20 Most Iconic Movie Characters From the Golden Age of Cinema, Ranked (2024)

Take a journey back to an age of cinematic wonder, where some of the most amazing spectacles could be seen for the price of a movie ticket. From the late 1910s to the mid-1960s, The Golden Age of Cinema was a defining point in the history of Hollywood, an era cited for its tremendous success and limitless growth. It's a time when storytelling was pushed to new limits, and some of the most iconic characters have ever graced the silver screen.

The Golden Age was defined by its many incredible characters. They're unique, timeless, and undoubtedly remarkable. Many of them have secured an enduring legacy that has been unwavering throughout the years. They're some of the best characters from this bygone era and helped turn Hollywood into the powerhouse entertainment industry it is today. From a colossal ape to a loveable wanderer, here are the 20 most iconic characters from the Golden Age of Cinema, ranked by how memorable they are.

20 King Kong

'King Kong' (1933)

The original 1933 version of King Kong was a technical marvel of its time, a cinematic millstone of wonderful storytelling and incredible effects that helped change how viewers see stop-motion animation in films forever. Bold, ambitious, and incredibly imaginative, it took audiences on an exciting jungle adventure to the mysterious Skull Island, where an amateur film crew and their beautiful leading actress encountered the island's ultimate apex predator, The Mighty King Kong.

Crafted with a near-perfect blend of live-action and stop-motion animation, this iconic giant primate and his memorable appearance have greatly influenced pop culture since his debut in 1933. Kong is a wonderful example of how the power of film can achieve the impossible. Despite coming out more than 90 years ago, he still remains quite relevant in the mainstream media, living on through countless adaptations and even a massive crossover series with Japan's other iconic giant, Godzilla.

King Kong (1933)

NR

Release Date

April 7, 1933

Director

Merian C. Cooper , Ernest B. Schoedsack

Cast

Robert Armstrong , Bruce Cabot

Runtime

100

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19 Margot Channing (Bette Davis)

'All About Eve' (1950)

In this timeless '50s classic, All About Eve tells the captivating story of an aging but incredibly talented theater performer named Margot Channing, played by the one and only Bette Davis. It follows this once revered and acclaimed entertainer as she slowly finds her days in the spotlight numbered when her jealous admirer and professional rival, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter), systematically sabotages her career for her own gains.

All About Eve is a truly gripping drama about the hardships of struggling actors living in the unforgiving, throat-cut world of glamorized show business. Winner of six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, it held the record for most nominations at the time for female performers, including a nod for Bette Davis, who made a lasting impression playing Margot Channing. Brought to life with so much vulnerability and complexity, it's a role that Davis considerably elevated, eventually becoming one of the definite highlights of her career.

All About Eve

NR

Drama

Documentary

Release Date

October 6, 1950

Director

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Cast

Bette Davis , Anne Baxter , George Sanders , Celeste Holm , Gary Merrill , Hugh Marlowe

Runtime

138

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18 Mrs. Eleanor Iselin (Angela Lansbury)

'The Manchurian Candidate' (1962)

In this masterclass in tension and suspense, The Manchurian Candidate is a pulse-pounding classic conspiracy thriller that only gets better with age. Starring Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey, it follows a nail-biting race against time as a suspicious US Major slowly pieces together a deadly political assassination plot carried out by a brainwashed former soldier and his sinister communist spy mother, Mrs. Eleanor Iselin.

Played chillingly by the late Angela Lansbury, Elanor Iselin may just be one of the worst mothers in film history. Cold, manipulative, and surprisingly cunning, she's a wolf in sheep's clothing, hiding behind the warm facade of a caring politician's wife to slowly work her up to the highest level of the US government. She's a frightening, hidden-in-plain-sight villain with a lasting legacy in the entertainment world, all thanks to Lansbury, who truly made the character her own.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

PG-13

Thriller

Drama

Where to Watch

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Release Date

October 24, 1962

Director

John Frankenheimer

Cast

Frank Sinatra , Janet Leigh , Angela Lansbury , Henry Silva

Runtime

126 minutes

Main Genre

Thriller

17 Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston)

'Ben-Hur' (1959)

A nearly four-hour adventure epic full of action and grand excitement, William Wyler's Ben-Hur was a massive cinematic achievement that became one of the most profitable films of the era. The legendary Charlton Heston plays Judah Ben-Hur, the Jewish prince of Jerusalem, who, after being betrayed by a ruthless Roman Legion officer, rises to become a fierce warrior to seek revenge for his family's imprisonment.

