#20 Wolverine in X-Men
#19 The Huntsman in Snow White and the Huntsman
“I once had a wife, princess…When I came back from the war I carried with me the stench of death and the anger of the lost. I wasn’t worth saving, that’s for sure, but she did so anyway. And I loved her so much. I loved her more than anyone and anything, and then I let her out of my sight and she was gone. And I became myself again, a self I never cared for. Until you, cause you remind me of her. Her heart, her spirit. But now, you too have gone. You both deserved better and I’m so sorry I failed you.”
#18 Marcus Wright in Terminator: Salvation
“Yeah, well I’ve been dead for a while now and I’m starting to get used to it.”
#17 Han Solo in Star Wars
“I take orders from just one person: ME”
#16 Lancelot in King Arthur
#15 Tony Stark in Iron Man
Tony Stark: Apparently I’m volatile, self-obsessed, and don’t play well with others.
Pepper Potts: That I did know.
#14 Erik/Magneto in X-Men: First Class
#13 Bruce Wayne/Batman
Miranda: Even before you became a recluse, you never came to these things.
Bruce Wayne: Proceeds go to the big fat spread. It’s not about charity, it’s about feeding the ego of whichever society hag laid this on.
#12 Anakin from Star Wars
“From the moment I met you, all those years ago, not a day has gone by when I haven’t thought of you. And now that I’m with you again…I’m in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you – I can’t breathe. I’m haunted by the kiss that you should never have given me. My heart is beating… hoping that kiss will not become a scar. You are in my very soul, tormenting me…”
#11 Eric Draven from The Crow
“He died a year ago the moment he touched her. They’re all dead. They just don’t know it yet.”
Content Note: The film is Rated R
#10 Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean
Lt. Gillette: This ship cannot be crewed by two men. You’ll never make it out of the bay.
Jack Sparrow: Son, I’m Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?
#9 Edward Cullen in Twilight
“What if I’m not the hero? What if I am the bad guy?”
#8 Dracula in Bram Stoker’s Dracula
“I shall rise from my own death, to avenge hers with all the powers of darkness.”
Content Note: The film is Rated R
#7 Louis from Interview With the Vampire
Louis: Do you think I would let them harm you?
Claudia: No you would not Louis, danger holds you to me.
Louis: Love holds you to me.
Content Note: Rated R
#6 Lestat from Interview With the Vampire
“Evil is a point of view. God kills indiscriminately and so shall we. For no creatures under God are as we are, none so like him as ourselves.”
Content Note: Rated R
#5 Maxim de Winter in Rebecca
“I’m asking you to marry me, you little fool.”
#4 The Phantom of the Opera
“This lonesome gargoyle who burns in hell but secretly yearns for heaven secretly, secretly.”
#3 Snape in Harry Potter
#2 Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights (1939)
“Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest so long as I live on! I killed you. Haunt me, then! Haunt your murderer! I know that ghosts have wandered on the Earth. Be with me always. Take any form, drive me mad, only do not leave me in this dark alone where I cannot find you. I cannot live without my life! I cannot die without my soul.”
#1 Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre (2011)
“This spring I came home, heartsore and soul withered. And I met a gentle stranger whose society revives me. With her, I feel I could live again in a higher, purer way. Tell me, am I justified in overleaping an obstacle of custom to obtain her?”
Did I leave off any of your favorite Byronic Heroes in Film off the list? Sound off below…
Jane Eyre Photo at the top: Focus Features
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Im obsessed with Byronic heroes. They are so much more interesting than the usual, leading man type characters. I love that you put Severus Snape way up on the list! His love for Lily was heart-wrenching.
I would add Linus Larrabee from Sabrina (1995) to this list. He was cold, mean, intensely focused on money, and willing to do anything to get Sabrina out of the picture. Until he falls in love with her.
You have no idea how obsessed I am with Byronic Heroes too. I LOVE them. And I agree, they’re usually so much more interesting then other leading men. And I think Snape is a fantastic modern day Byronic Hero so of course I had to include him. 🙂
Good point about Linus. I never considered him. Harrison Ford is good at playing those types of characters!
That said, personally I think some of the more interesting Byronic Heroes right now can be found on TV. I’m excited to put together that list.
I am definitely going to have to revisit Sabrina again.
Rick Blaine from Casablanca?
I’m not sure if he’s Byronic or not. But he has enough of the traits to definitely think about and consider.
Excellent job! Interesting a lot. It’s a fantastic way to bring to our times ideas which belong to old ones.
Thank you very much!
Have you considered Ross from the Poldark novels? Robin Ellis portrayed him very “Byronically”!
I will definitely have to check out both the books and the film when I get the chance! So no, I didn’t consider him because I haven’t read or seen it. But I have heard of it, and it sounds like it’s up my alley. Thanks for the suggestion!
rhett butler?? i think michael fassbenber is a real life byronic hero too.
Rhett Butler is definitely a consideration! No real life byronic heroes on this list though.
Really, where’s Dorian Gray? I will consider you never seen it, otherwise he’ll be in the top 10
Well, ignoring your tone, I do agree that Dorian Gray is for sure a Byronic Hero. But this was only top 20 and I haven’e been in love with a film version of his character yet. Though I have not seen the new movie that came out a few years ago. So I can always change my mind. That all said, I do have 2 other parts to this Byronic Heroes list. And in part 3 with literature, Dorian Gray is included in the list at #11. But rankings are always subjective anyway.
Dorian gray just came to my mind, you should look up Bruce, from “Filth”, dr. House could also be in that list. The main character from Half Nelson, forgot his name. Since you are into Byronic Heroes, I really insist that you shall see Filth and the new Dorian Gray. The Punisher and Max Payne could also have their places in your list. And sorry for my tone, only that my fav heroes were missing 😀
You should check out my other two lists! Honestly, having to narrow down was hard for me. I’m familiar with a few of these, but of course I’m always looking for new Byronic Heroes, so will check out the other ones when I get a chance. 🙂 Yes, no problem! We all have different favorites and it’s hard to include everyone. It would have been easier if I had chosen to do the Top 100.
Uhmmm….RHETT BUTLER from Gone With The Wind
Yes, I was on the fence about Rhett and whether or not he’s Byronic when I made the list. But I have been leaning more to yes as of late, so his absence is noted. 🙂
Voldemort from Harry Potter!!!
While he does have some of the traits, I don’t think Voldemort is Byronic. Snape is a much better example!
I agree with this list, but I think Heathcliff should be number one and Rochester second. Heathcliff’s character in unforgettable.
Honestly, I love them both equally as characters. They’re both unforgettable literary Byronic Heroes. I guess I picked Rochester as number one because Jane Eyre is my favorite story. Also, I’m not sure if there has been a fantastic film adaptation of Wuthering Heights yet 🙂 I love the Laurence Olivier version, but it’s not exactly completely faithful to the book.
enjoyed the article. thank you!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Dean Winchester from Supernatural, Angel/Angelus from BtVS, Noah from the Mara Dyer books
Dean and Angel are on my Byronic Heroes in TV list. 🙂 I also have a separate literature list. So only Byronic Heroes in film here. 🙂
Awesome article! Huge fan of Mad Max, he’s quite the Byronic hero don’t you think? 🙂
Thank you. You are probably right, but I admit I’ve never seen Mad Max. 🙂
gerrard butler from Law abiding citizen would a good choice.
V in V for Vendetta—-a virtually perfect example of Byronic Hero
KYLO REN!
YES YES A THOUSAND TIMES KYLO REN.
Great list! But, I can’t believe you missed Dread Pirate Roberts 😀
Good suggestion!