Being “the chosen one” is a trope that has been explored a lot in movies, TV series, books, and, of course, games. What makes the hero become “the chosen one” though, differs from media to media, and from story to story. Sometimes, the hero can have an internal journey, while other times the journey is external. But really great movies combine the two.

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Writing gurus have been pushing both emerging and well-established writers for years to have a clear hero’s journey for their protagonists, but nowhere is this clearer than the stories which feature heroes that are “the ones”. Not only the hero of the story is very clear to the audience, but the path that they have to take is clear as well, no matter how many surprises and challenges they will have to face.

7 Lord Of The Rings

Lord Of The Rings Frodo Movie

In the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Frodo has been chosen as the one who must take the One Ring to Mordor and destroy it. Even though there are some differences between the books and the movies, the essential core of the story remains the same.

The hero has a fellowship with him, and together they will go through thick and thin while their long journey lasts. At times, it seems like the chosen one could be someone else in the films since each character is so well-written that they have their own individual arc and help at bringing the task closer and closer to completion.

6 Harry Potter

Harry Potter Movie

As the anticipation for the new Hogwarts Legacy rises more and more each day, Harry Potter fans everywhere are either rewatching the movies or rereading the books (or both). Harry Potter’s popularity never wavered, even when J.K. Rowling’s public image took a big hit.

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Harry is such a perfect example of “the chosen one” trope. He starts off not knowing how special he is, but even when he realizes it, his character and ethics remain the same. He is not only a wizard, but he is the wizard that has been chosen to prevent evil from taking control.

5 The Matrix

The Matrix Neo Movie

Even though a lot of fans have debated whether John Wick or Neo is the best character that Keanu Reeves has ever played, the hardcore Matrix fans will always choose Neo, because John Wick might be more impressive, but Matrix has a depth that very few movies have managed to achieve.

Neo has been chosen because no one else could understand the Matrix the way that he could, nor could anyone else save humanity like him. Like many other “ones”, Neo is the one that has been prophesied long before the events of the movie take place.

4 Star Wars (Original Trilogy)

Star Wars Luke Movie

There are many fans that want as many Star Wars movies as possible, but there are also many fans who believe that it would be better if only the original trilogy had come out. But no matter the case, the original Star Wars trilogy includes Star Wars (released in 1977), The Empire Strikes Back (released in 1980), and Return of the Jedi (released in 1983), or simply, episodes four, five, and six.

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Luke Skywalker is one of the most classic examples of “the chosen one”. He learns how to be what he was always supposed to become, and has the task of saving the galaxy from the evil forces that… are not that much unlike him.

3 The Dark Tower

The Dark Tower Roland Jake Movie

While fans of The Dark Tower book series eagerly await Mike Flanagan to start shooting the new TV series, they can still watch the movie with Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey and find all the things it got wrong.

One thing doesn’t change though: Roland Deschain is the chosen one – and one of the main reasons for this, is because he is the last gunslinger that is left. He has to go through an enormous journey through parallel worlds, fight evil in many forms, and finally reach his end goal: find the dark tower and the Crimson King.

2 The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games Katniss Movie

Nobody can argue how big The Hunger Games movies were when they came out, and how much they have stuck in popular culture, even if it is with memes or having someone repeat the phrase “I volunteer as tribute”. There might not be an AAA game still, but fans of the books and movies alike keep hoping that one will come out soon-ish.

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Katniss Everdeen is a hero that became “the chosen one” because she chose to be. In the first movie, her little sister gets chosen as the one who has to go to a televised competition where teenagers have to fight each other to the death. She takes her place willingly and becomes the one who is not only going to try and win the competition but change its very nature.

1 Dune

Dune Paul Movie

Fans might have to wait until November the 3rd 2023 to watch Dune: Part Two, but since the first movie is available, they can watch and rewatch it as many times as they can, and marvel at how well the original writer and the screenwriter have portrayed “the hero’s journey” and “the chosen one” trope.

Paul Atreides, the heir to the noble House Atreides, has to navigate political games, survive on an inhospitable planet, and come to terms with being the one who has to fight a holy war.

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