The American Film Institute (AFI) revealed the top 50 heroes and top 50 villains of all time in AFI's 100 Years… 100 Heroes & Villains. This is an amazing compliment for the character.

Freddy Krueger made #40.


The jurors were asked to consider the following criteria while making their selections:

*Feature-Length Fiction Film: The film must be in narrative format, typically more than 60 minutes in length.

*American Film: The film must be in the English language with significant creative and/or financial production elements from the United States.

*Hero: For voting purposes, a "hero" was defined as a character(s) who prevails in extreme circumstances and dramatizes a sense of morality, courage and purpose. Though they may be ambiguous or flawed, they often sacrifice themselves to show humanity at its best.

*Villain: For voting purposes, a "villain" was defined as a character(s) whose wickedness of mind, selfishness of character and will to power are sometimes masked by beauty and nobility, while others may rage unmasked. They can be horribly evil or grandiosely funny, but are ultimately tragic.

*Cultural Impact: Characters who have a made a mark on American society in matters of style and substance.

*Legacy: Characters who elicit strong reactions across time, enriching America's film heritage while continuing to inspire contemporary artists and audiences.