It might be an unpopular opinion, but a true hero valiantly vanquishes the evil forces without really hogging the limelight. Throughout the history of movies, there have been numerous heroic characters who are known for their wits, grit, strength, or charisma. However, there is hardly an epic tale in which the main protagonist is not aided by a supporting character. From Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings to Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes, these supporting characters hardly get their due which they rightfully deserve. Here are 15 movie sidekicks who deserve much more appreciation for sticking with the heroes till the end of the line.
15. Chewbacca from Star Wars
Solo: A Star Wars Story might not be the greatest Star Wars movie, but it showed by Han Solo and Chewbacca had become such an inseparable duo. A violent Wookie and a rebellious star pilot teaming up together is not a sight you see every day. But no matter how dangerous the mission is, Chewbacca never left his closest friend’s side, even till Han’s death at the hands of Kylo Ren. Without Chewie, the Millennium Falcon is never complete.
14. Doc Holliday from Tombstone
Doc Holliday was a real-life character who was portrayed by Val Kilmer in Tombstone (1993). Having received critical acclaim for his performance, the character of Doc Holliday is a perfect sidekick one can wish for. An accomplished dentist and a lethal gunslinger, Doc Holliday saves Wyatt Earp’s life by choosing to duel the much faster gunslinger Johnny Ringo and emerged victoriously.
13. Red from The Shawshank Redemption
Related: Shawshank Redemption Theory: Red Died. The Ending Was A Dream
Morgan Freeman’s portrayal as Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding in The Shawshank Redemption is undoubtedly one of the best performances of all time. Having imprisoned for a long time, Red had deep pockets which enabled him to smuggle anything he wanted. When he met Andy Dufresne, he provided him with a small rock hammer and a poster of Rita Hayworth. And as we know, the rest is history. But what really makes Red such an unforgettable character is his warmth and dignified presence.
12. Sallah from Indiana Jones
Not the one to shy away from risking his life for the greater good, Indiana Jones owes a lot to his trusted friend Sallah for saving his life numerous times. A skilled archaeologist in his own right, Sallah’s keen mind has saved Indiana Jones from many booby traps laid by their enemies.
11. Ron Weasley from Harry Potter
Yes, Hermione is definitely the smartest of the trio and they wouldn’t have survived for a day without her help in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. But it’s Ron who truly resonates with Harry, despite their many differences. Having befriended the Chosen One on his very first day, Ron has been with Harry through thick and thin, giving him the family he never had.
10. Bumblebee from Transformers
Related: Transformers: All the Original Thirteen Primes – Ranked
He might not be the strongest or the largest Autobot, but Bumblebee is still Optimus Prime’s most trusted lieutenant. His grit, determination, and playfulness make him an integral part of the Transformers franchise. His ability to connect effortlessly with both the Autobots and humans is what makes him such a great ally against the Decepticons.
9. Trinity from Matrix Trilogy
Related: Matrix 4: Daniel Bernhardt’s Agent Johnson May Replace Agent Smith
Neo is arguably one of the coolest heroes of all time. But without Trinity’s help, the One wouldn’t have survived against the robot overlords. From guiding Neo to actually bringing him back to life, Trinity has fought alongside Neo in almost every perilous situation. And let’s not forget that one time when Trinity forced the Merovingian to release Neo from the surreal limbo of the digital subway system where he was trapped.
8. Dr. John Watson from Sherlock Holmes
Though his intellect falls short when compared to Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson is still an extremely intelligent man in his own right. But then, it’s not his intelligence that makes him such a valuable sidekick to Sherlock Holmes. It’s his heart, respect, and ability to quickly read the situation that makes him one of the greatest sidekicks in movie history.
7. Zeus Carver from Die Hard With A Vengeance
Forced into a world of complex terror plots and violent radicals, Zeus Carver’s ingenuity and empathy helped John McClane to live to see another day. Played by Samuel L. Jackson, Zeus is a locksmith who swoops in to save McClane from getting a severe beatdown. His expansive knowledge about riddles also helped McClane to solve the puzzles set by Gruber. Finally, it was Zeus who urged McClane to reconnect with his estranged wife, thus cementing their friendship.
6. Pascal from Tangled
Despite being a small lizard, Pascal played a vital role in the emancipation of Rapunzel. Shown to be a witty, clever, and humorous character, Pascal always stuck with Rapunzel to prevent her from going insane due to the isolation. As a loyal friend, Pascal also motivated Rapunzel to take the first steps that would later change her life.
5. Olaf from Frozen
Related: Disney: 15 Times The Audience Had Some Very Different Opinions About The Movies
A sentient snowman who has come to life, Olaf is one of the most beloved characters from Frozen. Despite being a small snowman, Olaf played a vital role in the movie by uniting Anna and Kristoff. He also freed Anna when she was left by Hans to die, thus catalyzing the downfall of the evil Hans and making Elsa see the power of love.
4. Robin from The LEGO Batman Movie
A good sidekick obeys the hero’s orders. But a great sidekick makes the hero see their flaws and become a better version of themselves. Michael Cera’s Robin in The LEGO Batman Movie is such a sidekick. Robin’s contagious optimism and occasional naivety make Batman appreciate his own character even more.
3. Hit-Girl from Kick-Ass
Deeply committed to justice, Hit-Girl is a paradoxical character. As one of those rare characters who are both hilarious and depressing, Hit-Girl is an adolescent girl who has no qualms about killing in cold blood. As a vigilante, her dry humor and sarcasm are often highlighted when she takes down the bad guys.
2. Lucius Fox from The Dark Knight Trilogy
Let’s admit it, The Dark Knight trilogy might be one of the best series of movies ever created, but it was nowhere near to Batman from the comic-books. Nolan’s focus on creating a realistic Batman movie took away Batman’s genius intellect as a scientist and inventor. But to fill the gap, Lucius Fox was brought in to provide Batman the gadgets he requires.
1. Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings
If you’re going through hell, you probably need a friend like Samwise Gamgee. Fiercely loyal to Frodo, Sam deserves much more appreciation than he actually receives. As Frodo’s mind started to get corrupted due to the One Ring’s influence, it was Sam who stuck with him throughout the journey till Mordor. From protecting Frodo from a giant spider to saving him from his own personal demons, Sam is the friend everyone needs in life.
