Some stories never get old – they are captivating enough to warrant endless retellings. Examples of this exist in the literature, television, and film worlds alike. The most enduring stories often span more than one of these mediums and are driven by complex, compelling main characters.

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In particular, some movie characters have a lasting effect on viewers and thus reappear in multiple movies. Each new version of the character adds something to their original story. Some of the most recognizable movie characters are also the ones that have had the most iterations of themselves appear on the big screen.

10 Michael Myers Is A Longstanding Horror Icon

Halloween's Michael Myers standing on the porch of his house

For a man who spends his life perpetually hiding behind a mask, Michael Myers has left an enduring mark on the horror genre. Myers' shadowy identity is one of many reasons he has become such a recognizable – and duplicated – character. From the first Halloween movie back in 1978 to the newest Danny McBride iteration, Halloween Ends, audiences have seen many versions of the mysterious killer.

Michael Myers' look may have changed slightly over the years, but he remains one of the creepiest and most monstrous movie villains.

9 The Jekyll & Hyde Story Began Over A Century Ago

Lovecraft-Jekyll & Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson published The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde in 1886, but the story is still a part of the modern consciousness. The story is a classic tale of how the universal forces of good and evil manifest in otherwise ordinary people.

RELATED: 10 Books You Should Still Read Even After Watching The Movie AdaptationDr. Jekyll and his evil alter ego, Mr. Hyde, have appeared in over a hundred movies since the book's publication, including a 2021 direct-to-streaming film. Furthermore, the good doctor supposedly inspired an iconic DC villain: Batman's recurring nemesis, Two-Face.

8 The Tale Of Zorro Goes Far Beyond The Films

Zorro

Zorro has been around since 1919 when he first appeared in a Johnston McCulley novel. Interestingly enough, the masked outlaw was actually inspired by a real person, which explains why the story has so much depth. Zorro has appeared in films repeatedly since 1920, and there are rumors of an upcoming Zorro and Django Unchained crossover movie.

In addition to classic literature and multiple films, Zorro has appeared in a 1950s Western-style television show and, more recently, a series of comic books.

7 Frankenstein Has Gone From Black & White To Animated

Frank looks at his phone and smiles

The humanoid monster in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, has taken on a life of its own. From television sitcoms to Halloween costumes, it's impossible to think of the horror genre without thinking about the imposing character.

In film, the Frankenstein monster has appeared in both live-action and animated movies since 1931. In February 2022, a lovable cartoon iteration of him reappeared in the fourth installment of the popular Hotel Transylvania series of children's films.

6 Hannibal Lecter Has Had Many Faces

Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs

Dr. Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal serial killer who got his start in a series of Thomas Harris novels. However, his leap onto the big screen was what truly catapulted the psychiatrist into the mainstream. Anthony Hopkins' depiction of Dr. Lecter in The Silence Of The Lambs, Red Dragon, and Hannibal, is probably the most well-known portrayal.

RELATED: 10 Psychological TV Shows That Mess WIth Your MindHowever, several other actors have also taken on the role, including Hannibal Rising's Gaspard Ulliel and Manhunter's Brian Cox. Most recently, the iconic killer appeared in the NBC television series Hannibal, which depicts his early work with the FBI.

5 James Bond Is An Enduring Leading Man

Dr No James Bond Sean Connery

When it comes to the best in classic action movies, audiences need look no further than some James Bond films. Starting with Dr. No in 1962, the smooth-talking Agent 007 has made twenty-five film appearances. Seven actors have portrayed the British secret agent on the big screen, including Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, and Pierce Brosnan.

The film series even inspired a series of comic books, which had their heyday in the 80s and 90s. The twenty-sixth movie in the highly successful franchise may hit theaters as soon as 2023, but no specific release date has been confirmed yet.

4 Tarzan Had A Disney Rendition

Tarzan

In 1999, Disney released Tarzan, a children's animated movie about Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic literature character. Tarzan has appeared in over forty-five films and multiple novels since his birth in 1912. He also appeared in two top-rated radio programs in the 1930s and a short-lived television series in the 1960s.

Yet, despite these appearances, audiences still haven't seen the last of the man raised by apes. In 2023, Disney plans to release a remake of its well-loved 1999 version of the story.

3 Dracula Is A Classic Horror Movie Monster

Dracula leering over a sleeping Lucy

Few horror movie monsters are as prolific as Count Dracula. To date, there have been hundreds of adaptations of the quintessential evil vampire. Dracula has appeared in live-action and animated movies, stage products, novels, video games, and even comics.

Most recently, the character has appeared in a film called Dracula: The Original Living Vampire, starring Michael Ironside as the charming Count. The film received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike, but it proved that the classic Dracula story is just as relevant as when it first emerged in Bram Stoker's 1887 novel.

2 Merlin Is The Quintessential Royal Wizard

Merlin

Merlin is one of the oldest characters to remain relevant in the modern world. His story goes all the way back to the 500s and began as a Welsh folktale. Merlin is best known as the magical advisor to King Arthur of Camelot.

RELATED: 10 Fantasy Series Better Than The Lord Of The RingsMerlin has appeared in countless movies, including a popular Disney movie from the 90s. Merlin has also graced the small screen in multiple television series and made-for-TV movies. Fans of all ages can also find the beloved wizard in dozens of YA and contemporary fiction books.

1 Sherlock Holmes Is Among The Most Frequently Adapted Characters

John Watson, Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler discuss their plan in Sherlock Holmes.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle struck gold when he created Detective Sherlock Holmes in 1887. Holmes has since become one of the most pervasive faces in pop culture, appearing in books, television shows, untold numbers of movies, and some top-rated television series. Benedict Cumberbatch played a thoroughly modernized Holmes on the BBC smash-hit series Sherlock in recent years.

Actor Robert Downey Jr. has also famously portrayed the detective in three recent movies and is helping to produce two more sequels in the franchise.

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