22 Side Characters Who Were Way Better Than The Protagonist

I'm gonna need an origin story about Genie from Aladdin, asap.

We recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community which supporting movie characters totally stole the show. Here's what they said!

1. Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter

Warner Bros. Pictures

"I think she really deserved a full-blown backstory rather than just a chapter in the deathly hallows. A film about her would be totally kickass!"

—angelkash327

2. O'ren Ishii from Kill Bill

Miramax

"The Bride was cool but O'Ren's backstory was sooo interesting. I'd love to see a movie about what happened to her after her parents were assassinated."

–hanifahrahman

3. Haymitch from The Hunger Games

Lionsgate Films

"He worked so damn hard for Katniss, Peeta, and the rebellion and Katniss just complained about him drinking and not getting Peeta out the arena. He had so many issues from his games and all the children he saw go in after but he still worked hard for them and managed to save them from it. He always supported Katniss in his own way and he certainly is more than just a drunk old guy."

—celester40a983019

4. Marla from Fight Club

20th Century Fox

"She made Fight Club for me. The whole cast was great but it's her scenes I still remember."

—welshuk

5. Maui from Moana

Buena Vista Distribution

"Whether the spinoff focused on future adventures or his past, I think it would be so fun. His backstory seems so interesting and I'd love to learn more about it."

—sjl417

6. Fat Amy from Pitch Perfect

Universal Pictures

"She was the best part of Pitch Perfect! Her character was the funniest and to be honest I think making her the story would have been much better than Anna Kendrick’s character."

—laurynashleighb

7. Lisa from Girl, Interrupted

Columbia Pictures

"Winona Ryder’s Susanna was the main character but Angelina Jolie’s Lisa stole the entire show (and an Oscar)."

—13132023

8. Lucious Best AKA Frozone from The Incredibles

Buena Vista Distribution

"He's sick, he's got that edge. Mr. Incredible was average compared to him."

–benarmson

9. Emily from The Devil Wears Prada

20th Century Fox

"She steals the movie for me!"

—hummingbirdbubble03

10. Mercutio from Romeo + Juliet

20th Century Fox

"He's got mad energy, good swagger. and I cared more about his death than Romeo's, tbh."

–benarmson

11. Janis from Mean Girls

Paramount Pictures

"She was easily the most layered (and one of the funniest) character in the movie, and it would be interesting to see flashbacks to when she and Regina were best friends."

–hanifahrahman

12. Genie from Aladdin

Buena Vista Distribution Company

"Robin Williams stole the whole movie."

—s4c4100dc6

13. Hit-Girl from Kick-Ass

Universal Pictures

"I would've watched a whole series of Hit-Girl movies."

—beverleyc4b7c81aa6

14. Captain Shakespeare from Stardust

Paramount Pictures

"Robert Did Niro's performance both stole and made that movie."

—greyladybast

15. Anna from Frozen

Buena Vista Distribution

"Sorry Elsa, but Anna is the real queen of Frozen."

—courtneyt4ef695c5c

16. MJ from Spiderman: Homecoming

Sony Pictures Releasing

"She’s not your “typical” portrayal of Mary Jane. She’s tough and mature, but not SO mature to the point where you can tell it’s an actor."

—broadwaybabyonboard

17. Samwise from Lord Of The Rings

New Line Cinema

"If it weren't for him, Frodo would have never gotten to Mordor without him, much less destroy the ring. He never lost hope and was always looking out for Frodo."

—ThatOneSheerio

"He was smart, loyal and when it came down to it, the reason the ring was finally destroyed. If it had just been Frodo, Sauron would have got the ring back and Frodo would slowly be turning into another Gollum. Samwise Gamgee is the true hero!"

—m4baf689e0

18. Domino from Deadpool 2

20th Century Fox

"Going into her history and life growing up as someone with the ability to be very lucky would be so cool."

—gretcheno3

19. Rizzo from Grease

New Line Cinema

"She actually had some character while Sandy was just really bland."

—thehylianyoshi

"'There Are Worse Things I Could Do' is an unmatched soliloquy. She's dealing with some real shit, unlike every other character."

—marschick

20. Dionne from Clueless

Paramount Pictures

"She's an unproblematic, fashion-forward, loved up, career focussed queen and we deserve to see more of her."

–adaenechi

21. Nancy from The Craft

Columbia Pictures

"Nancy had so much darkness brewing, I don't think she got the full narrative she deserved. She clearly grew up in a bad situation; she befriended others who were their own outcasts. Nancy pulled the 'coven' together and yes, turned dark BUT there's more to her than that! I mean look how she handled that fuckboy played by Skeet Ulrich!"

—cocopa

22. Cliff from Once Upon A Time in Hollywood

Sony Pictures Releasing

"He was was so much more engaging than Leonardo DiCaprio's character. I found myself wanting to skip most of Leo's scenes because Brad dealing with the Manson family and doing all the dirty work was so much more interesting."

—petty-dabbler

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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