No matter how good you are, at some point you will be the underdog. Here are a few movie characters who played the role perfectly, making viewers pull hard for that unlikely victory.

Hickory High Basketball Team
Hoosiers

True story about a small town Indiana high school that makes it to the state tourney and beats a school from the big city.

James Braddock [Russell Crowe]
Cinderella Man

Russell Crowe wrecking people during the Depression. There wasn’t much to be happy about during those bleak years, but a shipyard worker winning the world heavyweight title was enough to give people hope.

Han Solo [Harrison Ford]
Star Wars Trilogy

Luke had the force and a lightsaber. Han was a common criminal with nothing but a sweet ship and tight pants. Yet, the Rebellion still needed him to take down the Empire.

Daniel Russo [Ralph Macchio]
The Karate Kid 

Needs no explanation. Cobra Kai, never die! However, thanks to YouTube, I’ll never be able to watch this movie again.

William Wallace [Mel Gibson]
Braveheart

Beats the massive but weak British army after uniting a bunch of regular Joes.

Lieutenant Mike Harrigan [Danny Glover]
Predator 2

I always thought it was totally ridiculous that one good cop could defeat a vicious alien from the same species that took out an entire special ops unit—including two big-muscle governors (Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jessie Ventura) and a no-nonsense Indian.

Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit

I fell asleep watching this movie, but the horse was an underdog nonetheless.

John McClane [Bruce Willis]
Die Hard

One man versus a building full of Euro terrorists: McClane is the ultimate underdog.

Roy Munson [Woody Harrelson]
Kingpin

The Munson returns 17 years after a horrible ball return accident to take on “Big Ern” McCracken in the Reno Invitational. He’s got one foot in the frying pan and one in a pressure cooker.

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