Mr. Rogers was an irreplaceable icon, helping countless people find happiness and inspiring multiple generations. While the world and people around Mr. Rogers seemed determined to break his spirit, he managed to take his audiences on an exploration through the themes of pain and anger with a gentle understanding. In A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Tom Hanks brings the character alive with a vivid softness and a charismatic demeanor, showcasing the power of love and forgiveness.
Throughout recent decades, there have been many movie characters that embody the qualities of kindness. While they might be heroes, they are often flawed individuals, sometimes falling to the anger or darkness that lies inside. The choice of maintaining kindness is an impressive feat, highly revered in the best of cinema's heroes. Here are 10 Movie Characters that rival the kindness of Mr. Rogers.
Rey
In the entire Star Wars Saga, there has never been a character quite like Rey. The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi have solidified this new Jedi as a character pure of heart.
From her kindly friendship with Finn to rescuing BB-8 from smugglers, Rey's consideration for her fellow man (or droid) shows no bounds, always putting others in from of herself. Perhaps her most noble quest was her attempts to save Kylo Ren's soul from the dark side of the Force. Her character continues her friendly outlook in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and the Force is certainly strong with her.
Groot
From the moment audiences saw Groot onscreen, they were hooked on the feeling that the little guy was a character to root for.
Even as the galaxy hangs in the balance, Groot's number one priority is always to his family. Groot protected his family from annihilation in Guardians of the Galaxy, brought them together in Vol 2 and even sacrificed his arm to save Thor in Avengers: Infinity War. No matter what form or age Groot takes, his commitment to love and kindness remains. Above all else, one fact remains true: I am Groot!
Joy
If kindness were to have a best friend, it would undoubtedly be Amy Poehler's Joy from Inside Out. Joy's boisterous attitude and frantic personality brighten the screen every time she is present. Whether it is catching up with imaginary friends or risking it all to bring a smile to Riley's face, Joy's kindness is felt by all. Like Mr. Rogers, she deals with the complex emotions of anger and fear and handles them in a calm polite nature. Joy may be the literal representation of happiness but she embodies all the best qualities of kindness.
Lloyd Dobler
To know Lloyd Dobler is to love Lloyd Dobler. In 1989, the world got to know John Cusack's iconic movie character in Say Anything. Simply put, Lloyd Dobler is one of a kind. He is morally responsible for the energy only children seem to have.
Polite and considerate to a fault, Lloyd doesn't hold grudges of anger or resentment. Rather, he demonstrates how there is always love if you are willing to talk it out. He exists to make others happy, in whatever form they enjoy the most. Mr. Rogers would have been happy to have Lloyd come by the neighborhood.
Steve Rogers/Captain America
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has spawned some of Earth's mightiest heroes, working to save and protect. There is no Avenger more dedicated to goodness than Steve Rogers. While Captain America is the lead Avenger, the true superhero is the man behind the mask, Steve Rogers. The pursuit to do the right thing isn't always an easy road and yet, Steve manages to pull through. Steve's unwavering integrity and unbreakable honesty are as strong as his shield. Throughout seven movies, Steve continually improves the Avengers with his inspirational speeches of cooperation, eventually reaching the point that even Mjolnir trusts his character.
Rita Hanson
It takes a certain type of selfless person to continue looping through time for and Andi Macdowell's Rita is just that. In Groundhog Day, Phil Connors is trapped in a 24-hour time loop. Seemingly suck forever, it's Rita that breaks him free of the curse. Rita's compassion for others and selflessness teaches that it's okay to be confused and scared for there are always people to help you along the way. Best of all, she gently reminds Phil that good deed always inspires another, a lesson that would make Mr. Rogers proud.
Anna
Despite Elsa having the powers in Disney's star princess duo, Anna is the character with the real power. Anna is forever dedicated to her sister, helping her in any way she can. Despite having no contact with her for years, Anna still maintains her relationship with Elsa and does so with no internal resentment and only kindness.
Anna channels her feelings of sadness and fear into determination to fix the problem, no. Willing to freeze solid in Frozen and run into the fire in Frozen 2, Anna will always be there to help and to lend a helping hand.
Woody
It makes sense that another Tom Hanks character would make this list, seeing that Tom Hanks never plays the bad guy. In his vast catalog of characters, perhaps his most considerate role was a little cowboy named Woody.
Woody embodies the traits of loyalty to the letter. Across four movies, he always put his fellow man (or toy) in front of him to best help Andy or Bonnie. While he can struggle with abandonment and jealously, he always finds a way to put them aside to help others in need. Able to forgive even the harshest of villains, Woody's qualities would have made him a great addition to Mr. Roger's neighborhood.
Sally Albright
Tom Hanks showed that Mr. Roger's best quality was his unconditional friendship. as Meg Ryan's Sally Albright demonstrates in When Harry Met Sally. Throughout the film, Sally was a compassionate delight, bringing an adorable quirkiness and kindness to the screen. Her biggest flaw was her ability to love anyone, even if it hurts her. Like Mr. Rogers, Sally helps people through the film's timeline in a gentle forgiving nature. She teaches audiences that sometimes, the best thing you can do for another is to be a good friend.
WALL-E
If Mr. Rogers had created a robot for the future, he would have created WALL-E. Selfless and caring, the spunky robot is a diamond in the rough. Even after the planet, WALL-E still works to make it a better place, cleaning the trash and preserving the culture. WALL-E cares unconditionally about every living thing, working to protect and save it even at his own expense. With a limited vocabulary, WALL-E proves that actions speak louder than words, bringing positive change to the entire human race. It's safe to say that Mr