The 50 Greatest Fictional Characters of the 1980s
By Long Live The 1980s
Ah, the 1980s. The decade that brought us neon leg warmers, cassette tapes, and more Aqua Net than any one ozone layer could handle. But beyond the fashion faux pas and synth-pop soundtracks, the '80s gave us a parade of unforgettable fictional characters—those larger-than-life personalities who lived on our TV screens, movie theaters, and comic book pages and, in many cases, still live rent-free in our heads.
So grab your Trapper Keeper, fire up the DeLorean, and let’s take a totally tubular trip down memory lane. Here are The 50 Greatest Fictional Characters of the 1980s—counted down in reverse order because, let’s face it, suspense is radical.
50. Webster Long – Webster
Tiny, lovable, and always trying to figure out the world, Webster warmed our hearts like a grilled cheese on a Saturday morning.
49. Ernest P. Worrell – Ernest Movies/Commercials
Hey Vern! Ernest taught us that a denim vest and goofy optimism could conquer just about anything, even jail.
48. Zack Morris – Saved by the Bell (Technically late '80s pilot!)
The original fourth-wall-breaking cool guy. Cell phones as big as your head? Check.
47. Sam Malone – Cheers
A washed-up baseball player turned bartender who somehow dated every woman in Boston. Iconic.
46. Bo & Luke Duke – The Dukes of Hazzard
Cousins who flew General Lee over every police car in Hazzard County like it was totally normal.
45. The California Raisins – Claymation Commercials
They sang Motown, wore sunglasses, and somehow made raisins cool (for like two years).
44. Sledge Hammer – Sledge Hammer!
A cop with the subtlety of a jackhammer and a catchphrase we still quote: “Trust me—I know what I’m doing.”
43. Johnny 5 – Short Circuit
The most lovable robot this side of R2-D2. And yes, he’s alive!
42. Duckie Dale – Pretty in Pink
Oversized blazers, floppy hats, and a crush that launched a thousand angsty mixtapes.
41. Lydia Deetz – Beetlejuice
Goth icon before Hot Topic made it mainstream. "I myself am strange and unusual."
40. Murphy Brown – Murphy Brown
Smart, sassy, and not afraid to roast a politician on live TV.
39. Axel Foley – Beverly Hills Cop
A Detroit detective with a laugh as legendary as his improvisational police work.
38. Teen Wolf (Scott Howard) – Teen Wolf
Because sometimes being a high school werewolf makes you a better basketball player.
37. Mad Mardigan – Willow
Val Kilmer’s sword-wielding rogue with charm, flair, and impeccable hair.
36. Vicky the Robot – Small Wonder
A girl robot disguised as a human child. Just your average '80s family sitcom plot.
35. Crockett & Tubbs – Miami Vice
No one wore pastel like these two. Crime-fighting with synths and style.
34. April O’Neil – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Fearless reporter. Yellow jumpsuit. Friends with turtles. What more do you need?
33. Jareth the Goblin King – Labyrinth
David Bowie. Tight pants. Glitter. Enough said.
32. B.A. Baracus – The A-Team
Mr. T + gold chains + pitying fools = one of the most unforgettable characters ever.
31. Randall Flagg – Stephen King’s The Stand
The ultimate dark force of the '80s. Charming, mysterious, and terrifying.
30. Jessica Rabbit – Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Not bad—just drawn that way. Possibly the reason many learned what "sultry" meant.
29. Sloth – The Goonies
"Hey you guys!" Who knew a deformed pirate-loving man could make us cry?
28. Clair Huxtable – The Cosby Show
Smart, strong, stylish—basically the mom we all wished we had.
27. Napoleon Solo – Return of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
He made a ‘60s comeback in the ‘80s TV movie, reminding us what suave truly meant.
26. Barf – Spaceballs
Half man, half dog, all heart. And he’s his own best friend.
25. Alf – ALF
Alien Life Form. Ate cats. Wisecracked constantly. A bizarre but beloved phenomenon.
24. Pee-wee Herman – Pee-wee’s Playhouse
The man-child with the bowtie who made weirdness fun and the secret word of the day essential.
23. Inspector Gadget – Inspector Gadget
So many gadgets, so little brain. Luckily, Penny and Brain were there to save the day.
22. He-Man – Masters of the Universe
The most muscular man in a loincloth you’d ever see on Saturday mornings.
21. Jessica Fletcher – Murder, She Wrote
A sweet old lady who somehow stumbled across weekly murders. Coincidence? We think not.
20. Johnny Lawrence – The Karate Kid
Sweep the leg! The quintessential ‘80s bully, later rebranded as a misunderstood anti-hero.
19. Chet Donnelly – Weird Science
Bill Paxton at his scummiest. Turned into a blob by Lisa? Deserved it.
18. Jason Voorhees – Friday the 13th
Hockey masks were never the same. Not technically a chatterbox, but boy did he leave a mark.
17. Sarah Connor – The Terminator
From waitress to warrior—Sarah proved moms can be fierce.
16. Doc Brown – Back to the Future
"Great Scott!" The wild-haired genius who made time travel cool.
15. Tony Montana – Scarface
Say hello to our little friend—the most quotable gangster of the '80s.
14. Michael Knight – Knight Rider
A man and his talking car. David Hasselhoff at his most epic.
13. E.T. – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
He phoned home and phoned into our hearts forever.
12. Indiana Jones – Indiana Jones Trilogy
Whip-smart, literally. History class was never this exciting.
11. Prince Akeem – Coming to America
Royalty disguised as a fast-food worker. One of Eddie Murphy’s finest moments.
10. Gizmo – Gremlins
Cuteness overload—just don’t feed him after midnight!
9. The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man – Ghostbusters
A sugary Godzilla-sized villain who turned New York into a giant s’more.
8. Beetlejuice – Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetle…
Chaotic, creepy, and oddly charismatic. Just don’t say his name three times.
7. John Rambo – Rambo Series
One-man army. Bandana legend. ’80s action incarnate.
6. Freddy Krueger – A Nightmare on Elm Street
The reason an entire generation feared sleep. Thanks, Freddy.
5. Blanche Devereaux – The Golden Girls
The sass, the charm, the Southern seduction. Icon.
4. Marty McFly – Back to the Future
Hoverboards. Time travel. That puffy vest. Enough said.
3. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – TMNT
Heroes in a half shell! Cowabunga was a lifestyle, not just a catchphrase.
2. Mr. Miyagi – The Karate Kid
Wise mentor, bonsai enthusiast, and the only person who could make "wax on, wax off" sound profound.
1. Ferris Bueller – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
The ultimate slacker. The hero of hooky. Ferris didn’t just take a day off—he took over the ‘80s.
Honorable Mentions:
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Max Headroom
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The Smurfs
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Deacon Frost (for all the late-night horror fans)
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The Care Bears
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Jessica Rabbit’s dress (it should have its own character credit)
Your Turn!
That’s our totally radical roundup! Think we missed someone? Want to rage that Chunk from The Goonies should have made the top 10? Did we leave out your favorite obscure cartoon character from a Saturday morning show that only aired once? We want to hear from you!
🕹️ Drop your picks in the comments below!
📼 Share the list with your fellow ’80s enthusiasts!
🎸 And remember: Long Live The 1980s!
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