Top 20 movie characters that will bring you back to 2024

2024 looks to rekindle cinema with the return of some of the most unforgettable movie characters. These iconic figures do not merely represent a fast-changing world; they are a reflection of one. Whether heroes rediscover their purpose or anti-heroes defy the norm, these characters embody the current cultural evolution. Whether meeting personal dilemmas or fighting new battles, their journey remains captivating. On the way to bring back 2024, there is something in these characters that would blend nostalgia into relevance. It will indeed be a powerful reminder of why they are still key to modern storytelling.

1. Imperator Furiosa – Furiosa: Mad Max Saga (2024)

In Furiosa: Mad Max Saga (2024), Imperator Furiosa is one of the most iconic and fierce warriors in post-apocalyptic cinema, and her complex history has set her on an energetic mission to challenge the merciless regime. Fierce, independent, and impelled by a relentless passion for justice, Furiosa's leadership and combat capabilities are unbeatable. As she traverses a barren landscape, her strength and strategic brilliance make her a symbol of survival and resistance. Furiosa's transformation makes her one of the most compelling and empowering characters of 2024.

2. Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, Disgust – Inside Out 2 (2024)

The gang is back! The cherished emotions from Inside Out are returning in Inside Out 2, set in the adolescent world of Riley, where things are becoming more complex and unpredictable than ever. As Riley bounces between ups and downs in life, the emotions—voiced by Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, and Mindy Kaling—navigate the stormy waters inside her mind. The increased challenges of mental health within today's society make Inside Out 2 a timely insight into how emotions evolve with age, thereby making these timeless characters even more relatable in 2024.

3. Bill Harding, Jo Harding – Twisters (2024)

In the long-awaited Twisters, Bill and Jo Harding return to the action-filled storm-chasing mayhem that made the first Twister a cult movie favorite. Older but just as daring, Bill and Jo (Bill Paxton via archival footage and Helen Hunt) now face dangerous, unpredictable twisters to get the biggest challenge done most lethal twisters they have ever faced. But with greater technological advancement in understanding extreme weather events, the stakes are also very high. Their return is a nostalgic nod to '90s action while embracing 2024's love for environmental thrillers, showing how much the world—and tornado science—has changed.

4. Roz – The Wild Robot (2024)

The coming back of Roz in The Wild Robot coincides with the debates in 2024 about AI and robotics. As artificial intelligence becomes more dominant in society, the story of Roz as a learning robot from nature speaks of the ethical questions that need to be asked about technology's role in shaping our world. Her character has resonated with today's technological advancements, offering a thought-provoking narrative that mirrors our society's ongoing conversation about integrating AI into everyday life and the natural environment.

5. Paul Atreides, Chani, Stilgar – Dune: Part 2 (2024)

Dune: Part 2 brings back Paul Atreides, Chani, and Stilgar in 2024 to face themes such as power, ecological collapse, and political unrest at the forefront of today's challenges. As climate change gathers pace, resource scarcity, and authoritarianism, the battle for control over Arrakis is more on point than ever. The conflict around who controls resources and the planet's future is an obvious parallel to the current-day geopolitical challenges and environmental crises, making Dune's universe disturbingly relevant today.

6. Beetlejuice – Beetlejuice 2 (2024)

This brings the crazy, irreverent character back into the spotlight for Beetlejuice 2, tapping into dark humor and supernatural fascinations in 2024. In a world where society seems to welcome quirky and offbeat narratives, Beetlejuice's wild antics remind us that there is much absurdity in the world. It's his return, not just because of the people's rising desire for more escapism and irreverence in cinema, but, more than anything, this surreal experience that reflects the struggle between reality and fantasy times when a person needs some escape from modern chaos.

7. Deadpool, Wolverine – Deadpool 3 (2024)

The return of Deadpool and Wolverine in Deadpool 3 is just what the doctor ordered against all that seriousness in most superhero films. As 2024 continues to be interested in antiheroes and irreverent humor, their chemistry brings together Deadpool's meta-humor and Wolverine's intensity, which appeals to the modern sensibilities of complex, flawed heroes. Their return will cater to the desire for subversion of expectations. With themes involving friendship, rivalry, and redemption, Deadpool 3 brings fun, engaging light-heartedness to the universe of superheroes for a world that's getting increasingly needy for action-packed entertainment at the edge of comedy.

8. Lucius – Gladiator II (2024)

Lucius returns to Gladiator II as a character who must face the brutal world of power and revenge, making his story highly relevant in 2024. With global political tensions escalating and legacy, family, and moral authority continuing to dominate conversations, Lucius' journey feels poignant in a very real way. His story goes into the issues of inheritance and the moral weight of leadership, mirroring the current concerns over political dynasties and inheritance of power, which makes Lucius a reflection of ongoing global struggles.

9. Elphaba, Glinda – Wicked (2024)

Wicked brings Elphaba and Glinda back to life in 2024, tapping into the same threads of empowerment and societal expectations that resonate powerfully today. At a time when gender, power, and moral judgment are all part of everyday conversation, the story of Elphaba and Glinda could hardly be more timely. Their friendship, built on mutual understanding and growth, mirrors the shifting perspectives in solidarity, identity, and fighting for what one believes in today; these characters are an important part of 2024's cultural dialogue.

