# Movies and TV shows named for a non-lead character **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, movies\ **Created:** [January 30, 2023, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049 "2023-01-30T11:57:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049/81 "2023-02-02T19:42:25Z")
**Kill Bill** 1 and 2. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049/82 "2023-02-02T19:49:10Z")
**Color Me Kubrick** - John Malkovich as a guy who impersonates Stanley Kubrick for fun and profit. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049/83 "2023-02-02T19:55:20Z")
Oh yeah! Being John Malkovich. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049/84 "2023-02-02T23:13:40Z")
Primarily a play, but I’m sure movies have been made of it: The main character in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is Brutus, not Caesar. Arguably, the main character in King Lear is Cordelia, and the main character in The Merchant of Venice is either Shylock or Portia (they’re the only ones who actually do anything). Kate probably is the lead in The Taming of the Shrew, though, even if Elizabethan audiences wouldn’t have regarded her as such. > [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > **The Princess Bride** > > Buttercup is maybe the 3rd or 4th lead. 5th? 6th? I’d say fourth, after Wesley, Inigo, and Fezzik. But she’s probably ahead of Vizzini, Humperdink, and Grandfather, and certainly ahead of Rugen, Miracle Max, and The Albino ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049/85 "2023-02-02T23:44:05Z")
The credits list Robin Wright 8th. Wesley, Inigo, Humperdink, Rugen, Vizzini, Fezzik, The Grandson, The Princess, The Grandfather, The Impressive Clergyman. So far from the lead. Wasn’t it her first role? ETA: Third role ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049/86 "2023-02-02T23:44:33Z")
Buttercup’s not a character in that film, she’s a prop. I love the movie, but it’s not exactly overflowing with strong female characters. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049/87 "2023-02-03T01:21:42Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The credits list Robin Wright 8th. … Wasn’t it her first role? Her credit says “And Introducing” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-tv-shows-named-for-a-non-lead-character/979049.md?page=4)