger (Rudy), Daniel LaRusso (The Karate Kid)
A physically imposing and aggressive character. Examples: Drax (Guardians of the Galaxy), Ivan Drago (Rocky IV), Jaws (The Spy Who Loved Me)
A character known for creating ingenious gadgets or machines. Examples: Q (James Bond series), Doc Brown (Back to the Future), Tony Stark (Iron Man)
A character who endures extreme circumstances. Examples: Tom Hanks (Cast Away), Aron Ralston (127 Hours), Cheryl Strayed (Wild)
A charming character with a dubious moral code. Examples: Han Solo (Star Wars), Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Robin Hood (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves)
An innocent and vulnerable character in need of protection. Examples: Nemo (Finding Nemo), Boo (Monsters, Inc.), Simba (The Lion King)
A character with profound wisdom and advice. Examples: Rafiki (The Lion King), Master Oogway (Kung Fu Panda), Morpheus (The Matrix)
A character known for making comical mistakes. Examples: Lloyd (Dumb and Dumber), Harry (Dumb and Dumber), Brick (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy)
A character who rarely shows emotion. Examples: Spock (Star Trek), Anton Chigurh (No Country for Old Men), V (V for Vendetta)
A mysterious and cryptic character. Examples: The Man with No Name (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly), The Riddler (The Batman), Keyser Söze (The Usual Suspects)
The Riddler in ‘The Batman’
A character known for elaborate plans and manipulation. Examples: Lex Luthor (Superman), Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars movies), The Joker (The Dark Knight)
A charismatic figure who leads a resistance or revolution. Examples: Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games), William Wallace (Braveheart), John Connor (Terminator: Salvation)
A character driven by wanderlust and a thirst for exploration. Examples: Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones series), Lara Croft (Tomb Raider), Tintin (The Adventures of Tintin)
A character with a destiny or unique power. Examples: Neo (The Matrix), Harry Potter (Harry Potter movies), Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)
A character who takes the law into their own hands. Examples: The Punisher (The Punisher), Rorschach (Watchmen), Deadpool (Deadpool)
A wealthy character with peculiar habits. Examples: Willy Wonka (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), Howard Hughes (The Aviator), Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)
A character with unwavering beliefs in a better world. Examples: Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird), Erin Brockovich (Erin Brockovich), Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhi)
A grumpy and irritable character. Examples: Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), Walter Matthau (Grumpy Old Men), Melvin (As Good As It Gets)
A character who believes in elaborate and often unfounded conspiracies. Examples: Fox Mulder (The X-Files), Jerry Fletcher (Conspiracy Theory), Dale Gribble (King of the Hill)
A character who is easily frightened and hesitant. Examples: Shaggy (Scooby-Doo), Lion (The Wizard of Oz), Private Mellish (Saving Private Ryan)
The Cowardly Lion in ‘The Wizard of Oz’
A character willing to sacrifice themselves for a greater cause. Examples: Maximus (Gladiator), Spock (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan), William Wallace (Braveheart)
A character with a magnetic personality and social finesse. Examples: James Bond (James Bond series), Jacob (Crazy, Stupid, Love), Danny Ocean (Ocean’s Eleven)
A mischievous and playful character. Examples: Loki (Thor), The Mask (The Mask), Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice)
A loyal and intelligent animal that assists the hero. Examples: Toto (The Wizard of Oz), Chewbacca (Star Wars), Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon)
A character blamed for the mistakes of others. Examples: Lenny (Of Mice and Men), Neal (Planes, Trains & Automobiles), Ruben Carter (Hurricane)
A character forced into a heroic role despite their initial hesitation. Examples: Frodo Baggins (Lord of the Rings), John McClane (Die Hard), Rambo (Rambo: First Blood Part 2)
A character who seeks purpose or meaning through travel and exploration. Examples: Kwai Chang Caine (Kung Fu), Cheryl Strayed (Wild), Christopher McCandless (Into the Wild)
A non-human character with artificial intelligence. Examples: R2-D2 (Star Wars), HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey), Wall-E (Wall-E)
A former antagonist who seeks redemption. Examples: Severus Snape (Harry Potter series), Darth Vader (Star Wars), Loki (Loki)
