9. Neville Longbottom – Harry Potter
Maybe not the most underappreciated supporting character – as there are thousands of places online where Harry Potter fans gush over his heroism – but Neville Longbottom is undoubtedly as much of a hero as (and some would argue even more than) his friend, the franchise’s titular boy wizard.
Time and time again, Neville’s there to help his friends with whatever suicide mission they’re planning, and he does it all without any thought for his own safety. As early as the first film in the franchise, Neville is standing up for what he believes is right, and he proves himself one of Harry’s most loyal friends.
This is especially evident in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when Neville agrees to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic with his friends in order to save a man believed to be a mass murderer, all simply because his friends need his help. He also puts up with near-constant ridicule from the other Hogwarts students, and is repeatedly underestimated by just about everyone in the Wizarding World.
He’s also shown to be the only person brave enough to openly oppose Voldemort when Harry’s thought to have been killed, proving that Neville was braver than any other supporting character. He even steps forward to face Voldemort and his Death Eaters alone, and attempts to rally the survivors of the Battle of Hogwarts to continue the fight in spite of Harry’s apparent death.
Harry Potter fans might have made it one of the most overrated movie franchises of all time, but they aren’t wrong about Neville – he’s a true hero.
Most fellow readers of LOTR tend to believe Sam is the main character of the entire story. He is considered a ring bearer and does eventually leave the for undying lands. His worth and perception in the entire story is more inline with the reader than say Frodo.