Whether you are traversing the depths of space, sailing the high seas, or leading a band of heroes against a world-ending threat, odds are, you are going to need a good captain in charge. Cinema history is full of heroic people who have left their mark by showing great leadership, determination, and a never-say-die attitude. What makes a good cinematic captain, though? Surely, not just anyone can do it.
A good captain should possess the drive to lead by any means necessary. They should stand rock-steady in the face of danger. Their confidence should border on cockiness with a dash of unselfishness. They may not always be the hero of the story, but by the closing credits, you will know a good captain when you see them. Here are 10 iconic captains from movies that we would follow into the unknown.
10 Captain Hook – Peter Pan (1953)
Disney’s 1953 adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s play, Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, introduced us to the animated and now iconic Captain Hook. Peter Pan arguably anchored Disney’s slate of animated features throughout the 1950s, which also included Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Lady and the Tramp. Voiced by comedian Hans Conried, Captain Hook still endures to this day as the classic Disney villain in what is considered to be the best adaptation about a boy who never grew up.
A Hook-Handed Villain, Hellbent on Revenge
Love him or hate him, Captain Hook has earned his place as a truly iconic movie Captain. Hook is navigating a life with only one hand, the other being claimed by Peter Pan. He is motivated by justice, some would call revenge, and operates with a singular goal in mind and leads the crew of the Jolly Roger in kind. We leave the great captain as he flees from a crocodile, the same beast which consumed his severed hand years earlier.
9 Captain Hector Barbossa – Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise
Hector Barbossa is a focal point throughout the original Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, as well as the two sequels that followed. Played by Academy Award-winning actor Geoffrey Rush, Barbossa is introduced to us as the villainous captain of the Black Pearl in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Rush’s chemistry with costar Johnny Depp would help to create several memorable moments between Captain Barbossa and Captain Jack Sparrow throughout the franchise.
A Fearless and Selfish Antagonist
Despite his shifting loyalties throughout the series, Barbossa is one of the most fearless and experienced captains traversing the seven seas. He has survived being undead, actually dead, overthrown, and betrayed time and time again. His willingness to go head-on into any battle hardens his reputation, making it easy for his crew to follow him into whatever adventure may lie ahead.
8 Captain James T. Kirk – Star Trek Franchise
Gene Roddenberry introduced the world to Star Trek in 1966. From there, the popular property would grow into multiple series, movies, cartoons, and comics. While many captains have led voyages into deep space, perhaps none is more popular than Captain James T. Kirk. While a handful of actors have played the good captain over the years, it is William Shatner who is most synonymous with the role, as he would play Kirk in the original series as well as seven feature films.
Boldly Went Where No One Had Gone Before
Captain Kirk was the first on-screen captain of the Starship Enterprise, as it boldly went where no one had gone before. Kirk carried with him a self-confidence that bordered on cockiness, and never shied away from a challenge or backed down from an enemy. While his personality may have been bristly at times, Kirk truly cared for those under his command. Working tirelessly to support and defend them.
7 Captain Marvel – Marvel Cinematic Universe
Brie Larson joined the MCU in 2019 as Carol Danvers, better known as Captain Marvel. Debuting in a solo film that followed her origin story and initial relationship with Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. Just one year later, the character would return in Avengers: Endgame to help Earth’s mightiest heroes take on Thanos. Larson would then star alongside Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani in 2023’s The Marvels.
The Strongest Character in the MCU?
Brie Larson has faced a fury of unwarranted fan backlash throughout her time as Captain Marvel, despite her enjoyment and commitment to the role. What makes her an iconic Captain is her strength and ability to overtake any situation she finds herself in. Whether she is going toe-to-toe with the Mad Titan Thanos, or restarting the power of a planet’s sun. With her role hopefully set to grow as the MCU progresses forward, we can’t wait to see what she does next.
6 Captain Malcolm Reynolds – Serenity (2005)
Oh, Firefly, we barely knew you. Joss Whedon’s short-lived science fiction series only lasted 11 episodes. The quality of the show was praised by critics, but it was the low ratings that ultimately led to the series’ cancelation in 2002. Three years later, and a lot of thanks due to an executive at Universal Pictures, fans were gifted Serenity, a feature film based on the series and starring the original cast, including Captain Malcolm Reynolds, played by Nathan Fillion.
A Swagger to Remember
Malcolm’s main mission as a captain has been described as keeping his ship flying and his crew alive, admirable goals for any captain. Malcolm carries himself with a swashbuckling swagger while sporting an iconic bronze pistol and long brown coat. With talks of a Firefly revival popping up every few years, we continue to hope for future adventures from Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his crew.