A character with ambitious and unattainable dreams. Examples: Walter Mitty (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty), Andy (The Shawshank Redemption), Truman (The Truman Show)
Truman in ‘The Truman Show’
A character who lives a nomadic, transient lifestyle. Examples: Mad Max (Mad Max: Fury Road), Christopher McCandless (Into the Wild), Ben (Captain Fantastic)
A character who maintains a positive outlook even in difficult situations. Examples: Andy (The Shawshank Redemption), Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump), Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)
A character who is pure, naive, and untainted by the world. Examples: Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump), Bambi (Bambi), Newt (Aliens)
A character with grand ideas and an ability to see the bigger picture. Examples: Malcolm X (Malcolm X), Steve Jobs (Steve Jobs), Martin Luther King Jr. (Selma)
A character who uses charm and seduction to get what they want. Examples: Jacob (Crazy, Stupid, Love), Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind), Samantha Jones (Sex and the City)
A character who can take on different identities or forms. Examples: Mystique (X-Men), T-1000 (Terminator 2: Judgment Day), Pennywise (It)
A character whose death serves to motivate others. Examples: Ned Stark (Game of Thrones), Obi-Wan (Star Wars), Mufasa (The Lion King)
A character with exceptional talents from a young age. Examples: Raymond (Rain Man), Mozart (Amadeus), Will Hunting (Good Will Hunting)
A character who avoids social interaction and isolates themselves. Examples: Boo Radley (To Kill a Mockingbird), Melvin (As Good As It Gets), Howard Hughes (The Aviator)
A character skilled in manipulation and disguise. Examples: Keyser Söze (The Usual Suspects), Tom Ripley (The Talented Mr. Ripley), Frank Abagnale Jr. (Catch Me If You Can)
Frank Abagnale Jr. in ‘Catch Me If You Can’
A character dedicated to uncovering the truth. Examples: Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward (All the President’s Men), Robert Graysmith (Zodiac), Lois Lane (Superman)
A character forced into a villainous role against their will. Examples: Gollum (Lord of the Rings), Michael Corleone (The Godfather Part II), Norman Bates (Psycho)
A character who hides their true self or emotions. Examples: Truman (The Truman Show), Muriel Heslop (Muriel’s Wedding), Lester Burnham (American Beauty)
A character who defies authority without consideration for consequences. Examples: Bender (The Breakfast Club), Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Cool Hand Luke (Cool Hand Luke)
A character with an unconventional and brilliant mind. Examples: Professor John Keating (Dead Poets Society), Doc Brown (Back to the Future), Professor Charles Xavier (X-Men)
A character from another world or species. Examples: E.T. (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Spock (Star Trek), Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)
A character devoted to serving a more powerful villain. Examples: Igor (Frankenstein), Mini-Me (Austin Powers), Boba Fett (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back)
A character who seeks danger and thrills. Examples: Bo “Bandit” Darville (Smokey and the Bandit), Maverick (Top Gun), Deadpool (Deadpool)
A character who excels in survival skills. Examples: Dr. Ryan Stone (Gravity), Mark Watney (The Martian), MacGyver (MacGyver)
A character who has lost their parents and seeks belonging. Examples: Harry Potter (Harry Potter movies), Oliver Twist (Oliver Twist), Mathilda (Léon: The Professional)
Harry Potter in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’
A character who entertains and amuses others with humor and jest. Examples: Genie (Aladdin), Donkey (Shrek), Adrian Cronauer (Good Morning, Vietnam)
A character who can traverse through time. Examples: Marty McFly (Back to the Future), The Doctor (Doctor Who), Bill and Ted (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure)
A character dedicated to proving the existence of mythical creatures. Examples: Scooby-Doo and the gang (Scooby Doo series), Ray (Close Encounters of the Third Kind), Dr. Carl Denham (King Kong)
A character who boldly goes where no one has gone before in outer space. Examples: Captain James T. Kirk (Star Trek), Ellen Ripley (Alien), Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)
A pair of characters who provide comic relief and play off each other’s personalities. Examples: Wayne and Garth (Wayne’s World), Jay and Silent Bob (Clerks), R2-D2 and C3PO (Star Wars)
A regal character with royal authority. Examples: King Arthur (Monty Python and the Holy Grail), Queen Elizabeth II (The Queen), King George (The King’s Speech)
