Hailey Watson
15 Side Characters Who Landed Their Own Shows or Movies
Sometimes the supporting players steal the show so completely that audiences demand more.
Hollywood has a long history of taking beloved side characters and giving them their own spotlight, launching entirely new franchises in the process.
From quirky aliens to ruthless antiheroes, these breakout stars proved they had what it takes to carry their own stories and captivate fans all over again.
1. Saul Goodman – Better Call Saul
Breaking Bad introduced us to the slippery, fast-talking lawyer who could get anyone out of trouble.
Saul Goodman became such a fan favorite that creators decided to explore how Jimmy McGill transformed into this morally flexible attorney.
Better Call Saul takes viewers back in time to witness Jimmy’s struggles as a small-time lawyer trying to make his mark.
The show reveals his complicated relationship with his brother Chuck and his gradual descent into the criminal world.
It’s a slower burn than Breaking Bad but equally gripping.
Critics praised the spin-off for its character development and storytelling depth.
The series ran for six seasons and earned numerous awards, proving that sometimes the sidekick deserves the spotlight just as much as the hero.
2. The Lone Gunmen – The Lone Gunmen
These three conspiracy-obsessed computer hackers provided comic relief and technical expertise on The X-Files.
Byers, Frohike, and Langly became cult favorites with their paranoid theories and underground newspaper.
Their spin-off series gave the trio center stage as they investigated government cover-ups and corporate conspiracies.
The show mixed humor with action as the nerdy heroes stumbled through dangerous situations.
Their basement headquarters became the base for their truth-seeking missions.
Unfortunately, The Lone Gunmen lasted only one season despite positive reviews.
The show’s darker conspiracy themes felt uncomfortably prescient after real-world events.
Still, it gave dedicated X-Files fans more time with these quirky characters and their quest to expose hidden truths.
3. Frasier Crane – Frasier
Cheers made Frasier Crane a household name as the pompous but lovable psychiatrist who frequented the Boston bar.
His witty banter and intellectual snobbery made him perfect for his own series.
Frasier followed the character’s return to Seattle where he hosted a radio call-in show dispensing advice to listeners.
The show introduced his equally pretentious brother Niles, his down-to-earth father Martin, and the mysterious Daphne.
Their clashing personalities created comedy gold.
The spin-off became one of the most successful in television history, winning 37 Emmy Awards during its 11-season run.
Frasier proved that sophisticated humor and sharp writing could dominate primetime.
The character’s journey from supporting player to leading man remains legendary.
4. The Scorpion King – The Scorpion King
The Mummy Returns featured a brief but memorable appearance by the ancient warrior Mathayus, who became the fearsome Scorpion King.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s charisma in that small role sparked an entire action franchise.
The Scorpion King movie explored Mathayus’s origins as a noble assassin fighting against an evil warlord.
Set in ancient times, the film blended sword-and-sandal adventure with The Rock’s signature charm.
It delivered exactly what audiences wanted: epic battles, exotic locations, and a hero worth rooting for.
While the original Mummy films focused on mystical curses and undead monsters, this spin-off emphasized straightforward action.
The movie spawned multiple direct-to-video sequels, cementing the character’s place in pop culture.
5. Jesus Quintana – The Jesus Rolls
Featured in The Big Lebowski for barely five minutes, yet John Turturro’s eccentric bowling rival left an unforgettable impression.
His purple jumpsuit, slicked hair, and provocative dance moves made him instantly iconic.
Decades later, Turturro wrote, directed, and starred in The Jesus Rolls, following the character after his release from prison.
The film shows Jesus reconnecting with old friends and embarking on a crime spree across the country.
It’s a road movie filled with oddball encounters and questionable decisions.
Critics were divided on whether Jesus needed his own movie, and the film received mixed reviews.
Some felt the character worked better in small doses.
Still, fans of the original appreciated seeing what happened to bowling’s most memorable weirdo.
6. Mork – Mork & Mindy
Happy Days welcomed an unusual visitor when Mork from the planet Ork appeared in a dream sequence episode.
Robin Williams brought such manic energy to the alien character that producers immediately greenlit a spin-off.
Mork & Mindy followed the naive extraterrestrial as he studied human behavior while living with Mindy in Boulder, Colorado.
Mork’s innocent observations about Earth customs provided both laughs and surprisingly thoughtful social commentary.
Williams improvised much of his dialogue, making every episode unpredictable.
The show became a massive hit, launching Williams into superstardom.
His signature “Nanu Nanu” greeting and reports to Orson became cultural touchstones.
The series ran for four seasons and showcased Williams’s incredible comedic genius.
7. Peacemaker – Peacemaker
The Suicide Squad introduced Peacemaker as a violent, morally questionable hero who cherishes peace so much he’ll kill for it.
John Cena’s performance balanced brutality with surprising vulnerability.
His HBO Max series explores Peacemaker’s messed-up childhood and relationship with his white supremacist father.
The show doesn’t shy away from his flaws, instead using them to create genuine character growth.
He teams up with quirky government agents to fight an alien invasion.
James Gunn created a perfect blend of action, humor, and heart that resonated with audiences.
The opening dance sequence alone became internet famous.
Peacemaker proved that even the worst characters can find redemption, and the series earned renewal for a second season.
8. Deckard Shaw – Hobbs & Shaw
The movie leans into the franchise’s over-the-top action while focusing on the heroes’ bickering relationship.
