10 Greatest Sci-Fi Movie Characters of the Last 100 Years

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The Alien, played by Scarlett Johansson, sits in a car and looks at the distance in the film Under the Skin.

Ryan Heffernan is a Senior Writer at Collider. Storytelling has been one of his interests since an early age, with his appreciation for film and television becoming a particular interest of his during his teenage years.

This passion saw Ryan graduate from the University of Canberra in 2020 with an Honours Degree in Film Production. In the years since, he has found freelance work as a videographer and editor in the Canberra region while also becoming entrenched in the city's film-making community.

In addition to cinema and writing, Ryan's other major interest is sport, with him having a particular love for Australian Rules football, Formula 1, and cricket. He also has casual interests in reading, gaming, and history.

Spanning as far back as the silent era, since the very dawn of cinema, science fiction has been one of the form’s defining genres, a vessel for ambitious and bold storytelling that has long served as a catalyst for technical innovation and a platform for some of the greatest and most pioneering directors of all time. It has also treated movie lovers to some of the finest characters in cinematic history, ranging from defining figures of blockbuster spectacle to some of the most complex and intriguing figures to have ever graced the screen.

Science fiction has proven itself to be multifaceted, capable of delivering thematically rich explorations of human nature and monumental spectacles with aplomb, both of which are often defined by the impact and impressionable nature of its characters. Including everything from mad scientists to robotic villains, awe-inspiring heroes, and even iconic movie monsters, these are the greatest characters in the past 100 years of science-fiction cinema.

10 Neo (Keanu Reeves) - 'The Matrix' Franchise (1999-2021)

Neo (Keanu Reeves) with a raised hand, stopping bullets with his mind in 'The Matrix Reloaded'.

Not only an enduring masterpiece of sci-fi blockbuster cinema, but standing as one of the most iconic pictures of the 1990s as well, The Matrix thrives as a faultless combination of substance and style, presenting a thought-provoking world of simulated reality imbued with an enchanting cyberpunk aesthetic. This marriage of visual panache and thematic richness is epitomized in its hero, with Keanu Reeves’s Neo excelling as one of the coolest characters in cinematic history, but as a compelling figure of heroism and fate as well.

Initially a computer hacker, he is approached by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who exposes him to the true nature of reality, revealing that the world he knows is an augmented fiction and that, in truth, humanity is being enslaved in a stasis by machines and being drained as an energy source. Heralded as the “chosen one,” Neo evolves to be humanity’s savior, going from being a relatable and struggling everyman to an almost mythic, martial arts action hero. His transformation is almost as renowned as his black coat and sunglasses, ensuring his standing as not only one of the most intriguing sci-fi movie characters, but as a defining icon of cinema in recent decades as well.

9 The Female (Scarlett Johansson) - 'Under the Skin' (2013)

Scarlett Johansson looking at the distance with a sun glare in her face in Under the Skin

Confronting though undeniably underrated, Under the Skin is one of the boldest sci-fi films of the 21st century, if not of all time. It is a provocative and piercing exploration of such ideas as identity, objectification, and human experiences like loneliness, lust, and connection that works as both a deconstruction of sex symbolism and a remarkably poignant analysis of empathy. Scarlett Johansson stars as an alien known only as “The Female,” who roams around Scotland in a van seducing isolated men and luring them to a black, liquid abyss where they are dissolved.

Through her macabre process, The Female holds up a black mirror to society and modern attitudes towards sex. It is easy to point to her detachment and distance from human ethics and brand her as evil, and yet the film argues her callous nature isn’t far removed from how human beings consistently treat each other. Anchored by Johansson’s unbelievably committed performance—a striking embodiment of sexual power and eerie though complex inhumanity—Under the Skin produces one of the most intriguing characters in sci-fi cinema. The film uses her as a vessel to invert the predatory perception of the male gaze, making her an exceptional catalyst for one of the most engrossing thematic journeys the genre has seen in a long time.

8 HAL 9000 (Douglas Rain) - '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968)

Arguably the greatest science-fiction movie ever made, it should come as no surprise to anyone that 2001: A Space Odyssey also features what is one of the most chilling and timeless villains the genre has ever seen, one so puncturing in its nature that almost 60 years after its release, it remains the defining cautionary tale of A.I. technology. The character in question is, of course, HAL 9000, the advanced A.I. system in control of the operations of Discovery One, an American spacecraft en route to Jupiter.

