Some films are immortalized in cinematic history. Maybe it’s because of their influence on pop culture or filmmaking, like Jaws as the first Hollywood blockbuster. Or maybe it’s because the film holds a notable record or accomplishment, like Gone with the Wind as the first movie to win an Oscar for an African-American. Or maybe the film is just simply that good, a timeless work whose story and characters are retable and appreciated across generations. Whatever the case, some movies live on forever. And sometimes, so do their characters.
In this case, we’re not talking about everlasting legacies. We’re referring to characters who legitimately can’t die unless they’re killed, whose lifespans go far beyond the end of their movies. This list doesn’t include characters who died and became immortal entities in the afterlife, such as Jack Skellington, Beetlejuice, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, or Michael Myers (is he immortal, or is he just superb at avoiding death? The answer changes depending on the Halloween movie). If you’re dead, then you can’t really have eternal life. With that said, here are ten famous immortal characters in movies.
10 Edward Cullen – Twilight
Summit Entertainment
Based on the bestselling young adult novels, the Twilight movie franchise captured the attention and hearts of women everywhere. And that’s mostly thanks to Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a handsome vampire with pale, sparkly skin. Oh, and did we mention he’s immortal? Since becoming a vampire in 1918, Edward hasn’t aged a day, making him around 104 years old at the start of Twilight. But like many characters on this list, he can still be killed despite his immortality.
Regardless of your opinion of Twilight, there’s no denying the popularity of this character. And he’s not going anywhere. Twilight is getting rebooted (surprise, surprise) into a TV show that will bring Edward and Bella’s love story to the small screen.
9 Legolas – The Lord of the Rings
There are many immortal characters in The Lord of the Rings movie franchise. But if we have to choose one, then we’re going with this guy (before you get mad, remember that Gandalf did initially die after his battle with the Balrog). Regarded as one of the best characters in the series, Legolas (Orlando Bloom) is the bow-and-arrow-wielding, immortal elf from the critically acclaimed The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the not so critically acclaimed The Hobbit franchise. The filmmakers made his age around 2,931 years old during the War of the Ring.
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Like all elves, Legolas can die from fatal wounds, which makes his eagerness for battle all the more impressive. Fortunately, he survives the War of the Ring and is hopefully spending his eternal life sipping daiquiris somewhere in the Undying Lands.
8 Woody – Toy Story
Walt Disney Pictures
There are many immortal characters in Pixar’s Toy Story franchise. But if we’ve got to choose one, then we’re going with the root’-ness, toot’-ness cowboy in the wild, wild west. Like all the toys in Andy’s room, Woody is alive and will seemingly stay that way forever. Aside from death by fire, like an explosive rocket or an incinerator, it doesn’t seem like anything can kill Woody. As evidenced by Syd, Andy’s villainous next door neighbor, toys can be dismembered and maimed, but they don’t seem to die. It might actually be a good thing that he and Andy separated; sooner or later, Woody was going to outlive him. That sure puts a darker spin on this animated children’s classic, doesn’t it?
7 Deadpool – Deadpool
Fox
You were probably expecting to see Wolverine. But despite his regenerative abilities and old age, Wolverine does die in the stand-alone film Logan. Even the Norse god Thor will eventually die of old age, though it’ll take thousands of years for it to happen. However, we have no reason to believe that death will ever come for Deadpool, Marvel’s fourth-wall-breaking anti-hero and wise-cracking star of the Deadpool franchise. Like Wolverine, Deadpool has regenerative abilities that prevent him from dying or aging. We’ve seen him survive gunshots, dismemberments, and a brain stabbing, always bouncing back afterward with a sarcastic remark. Deadpool is set to return in a third film, along with Wolverine, in 2024.
6 God – Bruce Almighty
Universal Pictures
Several actors have portrayed God over the years. But with his deep, calming voice, Morgan Freeman in 2003’s Bruce Almighty and 2007’s Evan Almighty may just be the definitive version. God, of course, is an immortal character that watches over humanity — and decides to lend his godly powers to a self-absorbed mortal named Bruce (Jim Carrey) for a few days. His immortality is never put to the test, like with other characters on this list. And that’s probably for the best. Trying to kill God sounds like a sure way to wind up in Hell. And speaking of the Devil…
5 Satan – The Devil’s Advocate
Warner Bros.