A character who exposes hidden wrongdoing or corruption. Examples: Jeffrey Wigand (The Insider), Erin Brockovich (Erin Brockovich), Frank Serpico (Serpico)
A character who is an obsessive enthusiast of a particular hobby, franchise, or celebrity. Examples: Paul Sheldon (Misery), Annie (Misery), Wade Watts (Ready Player One)
A character who harbors a deep dislike for humanity. Examples: Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), The Grinch (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
A character who predicts impending disaster or the end of the world. Examples: Dr. Randall Mindy and Kate Dibiasky (Don’t Look Up), John Koestler (Knowing), Russell (Independence Day)
Dr. Randall Mindy and Kate Dibiasky in ‘Don’t Look Up’
A character who imitates others, often for personal gain. Examples: Frank Abagnale Jr. (Catch Me If You Can)
A character who hunts and confronts supernatural threats. Examples: Hellboy (Hellboy), Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Dean and Sam Winchester (Supernatural)
A character who is known for their glamorous lifestyle and social events. Examples: Holly Golightly (Breakfast at Tiffany’s), Cher (Clueless), Nicki (The Bling Ring)
A character who is a creature from mythology or folklore. Examples: The Megalodon (Meg), The Kraken (Clash of the Titans), Godzilla (Godzilla)
A character with cybernetic enhancements. Examples: RoboCop (RoboCop), The Terminator (Terminator), Cyborg (Justice League)
A character who practices or studies the occult and supernatural. Examples: Constantine (Constantine), Harry Potter (Harry Potter movies), Ed and Lorraine Warren (The Conjuring).
A character who leads or participates in a political or social revolution. Examples: V (V for Vendetta), Che Guevara (The Motorcycle Diaries), William Wallace (Braveheart).
A character who abducts others. Examples: H.I. McDunnough (Raising Arizona), The Grabber (The Black Phone), Kevin Wendell Crumb / Dennis / Patricia / Hedwig / Barry / Orwell / Jade / The Beast (Split).
Characters who seek redemption after a life of crime. Examples: Danny Ocean (Ocean’s Eleven), Jack Foley (Out of Sight), Jules (Pulp Fiction).
Characters who possess extraordinary powers but are hesitant to use them. Examples: Hancock (Hancock), Arthur Dent (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), Bruce Banner (MCU movies).
Bruce Banner in ‘Avengers: Endgame’
Characters with heightened sensitivity to the supernatural or paranormal. Examples: Elise Rainier (Insidious), Cole Sear (The Sixth Sense), Professor Charles Xavier (X-Men).
Characters who were once celebrated but have fallen from grace. Examples: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Michael Corleone (The Godfather movies), Bruce Wayne/Batman (The Flash)
Characters who act unpredictably and follow their own moral compass. Examples: The Joker (The Dark Knight), Tyler Durden (Fight Club), Alex DeLarge (A Clockwork Orange).
Characters who hold romantic and idealized views of love and relationships. Examples: Tom Hansen (500 Days of Summer), Amélie Poulain (Amélie), Lloyd Dobler (Say Anything).
Characters who are the popular and domineering leaders of cliques, often displaying a mean or manipulative personality. Examples: Regina George (Mean Girls), Heather Chandler (Heathers), Rizzo (Grease).
A character who exudes a rebellious, edgy, and often dangerous persona. Examples: James Dean (Rebel Without a Cause), John Bender (The Breakfast Club), J.D. (Heathers).
A character typically from a rural background, often depicted as having a rough, unsophisticated, and sometimes stereotypical lifestyle. Examples: Zed (Pulp Fiction), Cousin Eddie (National Lampoon’s Vacation), H.I. McDunnough (Raising Arizona).
An aggressive and domineering individual who uses intimidation or physical strength to exert control over others. Examples: Biff (Back to the Future), Terence (Whiplash), Scut Farkus (A Christmas Story)
A powerful and malevolent antagonist, often possessing magical or supernatural abilities, who seeks to conquer, control, or destroy the world. Examples: Sauron (Lord of the Rings), Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars movies), Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter movies)
Emperor Palpatine in ‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’
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Use this list as a go-to when trying to populate your screenplays with characters. You can even use these examples as story prompts as well.
Read More: 250 Character Archetypes to Use in Your Screenplay
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Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.
He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76
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