5 Captain Jean-Luc Picard – Star Trek: The Next Generation Franchise
The first iteration, which came after the original Star Trek series, featured acclaimed stage actor Sir Patrick Stewart in the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation skyrocketed to popularity upon its release in 1987 and would span seven seasons in as many years, as well as four films. Originally considered for the role of Data, it took the convincing of series creator Gene Roddenberry to cast Stewart as Picard. Over thirty-five years later, and it is hard to imagine anyone other than Sir Patrick Stewart playing the role of the Captain of the Enterprise in The Next Generation.
A Seasoned, Respected Leader
Very similar to his predecessor, Captain Kirk, Picard possesses great confidence in himself as a leader, despite a troubled past. There are times when the Captain clashes with his crew, but always with their best interests in mind. Throughout his run as Captain, Picard led the Enterprise and its crew in battle against the evil Borg, saved a planetary system, and went face-to-face with a Romulan clone of himself. Picard is a man and a Captain who will fight to his last breath if necessary, a leader boldly going forward.
4 Captain Han Solo – Star Wars
Try for a moment to picture Al Pacino, James Caan, or even Bill Murray in the role of Han Solo. All of those actors, and more, were considered or auditioned for the now iconic role. 40 years later, and it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Harrison Ford playing the scruffy-looking nerf herder. Han Solo is a film and pop culture icon unto himself, as well as one of the most famous fictional captains of all time.
Not Just a Scruffy-Looking Nerf Herder
When we first meet Solo, he is not a captain in any official capacity. Sure, he is the pilot of the Millennium Falcon, which technically does make him a captain. It is not until The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi that Han is bestowed an official “captain” status by the rebellion. Helping to lead a successful rescue mission of Luke Skywalker on Hoth, as well as helping to bring down the second death star on the moon of Endor, Solo establishes himself as a highly successful and honorable captain among the rebels.
3 Captain Quint – Jaws (1975)
Renowned English actor, Robert Shaw, plays the truly memorable Captain Quint in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Reluctant to take the role when offered, Shaw was ultimately convinced by his wife and fellow actor Mary Ure. Jaws would go on to mark the birth of the summer blockbuster and remain one of the finest films ever put on screen, thanks to Spielberg’s direction as well as Shaw’s performance and that of his costars Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss.
A Re-envisioned Ahab
In the film, Quint is portrayed as a hardened and experienced fisherman who, as we come to find out, has had run-ins with deadly sharks before. It is his knowledge of the deadly beast that makes him a worthy leader in the expedition to hunt down and put to rest the creature that terrorized the beach town of Amity Island. Quint fights until his last breath against the shark, finally becoming a meal for the predator himself. Like a doll’s eyes, Quint’s performance is piercing and memorable.
2 Captain Jack Sparrow – Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise
What do you get when you cross Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards with Bugs Bunny and Pepé Le Pew? If you are Johnny Depp’s inspiration, then you get the now-iconic Jack Sparrow. Sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow. The character is the focal point of all five films in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and, along with Geoffrey Rush, are the only two actors to appear in all films in the franchise.
Johnny Depp’s Most Iconic Role
On looks alone, Jack Sparrow could go down with an all-time iconic appearance and his laundry list of memorable quotes. Much like his fellow Captain, Hector Barbossa, Sparrow has always shifting alliances throughout the series but, in the end, ultimately does the right thing… for others and himself. He will exhaust all other options before coming to the final right course of action. While the hype surrounding the Captain may mostly be in his head at the beginning of the series, his legend grows into a true myth by the end of the franchise.
1 Captain America – Marvel Cinematic Universe
Chris Evans’ first trip into the world of Marvel came in 2005’s Fantastic Four as The Human Torch, Johnny Storm. While the two films he appeared in left critics and audiences with mixed reactions, clearly Evans made an impression on those who would continue working for Marvel Studios at the birth of the MCU, as just five years later he would be cast as Captain America in the then-young and curious Marvel Cinematic Universe. Evans would go on to appear as the super soldier Steve Rogers in eleven projects, leading to what many assume was his swan song in Avengers: Endgame.
Why Captain America Is the Most Iconic Movie Captain Ever
Captain America is meant to embody all the strength and resolve of humanity, and, by God, the star-spangled man with the plan does that. Cap leads The Avengers into battle against world-ending threats like Loki and Ultron, navigates an internal battle among his fellow heroes, and goes toe to toe with the seemingly unbeatable Mad Titan, Thanos.
Captain America is a leader who will fight to the death for himself and his team. His famed line, “I could do this all day,” is not just a quip used by Cap, but something he puts into action on the battlefield. When his much-delayed dance with the love of his life, Peggy Carter, rolls around. Captain America has finally gotten the life he always wanted, a truly deserved reward for cinema’s most iconic Captain.
