Yesterday, we took a look at the greatest villains ever to grace the big screen. But where would characters like Emperor Palpatine and Lex Luthor be without their counterparts: the movie heroes?

Today, we’ll look at the greatest heroes who ever shined on film. Will your favorite make the cut?

Shrek (Shrek, 2001; Shrek 2, 2004; Shrek the Third, 2007) voice of Mike Myers: He is the epitome of an unlikely hero and almost unintentionally saves the day every time. In true hero fashion, he does it all with a witty line and an unwillingness to seriously harm evildoers. What cements this animated character as a true movie hero? No hero can save the day without his trusty side quick, and Shrek has the best: Donkey (voice of Eddie Murphy). 

Robin Hood (The Adventures of Robin Hood, 1938) Errol Flynn: He wasn’t the first to play the role or the last, but I find Flynn’s Hood to be the most definitive in a long line of remakes (the first big-screen Robin Hood film was released in 1921). Dashing, attractive and with a touch of that bad-boy charm, Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood was the best. Don’t believe me? See the film - that’ll change your mind.

Wesley (The Princess Bride, 1987) Cary Elwes: Whether he was a simple farm boy, the dread pirate Roberts or just a man fighting for his one true love, he was something spectacular to behold. Everything about this movie is good, and Elwes as Wesley only makes it better. The sword fights, the devious prince, the beautiful princess, Billy Crystal! It’s all there, and it’s all held together by a single romantic hero who is at turns dangerous, full of love, funny, sarcastic and clever. Better still, he is at all times quite heroic.

Han Solo (Star Wars: A New Hope, 1977; The Emperor Strikes Back, 1980; Return of the Jedi, 1983) Harrison Ford: Many consider him to be second fiddle to Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, but this is a gross under-assessment. Han was sexier as the reluctant hero who still managed to win the girl, save the day and come up with plenty of pithy one-liners while he was doing it. I love Han Solo. He also had the better sidekick - I’d take Chewie in my corner over that squeaky little robot any day.

James Bond - specifically, Sean Connery’s Bond (Dr. No, 1962; From Russia With Love, 1963; Goldfinger, 1964; Thunderball, 1965; You Only Live Twice, 1967; Diamonds are Forever, 1971; Never Say Never Again, 1983): He was, is and will always be 007 - a bad boy that’s still a good boy even when he breaks all the rules and all the hearts. In my eyes, Connery is the hero of every movie he is in, and James Bond is a stunning example of his greatest works. Bond is the definitive movie hero, and Connery is the definitive Bond. So sorry, Daniel Craig - the best you could ever hope for is number 2.