Top 20 Sexiest Characters Of All Time
#20: Selene
“Underworld” Franchise (2003-)
When it comes to slim-fitting outfits, Selene’s signature leather ensemble in the “Underworld” movies easily makes her one of the sexiest vampires ever put to film, and that’s saying something. Of course, it helps that she’s played by the ever captivating Kate Beckinsale, but Selene takes it over the top by being an all-around badass to boot, able to take you out with her fighting skills or her go-to pair of handguns. Though she’s one of the good vampires out there, we’d be more than willing to let her drink our blood if she needed to, so long as we got to stare into those hypnotic, icy blue eyes.
#19: Samus Aran
“Metroid” Franchise (1986-)
Now here’s an interesting entry in the sense that a lot of incoming gamers aren’t even aware of the character’s gender underneath all the armor. But the reveal that Samus is a woman was a landmark moment in video game history. Never before did gaming have an iconic female protagonist quite like Samus Aran, and the fact that she’s so badass and equipped to handle such dangerous foes makes her even sexier. But for those of you more aesthetically inclined, look no further than Zero Suit Samus. Did we need to ramp up the physical appeal of a female character to make her a more compelling one? No. But given the nature of this list, we can’t argue with the results.
#18: Thor
Marvel
As it turns out, the God of Thunder is also a god of hotness. We suppose the character’s history goes all the way back to Norse mythology, but his incarnation in the Marvel universe is where pop culture really got its hooks into him. Though the character’s come a long way since his comics debut in the 1960s, there’s few interpretations of him that don’t include big, burly muscles and a gorgeous, blond mane. Plus, his handling of the massive hammer Mjolnir is enough to make someone swoon. Though he won’t be the last Avenger on this list, we’d love to get more familiar with him, but only if we be worthy.
#17: Elastigirl
“Incredibles” Franchise (2004-)
Who said moms can’t be hot? There should probably be a word for that… In any case, Elastigirl continues the sexy superhero trend with a slim-fitting outfit and a flirtatious attitude in the first “Incredibles” movie’s prologue. Of course, it turns out she’s flirting with her immediate future husband, but who among you weren’t still thinking about that flexibility? Though her family and the subsequent outlawing of supers curbs her crime-fighting lifestyle for a while, plot machinations find her suiting up once again, and boy does she still got it, in more ways than one. The sequel shines an even bigger spotlight on Elastigirl as she becomes the face of a new super campaign, and really, they couldn't have picked a better candidate.
#16: Emma Frost
Marvel
In the “X-Men” comics, there’s no shortage of buxom beauties, both good and bad, but none of them play up that duality quite like Emma Frost. As a mutant, Frost is perhaps best known for literally being able to turn her body diamond-hard and similarly make some people… well, you know. She’s also telepathic, which allows her to make others highly suggestible, but judging by her physical appearance, we’re not sure how much telepathy has to do with it. Her sultriness is practically a superpower in its own right and something she’s not afraid to exploit. It’s such a benchmark of her character that having January Jones play her in “X-Men: First Class” at the height of her “Mad Men” fame seemed like a no-brainer.
#15: Geralt of Rivia
“The Witcher” Franchise (2007-)
Oh boy, do we want to toss a coin to our witcher. The titular witcher, essentially a monster-hunter for hire, Geralt is the definition of toughness, able to grapple with the deadliest of creatures and sustain a severe licking. It’s that tenacity, that scowling stubbornness in the face of insurmountable odds that that endears us to him so. That said, neither the games nor show are afraid to flaunt his sex appeal, giving us a little beefcake action to go along with all the witching. Plus, Henry Cavill rocks pretty much every aspect of the character in live-action, from the brutish persona to those luscious white locks.
#14: Faye Valentine
“Cowboy Bebop” (1998-99)
Easily one of the hottest ladies in all of anime, Faye Valentine is more than aware of this fact. Though she isn’t actively sexual, that doesn’t stop her from using her sultriness to her advantage in order to gain the upper hand on her enemies. Come to think of it, though, she isn’t very active in general, often eager to let the rest of her bounty hunting crew handle the bulk of the heavy lifting while she tends to her assets. But let’s be honest, if we were on the Bebop, we’d probably let her walk all over us. People got to play to their strengths, right?
