Some completely missed the mark
In cinema, all main characters need trials to endure and obstacles to overcome. But some folks prove they're not just tough, but that they're basically immortal!
And this isn't something that only happens with superheroes or slasher monsters. A lot of ordinary mortals prove to be extraordinarily death-proof. From John Wick to James Bond, these characters are slick, and smart, and avoid their deaths no matter what goes against them.
Click on for some of the most indestructible characters in cinematic history.
From nabbing ancient relics while dodging poison blow darts, to a huge, hurtling boulder that nearly crushes him, Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones has survived some impossible odds.
Uma Thurman's the Bride is a revenge-driven super assassin, who's also trained by the greatest martial arts master. In the 'Kill Bill' saga, the Bride is unkillable in many ways, but most notable is that she survives a bullet to the head.
With numerous injuries, traps, and logic-defying circumstances that should have time after time marked the end of him, 007 has shown for decades that he's unkillable.
In Ridley Scott's 'Alien' (1979), Sigourney Weaver's Ripley manages to do what everyone else on the ship doesn't: survive. And even after she sacrificed herself, she was eventually cloned and brought back to life.
During the course of the John Wick franchise, this assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, is an unstoppable force. With a blend of handgun artistry, machine gun skills, and hand-to-hand combat, John Wick can take on anyone and anything.
In 1992, Tim Burton's 'Batman Returns' gave the world the most iconic Catwoman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Evoking the nine lives myth about cats, Catwoman gets shot multiple times, and always gets right back up.
Tom Cruise's unstoppable super spy of the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise is a man who runs into danger and risks his life to save the world. And he survives over and over again.
Javier Bardem's Oscar-winning role in 'No Country for Old Men' (2007) is meticulous and brutal. And after the hitman manages to complete his work, he still manages to survive a car smashup.
From shotgun blasts to the face, to explosions, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator can withstand just about anything.
First introduced to us in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984), many teens have attempted to get the fix on Freddy, but failed. The problem here is that he's already dead...
Ian McKellen's iconic wizard from 'The Lord of the Rings' franchise is simply indestructible. With many tricks up his sleeves, he falls down a mine with a monster and still manages to survive.
Fighting evil agents and stopping flying bullets from hitting him, Neo from the 'Matrix' franchise is practically a modern-day Messiah.
Portrayed by Neve Campbell, Sidney Prescott is the protagonist of the 'Scream' franchise. Having been chased all around, this final girl is practically immortal.
The 'Home Alone' burglars survive all the traps set by Kevin McCallister. But in reality, nearly everything that happens to them should have ended them for good.
Trained in numerous defense arts, we've seen throughout the 'Tomb Raider' franchise that Lara Croft isn't scared of getting physical. From shadow monsters to bullet wounds, and Pandora's box, she's survived them all.
Jason of the 'Friday the 13th' franchise has cheated death many times. From having survived drowning to being hacked into pieces, he just keeps on coming back.
Westley from 'The Princess Bride' (1987) is a farm boy who becomes a roguish pirate. In his quest to rescue his true love, Buttercup, he defeats a master swordsman and even drinks poison. Oh, what true love made him do!
Johnny Depp's charismatic Jack Sparrow has built his reputation on escaping death at all costs. And while he's dragged in the end to Davy Jones' Locker, the pirate doesn't really perish.
The 1981 sci-fi classic 'Escape from New York' gave the world Kurt Russell's Snake Plissken, the ultimate antihero. Whatever is thrown at him, Pilssken beats the odds to survive at every turn.
In the 2006 action flick 'Crank', hitman Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) is injected with a special poison that requires him to keep his adrenaline up just to keep his heart beating. This results in a completely insane, action-packed flick that sees Chev constantly defying death.
The Black Knight in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' (1975) has a short appearance, but his entire existence is based on his stubborn refusal to perish. And it's hilarious!
With superior strength, speed, and agility, it's no wonder Gal Gadot's superheroine can survive anything.
Bruce Lee's character in 'The Way of the Dragon' (1972) is a man of both style and grace. Fighting with a combination of Chinese boxing and karate, he's seriously difficult to kill.
Timothy Olyphant's character in 'A Perfect Getaway' (2009) proves he's literally made of titanium. Meaning he can take a bullet to the head and shrug it off.
Bruce Willis' John McClane from the 'Die Hard' franchise isn't afraid to get his fists bruised. From facing terrorists to surviving a high-rise hostage situation, McClane is undying.
They don't call him the Man of Steel for nothing. Alien visitor Superman is from Krypton, which means he's not like your average human. Not only is he quick, but bullets can't penetrate his skin.
The Russian arms dealer Boris, from Guy Ritchie's 2000 comedy 'Snatch' is nearly a superhuman. Throughout the film, we see him get stabbed, beaten, shot, and hit by a car, and survive. It's still unclear, though, if he survived the final assault. But many say he's still somehow alive.
A local legend in underworld circles, Marv from 'Sin City' (2005) is repeatedly attacked and hit by bullets, while still remaining a living tank. And when he's finally executed in an electric chair, it proves to be a lot harder than expected.
See also: The best female villains in film and TV
Movie characters who are basically impossible to kill
Some have superpowers, some are mere mortals
MOVIES Cinema
In cinema, all main characters need trials to endure and obstacles to overcome. But some folks prove they're not just tough, but that they're basically immortal!
And this isn't something that only happens with superheroes or slasher monsters. A lot of ordinary mortals prove to be extraordinarily death-proof. From John Wick to James Bond, these characters are slick, and smart, and avoid their deaths no matter what goes against them.
Click on for some of the most indestructible characters in cinematic history.