It's an epic hero's journey that saw Heston give a career-defining and Oscar-winning performance when playing the film's titular role. Audiences follow along with Ben-Hur as he goes from losing everything and being sold into slavery to fighting his way up to becoming a powerful Roman heir. There's so much emotion and intrigue to Heston's performance, as he easily makes viewers root for him to succeed.

Ben-Hur

G

Action

Adventure

Drama

History

Where to Watch

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Release Date

November 18, 1959

Director

William Wyler

Cast

Charlton Heston , Jack Hawkins , Haya Harareet , Stephen Boyd , Hugh Griffith , Martha Scott

Runtime

212 minutes

16 Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn)

'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961)

Based on the famous novella by acclaimed American author Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany's is an iconic symbol of the early 1960s aesthetic, a perfect capsule of the marvelous fashion and ideas that made this memorable decade truly spectacular. In one of the best performances of her career, Audrey Hepburn plays the fashionable Holly Golightly, a glamorous New York socialite who sparks a charming romance with her new next-door neighbor Paul (played by George Peppard).

Originally, Marilyn Monroe was offered a chance to star in this film before ultimately turning it down. This led Audrey Hepburn to create her now iconic look and character, which has become a staple of fashion in cinema. Everything from her memorable black dress, stylish hairdo, and long cigarette holder has helped make Holly Golightly instantly recognizable in pop culture. For viewers unfamiliar with Breakfast at Tiffany's, the iconic opening shot of Hepburn alone is enough to convince them how beloved and memorable this character has indeed become.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

NR

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Release Date

October 6, 1961

Director

Blake Edwards

Cast

Audrey Hepburn , George Peppard , Patricia Neal , Buddy Ebsen , Martin Balsam , José Luis de Villalonga

Runtime

115 minutes

15 Jim Stark (James Dean)

'Rebel Without A Cause' (1955)

Rebel Without a Cause is one of director Nicholas Ray's most compelling films, a dark coming-of-age classic drenched in angst and tragedy. Starring legendary '50s icon James Dean, it sees him shining in the spotlight as rebellious, troubled teenager Jim Stark as he struggles to fit in a new school after moving to Los Angeles.

Tragically taken too soon early in his career from a deadly automobile accident, the late James Dean lives on through his incredible film roles. Jim Stark is undoubtedly his most famous character, a performance encompassing all of Dean's defining personality traits: cool, laidback, and incredibly stylish. He's a character who would not be the same or as iconic had it not been for Dean and his memorable charm. Along with an iconic red jacket and slicked-back hair, Jim Stark and the outstanding performer playing him have driven off into the annals of film history.

Rebel Without a Cause

PG-13

Drama

Romance

Where to Watch

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Release Date

October 29, 1955

Director

Nicholas Ray

Cast

James Dean , Natalie Wood , Sal Mineo , Jim Backus , Ann Doran , Corey Allen

Runtime

111 minutes

14 Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck)

'Double Indemnity' (1944)

Billy Wilder's iconic crime thriller Double Indemnity helped define the film noir genre with its gripping suspense and powerful performances. Starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck, it follows a naive Los Angeles insurance representative who is roped into a sinister murder scheme after being manipulated by the cold-hearted seductress Phyllis Deitrichson.

In a truly iconic femme fatale role, Barabra Stanwyck's performance as the villainous Phyllis Deitrichson is what made Double Indemnity so enduring over the years. A cold-blooded, brilliant mastermind, Phyllis was ruthless in her plot to murder her husband and steal his vast fortune. She showed no remorse in manipulating the film's protagonist, Walter Neff (MacMurray), to carry out her dirty work, resulting in a disastrous finale that proved deadly for both conspirators. It's a memorable villain performance that Stanwyck enormously perfected to a tee.

Double Indemnity

Crime

Drama

Where to Watch

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Release Date

July 6, 1944

Director

Billy Wilder

Cast

Fred MacMurray , Barbara Stanwyck , Edward G. Robinson , Byron Barr

Runtime

107 minutes

13 The Girl (Marilyn Monroe)

'The Seven Year Itch' (1955)

The name Marylin Monroe hardly needs any introduction when talking about the Golden Age. Appearing in some truly marvelous classics of the era, including All About Eve, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Some Like It Hot, her standout role came from The Seven Year Itch, which follows an overly-imaginative family man and New York publicist, Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell), as he spends the last days of summer with his beautiful next-door neighbor, played by Monroe.

It's no surprise that the scene where Monroe's character stands above a subway grate as her white dress blows in the wind has become a staple of pop culture. It's an iconic image that almost anyone could instantly recognize, even if they hadn't seen the film. The Girl is undoubtedly Monroe's most defining character, encompassing so much of her charm and commanding screen presence. Truly, no one else could have made this character so memorable, a testament to how much of an impact Monroe has had in the entertainment industry.

