Back in Time Today
We’ve all been there – sitting in a movie theater, enjoying the film, when suddenly a character appears that makes you want to throw popcorn at the screen.
These characters test our patience with their whining, overacting, or plain annoying traits. Yet somehow, despite these irritating personalities, the movies themselves managed to survive and even thrive.
Let’s look at 32 characters who nearly derailed their films but couldn’t quite sink them.
1. Jar Jar Binks – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Clumsy, childish, and sporting an accent that grated on fans’ nerves, Jar Jar Binks became the poster child for annoying characters. His slapstick humor and baby-talk dialogue felt completely out of place in the Star Wars universe.
George Lucas intended him to provide comic relief, but audiences found nothing funny about his antics. Despite the universal hatred for this Gungan, The Phantom Menace still managed to launch a new era of Star Wars films.
2. Willie Scott – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Screaming her way through the entire movie, nightclub singer Willie Scott made adventuring with Indiana Jones feel like babysitting. Her constant complaints about broken nails and ruined outfits wore thin quickly.
Unlike the strong-willed Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Willie offered little beyond being a damsel in distress. Temple of Doom survived her shrill presence thanks to its thrilling action sequences and the charismatic Harrison Ford.
3. Ruby Rhod – The Fifth Element
Radio personality Ruby Rhod burst onto screens with his leopard-print outfits and ear-piercing screams. Chris Tucker cranked his performance up to eleven, creating a character whose hyperactive energy exhausted viewers.
His non-stop chatter and flamboyant mannerisms felt overwhelming in an already visually busy film. Yet The Fifth Element succeeded because Ruby’s over-the-top persona somehow fit into this equally over-the-top sci-fi world.
4. Lex Luthor – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Jesse Eisenberg’s twitchy, manic take on Superman’s arch-nemesis left many fans scratching their heads. His Lex Luthor came across as a hyperactive tech bro rather than a menacing supervillain.
With his awkward social skills and bizarre speech patterns, this version of Luthor felt more annoying than threatening. Despite this misfire in casting and character conception, Batman v Superman still laid important groundwork for the DC Extended Universe.
5. C-3PO – Star Wars Prequels
The fussy protocol droid we loved in the original trilogy became insufferable in the prequels. His constant worrying and unnecessary commentary dragged down scenes that were already struggling with wooden dialogue.
The awkward attempt at humor with lines like “This is such a drag” felt forced and out of character. Thankfully, the epic lightsaber duels and expanding Star Wars mythology kept fans engaged despite C-3PO’s irritating presence.
6. Mary Jane Watson – Spider-Man Trilogy (Raimi)
Perpetually in need of rescue, Mary Jane Watson became the definition of a damsel in distress throughout Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. Her character seemed to exist solely to be kidnapped and scream for help.
Despite Kirsten Dunst’s talents, MJ was given little agency or personality beyond being Peter Parker’s crush. The spectacular action sequences and Tobey Maguire’s earnest performance as Spider-Man helped viewers overlook this one-dimensional portrayal of an iconic comic book character.
7. Bella Swan – Twilight Series
The blank-slate protagonist of the Twilight saga frustrated viewers with her constant moping and lack of personality. Kristen Stewart’s portrayal featured an abundance of lip-biting and hair-touching that became unintentionally comical.
Bella’s entire identity revolved around her vampire boyfriend, making her a poor role model for the film’s young audience. Yet the Twilight franchise became a cultural phenomenon despite – or perhaps because of – Bella’s passive nature allowing teenage fans to project themselves into her shoes.
8. Short Round – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
“No time for love, Dr. Jones!” Short Round’s high-pitched voice and forced catchphrases made him the kid sidekick nobody asked for. His presence turned parts of Temple of Doom into a buddy comedy when fans wanted pure adventure.
While actor Ke Huy Quan gave an enthusiastic performance, the character’s dialogue often felt like it belonged in a different movie. Indiana Jones remained cool enough to carry the film despite his pint-sized companion’s distracting presence.
9. Annie Brackett – Halloween II (2009)
Rob Zombie’s Halloween II featured an Annie Brackett who seemed determined to win the award for most unlikable horror movie character. Her constant complaining and mean-spirited attitude made it hard to sympathize with her.
Danielle Harris played the role with commitment, but Annie’s bratty behavior tested audience patience. The film’s atmospheric tension and Michael Myers’ imposing presence helped viewers tolerate Annie’s scenes until her inevitable encounter with the masked killer.
10. Franklin – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Wheelchair-bound Franklin whined, complained, and made inappropriate comments throughout the first half of this horror classic. His constant neediness and unsympathetic portrayal made him more frustrating than sympathetic.
Franklin’s piercing voice and self-centered behavior had viewers secretly relieved when Leatherface finally ended his screen time. The film’s raw, documentary-like quality and groundbreaking horror elements overshadowed this irritating character to create one of the genre’s most important works.
