It’s all about the power of the ‘do. Think about it: a character’s hairstyle can tell you everything you need to know about them in just a few seconds. Are they sporting a mohawk or brightly colored dyed hair? They’re probably a rebel. Is their hair long and flowing? They’re probably a romantic lead (or a mermaid). Is it all shaved? They’re ready for action. Slicked back like Hans Gruber or Gordon Gekko? This man cannot be trusted.
But it’s not just about characterization. Hairstyles can also set the tone for an entire movie. Imagine if Legolas in TheLord of the Rings had a buzz cut instead of those flowing blonde locks? It would have been a travesty, that’s what. And let’s not forget the cultural impact of movie hairstyles. Think of all the people who went out and got the Rachel cut after Friends premiered, or the countless teenagers who tried to emulate Edward Cullen’s tousled locks after the Twilight movies came out. Hairstyles have the power to influence fashion trends and entire generations of haircuts.
So, ladies and gentlemen, grab your hairbrushes and get that next hair appointment booked in because we’re about to dive into the wild and wacky world of movie hairdos. From the gravity-defying to the uber-stylish, Hollywood has given us some of the most memorable hairstyles in history. Here are the top 10 most iconic movie hairstyles, ranked. From the beehive to the buns, these hairstyles have captured our imaginations and inspired countless imitators. Whether you love them or hate them, there’s no denying their place in movie history.
10 Divine — Hairspray
There was certainly somewhat of a buzz around this beehive style cut at the time of Hairspray’s release in 1988. It was all the rage in the 60s (when the all-singing and all-dancing movie was set), and nobody rocked it better than drag stat Divine in Hairspray. This towering ‘do was as bold and brash as the actor and the movie itself, and it is still inspiring drag queens to this day. The style was later mimicked by John Travolta nearly 20 years later in the 2007 remake.
9 Joe Dirt — Joe Dirt
Business in the front, party in the back. The mullet may be the butt of many jokes, but there’s no denying its iconic status and, combined with his unique sideburn/goatee/moustach combo, David Spade manages to pull the look off effortlessly in Joe Dirt. Dirt is a socially awkward, simple-minded, and naive man who constantly finds himself in ridiculous and embarrassing situations but despite his shortcomings, Joe has a positive outlook on life and a kind heart, and is certainly a man who is not afraid to express himself via his fashion choices. From the feathered bangs to the flowing locks, this ‘do was a masterpiece of questionable taste, that seems to be having somewhat of a popularity resurgence in recent years.
8 Princess Anne — Roman Holiday
Audrey Hepburn was a style icon in her own right, but her pixie cut in Roman Holiday is one of her most iconic looks. This short and sweet hairstyle was a daring departure from the long locks of the time, and it inspired women everywhere to chop off their hair.
7 Lloyd Christmas — Dumb and Dumber
Sporting a look that is reminiscent of that time your parents decided to take your hairdressing duties into their own hands. This straight fringed-style, no-nonsense bowl cut (of sorts), has secured its place in movie history thanks to Jim Carrey and his hilarious portrayal of Lloyd Christmas in the hit 1994 comedy Dumb and Dumber. Lloyd may have been dumb, but his haircut was genius. It’s worth noting that this is not the only time Carrey has worn a masterful haircut; his oversized coif in Ace Venture: Pet Detective, released in the same year, is also something of legend.
6 Rapunzel — Tangled
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Rapunzel’s hair is undoubtedly one of the most iconic elements of the Disney movie Tangled. In the film, Rapunzel’s hair is not only incredibly long, but also has magical properties of healing and eternal youth and is a central plot point of the story. Serving as a visual feast, with its luminous golden color and intricate braids and twists, the hair was designed to be a character in its own right, and it moves and flows in a way that gives it a life of its own.
It’s no surprise that the animation team spent such a huge amount of time animating it, per LA Times, but it certainly paid of as her hair becomes a powerful symbol of her growth and transformation throughout the film. At the beginning of the story, Rapunzel’s hair is a source of her captivity, but by the end of the film, she has learned to use it to help others and has even cut it off to symbolize her independence and self-discovery.
5 John Shaft — Shaft
When it comes to iconic hairstyles, the afro is a true heavyweight, and nobody rocked it quite like Richard Roundtree in the iconic blaxploitation flick Shaft. This larger-than-life ‘do was a symbol of Black pride and rebellion. Unfortunately, Samuel L. Jackson didn’t resurrect the look when he appeared in the Shaft reboot, but has worn it in multiple other roles, including Mr. Glass in M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable trilogy.
4 Alex Owens — Flashdance
The perm may be a punchline now for some, but in the 80s, it was the ultimate symbol of style and sex appeal, which was exemplified perfectly by Jennifer Beals in Flashdance. This curly ‘do was the perfect complement to her dance moves, and likely inspired a generation of perm-wearers. Although, it’s worth noting that she was not the only one wearing a perm in the movie, in fact, it was perms as far as the eye could see.
3 Danny Zuko — Grease
No list of iconic movie hairstyles would be complete without a mention of Danny Zuko’s iconic pompadour in Grease. John Travolta’s slicked-back hair (with added volume) was the epitome of 50s cool, and the movie was even responsible for a minor resurgence of the style around the time of its release. The film and style has become so iconic that there’s no way we could ever imagine Travolta sporting anything other than this slicked back coif. The enduring popularity of John Travolta and Grease has kept this masterful style in our minds to this very day, and it’s something we remain ever grateful for.
2 Mary — There’s Something About Mary
We had to mention Cameron Diaz’s infamous hair gel disaster in There’s Something About Mary. The scene, in which her character mistakes a certain bodily fluid produced by Ben Stiller’s character with disastrous results, is one of the most memorable moments in the movie (and movie history). The hairstyle that results is… well, let’s just say it’s not exactly stylish, but it’s definitely iconic, and it’s a reminder that, sometimes, the best hairstyles are the ones that are a little bit messy and a little bit unexpected.
1 Princess Leia — Star Wars
Taking the number one spot on our list of most iconic hairstyles in movie history is none other than the Princess Leia’s Star Wars buns. Leia’s “buns” hairstyle from the original Star Wars trilogy has become synonymous with the character and the franchise as a whole. A perfect blend of futuristic and classic, it’s a hairstyle that’s both bold and elegant, practical and stylish, and it perfectly encapsulates Leia’s character as a fearless rebel leader. Plus, it’s practical! No hair in your face when you’re taking out stormtroopers with a blaster. This instantly recognizable hairstyle has had a lasting impact on pop culture, with countless cosplayers and fans recreating the look over the years.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
