8 Character Fandoms That Turned Movies Into Cult Classics

Character fandoms are becoming big with each passing day. Why? Because fans can connect with characters on a personal level. They watch them struggle and still be humans, even if they are villains with their ultimate flaws; they embrace them with all their values.

Movie Insiderz has curated a list of eight character fandoms that resonated with fans so deeply that they left an impression on their minds forever. 

8 character fandoms who made cult hits instantly

Here is the list of eight character fandoms that inspired creativity and even brought the nostalgic comics to life, becoming a wholesome outlet for self-expression. 

Harley Quinn (DC Extended Universe)

DC Universe is one of the biggest brands that created fandoms, becoming almost impossible to satiate as the fans love their favourite character more with time. Harley Quinn is one of them.

Harley Quinn is considered a henchwoman for the supervillain Joker in the Batman world. Quinn was brilliantly played by Margot Robbie in 2016’s Suicide Squad, after which she played the same role in a spin-off solo film, Birds of Prey (2020). 

Barbie (2023)

Greta Gerwig, the director of Barbie (2023), showed us a new Barbie that gave rise to a multigenerational fandom with a superb combination of nostalgia and an exceptional explanation of feminism.

She gave us a topic to ponder whether identity complexities could be covered by utilizing fashion and the contemporary age’s demand to create appeal and stay relevant. 

Barbie’s character is an iconic reminder of modernity in latest context, no matter what the era is. The traditional gender roles are explored through this only character with an evolution of the Barbie brand, still welcoming criticisms of unrealistic beauty standards. 

Tony Stark/ Iron Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe-MCU)

Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), and Iron Man 3 (2013) are all played by Robert Downey Jr., who won our hearts. Iron Man’s character built a fandom that meant something for his redemption, charisma, and emotional ending in Avengers: Endgame (2019).  

Again, despite being a superhero, he is deeply human and flawed. His transformation from being an egotistical billionaire to a selfless hero is one of the most satisfying examples of storytelling in character symbolization. 

Joker (The Dark Knight and Joker)

Joker could be fathomed as one of the most controversial characters that, despite the hate/love audience categories, has a huge character fandom. Whether it is Heath Ledger’s chilling performance in The Dark Knight (2008) or Joaquin Phoenix’s tragic outcast in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), he remains a piece of art inspiring several film theories and debates.

Joker’s character is somehow unforgettable. Remember, when Heath Ledger said, “Why so serious?” or “When you’re good at something, never do it for free”? He is chaos and the perfect opposite of Batman.

He is not that bad after all because he does not want money or power. He wants to prove himself to the world and has special ideologies for that purpose. We can categorize him as a philosophical antagonist who is a chameleon of madness, cold, versatile, having a layered personality, and as tragic and lonely as a normal human being. 

Wanda Maximoff/ Scarlett Witch (MCU)

Wanda Maximoff, aka Scarlet Witch, appeared in several movies like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and many more. 

She is enlisted among the powerful beings in the MCU due to her inherent Chaos Magic.  Her ability to reshape reality makes her unique. She was able to manipulate minds and defeat Thanos without the Infinity Stones. 

Her power amplification is limitless as she can create strong illusions, probably on the minds of the audience too [haha!]. Her profound struggle with loss and grief has fueled her character development, making her relatable to the viewers and sparking a bigger fandom than you can imagine. 

Doctor Strange (Marvel Comics)

The character, Dr. Stephen Strange, is basically an arrogant neurosurgeon whose life takes a full turn after a car accident. He performed surgery on his damaged hands, giving him superpowers for life. 

Doctor Strange is played by Benedict Cumberbatch several times, and unlike most superheroes, he does not rely on his physical strength but only on the mystic power of magic, knowledge, and sheer will. Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange (2016) was reviewed by The Guardian as follows: 

“Benedict Cumberbatch is unpredictable and intriguing as the Marvel superhero in a brain-melting tale that reinvigorates the genre.” [Source]

Since he was a doctor before, he is a genius, creating a sparkling blend of a selfless protector of the universe and wisdom. He completely changed the tone and scale of Marvel comics with reality-bending narratives, infusing complexity that generated a fandom. 

Wednesday Addams (Wednesday/ Addams Family)– A Tim Burton character

Wednesday Addams is bizarrely rebellious and empowering at the same time. It signifies a special Tim Burton character that highlights his “Burtonesque” aesthetic. Notably portrayed by Jenna Ortega, Wednesday has a brazenly weird personality that somehow evoked a powerful response from the audience.

Although her character has nothing close to being a human, Wednesday still managed to become a pop culture icon, igniting a fandom based on her celebration of being different, self-acceptance, individuality, and normalizing nonconformity.

She has a signature look, a dry voice that spurted out some of the sharpest one-liners that people loved reiterating every now and then. Her aesthetic appeals made her a style icon for Gen Z, reviving the generation’s interest in goth subculture. 

Even with her isolation and loneliness, she symbolizes friendship. Wednesday Addams presents us with a coming-of-age story of an anti-hero without losing her core traits that made her fandom even more passionate. 

Burton is more into making gothic-style characters, and Wednesday is one of them. Tim Burton characters have exaggerated features, often secluded but with a childlike personality. Wednesday checks all these boxes perfectly!

Peter Parker/ Spider-Man (Spider-Verse)

Peter Benjamin Parker, aka Spider-Man, is here to mark his spot in the real-world diversity. He is deeply grounded, modern, and relatable. You might think every other fandom character is relatable, but why is Spider-Man special?

Because he deals with family expectations…duh! He is a typical young man attempting to discover his identity. He tends to grow under pressure and knows that anyone can wear a mask, but there are some distinct ones who know how to take the responsibility.

Spider-Man’s gravity-defying action sequences, demonstrated by several prominent actors like Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire, Drake Bell, etc, remain as thrilling and visually iconic as ever.  

Which of these character fandoms are you a die-hard fan of? Share your thoughts in the comments.