11 Introductions To Characters That Flopped, And 11 That Are Underrated And Well Done

Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove has one of the best movie entrances, but Thanos's post-credits appearance in The Avengers falls flat, TBH.

There's nothing more important than a first impression. Those words ring true when it comes to film characters. Sometimes it can be a slam dunk, while other times, it could fall flat on its face.

Paramount Pictures

Here are 11 character introductions from movies that we should gush over more and 11 that fell flat:

1. UNDERRATED: Spider-Punk/Hobie Brown from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Sony Pictures Releasing

Usually, I wouldn't say I like cut-away introductions, but the Spider-verse films follow their own rules...that's what makes them so unique. We meet Spider-Punk through his comic book while he's in the middle of joining a fight. It's always cool to see a superhero that doesn't want to call themselves a superhero.

His animation couldn't contradict the world around him more, which is perfect for his character since he doesn't "believe in consistency." He's a funny and erratic character, so the introduction is perfect.

2. HYPE-KILLER: Katana from Suicide Squad

Warner Bros.

I hope there weren't any Katana fans out there when they first viewed Suicide Squad. As the squad is already prepared to go on the mission, the film tacks on one more member by literally having her walk on the chopper at the last second. We apparently needed to know within seconds of meeting her that "her sword traps the soul of its victim."

This might be one of the worst character introductions, and what's even worse is that they pretty much didn't use her the entire movie, either.

3. UNDERRATED: The Nazgûl from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

New Line Cinema

In Fellowship of the Ring, outside of the introduction, the audience doesn't see anything too dark as we watch the festivities in the Shire. Cut to Mordor. After hearing a distressed creature cry out, "Shire! Baggins!" we see an eruption of lava from Mount Doom, and then "The Nine" ringwraiths enter by riding out through opened gates.

The audience can infer that they're riding out after our hero in the peaceful Shire. With the mix of the terrifying soundtrack, it's the perfect introduction that needs no words and no more than a single shot of the Nazgûl riding toward us.

They have a more minor role, but I feel like we don't gush over this moment enough.

4. HYPE-KILLER: Thanos from The Avengers

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

I'm sure people will disagree with me, but hear me out:

Many people believe Thanos is one of the best comic book villains ever adapted on the big screen. I'd agree, but we can also agree his introduction in the MCU was a dud. He appears in a post-credits scene in The Avengers, and the first appearance checks all the boxes...for comic book fans. They hint at the infinity gems (Infinity Stones in the movies), but the general audience has no clue who he is or what they are talking about. I recall a fan in theaters afterward screaming out, "Hellboy!?"

Nick Fury's introduction is the perfect counter-example of a well-executed intro in a post-credits scene. We can all agree his Guardians of the Galaxy and Infinity War introductions were wayyy better.

5. UNDERRATED: The "New" Andre from Get Out

Universal Pictures

Technically, we see Andre taken in the film's opening, but this is our first time meeting the "new" Andre. He probably has three minutes of screen time, but LaKeith Stanfield does a great job.

The way he smiles and speaks is so discomforting and is the first major red flag to the main character Chris, who now understands something very wrong is happening among these strangers.

6. HYPE-KILLER: Beetlejuice from Beetlejuice

Warner Bros.

The perverted bio-exorcist Beetlejuice is obnoxiously and hilariously outrageous. That said, his character introduction felt a little unnecessary. He first appears in a commercial while the Maitlands try to keep Lydia out of the attic. While the advertisement is funny, there could have been another way for them to seek his help without showing him because it spoils his unburial later in the film.

It would have been better to have his character introduction be his first confrontation with the Maitlands when they unbury him.

7. UNDERRATED: The Shark from Jaws

Universal Pictures

The shark in Jaws is exceptionally underrated because everyone always gushes over Quint's introduction. The shark's introduction is unique because we never see the shark. We only see its point of view, stalking and creeping close to the film's first victim.

I'd argue it's one of the scariest character introductions ever.

8. HYPE-KILLER: Hela from Thor: Ragnarok

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

This one was pretty disappointing because the shot of her crushing Thor's hammer Mjolnir with one hand was a pretty sweet moment both story-wise and visually. The introduction has less to do with Cate Blanchett's portrayal of the character and more with the sequence leading to her arrival.

Maybe if Hela showed up as an unknown villain and saved her true identity for later on in the film for more impact, instead, we got some dialogue from Odin about his "secret daughter" right before she arrived. It sucked the air out of what should have been a powerful debut.

9. UNDERRATED: Benoit Blanc from Knives Out

Lionsgate

Knives Out is filled with outlandish characters, but one introduction was handled so well that it needed no words.

It's an excellent wordless introduction, from hitting the piano key during the interrogation to how the interrogatees react to him. He eventually showcases his savvy detective skills and his witty personality.

10. HYPE-KILLER: Deadpool from Deadpool

20th Century Fox

I should confirm my bias that I like Deadpool 2 more than the origin story. I know people have a soft spot for the opening because it was the purposely leaked teaser to help get the film launched, but it tries a little too hard.