#13: Elvira
“Elvira’s Movie Macabre” (1981-86)
This character is simultaneously 100% of her time and somehow timeless all the same. Played to perfection by Cassandra Peterson, Elvira was the host of an ‘80s TV show called “Elvira’s Movie Macabre,” in which she would primarily introduce viewers to a slew of schlocky horror B-movies, kind of like a spooky-themed “Mystery Science Theater.” As much as we enjoyed the movies themselves, Elvira was the real reason to watch, from her endearing personality to her… more prominent assets. The character’s popularity has persisted over the years, from being a perennial Halloween costume to returning in a few movies and revival series. And you know what? We can’t get enough of our goth goddess.
#12: Casey Jean “C.J.” Parker
“Baywatch” (1989-2001; 2003)
It is impossible to think of “Baywatch” without picturing some sexy lifeguards running in slow-motion along the beach, and arguably no one did that better than Casey Jean “C.J.” Parker. Played by Pamela Anderson, who was as much of a sex symbol outside of the show as in it, C.J. defined female sexiness in the 1990s, with scores of viewers prone to drooling with each episode. While there were loads of hotties working the beach, C.J. stands out the most through a combination of actor, personality and the way she fits into that one-piece swimsuit just so. Though Kelly Rohrbach makes a similar impression as the character in the “Baywatch” movie, no one can top Pamela.
#11: Batman
DC
Holy hot guy, Batman! By which we mean to say, “Holy smokes, Batman is a hot, hot guy.” Maybe it’s the cape and cowl, maybe it’s the roguish persona, or maybe it’s that utility belt where he keeps all those wonderful toys, but there’s something about Batman that’s just so alluring. Though he’s probably first considered one of the coolest characters in all of fiction, the thirst for him is real. Just ask Dr. Chase Meridian. While we’re sure a lot of his magnetism comes from his Bruce Wayne secret identity, wherein he’s known to flaunt his playboy status, it’s the Caped Crusader’s darkly mystifying presence as he protects Gotham City by night that makes us drawn to him.
#10: Princess Leia Organa
“Star Wars” Franchise (1977-)
This is the character that arguably first sparked the fantasies of fans the world over back when fandom was just a sliver of what it is now. Played by the legendary Carrie Fisher, Leia started off as your archetypal princess in peril that needed to be rescued. However, over the course of the original trilogy, she grew to become quite the well-rounded character in her own right, and quite the resilient one at that. Still, we can’t talk about Princess Leia on a sexy list without mentioning her legendary bikini in “Return of the Jedi.” Though she was forced to wear the thing by Jabba the Hutt, she ultimately turned the table on her oppressor - or in this case, chains - making her even sexier.
#9: Harley Quinn
DC
Few characters have made such an indelible impression on pop culture in such a short window as Harley Quinn. Originating as the Joker’s subordinate and pseudo girlfriend in “Batman: The Animated Series” in 1992, Harley has since appeared in a variety of mediums, from comic books, to video games to live-action, being portrayed by the stunning Margot Robbie in the DCEU. Though Harley has grown to become as fascinating a character as the Joker, we’d be remiss to neglect to mention her countless series of memorable outfits, which have been replicated by cosplayers around the globe. Her transformation has even come full-circle to the point that she eventually received an animated series all her own.
#8: Poison Ivy
DC
Speaking of the “Harley Quinn” animated series, Harley’s main squeeze Poison Ivy has been beguiling people both inside and outside of the DC Universe for decades longer, even. Possessing the ability to control plant life, Ivy proves Mother Nature can be sexy and then some. She can also excrete a series of pheromones that have people fawning over her and bending to her will, but judging by her outward beauty, we’re pretty sure people were already doing that. She is a top-notch seductress on top of that, making her a prime candidate for this list. From her comic roots to her live-action portrayal by Uma Thurman, you’d be hard-pressed to find a version that’s not one of the sexiest beings on God’s green Earth.
#7: Old Spice Guy
Old Spice Ads
You’re probably thinking this one is a joke, but we did say we’d be considering a variety of mediums, and straight advertising is fair game. Known as “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign, the series of ads features actor Isaiah Mustafa as an over-the-top personification of what your dream man would look - and more importantly - smell like. With each commercial seemingly getting more ridiculous than the last, the skits see the Old Spice Guy undergoing a series of physical and locational transformations whilst retaining his trademark rugged delivery. The ads never cease to crack us up, but they also kinda make us wanna buy some Old Spice, so the character’s obviously working on all fronts.