You can’t have God without Satan. Like God, the Devil has been depicted by various actors in a number of movies. In fact, there may be more cinematic portrayals of Satan than God. And the best of the bunch is Al Pacino in The Devil’s Advocate. Disguised as a human named John Milton, Satan poses as the head of a powerful New York City law firm, trying to seduce his son Kevin (Keanu Reeves) to the dark side. We never get to see Satan in his true, demonic form. But Pacino’s performance is devilish enough with his harsh, signature voice and vengeful screams.
Furious with his father’s manipulation, Kevin unloads a gun at Milton’s body, but the bullets do nothing. With no options left, Kevin commits suicide, which seems to vanquish the Devil. But the chilling last scene reminds us that this immortal character is always there, lurking in the shadows.
4 Santa Claus – The Santa Clause
Walt Disney Pictures
The mythical holiday figure Santa Claus has appeared in many films. But no matter what movie you’re watching (aside from Bad Santa), one thing remains constant: Santa Claus is immortal. The guy’s been around for a long time, delivering presents to children for Christmas. One of the best representations of this character can be found in The Santa Clause, a 1994 holiday film that birthed a franchise.
The film hints at Santa’s immortality — unless he dies on the job. After accidentally killing Santa, divorced dad Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) enters a magical contract called the Santa Clause, which forces him to don the red suit. Sure, Santa might appear old with his white hair and beard. But as The Santa Clause points out, that’s just a magical characteristic that comes with being Santa. Scott will presumably remain Santa for the rest of time — unless he accidentally falls off a roof.
3 Dr. Manhattan – Watchmen
Watchmen may be a superhero film, but it’s nothing like what you see from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or DC Extended Universe. Adapted from the legendary graphic novel of the same name, Watchmen comments on the superhero genre while subverting its stereotypes and tropes. It presents a real world setting, where superheroes are more like costumed vigilantes than super humans. But that all changes with one of the story’s most iconic characters: Dr. Manhattan. He’s the Superman of Watchmen, except blue and more powerful. And frequently naked.
Dr. Manhattan is an omnipotent, all-powerful being, whose perspective isn’t confined by a past, present, and future. He’s not just immortal; he’s invincible and is able to alter matter into whatever he wishes. Dr. Manhattan is so much more than a superhero. He’s a living god of the modern age.
2 Wonder Woman – Wonder Woman
Warner Bros.
It may seem like there are a lot of immortal superheroes, but we promise that’s not the case. Wonder Woman, though, is the last exception on this list. She’s the superhero and star of the Wonder Woman movie franchise. And like all Amazons, she’s immortal. Wonder Woman has lived for millennia, though she doesn’t look a day over 30. At the start of the DC Extended universe, she’s roughly 5,000 years old. Wonder Woman is able to shrug off bullets and resist most life-threatening situations. She can be killed, but thanks to her Amazonian immortality and abilities, it would take a meta human on the level of Superman to take her down.
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1 Peter Pan – Peter Pan
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Walt Disney Production
Since his introduction in James M. Barrie’s 1904 play, Peter Pan has appeared in a number of films, including the recent Disney+ critical bomb Peter Pan and Wendy. But the Disney animated classic, titled simply Peter Pan, is the character’s most well-known adaptation. Peter Pan is an immortal boy, blessed, or perhaps cursed, to forever remain a child. It’s unclear how old Peter Pan really is. But it’s evident that he’s been around for a long time, as his adventures are popular bedtime stories back in the real world.
Like other characters on this list, Peter can be killed, which is something that his arch nemesis Captain Hook has been trying to achieve for years. But his sword fighting skills and fairy-dust-aided flying make him a difficult target. Steven Spielberg’s Hook cleverly explores what this character might look like without immortality or childhood. But when it comes to this 1953 classic, Peter Pan is as timeless as his story.