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12 Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews)

'Mary Poppins' (1964)

To say Dame Julie Andrews has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry is quite an understatement. Starring in over forty films over a nearly eight-decade-long acting and singing career, she's become part of some genuinely spectacular features. However, her undeniable crowning achievement was 1964's Mary Poppins, a whimsical live-action Disney musical featuring Andrews in her big-screen debut.

A career-defining performance for Andrews, who also won an Academy Award for her talents, Mary Poppins has become one of the most recognizable characters from Disney's Pantheon, one whom audiences of all ages can always enjoy. Despite appearing in a film sixty years old now, this loveable nanny and her catchy tones are as timeless as ever and still entertain viewers, no matter how old they get.

Mary Poppins

G

Comedy

Family

Fantasy

Musical

Where to Watch

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Release Date

August 27, 1964

Director

Robert Stevenson

Cast

Julie Andrews , Dick Van Dyke , David Tomlinson , Glynis Johns , Hermione Baddeley , Reta Shaw

Runtime

140

Studio

Walt Disney Productions

11 Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson)

'Sunset Boulevard' (1950)

In this bleak psychological film noir about classic Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard shows the dark side of show business in all its not-so-glamorous fashion. In a triumphant comeback to the silver screen, the amazingly talented silent film star Gloria Swanson blew audiences away with her heartbreaking and captivating performance as the once revered movie actress Norma Desmond.

A once prolific and pioneering star of the silent era, poor Norma Desmond couldn't stay long in the spotlight once the film industry switched to talking pictures. Through years of loneliness and depression after feeling cast out of Hollywood, her crippling ego and inability to move past her glory days led her to snap, suffering a tragic downfall with murderous results. She's a truly compelling and emotional character, expertly played by Swanson, who played her with so much vulnerability and intrigue.

Sunset Boulevard

NR

Film Noir

Comedy

Release Date

August 10, 1950

Director

Billy Wilder

Cast

William Holden , Erich von Stroheim

Runtime

110 minutes

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10 Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn)

'The Philadelphia Story' (1940)

The Philadelphia Story is a screwball romantic comedy classic featuring some of the most iconic leading stars of the time: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. It follows a wealthy Philadelphia socialite, Tracy Lord (Hepburn), who strives to reinvent herself after a disastrous divorce. However, on the eve of her second wedding, an unexpected visit by her ex-husband and a prying tabloid journalist throws her entire plans into turmoil.

In a truly spectacular cast full of A-listers, it's no surprise that four-time Academy Award winner Katharine Hepburn nailed the most engaging performance as Tracy Lorde. It's a role that helped redefine Hephurn's career in the 1940s after a slew of box-flops, showing audiences her incredible range and ability to play some incredibly inspiring characters.

The Philadelphia Story

Not Rated

Comedy

Romance

Where to Watch

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Release Date

January 17, 1941

Director

George Cukor

Cast

Cary Grant , Katharine Hepburn , James Stewart , Ruth Hussey , John Howard , Roland Young , John Halliday , Mary Nash

Runtime

112 Minutes

9 Ethan Edwards (John Wayne)

'The Searchers' (1956)

In nearly fifty years in the entertainment business, the legendary John Wayne has been involved in several of the greatest Western movies of all time. From Stagecoach to True Grit, his filmography is filled with some iconic cowboy tales that became standouts of the Golden Age. However, it's his remarkable turn as the hardened Civil War veteran Ethan Edwards in John Ford's The Searchersthat became Wayne's most defining role.

Bitter, brash, and full of rage, Ethan Edwards isn't exactly the most traditional Western protagonist. However, when most of his family is killed and Commanche soldiers kidnap his only surviving niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood), he'll risk life and limb on a years-long mission to bring her back home. Through his iron will and some strong determination, he eventually proved successful in rescuing her despite so much stacked against him.

The Searchers

Western

Adventure

Drama

Where to Watch

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Release Date

May 26, 1956

Director

John Ford

Cast

John Wayne , Jeffrey Hunter , Vera Miles , Ward Bond , Natalie Wood

Runtime

119 minutes

8 Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart)

'Casablanca' (1942)

Heralded for its quotable lines, captivating drama, and brilliant performances, Michael Curtiz's Casablanca stands above all others as the most outstanding romance tale of the Golden Age. Starring Humphry Bogart in a role that made him a household name, he shines as the jaded ex-smuggler turned Moroccan nightclub owner Rick Blaine, who risks his life and freedom to help his former lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) and her resistance fighter husband escape the Nazis during World War II.