This version of Wade Wilson is crude and "pushes" the boundaries of what we're used to seeing in a superhero. To me, it was an unlikeable character that was painful to watch. The sequel had a lot more heart, whereas the first film didn't have that same spark.

11. UNDERRATED: Fletcher from Whiplash

Sony Pictures Classics

A truly MASTERFUL character introduction. Fletcher is in and out of the room within two minutes and hardly raises his voice. It's the perfect tease for when we later find out that the man is an unstable piece of...work.

It's such a subtle first appearance that it goes overlooked, but JK Simmons earns a perfect grade from me...quite my tempo.

12. HYPE-KILLER: Mutt from Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Paramount Pictures

I like this movie more than most people, but this was a silly entrance. Indiana Jones gets on a train, and a young man named Mutt looks for the archeologist when he enters the train station...on a motorcycle.

It would have been more wild to see him chase after the train and a bit more believable. How the heck did he get onto the platform? It's all downhill from there for Mutt.

13. UNDERRATED: Evelyn from The Mummy

Universal Pictures

If you don't love Evie from The Mummy, just tell me you have no heart.

Evelyn's introduced in the comfort of her role as a librarian. She goes on to knock over a bunch of bookshelves in the most hilarious way possible. Her relatable workplace behavior makes audiences instantly fall in love with her.

14. HYPE-KILLER: Ares from Wonder Woman

Warner Bros.

I am beginning to think I hate "I'm the real villain" twists.

Wonder Woman is an A+ movie until the third act begins. We learn a seemingly good guy is actually the God of War Ares that they have teased since the film's opening. The big bad we were waiting for was a mustached Professor Lupin that fell on its face as an introduction and a twist.

15. UNDERRATED: Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove

Walt Disney Feature Animation

The Emperor has already been shown as a young punk, so who better to advise him than an old jerk? Yzma is one of the best Disney villains. @ me all day!

Her first interaction is calling a citizen a peasant! She's the worst and the best all at once.

16. HYPE-KILLER: Snoke from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Lucasfilm

Don't get me wrong, I LOVED The Force Awakens, but Snoke's entrance had a big problem. Big? Get it? Well, you will after I explain that countless people believed Snoke's first scene wasn't a projection but instead his actual giant size.

It's a good scene and feels very Star Wars-y, but it was hard to enjoy the location on first viewing the giant supreme leading elephant in the room.

17. UNDERRATED: Batman from The Batman

Warner Bros.

I won't lie, I initially had Christian Bale's Batman from Batman Begins on here because everyone gushes over Heath Ledger's entrance as the Joker but forgets how great his entrance is.

That said...the opening to The Batman is phenomenal and worth the price of admission. It sets the tone right that this isn't a Bruce Wayne story, but a grounded, grittier Batman that is still new to crime-fighting. The music. The cinematography. *Chef's kiss*

18. HYPE-KILLER: Lex Luthor from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Warner Bros.

Yikes.

I loved the idea of Lex Luthor being less of a "cool guy" and more "punchable face" as a supervillain, but this character missed the mark. From writing to acting, everyone could take a little blame, and having his first moment be him nailing a three-pointer in a rec game was a weird choice. Then proceeding to greet a person by saying, "Ahoy, ahoy," made him not unlikable, but unwatchable. 

19. UNDERRATED: Baron Vladimir Harkonnen from Dune

Warner Bros.

Less is more.

The tease of showing this large, villainous mass taking a steam bath was a simple and effective way to show this was our big bad of Dune. It helps that the film was beautifully shot by Denis Villeneuve.

20. HYPE-KILLER: The (Not) Mandarin from Iron Man 3

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

I could make a list of unpopular Marvel movie opinions, but man, do I feel strongly about the Mandarin twist. The character introduction was the definition of "hype-killing" when we find out Ben Kingsley's character isn't the real Mandarin. In The Dark Knight Rises, people threw a fit over Bane working under Talia Al Ghul, but at least he was still a menace following through with the villainry.

The fake Mandarin was a red herring that could easily be tossed aside from the story. God forbid they had just cast an Asian actor and made him a badass supervillain from the start.

21. UNDERRATED: Trinity from The Matrix

Warner Bros.

There are so many classic moments, plus the first appearance of Morpheus, but I feel like people really sleep on Trinity's introduction. The action-packed opening convinced viewers they were watching the main character. Seriously, she could have carried this film on her own.

Sometimes great dialogue can be a great introduction. Other times, the right demeanor. For Carrie-Anne Moss, it was straight-up ass-kicking.

22. And finally, HYPE-KILLER: Hellboy from the first Hellboy (2019) trailer

Lionsgate

I've still yet to watch this movie. If we're talking about movie trailers alone, the 2019 reboot of Hellboy introduced its lead character in the worst way. In an era of film where everyone uses a similar kind of humor, the opening moment of the trailer felt like every other superhero movie. Hellboy yells at a guy for shooting at him in a moment fit for a laugh track. It left me cringing.

The dark-themed poster and makeup had such promise, but seeing it all in motion made me say, "Oh no," as I watched it for the first time.

Disagree with any of my opinions on these character introductions? How about adding some of your own? Tell us your favorite (or least favorite) movie character introductions in the comments below!