1

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill)

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Luke Skywalker is one of pop culture’s most beloved icons. In the first "Star Wars" movie, this young man goes from a life of solitude and safe boredom to a wondrous journey filled with lasers and space magic. Luke not only finds invaluable friends, mentors, and comrades, but he also discovers the purpose he has been looking for his entire life.

Mark Hamill portrayed this character for over 40 years, from his days as a young Jedi apprentice in 1977 "A New Hope", to Luke’s last days as a wise hermit in 2017 "The Last Jedi". You would think that being typecast for such a long time would discourage Hamil, but the actor seems to always be happy to portray Luke on the big screen.

2

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)

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Indiana Jones proved to an entire generation that archaeologists can be cool too! Harrison Ford first brought this iconic adventurer to life in the 1981 classic "Raiders of the Lost Ark", and continued to portray him for 4 more films, with the last one in the series (so far) being released in 2023.

Indiana is instantly recognizable through his wide-brimmed fedora, his trusted whip, and his quick-witted sense of humor. There’s not much we can say about this character that’s not already common knowledge, so we’ll end this entry with a less-known fact: Did you know that Indy’s full name is Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr?

3

Superman (Christopher Reeve)

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While up to date over 13 actors have portrayed " the Man of Steel " on film since the character’s creation in 1938, a pretty strong argument could be made that Christopher Reeve’s performance in the 1978 movie "Superman" truly brought this iconic superhero to life.

Reeve was just perfect for the part: He effortlessly brought a level of nuance and depth to Superman while still maintaining the warmth and disposition that made him a pop culture icon. In the end, Reeve is able to show us that, just like every American hero, Superman’s main source of strength is his heart.

4

Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox)

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Marty McFly , the quick-witted and hot-headed protagonist of the "Back to the Future" trilogy, was meant to represent a typical American teenager. And yet, Marty is by all means definitively way cooler than the average teenager: He is charismatic, an amazing guitar player (so much so that he "invented" rock n’ roll), and extremely proficient with his trusted skateboard.

Much of Marty’s legacy as a pop icon can be attributed to Michael J. Fox’s performance. This amazing actor was able to portray Marty’s coolness as well as his bravery, sensitivity, and daredevil ways. Almost 40 years have passed since the release of the first "Back to the Future", but most of us still get goosebumps whenever we see Marty and his iconic Delorean speeding up through time.

5

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver)

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Few sci-fi characters inspire the awe and admiration that Ellen Ripley does. The very first movie in the Alien series depicts her as a cool-headed and strategic leader, who almost single-handedly manages to defeat one of the deadliest creatures in the universe.

As the films went on, Ripley’s guts and strength continued to grow, saving the Earth from a full-blown alien invasion on at least three different occasions. Portrayed by legendary actress Sigourney Weaver, Ripley is to this day considered to be one of the toughest characters in this genre’s history.

6

John McClane (Bruce Willis)

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Is John McClane the ultimate action hero? That’s definitively a heated debate, so it might be better to set that question aside for another article. However, no one can deny that Bruce Willis’ character in this groundbreaking series is one of the finest cops the NYPD has to offer.

Based on a character from the 1979 novel "Nothing Lasts Forever", John McClane is a sarcastic, wisecracking, and particularly skilled detective who finds himself in dangerous situations in which he is forced to single-handedly save the day. Willis has played McClane in five different films, which go from the original 1988 film to 2013’s "A Good Day to Die Hard".

7

Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks)

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Some believe that Forrest Gump is the quintessential American protagonist, and with good reason: Whether it's his huge heart or a random stroke of luck, Forrest seems to always be at the right place at the right time. Not only that, but his personal story seems to be directly connected to major turning points during the latter half of the 20th century.

Portrayed by Tom Hanks in an outstanding performance that earned him an Academy Award, Forrest Gump is a simple-minded but warmhearted and extremely talented Alabama man who lives an extraordinary life. His search for his childhood love takes him on a journey throughout American history: Forrest teaches Elvis how to dance, helps expose the Watergate Scandal, and runs a three-year marathon across the United States.

8

The Man With No Name (Clint Eastwood)

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Let’s start this entry by addressing the elephant in the room: Yes, Clint Eastwood’s iconic cowboy character does have a name. In fact, he has several: In the three movies this laid-back and quiet gunslinger appears, he is called by several names including "Blondie", "Joe", and "Manco". However, the truth of the matter is that a man with many names is the same as a man with none, so in the end "The Man with No Name" seems like an appropriate title.

Eastwood played this taciturn antihero in "A Fistful of Dollars", "For a Few Dollars More", and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." While his most notable characteristic is his silent manners, he is also instantly recognizable by his poncho and tan cowboy boots.

9

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)

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Rocky’s story, both inside and outside the movie set, can be summed up into a single word: Resilience. In the first film, released in 1976, Rocky is an up-and-coming club boxer who risks it all at a shot at the heavyweight title. Likewise, Sylvester Stallone was a financially broke actor when he wrote the screenplay for "Rocky" in just three days. However, he resisted and persevered with his intent of playing the titular character, which eventually resulted in his most iconic movie role.