Fast & Furious introduced Deckard Shaw as a vengeful villain hunting down the crew who hurt his brother.
Jason Statham brought his signature intensity to the role, making Shaw a formidable threat.
Later films gradually transformed him from enemy to reluctant ally.
His chemistry with Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs sparked the idea for a buddy-cop spin-off.
Hobbs & Shaw pairs the two muscular tough guys against a cyber-enhanced terrorist.
Their constant insults and one-upmanship provide laughs between explosive set pieces.
The spin-off proved successful enough to warrant sequel discussions, expanding the Fast universe even further.
9. Evan Baxter – Evan Almighty
Bruce Almighty featured Steve Carell as Evan Baxter, the smug rival news anchor who constantly competed with Jim Carrey’s character.
His pompous attitude made him the perfect antagonist.
Evan Almighty reimagined the character as a newly elected congressman who receives instructions from God to build an ark.
Despite his initial resistance, animals start following him and his beard grows uncontrollably.
The comedy comes from watching the uptight politician lose control of his carefully crafted image.
The movie shifted from the original’s edgy humor to family-friendly comedy.
It became one of the most expensive comedies ever made but received lukewarm reviews.
Still, Carell’s charm carried the film, and it found an audience on home video.
10. Pete & Debbie – This Is 40
Knocked Up introduced Pete and Debbie as the stressed-out married couple dealing with their own relationship issues.
Their arguments provided a realistic counterpoint to the main romance.
This Is 40 catches up with them as they both approach the dreaded birthday milestone.
Director Judd Apatow explores the challenges of maintaining marriage, raising teenagers, and facing financial pressures.
The movie doesn’t sugarcoat middle age—it shows the frustrations, disappointments, and small victories.
Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann brought authenticity to their roles, making even uncomfortable moments relatable.
The film sparked conversations about aging and relationships.
While some found it too long or depressing, others appreciated its honest portrayal of modern marriage’s complexities.
11. Machete – Machete
Trejo finally got to lead his own franchise after decades of playing henchmen and villains.
Spy Kids featured a brief appearance by the children’s uncle, a mysterious and dangerous-looking character named Machete.
Danny Trejo’s intimidating presence left audiences wanting more.
Robert Rodriguez expanded the character into a full-blown action hero for adult audiences.
Machete follows the ex-federale as he’s betrayed and seeks revenge against corrupt politicians and criminals.
The movie embraces B-movie aesthetics with over-the-top violence and outrageous stunts.
The film’s exaggerated action and political commentary made it a cult favorite.
A sequel followed, cementing Machete as an unlikely but beloved action icon who proved you’re never too old to be a badass.
12. Aldous Snow – Get Him to the Greek
Forgetting Sarah Marshall introduced Aldous Snow as the pretentious British rock star dating the main character’s ex-girlfriend.
Russell Brand’s hilarious performance stole every scene he appeared in.
Get Him to the Greek follows a record company intern tasked with escorting Aldous from London to Los Angeles for a comeback concert.
What should be simple becomes a nightmare of drugs, chaos, and outrageous behavior.
Aldous’s journey forces him to confront his fading career and broken relationships.
Brand brought depth to what could have been a one-note character, showing the loneliness behind the rockstar lifestyle.
Jonah Hill’s straight-man performance perfectly complemented Brand’s wild energy.
The movie balanced crude humor with surprising emotional moments.
13. Puss in Boots – Puss in Boots
Shrek 2 introduced a sword-fighting cat with Antonio Banderas’s voice and irresistible wide-eyed expression.
Puss in Boots quickly became a scene-stealer who rivaled the main ogre in popularity.
His solo film explores his life before meeting Shrek, including his friendship with Humpty Dumpty and search for magic beans.
The movie blends fairytale elements with spaghetti western influences.
Puss faces his past mistakes while trying to clear his name.
The animation showcases the character’s acrobatic fighting style and feline mannerisms beautifully.
Kids loved the cute cat, while adults appreciated the clever references and humor.
The film’s success led to a Netflix series and a sequel years later, proving Puss had nine lives worth of stories.
14. Adonis Creed – Creed
Rocky fans knew Apollo Creed as the charismatic champion who became Rocky’s greatest rival and closest friend.
Decades later, his son Adonis stepped into the ring carrying a legendary name.
Creed follows Adonis as he seeks boxing glory while escaping his father’s shadow.
He convinces an aging Rocky Balboa to train him, creating a beautiful reversal of the original films.
The movie honors the franchise’s history while telling a fresh, modern story.
Michael B. Jordan brought intensity and vulnerability to the role, making Adonis his own character rather than just Apollo’s son.
The film revitalized the Rocky franchise and spawned its own successful trilogy.
It proved that legacy characters can pass the torch to new generations.
15. Sheldon Cooper – Young Sheldon
The Big Bang Theory made Sheldon Cooper’s quirks and genius-level intellect the source of endless comedy.
Jim Parsons created such a memorable character that fans wondered what shaped this unusual person.
Young Sheldon travels back to 1980s Texas to show the brilliant child navigating high school at age nine.
The prequel reveals how his family dealt with raising a gifted but socially challenged son.
His mother’s patience, father’s confusion, and siblings’ frustration paint a complete picture.
The show trades the original’s laugh track for a more heartfelt, single-camera approach narrated by adult Sheldon.
It humanizes the character by showing the challenges he faced growing up different.
The series became a hit in its own right, running for seven successful seasons.
Comments
Loading…