11. Richard Thornburg – Die Hard
Sleazy news reporter Richard Thornburg embodied everything people hate about opportunistic journalists. His ruthless ambition put lives at risk just for a breaking story.
When he exposed Holly McClane’s identity to the terrorists, audiences collectively cheered for his eventual comeuppance. Die Hard succeeded because it balanced these infuriating moments with John McClane’s charismatic heroism and witty one-liners, creating the perfect Christmas action movie despite Thornburg’s despicable presence.
12. Rachel Dawes – The Dark Knight
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Rachel Dawes constantly lectured Batman while making questionable romantic choices. Her holier-than-thou attitude made her scenes drag compared to the electric energy of Heath Ledger’s Joker.
Rachel’s character seemed to exist primarily as a plot device rather than a fully realized person. Fortunately, The Dark Knight’s revolutionary take on superhero storytelling and Ledger’s iconic performance ensured the film’s legendary status despite this underwhelming love interest.
13. Justin – Freddy vs. Jason
Self-proclaimed “assistant to Jason Ritter’s character,” Justin exemplified the worst teen horror movie stereotypes. His cringeworthy attempts at humor and exaggerated mannerisms made viewers root for the killers.
Every line delivery seemed designed to provoke audience eye-rolls. Freddy vs. Jason survived Justin’s irritating presence because fans were there for the long-awaited showdown between two horror icons, not for the forgettable teen characters caught in the middle.
14. Percy Wetmore – The Green Mile
Sadistic prison guard Percy Wetmore made viewers’ skin crawl with his cruel treatment of inmates and cowardly personality. Doug Hutchison played the role so effectively that Percy’s smug face became instantly punchable.
His deliberate sabotage of Eduard Delacroix’s execution remains one of cinema’s most disturbing scenes. The Green Mile transcended Percy’s loathsome presence through its powerful emotional storytelling and Tom Hanks’ compassionate performance, creating a modern classic despite this intentionally hateable character.
15. Vince – Jurassic Park III
Tea Leoni’s Vince shouted her way through Jurassic Park III, making every dinosaur encounter more grating with her high-pitched screams. Her character made consistently terrible decisions that endangered everyone around her.
From using a megaphone in raptor territory to stealing raptor eggs, Vince seemed determined to become dinosaur food. The film’s impressive dinosaur effects and action sequences helped audiences tolerate this frustrating character who never seemed to learn from her near-death experiences.
16. Cooper – Interstellar
Matthew McConaughey’s Cooper talked in philosophical circles that sometimes felt more pretentious than profound. His tendency to mansplain complex concepts while getting emotional became tiresome during Interstellar’s lengthy runtime.
The character’s obsession with his daughter occasionally overshadowed the film’s grander themes. Despite these annoying traits, Interstellar’s breathtaking visuals and mind-bending concepts made it a sci-fi masterpiece that transcended its occasionally irritating protagonist.
17. Zed – Men in Black II
Rip Torn’s Zed transformed from the stern but likable MIB director in the original film to an annoying bureaucrat in the sequel. His increased screen time showcased an exaggerated personality that quickly wore out its welcome.
The character’s barking orders and grumpy demeanor felt one-dimensional compared to the first movie. Men in Black II managed to entertain despite Zed’s irritating presence thanks to the established chemistry between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.
18. Judy – Sleepaway Camp
Mean girl Judy from cult horror classic Sleepaway Camp took bullying to cartoonish extremes. Her over-the-top cruelty and exaggerated delivery of insults made her more eye-roll inducing than genuinely threatening.
Every scene featuring Judy seemed to increase in nastiness without adding depth to her character. The film achieved cult status because of its shocking twist ending and campy charm, which overshadowed the annoyance of dealing with Judy’s one-dimensional bullying throughout.
19. Cousin Eddie – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
The ultimate unwanted houseguest, Cousin Eddie invaded the Griswold family Christmas with his crude behavior and complete lack of self-awareness. His disgusting habits and inappropriate comments pushed the boundaries of comedy into cringe territory.
Randy Quaid’s committed performance made Eddie memorable, if not likable. Christmas Vacation became a holiday classic despite Eddie’s gross antics because his outrageous behavior perfectly highlighted Clark Griswold’s futile attempts to create the perfect family Christmas.
20. Harley Quinn – Suicide Squad (2016)
Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn in 2016’s Suicide Squad tried too hard to be quirky and unpredictable. Her forced catchphrases and “look how crazy I am” attitude quickly became tiresome rather than entertaining.
The character’s sexualized portrayal and baby-voice delivery of lines like “We’re bad guys, it’s what we do” missed the complexity that made the comic book version compelling. Suicide Squad survived because Robbie’s charisma occasionally shone through the poor writing and messy editing.
21. Talia al Ghul – The Dark Knight Rises
Marion Cotillard’s death scene as Talia al Ghul became unintentionally hilarious for all the wrong reasons. Her character’s dramatic reveal felt underwhelming after a build-up spanning multiple films.