10. László Toth – The Brutalist (2024)

László Toth, the protagonist of The Brutalist (2024), is a visionary architect whose passion for bold, unyielding designs lies in trouble. As he immerses himself in his creations, László struggles with the personal outcomes of his obsession. Designs symbolic of his harsh idealism reflect the inner warfare between artistic purity and human emotion. As the movie unfolds, László is faced with the consequences of his choices, providing a poignant commentary on the sacrifices made for artistic success in a world that demands greatness and sacrifice.

11. Elisabeth Sparkle – The Substance (2024)

Elisabeth Sparkle is a mysterious and profound enigmatic protagonist in Substance (2024). This character unfolds sinister secrets tied to a phenomenal substance: Elisabeth. Her brain resolve and refusal to let the lie be her intellectual ability mark her in a position so different in the character arena. Amid the blurring of perception and reality, the fight for justice for Elisabeth and her ability to challenge powerful forces make her one of 2024's most unforgettable and captivating characters.

12. The Devil – Late Night with The Devil (2024)

In Late Night with The Devil (2024), The Devil shows up uninvited to a talk show, which is weird because he walks in looking serene and calculating in his movements, yet vicious. He demonstrates his words and subtle movements as manipulation tools he uses with the host and audience on the show as he teases them. His cold, charming persona masks the evil forces he unleashes, making the atmosphere dread-filled. The presence of the Devil makes it a psychological game and one of the most chilling characters of 2024.

13. Maya – The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024)

Maya is the heart of The Strangers: Chapter 1, tying the story with contemporary sensibilities. As the masked intruders overwhelm her, Maya's character is a painful journey toward survival in the face of unimaginable fear. Told against the backdrop of isolation in an increasingly unconnected world, her character captures the vulnerability and strength of a new generation. Maya's fight for survival raises horror and ensures that she is one of 2024's most un-forgotten characters, reminding us why the fear is so personal.

14. Abigail – Abigail (2024)

Abigail's journey in Abigail mirrors 2024's societal control, surveillance, and personal freedom. In a world that is becoming increasingly restricted and losing its private life, Abigail's quest for truth in a restricted society finds resonance in the modern fear of government control and social conformity. Her story points to the importance of individuality and autonomy in a world that has become increasingly surveillance-focused, and her character has become a symbol of resistance against oppressive systems that seek to limit personal freedoms.

15. Rita - Blitz (2024)

In Blitz (2024), Rita is fierce and tenacious, the key to the high-stakes thriller that unfolds. As a woman of few words but mighty action, Rita is ensnared in a world of crime and danger. Her intelligence and resourcefulness propel her forward as she sets out to navigate a deeply corrupt system, grit being her thinking. Rita has a personal vendetta. Her unrelenting drive for justice, with her resilience, makes Rita one of the most compelling and unforgettable figures of 2024.

16. Anora – Anora (2024)

Anora delves into the journey of a mighty and obscure figure fighting the powerful for justice, a movement relevant to the climate of political and social change in 2024. Her struggle reflects and embodies the resiliency and defiance shown by current movements for justice and equality. In a period where the dynamics of power and voice are central in public discourse, Anora's character brings urgency and relevance as she reminds audiences of how systems of inequality and oppression have to be challenged and changed.

17. Tashi – Challengers (2024)

The Challengers has Tashi, the character who moves through extreme sports and personal ambition. In 2024, this film captures the essence of high-risk sports culture and the growing interest in personal challenges. As one moves to the limits, the journey of Tashi can be seen as striving for greatness in the presence of competition and self-discovery. Her story relates to today's self-empowering, risk-taking, and overcoming personal and societal boundaries to make her a very befitting character for this world of intense competition today.

18. Gary – Hit Man (2024)

Gary is an anti-hero in Hit Man (2024), the cold-blooded yet morally conflicted contract killer whose life makes unexpected turns. As an expert in his field of work, Gary is remembered for his accuracy and the detachment with which he makes his kills; however, his latest job compels him to confront the ethical parameters of his action. As the film delves into identity, guilt, and survival, Gary's complexity develops, revealing a man struggling with his choices in a ruthless world. His dark journey and unexpected vulnerability make Gary one of 2024's most compelling characters.

19.Romy – Babygirl (2024)

In Babygirl (2024), the character of Romy has been described as a brilliant, witty, and vibrant young character who struggles through love, loss, and self-emancipation. Her emotions resonate with most people due to the unpredictable nature of relationships. It is about redefining her own identity in a world full of contradictions. With her fiery determination and vulnerability, Romy evolves into a symbol of personal growth and resilience, reflecting the strength it takes to face life's challenges head-on in today's unpredictable world.

20. Moana – Moana 2 (2024)

In Moana 2 (2024), Moana will return to the screen in a courageous and wise leading role, continuing her path of self-discovery and growth. Now, even closer to her heritage and ocean, she will face challenges that test her leadership capacities and her connection to her surroundings. With themes of empowerment, adventure, and the importance of preserving cultural identity, Moana's strength in resilience and spirit shows her to be a universal hero for the next century. Her return in 2024 confirms why, even now, she stays one of Disney's precious characters.