The 20 Biggest Anti-Heroes and Why We Love Them

15. Michael Corleone – The Godfather

Played by Al Pacino

It’s difficult to say whether Michael Corleone is a hero or a villain. The character is recognised as one of the most iconic villains in film history, but at the same time, many think of the character as a tragic hero. Then again, that just makes him one of the most legendary anti-heroes around! Despite being the son of the mafia don Vito Corleone, he does not want to join the criminal empire. However, several events push him back into the criminal lifestyle, eventually taking his father’s place.

“Just when I thought I was out.. they pull me back in.”

16. Django – Django Unchained

Played by Jamie Foxx

Django Freeman is a freed slave who becomes a bounty hunter. He embarks on an adventure across American South and American Old West to look for his wife, Broomhilda von Shaft, who had been separated from him. Because of the life of violence he was accustomed to, he is also not above any form of violence and killing.

“Kill white people and get paid for it? What’s not to like?”

17. Frank & Claire Underwood – House of Cards

Played by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright

Power couple and a match made in heaven are just two of the things we can use to ironically describe this couple. Both nurturing classy and exquisite appearances, the politically ambitious couple rose from congress to the presidency itself. However, despite the united partnership, dark secrets revolve around their marriage, including affairs and a twisted kind of love.

“I should have never made you Ambassador.” – Francis Underwood

“I should have never made you President.” – Claire Underwood

18. Don Draper – Mad Men

Played by Jon Hamm

Vicious and brutal Donald Francis “Don” Draper was the Creative Director of Sterling Cooper, an advertising firm in Manhattan before he became a founding partner in a new firm, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. He is a very mysterious man, and there is no one who knows who he really is. Gradually, his true identity is unmasked, revealing his real name and that he is the orphaned son of a prostitute and an alcoholic.

“Peggy, I’m glad that this is an environment where you feel free to fail.”

19. Raymond (Red) Reddington – The Blacklist

Played by James Spader

Raymond “Red” Reddington is a highly intellectual man, graduating top of his class at the United States Naval Academy at the age of 24. He was groomed to become admiral, but he suddenly disappeared, taking the country’s top secrets with him. He resurfaced four years later and was charged with treason, but that couldn’t stop him. Over the next 20 years, he would develop a syndicate and went from selling classified documents to toppling governments, starting wars, and influencing geopolitics. He topped his class when he was young, and when he was older, he topped the FBI’s Most Wanted Fugitives list.

“Now, my friend there and I are having a very important discussion, so you just sit tight, enjoy your muffin… and if I hear you say anything other than please or thank you to Carly, I’m gonna drag you into the men’s room and wash your mouth out with soap. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll cut your filthy tongue out with that butter knife. That clear enough for you?”

20. Spike – Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Played by James Marsters

Spike is a vampire, widely feared among both humans and demons. His name is said to have originated from his method of torturing his victims with railroad spikes. He is also known for having killed two slayers before he met Buffy. When he did meet Buffy, he was posed to be one of her biggest mortal enemies. However, he was eventually forced to form an alliance with her, which then grew into love.

“Welcome to the planet. We all paint on our happy faces every day, when all we really want is to pound the neighbor’s missus, steal his Ben Franklins, and while we’re at it *not* think about the third of the world that’s starvin’ to death.”