Despite Cotillard’s acting talents, Talia came across as a poorly developed villain with unconvincing motivations. The Dark Knight Rises succeeded because of its grand scale and emotional conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, allowing viewers to overlook this disappointing antagonist.
22. Howard – Uncut Gems
Adam Sandler’s Howard in Uncut Gems made viewers anxious with his terrible decision-making and non-stop talking. His gambling addiction and desperate schemes created a character who was fascinating but extremely difficult to root for.
Howard’s constant lying and self-destructive behavior tested audience patience throughout the film. Uncut Gems succeeded because this irritating protagonist was intentionally designed to create unbearable tension, with Sandler delivering a career-best performance that transformed annoying traits into compelling character study.
23. Charlie – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
The supposedly sweet protagonist Charlie Bucket came across as bland and occasionally whiny in the original Willy Wonka film. His goody-two-shoes personality lacked the charm needed to carry a whimsical story.
Peter Ostrum’s performance felt stiff compared to the colorful characters around him. The film became a beloved classic despite its underwhelming main character because Gene Wilder’s enigmatic Wonka and the magical chocolate factory setting captured viewers’ imaginations far more than Charlie ever could.
24. Donkey – Shrek
Eddie Murphy’s Donkey talked non-stop throughout the Shrek franchise, often repeating jokes well past their expiration date. His hyperactive energy and neediness tested the patience of both Shrek and audiences.
The character’s inability to read social cues or respect personal space made his scenes occasionally grating. Shrek overcame Donkey’s annoying qualities through its revolutionary animation, clever fairy tale subversions, and the perfect contrast between the irritating sidekick and the grumpy ogre protagonist.
25. Darcy – Thor: The Dark World
Intern-turned-political science major Darcy provided forced comic relief that fell flat in Thor: The Dark World. Her quirky one-liners and exaggerated reactions to supernatural events felt out of place in the film’s somber tone.
Kat Dennings brought energy to the role, but Darcy’s constant quips undercut dramatic moments. The movie survived her distracting presence thanks to Tom Hiddleston’s compelling Loki and the established chemistry between Thor and Jane Foster.
26. Rose – Titanic
Kate Winslet’s Rose showcased incredible selfishness during Titanic’s most crucial moments. Her famous hogging of the floating door while Jack froze to death became an endless source of memes and viewer frustration.
Rose’s privileged complaints sometimes rang hollow against the backdrop of genuine suffering aboard the sinking ship. James Cameron’s spectacular direction and the sweeping romance overcame these annoying character traits to create one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
27. Vicki Vale – Batman (1989)
Kim Basinger’s Vicki Vale screamed her way through Tim Burton’s Batman, turning the intrepid photographer into a helpless damsel. Her character contributed little beyond being captured and requiring rescue from the Caped Crusader.
Vicki’s cluelessness about basic Batman lore frustrated fans who expected more from a Gotham journalist. The film triumphed despite this irritating love interest thanks to Jack Nicholson’s scene-stealing Joker and Michael Keaton’s groundbreaking portrayal of a serious Batman.
28. Paolo – The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Italian pop star Paolo charmed Lizzie McGuire with his accent and good looks while hiding his true scheming nature. His exaggerated Italian stereotypes and manipulative behavior made him a one-dimensional villain.
Yani Gellman played the role with appropriate sliminess, but Paolo never developed beyond a caricature. The Lizzie McGuire Movie survived his annoying presence because fans were invested in Lizzie’s European adventure and personal growth, not the predictable “too good to be true” love interest.
29. Sid – Toy Story
The sadistic neighbor kid Sid tortured toys with almost psychopathic glee in the original Toy Story. His cruel experiments and maniacal laughter pushed the boundaries of what seemed appropriate for a children’s film.
Sid’s bratty attitude and destructive tendencies made him an effective villain but an extremely annoying character. Toy Story succeeded because the friendship between Woody and Buzz provided enough emotional core to balance out Sid’s disturbing presence in this groundbreaking animated classic.
30. Angela – The Office Movie (if ever made)
Angela Martin’s judgemental attitude and holier-than-thou personality would likely become unbearable if stretched to feature film length. Her constant complaining and rigid moral code worked in small doses on the TV show.
Angela’s hypocritical behavior – condemning others while having an affair herself – made her particularly frustrating. If The Office ever becomes a movie, Angela’s annoying traits would need balancing with more sympathetic moments to avoid alienating audiences over a two-hour runtime.
31. Jenny Everdeane – Gangs of New York
Cameron Diaz seemed miscast as street-smart pickpocket Jenny Everdeane in Scorsese’s historical epic. Her character’s inconsistent accent and modern mannerisms felt out of place in 1860s New York.
Jenny’s romantic subplot with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Amsterdam lacked chemistry and dragged down the film’s pacing. Gangs of New York overcame this casting misstep through Daniel Day-Lewis’ mesmerizing performance as Bill the Butcher and Scorsese’s vivid recreation of a brutal chapter in American history.