After the first movie became a huge hit, winning the Oscar for Best Picture, Stallone reprised this Philadelphia boxer in six different "Rocky" films. Not only that, Balboa has now taken on a mentor role in the franchise’s spin-off series "Creed".

10

Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart)

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We’ll end this article with an American legend. The 1942 film " Casablanca " is now considered one of the most influential films of all time: It is consistently on the top of lists of the best films in history, and it was selected for preservation by the U.S. Congress in the National Film Registry. In that regard, much of what made this film so unforgettable comes from Humphrey Bogart’s performance as Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate with a heart of gold living in Casablanca, Morocco.

Alongside Detective Sam Spade, Rick is perhaps Bogart's most iconic character. His seemingly bitter persona hides the pain of his long-lost love Ilsa Lund, wonderfully portrayed by Ingrid Bergman. In the end, Boggart helps Ilsa and her husband escape the German army, showing his good nature before leaving Casablanca.

1

"Louisiana Rain" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

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Iconic musician Tom Petty included this bittersweet track in his third album with the Heartbreakers, titled "Damn the Torpedoes". This 1979 track tells the story of a heartbroken narrator walking down the streets of an undisclosed Louisiana city.

Petty’s slightly scruffy voice goes perfectly with the song’s melancholic and slow tempo. The song’s sliding guitars and harmonica solos provide an amazing background for the song’s thoughtful lyrics, where Petty sings "may never be the same" when he reaches Baton Rouge.

2

"Montana Song" by Hank Williams Jr

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While he was born in Louisiana, musician and songwriter Hank Williams Jr. seems to have a place in his heart for the unparalleled beauty of "the Treasure State" . After all, the lyrics to his 1975 track "Montana Song" speak about a lonesome man "going to Montana to rest my soul".

While Williams’ song definitively centers on the heartbreak the narrator feels after losing "that special someone", it is nearly impossible not to picture Montana’s snowy peaks and cold beauty when listening to this song.

3

"Jersey Girl" by Tom Waits

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We have included a fair share of songs about failing relationships in this article, so why don’t we provide some balance with this song about two lovers separated by the Hudson River? When Tom Waits wrote this song for his 1980s album "Heartattack and Vine", he was thinking of his future wife Kathleen Brennan, who, at the time, was living in New Jersey.

While the song is definitively slow-paced and melancholic, it is refreshing to hear Tom Waits’ ragged voice play the part of a man in love. In an interview, Waits admitted, "I never thought I would catch myself saying 'sha la la' in a song".

4

"New Hampshire" by Sonic Youth

Image: Suraj Gattani

Perhaps the most experimental song in this list, this 2004 track by rock band Sonic Youth features a myriad of electric guitars intertwined with singer Thurston Moore’s voice. "New Hampshire" goes from distorted rock riffs to more expansive and melodic interludes, all the while guided by a slow-paced beat.

The song’s lyrics describe the adventures of Steve and Joe, "the New Hampshire boys", and how they went "beyond/ Doing it for life". While the true meaning of the lyrics is enigmatic, many believe they refer to musicians Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, who met in New Hampshire and formed the band Aerosmith.

5

"New Mexico" by Johnny Cash

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If there’s one person in this list that needs no introduction, that’s the "Man in Black" . Johnny Cash’s song about "The Land of Enchantment", aptly named "New Mexico", tells the story of a young man from the town of Griffin traveling to this state for a summer job. Johnny’s characteristic deep voice narrates the prospect of a "pleasant summer out in New Mexico".

However, this is the point at which the narrator stops singing the praises of this state and instead narrates the perils and hardships he experienced in "the God-forsaken country they call New Mexico". Nevertheless, we all know that the parts of this song that describe the beauty of this state are a much more accurate representation of the real New Mexico.

6

"New York, New York" By Frank Sinatra

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This is perhaps the most famous song in this list. Everyone who has ever stepped into New York City, from the grumpy locals to the tourists dazzled by the lights of Times Square, has hummed this Frank Sinatra song at least once in their lifetime.

While it's true that the legendary Liza Minelli was the first one to perform "New York, New York" (as part of the soundtrack for the 1977 Scorsese film of the same name), Sinatra’s rendition is definitively the quintessential version of this song. His dulcet yet powerful voice perfectly describes the sense of wonder most people feel when they see New York City for the first time.

7

"Oklahoma Morning" by Charley Pride

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There’s a lot to be said about this love letter to "The Sooner State", but Charley Pride can definitively say it better when he sings "That Oklahoma mornin' / Puts Oklahoma sunshine in my soul". This country song is truly a beloved homage to Oklahoma and is one of the many reasons why this iconic singer was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

While the music and Pride’s voice are definitively remarkable, perhaps the true beauty of this song can be found in the lyrics: They perfectly describe the yellow sun and placid warmth of an Oklahoma morning before stating, "There ain't nothin' like an Oklahoma mornin'".

