15 Iconic Film Characters With Little To No Screen Time

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30-07-2025

It turns out you don't have to hog the screen time in order to make a lasting impression in a film. Sometimes, all it takes is a few scenes, or even a few lines, to stamp your mark on a movie.
So, here are 15 film characters that were barely on our screens, but stole our hearts anyway.
Kimberly Adair Clark as Honey – The Incredibles
Little screen time? How about no screen time. One short exchange with her husband, Frozone, had many of us changing the way we say "honey" forever. The line "whyyyy do you need to know??" is etched into my brain. Kimberly's off screen dialogue is undoubtedly some of the most quotable in the whole movie, and she's barely in it!Best line: "Greater good? I am your wife! I'm the greatest *good* you are ever gonna get!"
Viola Davis as Mrs. Miller – Doubt
If anyone can get an Academy Award nomination for less than 10 minutes of screen time, it's Viola – and that's exactly what she did in Doubt. When I think of the film, the first thing that comes to mind is her interaction with Meryl Streep and the extraordinary performance she gives.Best line: "I'll be standing with my son and those who are good with my son. It'd be nice to see you there."
Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch of the West – The Wizard of Oz
With just 12 minutes of screen time, Margaret Hamilton was able to instil a fear of witches in five-year-old me that would take years to overcome. Her brief time on screen was so influential that it practically defined the portrayal of wickedness and witches in popular depictions from then on. Best line: "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!"
Stanley Tucci as Caesar – The Hunger Games
There's nothing particularly new about Stanley stealing the show, and The Hunger Games is a perfect example of this. Somehow, with all the action, drama, and suspense that happens in the movie, it's Ceaser that stays with me. Thanks to Stanley, who absolutely nailed that role, limited screen time didn't stop Caeser from becoming an icon.Best line: "The Girl on Fire is so cheeky HAHA!"
Matthew McConaughey as Mark Hanna – The Wolf of Wall Street
While Matthew's scene is before any of the real chaos goes down, it's still definitely one of the more memorable ones. The chest-thumping throaty humming move is synonymous with the film, all thanks to this one scene that was actually improvised by Matthew! Best line: "You jerk off?"
Estelle Reiner as woman in diner – When Harry Met Sally
"I'll have what she's having"... It's one of the most iconic movie lines of all time, and probably the most iconic rom-com line. Estelle Reiner, who is director Rob Reiner's mother, played the 'female character' in When Harry Met Sally. She was on screen for under a minute, but managed to give us a line so recognisable that even people who haven't seen the movie will quote it!Best line: It should be fairly obvious...
Anne Hathaway as Fantine – Les Misérables
Anne's rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream," along with an emotional and stellar performance earned her widespread praise, and even and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Many would see Fantine as one of the main roles in Les Misérables, but Anne was only on screen for roughly 15 minutes, but certainly made an impression. Best line: "I Dreamed a Dream"
Drew Barrymore as Casey Becker – Scream
Drew is only in Scream for about 12 minutes, and her brutal opening murder scene well and truly sets the tone for the movie, and in turn, the entire franchise. During her time on screen, she's asked that infamous question, "do you like scary movies?", which has become SO synonymous with Scream. Interestingly, it was Drew's idea to be killed off at the start of the movie. She thought it would throw the audience into tailspin à la Janet Leigh in Psycho, as a famous actor's character dying so early on would make viewers feel like none of the characters were truly safe.Best line: "You tricked me."
David Reale as Glenn Coco – Mean Girls
With zero lines and barely an on-screen appearance, Glen Coco somehow managed to become perhaps THE most iconic Mean Girls character. Of course, the film is one of the most quoted movies out there, but "you go Glen Coco" is certainly one of its most famous lines. All we know about him is that he received four, yes FOUR, candy canes. You go Glen Coco!Best line: That doesn't really apply here...
Jeremy Bulloch and Jason Wingreen as Boba Fett – Star Wars, the original trilogy
Any newcomer to the Star Wars universe would probably think that Boba Fett was always a primary figure, but they'd be mistaken. Across the entire original trilogy, the character only had four lines and six-and-a-half minutes of screen time. Boba became so iconic, and a fan-favourite, that he became one of the most recognisable Star Wars characters, with his own spin-off to boot!Best line: "He's no good to me dead."
John Turturro as Jesus Quintana – The Big Lebowski
The Big Lebowski has become a cult classic, and of all the iconic characters, there are none more memorable than John's character, Jesus Quintana. While having barely any screen time, Jesus managed to steal the show and is one of the first characters that comes to mind when I think of the movie.Best line: "You said it, man. Nobody fucks with the Jesus!"
Harvey Keitel as Winston 'The Wolf' Wolf – Pulp Fiction
Most people from the UK will hate this character by now, due to him appearing in a particular series of adverts on British screens for YEARS. Nonetheless, even Brits will admit that Winston's limited screen time has had no impact on his memorability. The Wolf, the ultimate problem-solver, only appeared in one scene, but became one of the most iconic parts of the film. I guess the same could be said about the gimp, of course...Best line: "Well, let's not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet."
Anthony Powers as Jimmy Two Times – Goodfellas
One line, executed perfectly, is all that's needed to become iconic. Goodfellas is one of the most well-remembered films of all time, but there's one line, and one character, that I find myself quoting all the time. Jimmy is introduced by Henry Hill: "And then there was Jimmy Two Times, who got that nickname because he said everything twice." He then replies with what I now say whenever I'm announcing that I'm getting something – "I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers." It's simply iconic, simply iconic.Best line: I'll repeat it, "I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers."
Scrat – Ice Age
If you were to remove Scrat from the Ice Age universe, honestly, not much would change for the plot. IDK if it was the marketing that went big on Scrat, the fact that he pretty much opened up all the movies, or his fantastic sub plot-lines, but Scrat is one of THE main players when it comes to Ice Age, and I wouldn't have it any other way. He even got his very own short, No Time for Nuts.Best line: He doesn't talk, but you can just imagine his frantic snuffling, right?
Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter – The Silence of the Lambs
Of course, how could we forget perhaps THE most iconic character with relatively few on-screen minutes? Anthony Hopkins' magnetic performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor with just 16 or so minutes of screen time. The character's role in the film was so influential, despite the limited screen time, that most people would immediately think of Hopkins' Hannibal when hearing 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Best line: "I'm having an old friend for dinner."
When else has a character with limited screen time become iconic? Let us know in the comments below!