#6: Xena
“Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001)
As much as we love C.J. on “Baywatch,” Xena is the ‘90s TV character that has sex appeal and then a little bit more. First appearing on “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” in 1995, Xena proved so popular that she immediately got a more popular spinoff series of her own, subtitled “Warrior Princess,” and never looked back. Through her various adventures, the character captivated fans through her sex appeal as much as her badassery. And though her romantic relationship with best friend Gabrielle was never confirmed, the mere suggestion of it did wonders for the lesbian community. We just hope we’ll get to see Lucy Lawless return as the character one day.
#5: John Wick
“John Wick” Franchise (2014-)
Keanu Reeves really is one breathtaking individual, and one that’s been supplying us with memorable characters for decades now. Yet if there’s one that makes us blush more than any other, it’s John Wick. Though John doesn’t deliberately go out of his way to be sexy, he does it all the same through sheer tenacity as he makes his way through the assassin underworld. Heck, the only reason he’s gotten back in the game is to rectify certain wrongs related to his late wife, and if there’s anything sexier than badassitude, it’s devotion. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that prior to all his hitman outings, he cleans up really, really well.
#4: Lara Croft
“Tomb Raider” Franchise (1996-)
Hands-down the sexiest character in all of gaming has to be Lara Croft from the “Tomb Raider” series. She’s practically designed to elicit awed responses from players, despite the creators’ claims to the contrary. Though, in fairness, despite her alluring wardrobe, what really does solidify her status is her athletic prowess and resilience in accomplishing her archaeological exploits. Her sexiness even has some range to it, as the reboot series in the 2010s took a grittier approach and toughened her up quite a bit whilst retaining that outward appeal. All things said, you know you’ve got a downright knockout character when Angelina Jolie makes for spot-on casting.
#3: Catwoman
DC
Sexier than Batman or any other villain in his rogue’s gallery is the ultimate cat burglar herself, Catwoman. Though she’s undergone multiple variations over the years, the one thing that seems to be ubiquitous is her charming yet sensually mysterious disposition. Typically fitted in a skin-tight catsuit, appropriately enough, Catwoman has no inherent superpowers but finds power all the same by taking what she wants. And her flirtatious frenemy relationship with Batman has fueled our fantasies for generations. If there’s one thing this list has proven, outright heroes and outright villains can be drop-dead sexy, but Catwoman shows that there’s something about riding that line that is uber enticing.
#2: James Bond
“James Bond” Franchise (1962-)
The quintessential lothario, James Bond has been rescuing and romancing women - both good and bad - for over half a century now. Though the actors portraying him are known to change, they each more or less carry the same level of confidence and bravado befitting of the character. You could argue that being a super spy gives him an advantage with the ladies by bringing excitement to a relationship, but it can’t be denied his coolness in a conversation as he practically woos us from the other side of the screen. His womanizing ways don’t look quite the same today as they did in the ‘60s, but it just goes to show that he’ll remain a perennial sex symbol as he adapts for every generation to come.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Daenerys Targaryen, “Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
The Mother of Dragons Will Always Light Our Fires
Aragorn, “The Lord of the Rings” (2001-03)
He Can Be Our King for the End of Time, Thanks
Number Six, “Battlestar Galactica” (2004-09)
We Don’t Care if She’s a Cylon; She Still Gets Our Heart Racing
Chun-Li, “Street Fighter” Franchise (1987-)
Let’s Be Honest: We Didn’t Always Pick Her for Her Fighting Style
#1: Black Widow
Marvel
All respect to James Bond, there’s one super spy that has the physical assets to back up her espionage prowess more than him, and it’s Black Widow. Specifically the Natasha Romanova version of the character - or Natasha Romanoff, as she’s known in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Black Widow’s fighting abilities are perhaps only eclipsed by her sex appeal, which, like a real-life black widow, will draw you in with its deadly charms. Though her peak popularity only came about with the advent of Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of her in the MCU, in this day and age, we can’t think of a sexier character than Black Widow.