It's easy to see why Rick Blaine has become so synonymous with Humphry Bogart's career. He's a morally complex, fascinating protagonist who goes on a remarkable journey toward redemption as he sacrifices everything for the woman he loves. Praised as one of film history's most compelling heroes, Rick is an unconventional but ultimately brave character whose heroic actions not only saved the lives of others but even benefited the allies in the war effort.

Casablanca

PG

Drama

Romance

War

Where to Watch

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Release Date

January 23, 1942

Director

Michael Curtiz

Cast

Humphrey Bogart , Ingrid Bergman , Paul Henreid , Claude Rains , Conrad Veidt , Sydney Greenstreet

Runtime

102 minutes

7 Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland)

'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)

Capturing the hearts of audiences through the power of her magnificent singing voice, the late Judy Garland left a lasting legacy as one of Old Hollywood's most beloved female performers. In The Wizard of Oz, her crowning achievement, she plays her best role as the loveable Dorthy Gale, a Kansas farm girl who finds herself on a whimsical journey through the mysterious land of Oz.

Everything, from her iconic blue and white dress, red ruby slippers, and accompanying little dog, Toto, has made Dorathy Gale such a recognizable figure in cinema throughout the years. For many Wizard of Oz fans, the scene with Dorthy as she's singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is an unforgettable and defining moment that couldn't fail to leave tears in audiences' eyes. It's all thanks to Garland for creating a truly spectacular character who helped secure The Wizard of Oz's status as an unforgettable classic.

The Wizard of Oz

G

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Musical

Release Date

August 15, 1939

Director

Victor Fleming , Mervyn LeRoy , Richard Thorpe , King Vidor

Cast

Judy Garland , Frank Morgan , Ray Bolger , Bert Lahr , Jack Haley , Billie Burke

Runtime

101

Studio

Warner Bros.

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6 The Monster (Boris Karloff)

'Frankenstein' (1931)

Universal's Classic Monsters Era has become a defining aspect of Hollywood's Golden Years, a series of horror films that brought some incredibly memorable monsters and villains that have become legendary in the industry. While there are a plethora of iconic monsters to choose from, none hold a candle to the legacy of The Monster from James Whale's 1931 horror classic Frankenstein, starring Boris Karloff in the titular role.

In an era that saw the likes of Bela Lugosi as Dracula and Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf Man, it's Boris Karloff who truly stole the show as Frankenstein's Monster, a tragic, misunderstood creature whose iconic appearance alone has become the stuff of cinematic royalty. From Jack P. Pierce's fantastic make-up effects to Karloff's physically demanding performance, The Monster is a resounding icon of the silver screen, one who continues to be quite popular in the horror genre despite coming out more than ninety years ago.

Frankenstein (1931)

Passed

Sci-Fi

Drama

Horror

Where to Watch

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Release Date

November 21, 1931

Director

James Whale

Cast

Colin Clive , Mae Clarke , Boris Karloff , John Boles , Edward Van Sloan , Frederick Kerr , Dwight Frye , Lionel Belmore

Runtime

70 Minutes

5 George Bailey (James Stewart)

'It's A Wonderful Life' (1946)

In this uplifting holiday classic, Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life follows the incredible journey of George Bailey (James Stewart), a frustrated small-town banker who, on the cusp of financial ruin, contemplates ending his existence on Christmas Eve. However, when he's stopped at the last minute by a mysterious guardian angel, George is given a new perspective on his life when he's transported to an alternate reality to witness what things would be like if he'd never been born.

It's an incredibly epic and emotional story about a struggling man's journey towards self-discovery. George looks back at all his past actions, learning to appreciate his life and how every small act of kindness and sacrifice led to positive outcomes for everyone around him. He began his journey thinking his life had no significance, but slowly began to understand the beauty of what he meant to other people. He's a genuinely noble and inspiring character, made all the more incredible thanks to James Stewart, whose memorable performance made George Bailey so beloved and revered throughout the decades.

It's a Wonderful Life

PG

Christmas

Supernatural

Drama

Where to Watch

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Release Date

January 7, 1947

Director

Frank Capra

Cast

James Stewart , Donna Reed , Lionel Barrymore , Thomas Mitchell

Runtime

131

4 Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins)

'Psycho' (1960)

A near-perfect horror masterpiece, Sir Alfred Hitchco*ck's Psycho has made quite an impact on horror pop culture in the years since its debut. When a Phoenix secretary decides to scam her boss out of thousands and runs off into the countryside, she stops by a motel maintained and operated by a supposedly shy and friendly young man named Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). However, looks can be deceiving for Norman, as he harbors a terrifying dark side.

