Top 10 Cyclopes
#10: The Cyclops
“The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” (1958)
They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore. He’s scary, he’s ugly, he’ll put you and your whole crew in a cage if you step out of line– and we love him for it. Director Ray Harryhausen revolutionized the stop-motion genre with this film, introducing the term “Dynamation” to define his process of projecting live-action footage behind his puppetry stage. Despite the revolutionary new CGI techniques we have today, there really is nothing like the practical movie magic of this Cyclops. Also, he fights a dragon. Come on, what’s cooler than that?
#9: Pleakley
“Lilo & Stitch” (2002)
If you thought we’d make a list about the greatest one-eyed characters without this fierce alien, you must be from the planet Plorgonar. Agent Pleakley is an Earth expert and a gender non conforming icon who embodies both pure chaos and all-consuming anxiety– honestly, he nailed the human experience. Though initially loyal to the Galactic Federation, Pleakley becomes a part of Lilo and Stitch’s ‘Ohana, and ultimately sets out to protect them. But most importantly, Pleakley is a comedy legend. No shade to Jumba, but he’s the clear star of that intergalactic duo– sorry!
#8: Stuart
The “Despicable Me” & “Minions” Universe
Love them or hate them, the Minions are arguably the most culturally recognizable figures in film today. You might not know the pope’s full, legal name, but we’d bet you can name this one-eyed (and one-goggled) Minion. Yes, Stuart is a cyclops– just a little yellow one. Many Minions fade into the background, following orders in their uniformed denim– but not our Stuart. He’s been with us since the beginning of the franchise, causing mischief and shouting “banana” to the delight of audiences around the world. We will say, new standout James may soon give Stuart a run for the title of best cyclopean Minion– but maybe the two can collab on a monster movie sometime soon.
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#7: The Cyclops
“Wrath of The Titans” (2012)
If you’re looking for a classic, horrifying, mythologically-accurate Cyclops– this is your guy. After not appearing in “Clash of The Titans,” us Cyclops stans at home were hungry for some monocular madness from this fantastical franchise. Thankfully, the sequel delivered! This Cyclops was intentionally designed to look humanlike, despite being created with CGI. Watching him attack, you can feel how menacing and imposing he is with every stomp and clomp of his club. He’s a 30 foot tall monster, sure, but this depiction makes him feel real. Has anyone ever wondered if he has real feelings, too? We sure do.
#6: Plankton
“Spongebob Squarepants” (1999-)
As far as animated TV villains go, is there anyone more devious than Sheldon J. Plankton? If we’re looking at evilness per cubic inch of single eyeball, he breaks our scale. He might not crush buildings or eat people, but his entire life’s goal is to run a small, local business into the ground by plagiarizing their most famous recipe. And then, a close second mission: total world domination. His schemes never get old– he’s graced our screens since the late ‘90s, and we plan to revel in his hilarious, easily-thwarted undersea atrocities til we’re old and pruney. We assume they’ll still be producing new episodes of “Spongebob Squarepants” when we’re on our deathbeds.
#5: Rell
“Krull” (1983)
Who ever said a Cyclops had to be evil? Some Cyclopes have a kind heart and a gentle spirit: enter, Rell. This ‘80s fantasy film delivers us a friendly giant, who drops countless pearls of wisdom with spear in hand. Another practical movie magic beast, Rell was played by Bernard Bresslaw, who was just… a huge guy. Towering over his co-stars at 6-foot-7, they slapped a prosthetic eye on his forehead, and a legend was born. Fun fact, Rell’s eye was actually an animatronic which was controlled by the film’s creature crew. A moment of silence for Rell, who made the ultimate sacrifice for a young Liam Neeson. Where would we be without him?
#4: Leela
“Futurama” (1999-)
She may be the most developed, evolved, and complex Cyclops on this list– and in the universe, probably. Leela’s a no-nonsense spaceship captain, but she’s also a vulnerable and relatable character who we’ve loved to watch over the decades-long run of “Futurama.” In the sci-fi and fantasy genres, it’s always refreshing to see a strong female lead who knows her stuff– out of however many eyes you may have. Thankfully, depth perception is of no mind when it comes to piloting a craft in the great beyond. We’d trust her with our lives.
#3: Tyson
The “Percy Jackson” Franchise
Did you think we’d forget about the defining Greek myth-inspired teen series? In the “Percy Jackson” world, gods, demigods, and creatures aren’t just fantastical beings– they’re friends :). And like any good mythological tale, of course we have a lovable Cyclops in the form of Tyson, Percy’s half brother and full ally. He’s been depicted in the film and TV adaptations of the books, both in similar fashions. Tyson’s a regular kid– albeit tall– with a single CGI eyeball atop his forehead. While the effects may leave a bit to be desired, we can’t help but adore Tyson. He’s a true hero who’s always looking out for his team– yes, that was another eye pun.
#2: Mike Wazowski
“Monster’s Inc” (2001)
He’s green… he’s slimy… he’s… our next comic! Mike Wazowski is so much more than Sully’s sidekick– he basically solved the energy crisis in Monstropolis with one eye, and impeccable comedic timing. Does he want to throw Boo in the garbage? A little bit, yeah. But hey, he was just trying to have a romantic evening out with the stunning Celia– who also deserves an honorable mention on this list! In terms of special effects, Mike Wazowski was actually created completely practically. That’s a real guy, he just looks like that. Okay, we’re obviously kidding, but could you imagine? And if you didn’t already know, “Harryhausens” is an homage to the aforementioned director! The Cyclopean race is really all one big family!
#1: Polyphemus
“The Odyssey” (2026)
Of course, this list would be nothing without the original Cyclops in all of mythos, the son of Poseidon. While there have been a few depictions of Polyphemus across film history, we’re going to make the bold claim that Christopher Nolan’s adaptation will henceforth be the defining film Cyclops. Its onscreen impact is as gargantuan as the monster itself– once you hear that scream, you’re never going to forget it. As for how Polyphemus came to life, Nolan seriously brings us back to practical roots. The team constructed a 60 foot mechanical puppet inside of Nestor’s Cave in Greece, which was piloted by actor Bill Irwin. The design, the execution, and the performance all came together flawlessly– if only Odysseus could have left well enough alone!
Did you SEE all of your favorite cyclopes on this list? Were our picks justif-EYEd? Did EYE make enough eye puns? Let us know in the comments!
