Some completely missed the mark
Being the protagonist is the ultimate role in a movie, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best. Sometimes, supporting roles are just as—and occasionally even more—iconic as lead roles. Some supporting characters are so strong that the actors who play them are catapulted to stardom. Some are indeed breakthrough roles that stand out above the rest.
Click through the following gallery and see which supporting actors stole the show.
John Travolta might have had more screen time, and indeed he was a much bigger star back then, but Samuel L. Jackson's performance in 'Pulp Fiction' is as memorable as it gets. He was nominated for an Oscar for it as well!
Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe were the Hollywood heavyweights in the movie, but Hathaway's performance as Fantine definitely stole the show.
"The Rock" was still a wrestling star back then, but everything changed after this movie. We really wanted to see him fight the bad guys after 'The Mummy Returns.'
Martin Scorsese managed to gather a very interesting group of actors in this gangster classic, but Pesci's character steals the show. Tommy DeVito is unpredictable, volatile, violent, and funny—all at the same time!
From carpenter to Han Solo, Ford became a movie star after starring in George Lucas' movies. Luke Skywho?
Sure, this was a Batman movie, but it's Heath Ledger's character, Joker, who was truly memorable.
The boot camp scenes of Stanley Kubrick's classic wouldn't be the same without Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, that's for sure! Fun fact: Ermey was actually a Marine drill instructor in real life.
Jolie's role in 'Girl, Interrupted' really put us on the edge of our seats. So much so, in fact, that she won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Stealing the show when you have a Hollywood heavyweight such as Tom Cruise as the protagonist is not easy. Cuba Gooding Jr. however, manages to do it with his character, football player Rod Tidwell. Who can forget his iconic quote, "Show me the money!?"
Elijah Wood might have been the lead, but Orlando Bloom really stole our hearts as Legolas. He went on to become a coveted Hollywood heartthrob and respected actor after he played this character.
The Spanish actor plays psychopath killer Anton Chigurh in this Coen brothers' movie. He was not the main character, but the movie is strongly marked by his performance, for which he won an Oscar.
Pitt's character, Jeffrey Goines, is a psychotic mental patient and eco-terrorist who manages to steal the show in this movie. Pitt was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Mark Wahlberg was surrounded by superstars in this Martin Scorsese movie, but Sergeant Dignam earned a special place in our hearts. Wahlberg was nominated for an Oscar for his role.
Caught between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze's characters, the actress really stood out with her funny, heartfelt performance. Two years later, Goldberg went on to star as the protagonist in the hugely successful 'Sister Act.'
Renee Zellweger's Roxie Hart is amazing in the film, but Catherine Zeta-Jones' character, Velma Kelly, truly is a scene-stealer in 'Chicago.'
A kid stealing the show from Bruce Willis? Yes, that's exactly what happens in 'The Sixth Sense.' Haley Joel Osment proved to be an amazing actor, despite his young age at the time.
'Spotlight' features one of Mark Ruffalo's best performances. As a result, he was nominated for the Oscar of Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.
This Michael Cimino movie is brilliant, and so is Walken's performance, for which he won an Oscar. Who can forget the iconic Russian roulette scene with Christopher Walken's Nick and Robert De Niro's Michael?
Melissa McCarthy's role as Megan is absolutely hilarious and brilliant in every way. So much so, that her performance was even nominated for an Oscar.
Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep might have taken center stage in the movie, but Blunt's character Emily Charlton was a very nice surprise. The actress wasn't the huge star she is today when this film came out, but this role was a real breakthrough.
Yes, Christoph Waltz's performance as a supporting role is also terrific, but despite having less screen time, Samuel L. Jackson's performance is just slightly superior in the way it grabs our attention.
Like Legolas, Samwise also deserves a spot on this list. Indeed his role is crucial in the movie series.
Harrison Ford is the lead character in this movie, but it's Tommy Lee Jones who steals the show as US Marshal Samuel Gerard.
Octavia Spencer won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'The Help.' The outspoken maid Minny Jackson really grabs our attention.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes were great, but it was Judi Dench's role as Queen Elizabeth that really made this movie.
Most of the action in this teen comedy revolves around Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton, but it's Penn as stoner Jeff Spicoli that really grabs our attention.
It's not easy to stand out when you have a huge star such as Kurt Russell as the main man. But it is Kilmer's character, Doc Holliday, that turns out to be an audience favorite.
Valkyrie is just something else, and we know it from the moment she first appears on 'Thor: Ragnarok.'
Sources: (Screen Rant) (The Talko) (Alot Living!)
See also: These actors are notoriously difficult to work with
Remarkable roles played by supporting actors
Some performances were better than the lead
MOVIES Iconic roles
Being the protagonist is the ultimate role in a movie, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best. Sometimes, supporting roles are just as—and occasionally even more—iconic as lead roles. Some supporting characters are so strong that the actors who play them are catapulted to stardom. Some are indeed breakthrough roles that stand out above the rest.
Click through the following gallery and see which supporting actors stole the show.