I’ve always believed Hollywood’s intention was focused squarely on the hero – the destiny, the jawline, the poster pose, writes Christopher Pulis.
But at some point the sidekicks slipped through the cracks and did far more than just help along the way.
They crack the jokes, steal the scenes, and often leave you wondering why the supposed hero is even there. From the 70s through the 90s, these characters hijacked entire movies and walked off with the best lines.
Here are 10 of my personal favorites:
1. Han Solo – Star Wars Saga (1977-1983)
Luke may be destined to be a Jedi, but Han’s swagger, charm, and questionable moral compass steal every scene. As a man (and boy), I wanted to be him – and women wanted him. Smuggler, rogue, scoundrel … cinematic perfection, and a role that made Ford untouchable.
2. Doc Brown – Back to the Future (1985)
Marty reacts but it’s Doc who invents the chaos. Doc Brown (my personal favourite) is manic brilliance wrapped in wild hair and plutonium-powered nonsense. Lloyd didn’t just play the role, he detonated it. Great Scott!
3. Inigo Montoya – The Princess Bride (1987)
Technically a co-hero, but functionally the most quotable sidekick ever. Elegant swordplay, deadpan humour, and a revenge speech that middle-aged men still repeat, usually badly and often in pubs.
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4. Genie – Aladdin (1992)
Williams hijacks the film with relentless humour, pop-culture riffs, and improvisation so fast it feels dangerous. This performance stole the movie and changed animation forever.
READ LATER: Top 10 Greatest Movie Quotes of All Time
5. Mr Miyagi – The Karate Kid (1984)
Before this, Morita was best known for TV bit parts (including Happy Days) and stand-up comedy. Mr Miyagi earned him an Oscar nomination and became the emotional core of the film. Wax on, emotional devastation off.
FAST FORWARD: Karate Kid after 1984 – The Musical, Cobra Kai and More Miyagi
6. Jack Burton – Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Jack thinks he’s the hero. He is absolutely not. Loud, confused, and very wrong, Russell’s performance turned box-office failure into cult immortality. Jack is a sidekick who became a cult hero.
REWIND PODCAST: Bigger Trouble in Little China & The Rock as Jack Burton
7. E.T. – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Elliott may be the lead, but E.T. does the emotional heavy lifting (and his name is the title of the film). Cute, creepy, and weirdly profound, he powered Spielberg’s blockbuster era and traumatised an entire generation. Spoiler: he went home.
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8. Short Round – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Brave, funny, and wildly capable, Short Round keeps Indy alive and the film moving (and is secretly a Goonie). Quan later returned from a long hiatus to win an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).
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9. Gromit – Wallace & Gromit (1989)
Silent, sensible, and permanently disappointed, Gromit is the real brains of the operation and helped turn Aardman into a stop-motion powerhouse – without saying a word.
10. Samwise Gamgee – The Fellowship of the Ring (1999)
Frodo carries the Ring, but Sam (secretly another Goonie) carries everything else. Loyalty has never been this muddy or this moving.
Sidekicks may not get top billing, but they get the laughs, the heart, and the staying power. Sometimes the supporting role isn’t just better but it becomes it’s the reason we remember the film at all.
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