Armed with Douglas Rain’s haunting vocal performance of both uncanny eeriness and imposing, methodical menace, HAL 9000 epitomizes the terror of technology’s calculated rationality working against human interest. What quickly becomes the most effective aspect of HAL 9000 is that it isn’t an entity of evil or malevolence, but a byproduct of human error, an illustration of the potential ramifications of a programming glitch that has remained front-of-mind as the capabilities of technology have evolved and progressed consistently over the last six decades. In many respects, HAL 9000’s ominous red glow and calm voice have come to define the coldness of sci-fi villainy as well as the genre’s thematic interest in A.I. as both a new frontier of technology and a potential hazard humanity must reckon with.

7 Doctor Emmett “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd) - The 'Back to the Future' Trilogy (1985-1990)

Christopher Lloyd holding two booster cables in Back to the Future

“Great Scott!” Science-fiction cinema has seen a great many mad scientists over the decades, characters so immersed in the possibilities of their research that their sense of reason—and sometimes even their humanity—takes a back seat. Doctor Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) isn’t among the most macabre or malicious of these characters, but he is still at the pinnacle of the archetype, a maniacal yet infectiously fun scientific genius who makes a time machine… out of a DeLorean?

With his wild hair, white lab coat, and fast-talking scientific jargon that leaves everybody perplexed, “Doc” is the hero of the story when Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) winds up 30 years in the past and reaches out to the 1955 Doc to help him get back to his original time. Doc is eccentric and intensely enthusiastic, but he also has his heart in the right place. He strikes a rich and joyous emotional balance that makes him a defining aspect of Back to the Future’s brilliance and one of the most beloved characters in sci-fi cinema, a shining beacon of what the genre ought to look like at its appealing, adventurous, and warm-hearted best.

6 Godzilla - The Godzilla Franchise (1954-)

Godzilla in the original 1954 movie staring down the Japanese army and reading for combat

On November 3, 1954, Godzilla was released in Japan, effectively launching what has become one of the most well-known franchises in pop culture history. The spectacle the movie monster presents is clear to see, with the gigantic lizard-like creature wreaking havoc everywhere it goes and becoming a beacon of sci-fi action in the process. However, the character has also come to epitomize the genre’s more thematic and symbolic interests as well, with the original 1954 film coming to be celebrated around the globe as a metaphor for the lingering trauma and destruction of the nuclear strikes on Japan from WWII.

As the character has remained prolific over the decades, different iterations of him exist, not only in terms of unique powers, but also in terms of his role within any given story as well. Godzilla has been everything from a city-destroying monster to an anti-hero with emotional motivations, and even to a towering protector of humanity. This versatility and potential for thematic heft conspire to make Godzilla one of the most noteworthy characters in sci-fi film history. And if that isn’t enough, then the fact that he is a gigantic lizard capable of flight, atomic breath, and a devastating nuclear pulse certainly doesn’t hurt his iconic standing either.

5 Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) - 'Blade Runner' (1982)

Roy Batty under the rain in Blade Runner

A masterpiece of science-fiction cinema, Blade Runner has no shortage of qualities that elevate it to being possibly the greatest movie the genre has ever seen. Its cyberpunk aesthetic conjures a rich and seedy dystopian landscape of darkness and gorgeous neon light, making for one of the most visually astonishing pictures of all time. Its thematic in questions of existentialism and humanity is complex and immersive. Even Harrison Ford’s lead performance as Rick Deckard captures an air of depth and intrigue. Another defining element of the film’s excellence is Rutger Hauer’s astonishing turn as Roy Batty, the villain who becomes the most relatable and resonant character in the story.

The replicant instigates a corporate and law enforcement catastrophe when he leads a posse of androids back to Earth to confront their maker in search of life spanning beyond their four-year limit. It is a desire stoked by emotions like fear, desperation, and empathy, making Batty the most unlikely vessel to examine the nature of humanity. While his immense strength, artificial design, and even his striking style make him an imposing antagonist, Batty is ultimately defined by his existential struggle, a sympathetic villain immortalized by the iconic “tears in rain” monologue he delivers after saving Deckard just moments before he dies. He encapsulates the philosophical might of sci-fi’s most innate thematic question—what does it mean to be human?

