10 Movies Where the Supporting Actor Deserved All the Spotlight

These stalwart figures lurk in the wings, ready to steal the show at a moment's notice. They may not always occupy the spotlight, but boy can they shine!

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

Well, this one is a no-brainer. Heath Ledger's electrifying portrayal of the Joker eclipsed Christian Bale 's Batman and turned The Dark Knight into a chilling study of chaos and anarchy. His Oscar-winning performance, filled with menacing charisma, is considered one of the best in comic book movie history – and rightfully so.

2. Gone with the Wind (1939)

Frankly, my dear, while Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh dominated the screen as Rhett and Scarlett, it was Hattie McDaniel's turn as Mammy that brought an invaluable dose of grounded realism to this Southern epic. She became the first African American to win an Oscar for her compelling performance.

3. Pulp Fiction (1994)

In Quentin Tarantino 's wild ride of a film, it's Samuel L. Jackson 's Jules Winnfield who stands out amongst an ensemble cast. Armed with a wallet that says Bad Motherf***er and a Bible verse at the tip of his tongue, Jackson's portrayal of the philosophical hitman became the beating heart of Pulp Fiction.

4. The Devil Wears Prada ( 2006)

While Anne Hathaway 's Andy was the protagonist of this fashionable drama, it was Meryl Streep 's icy portrayal of Miranda Priestly that stole the show. As the fearsome editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, Streep turned what could have been a caricature into a complex, multi-dimensional character. Let's just say, Miranda Priestly is as iconic as SATC's Miranda – and that's saying something!

5. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Robin Williams as the empathetic therapist, Sean Maguire, provided the emotional core of this critically acclaimed drama. His moving monologues and touching moments with Matt Damon's Will Hunting earned him a well-deserved Oscar, and left a lasting impression in our hearts.

6. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

In this fantastical Wes Anderson confection, amongst a candy-colored ensemble cast, it is Ralph Fiennes' performance as the exquisitely mannered, poetry-spouting concierge, M. Gustave, that demands our attention. While officially a lead, Fiennes becomes a foil to the younger Zero, effectively playing a supporting role. With his charismatic presence, Fiennes makes M. Gustave a character as rich and layered as the film's famous Mendl's pastries.

7. Les Misérables (2012)

Ah, the cobblestone streets of revolutionary France, where everyone sings their woes! Amidst the multitude of melodious voices, one particular supporting character rose above the rest – Anne Hathaway's Fantine. Hathaway's rendition of the classic ballad, I Dreamed a Dream, was heart-wrenching and gut-punching in equal measure. It was a performance that stole our hearts and the show, and won her an Oscar to boot.

8. No Country for Old Men (2007)

Amidst the dusty roads and moral quandaries of this Coen Brothers' masterpiece, Javier Bardem's bone-chilling portrayal of the cold-blooded killer Anton Chigurh haunts us long after the credits roll. With a coin toss and an unflinching gaze, Bardem turns the supporting role into a central force, his mere presence injecting an indelible sense of dread into the film's desolate landscape.

9. Fight Club (1999)

In the twisted labyrinth of David Fincher's Fight Club, it's Brad Pitt's Tyler Durden who leaves an indelible mark. Ostensibly a supporting character to Edward Norton's unnamed narrator, Durden is an anarchic, soap-making, philosophy-spouting force of nature. With a devilish grin and a bare-knuckle bravado, Pitt embodies the chaotic spirit of the film, giving us a character as unforgettable as the movie's infamous first rule.

10. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

In Quentin Tarantino's war opus, one man undoubtedly takes the strudel...err, I mean, the cake. Christoph Waltz's Colonel Hans Landa, or the 'Jew Hunter,' is as charming as he is terrifying, a complex villain brought to life with an Oscar-winning performance. Waltz infuses Landa with an eerie calm and sophisticated menace that overshadows even the most bravura moments of the film's other characters.