8

"Ohio" by The Black Keys

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Both members of the American rock duo The Black Keys were born and raised in Akron, Ohio, so it seems only natural that they felt the need to record their love for this state. Simply titled "Ohio", this song’s lyrics describe the homesickness the narrator feels about finding himself so far away from Ohio while begging for someone to "Get me home/ Before, before I lose my mind".

Singer Dan Auerbach's robust voice manages to turn the name of his home state into a powerful chorus. The guitar riffs seamlessly combine blues and rock chords, resulting in a melancholic but potent track.

9

"Eugene Oregon" by Dolly Parton

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You might think that a Dolly Parton song in this list would probably center on her beloved Tennessee: Certainly, her 1972 track "My Tennessee Mountain Home" could have been a fitting choice. However, we have instead chosen a less-known song that focuses on another location dear to "The Queen of Country".

The very first line that Dolly sings in this song is "Eugene, Oregon, I'll remember you for the rest of my life". This perfectly encapsulates the tone of the lyrics: Parton expresses her gratitude to this city for its kindness whenever she felt homesick of her Tennessee hometown.

10

"Beautiful Texas" by Willie Nelson

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We’ll end this list with a Texas institution. We could have easily chosen any of the songs included in the 1968 Willie Nelson album "Texas in My Soul" for this list: After all, the entire record is Nelson’s tribute to his home state, and is composed of standards and traditional songs that sing the praises of "The Lone Star State".

We ultimately chose "Beautiful Texas" because it truly shows the love Nelson has for this state. The entire lyrics describe Texas’ history and gorgeous scenery , from the "white cotton, green pastures, blue rivers" to the vast fields "where the beautiful bluebonnets grow".

1

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

In the same year that Michael Jackson’s Thriller was released, an 11-year-old Henry Thomas starred as Elliot, a young boy who befriends an extraterrestrial stranded in his backyard, and helps him find his way home.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, this science fiction classic was filmed in chronological order to ensure the young cast (which also included a then-unknown Drew Barrymore) could perform convincingly. After Star Wars’ big debut in 1977, E.T. held the record for the highest-grossing film of all time until Spielberg’s own Jurassic Park surpassed it in 1993.

2

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Did you know this movie is Nicolas Cage's professional debut? He was about 17 -18 years old and played one of Spicoli’s (Sean Penn) stoner friends, called "Bad Bud". This coming-of-age comedy drama features early appearances by future stars like Penn, Eric Stoltz, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

3

Tootsie

Tootsie is a satirical romantic comedy starring Dustin Hoffman as Michael Dorsey, a struggling actor who disguises himself as "Dorothy Michaels" to land a role on a soap opera. His success brings complications when he falls in love, putting both his career and his secret at risk. Jessica Lange later won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.

4

Blade Runner

Directed by Ridley Scott, this futuristic science fiction classic starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young is set in a dystopian 2019 Los Angeles, where replicants (synthetic humans) are bio-engineered to work on space colonies. But when one group of rebellious replicants escapes back to Earth, policeman Rick Deckard (Ford) is in charge of hunting them down.

5

Rocky III

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), now wealthy and complacent as champion, loses both his mentor Mickey and his title to his younger rival, Clubber Lang (Mr. T). With Apollo Creed’s help, he fights to regain his discipline and reclaim his championship.

The third installment of this sports drama trilogy , written, directed, and starring Stallone, was released on May 28, 1982.

6

Poltergeist

Because Steven Spielberg was contractually unable at the time to direct another movie other than E.T the Extra-Terrestrial, Tobe Hooper was chosen to direct the film. This supernatural horror film won the BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects and was nominated for the Academy Award in the same category, losing to E.T the Extra-Terrestrial the next year.

7

An Officer and a Gentleman

On August 13, 1982, An Officer and a Gentleman hit theaters. This romantic drama , directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Richard Gere and Deborah Winger, follows the story of a Navy recruit who signs up for the Aviation Academy, where he learns to relate to others and finds love. It was a critical success and became the third highest-grossing film of 1982, after Tootsie and E.T the Extra-Terrestrial.

8

Gandhi

While science fiction was blowing everyone’s minds, this historical epic captured audiences’ hearts despite its 3-hour, 20-minute runtime. Ben Kingsley won both the Academy Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. The biographical drama follows the key moments of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, from resisting British rule to leading India toward independence.

9

The Thing

Directed by John Carpenter, this sci-fi horror story is all about paranoia and mistrust during the Cold War era. In an isolated Antarctic base, the crew is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that can transform into the shape of any living organism it consumes. Paranoia erupts as the isolated scientists, led by MacReady (Kurt Russell), realize anyone could be the creature, leading to everyone's distrust and desperation.

At release, The Thing was overshadowed by E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , but it later gained a strong cult following through TV and home video.

10

Tron

Steven Lisberger drew inspiration for this science fiction adventure from the early video game Pong (1972). Combining groundbreaking animation with live action , the film was released on July 9, 1982, and became an influence on future animated filmmaking.

After discovering his work has been stolen, computer engineer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) attempts to hack into his company’s network, only to become trapped in a digital world.