4 Han Solo (Harrison Ford) - The 'Star Wars' Franchise

The variety of influences in the original Star Wars trilogy is something that has been lost in more recent returns to the franchise. While the sci-fi allure and action enormity are hallmarks of the original movies, so too is the noteworthy influence of everything from Japan’s samurai cinema to the spaghetti Westerns Europe produced in the '60s and early '70s. This latter inspiration is immediately recognizable in some of the trilogy’s most iconic characters, particularly Harrison Ford’s roguish and roughened smuggler, Han Solo.

Upon his introduction, he enchants viewers with his unapologetic self-interest, scoundrel charm, and cynical pragmatism, making him a magnetic presence. As he becomes a reluctant hero and, eventually, a defining figure of the Rebel Alliance, Solo’s impact on the trilogy only grows greater, with viewers being won over by the sense of loyalty, compassion, and courage he sports beneath his hard-edged exterior. Fun, dashing, charismatic, and a true badass when the time comes, Han Solo is as energizing and enthralling a character sci-fi action has seen, and is among the greatest supporting parts in the history of cinema from any genre.

3 The T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) - 'The Terminator' Franchise (1984-2019)

Few characters are granted the opportunity to make a statement as both a hero and a villain. Throughout the Terminator franchise, however, the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) masters both character archetypes. The original 1984 film presents him as the imposing emissary of Skynet, an advanced killing machine sent back to mid-'80s L.A. to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the woman who gives birth to the leader of humanity’s resistance in 2029, John Connor. With Schwarzenegger’s hulking frame, cold emotionlessness, and iconic voice, the T-800 dominates the movie as an imposing force, a relentless killer who will stop at nothing to complete the mission.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day reimagined the character, with the T-800 being sent back to 1991 L.A. to protect a young John Connor (Edward Furlong) from the onslaught of the more advanced T-1000 (Robert Patrick). The change-up transformed the T-800 from a menacing villain to one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history, a mighty hero of humanity that develops beyond its programming to grasp the value of life. Seeing a cool and impactful villain become a hero is always a rewarding character arc, and it has seldom been done better than throughout The Terminator films, resulting in the T-800 being one of the most beloved action heroes of all time.

2 Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) - The 'Alien' Franchise (1979-)

Sigourney Weaver as Lieut. Ellen Ripley aboard a spacecraft in the science-fiction–horror film Alien.

Badass female leads have become something of a constant in today’s cinematic landscape, but very few can rival the impact or iconic standing of the original action heroine, the Alien franchise’s Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). The original 1979 sci-fi horror classic focuses on her resourcefulness and courage, showcasing her evolution from an ordinary, working-class woman in a dystopian future to an intelligent and instinctive survivor prepared to do whatever is necessary to defeat the xenomorph.

As if her resolve in Alien wasn’t enough to consolidate her as one of the greatest protagonists in cinematic history, Aliens doubles down on her qualities with its greater emphasis on action excitement, realizing her as a tough and resilient combatant, an adept leader, and an impenetrable protector. More than just an awesome character, however, Ripley broke new ground as a subversion of gender roles in film, a confrontation of stereotypical female leads defined by her capability and grit without completely ignoring her emotional vulnerabilities as well. It makes for a complete and relatable character, a commendable figure of badass heroism and poignant humanity, and one of the greatest characters of any genre in cinematic history.

1 Darth Vader (David Prowse & James Earl Jones) - The 'Star Wars' Franchise

Darth Vader reaches his hand out in Empire Strikes Back.

Defining the might and menace of cinematic villainy, the otherworldly detail of sci-fi character design, and even the multi-faceted magnificence of filmmaking, Darth Vader isn’t just the greatest character to have graced science-fiction film; he is the defining figure of movie antagonism at large. There is so much that goes into making him the ultimate bad guy, from David Prowse’s imposing physicality and James Earl Jones’s rich vocal work to the masterful costume design, John Williams’s instantly recognizable “Imperial March” theme, and George Lucas’s ability to weave a character arc of immense power and poignant tragedy.

With his visual design and mastery of the Force, Darth Vader epitomizes sci-fi grandeur, a truth also supported by his integration of futuristic technology and mystic magic. Simply as a character, though, he is no less compelling, a former hero of the Jedi fallen from grace who, by the end of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, has earned redemption as his love for his son guides him from the dark side and against his evil overlord, Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). This marriage of sci-fi style and dramatic complexity makes for the most captivating character in sci-fi movie history. The combination of so many practical and performative elements to conjure such a striking figure also establishes Darth Vader as one of the most iconic characters cinema has ever seen, as well.