Widely regarded as one of cinema's greatest villains, Norman Bates has become a true hero in horror cinema, delivering lines and performing terrifying actions that have become staples of the genre. It's a role Anthony Perkins was born to play, effectively portraying an outwardly unassuming and harmless young man but carrying an unhinged, murderous beast within. He's frightening and unforgettable, a perfect horror antagonist who leaves an unsettling feeling in viewers long after seeing the film.

Psycho

R

Horror

Thriller

Psychological

Where to Watch

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Release Date

June 22, 1960

Director

Alfred Hitchco*ck

Cast

Anthony Perkins , Vera Miles , John Gavin , Martin Balsam , John McIntire , Simon Oakland

Runtime

109 minutes

Studio

Paramount Pictures

3 Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh)

'Gone with the Wind' (1939)

Regarded as one of the most compelling romantic epics of all time, Gone with the Wind is a truly spectacular cinematic achievement that continues to be a beloved classic in film history. Two-time Academy Award winner Vivien Leigh stole the show with her marvelous, Oscar-winning performance as Scarlett O'Hara, a charming southern belle who leads her struggling family through the harsh few years and aftermath of the brutal American Civil War.

Throughout this nearly four-hour-long story, viewers watch Scarlett go from a wealthy, naive, and pampered young girl to an unexpected source of strength for her entire family. She became a capable and independent woman who beat the odds and ensured her family's survival in the face of so much tragedy after one of the country's most devastating conflicts. Her notable character change and tenacity have made Scarlett O'Hara an essential part of what made Gone with the Wind so enduring over the years, and Leigh's performance is easily the most recognizable.

Gone With the Wind

G

Drama

Romance

War

Where to Watch

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Release Date

December 15, 1939

Director

Victor Fleming , George Cukor , Sam Wood

Cast

Thomas Mitchell , Barbara O'Neil , Vivien Leigh , Evelyn Keyes , Ann Rutherford , George Reeves , Hattie McDaniel

Runtime

238 minutes

Studio

MGM

2 Charles Foster Kane (Orson Wells)

'Citizen Kane' (1941)

Hailed as one of the most outstanding masterpieces of the Golden Age, Citizen Kane is a once-in-a-lifetime film that every movie buff needs to see at least once. Directed, produced, and starring Orson Welles in his career-defining role as the millionaire newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, it follows this once-powerful tycoon's heartbreaking, tragic decline from his ambitious rise to prominence to his dark, lonely last days.

It's hard not to feel sympathy for Kane, a broken shell of a man who has led a rather eventful but empty life where he experienced nothing but heartbreak and tragedy. Audiences followed as this once idealistic and hopeful young man became a bitter, lonely old recluse due to years of greed and a need for control. He's a complex, tragic protagonist whose compelling story has become legendary in cinema and continues to be an influence and subject of study throughout the years.

Citizen Kane

NR

Drama

Documentary

Mystery

Where to Watch

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Release Date

April 17, 1941

Director

Orson Welles

Cast

Orson Welles , Joseph Cotten , Dorothy Comingore , Agnes Moorehead , Ruth Warrick , Ray Collins

Runtime

119

Main Genre

Drama

Studio

RKO Radio Pictures

1 The Tramp (Charles Chaplin)

'The Tramp Franchise' (1914-1936)

Finally, at number one, The Little Tramp (Charles Chaplin) has hilariously tossed and tumbled into becoming one of the most influential and beloved movie characters of all time. An icon of early cinema and the Silent Age, this kindhearted, bumbling traveler and the talented performer playing him have become synonymous with Old Hollywood and responsible for some of the greatest comedies in film history.

Appearing in several noticeable comedy classics during his decades-long stint on the big screen, including The Kid, The Gold Rush, City Lights, and Modern Times, it's undeniable that The Tramp is a timeless character that audiences couldn't fail to recognize. Through his notable slapstick and impressive physical humor, he's captured the hearts and minds of generations of moviegoers through the power of laughter. The remarkable Charles Chaplin created a long-lasting legacy with this loveable character, one who certainly will never be forgotten, no matter how many years go by. Undoubtedly, The Tramp is the defining character of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

The Gold Rush

Comedy

Adventure

Drama

Release Date

June 26, 1926

Director

Charles Chaplin

Cast

Charles Chaplin , Mack Swain , Tom Murray , Georgia Hale

Runtime

95 minutes

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