Top 10 Fictional Characters Who Went from Hated to Fan Favorites

Jaime Lannister – Game of Thrones

Ah, Jaime Lannister – the man who launched a thousand debates. His introduction was about as unforgivable as it gets, pushing a child out of a window in the very first episode. It was almost laughable to imagine anyone ever warming up to him. Yet somehow, over the seasons, Jaime’s sharp wit, undeniable charm, and gradual redemption arc made fans reconsider. Suddenly, the Kingslayer wasn’t just a golden-haired villain; he was complicated, conflicted, and downright magnetic. His journey proved that no character was ever safe from a redemption arc… or from controversial endings. | © HBO

Rex Splode – Invincible

When we first meet Rex Splode, he’s basically every high school jerk wrapped into a superhero’s body: cocky, selfish, and more interested in flirting than fighting crime. Fans were quick to roll their eyes at his one-liners and inflated ego, but here’s the thing – Invincible gave him enough depth to make you grudgingly root for him. His flaws didn’t vanish, but you started to see the insecurities underneath that swagger. By the time the show leaned into his growth, Rex went from background annoyance to a genuinely interesting, sometimes even lovable, member of the Guardians of the Globe. That’s a serious level-up for someone who once made us collectively groan. | © Amazon Studios

A-Train – The Boys

Super speed and a super-sized ego don’t exactly make for a winning combo, and A-Train proved that in spades. Early on, he was a walking (well, sprinting) cautionary tale: addicted to Compound V, reckless with his powers, and responsible for one of the most shocking moments in the show’s history. Fans couldn’t stand him – and honestly, that was the point. But as The Boys peeled back the layers, A-Train became more than a caricature of fame gone wrong. His attempts to claw his way back into relevance, and the vulnerability he showed while doing it, gave audiences a reason to soften up. He’s still a mess, sure, but now he’s our mess. | © Amazon Studios

John Kreese – Cobra Kai

Few TV villains from the ‘80s screamed “irredeemable” louder than John Kreese in The Karate Kid saga, and bringing him back decades later seemed like a recipe for pure hate-watch energy. But Cobra Kai did the unthinkable – it gave him layers. Suddenly, this cold-blooded sensei wasn’t just barking orders about striking first, hard, and without mercy; we got glimpses into his past and why he turned into the ruthless man we love to hate. Does that mean we want him to win? Not necessarily. But every scene he’s in has a kind of magnetic pull that makes it impossible to look away. Somehow, the villain became a highlight. | © Netflix

Steve Harrington – Stranger Things

Nobody saw it coming: the guy who started as Hawkins High’s resident jerk boyfriend somehow turned into the show’s unlikely heartthrob. In season one, Steve Harrington was every cliché rolled into one – shallow, smug, and the last person you’d expect to protect kids from interdimensional monsters. Then came the hair. Okay, not just the hair, but the growth. Steve’s transformation into the “babysitter of Hawkins” won fans over completely, giving him one of the best redemption arcs on TV. By now, he’s less hated character and more internet boyfriend – a glow-up for the ages. | © Netflix

Negan – The Walking Dead

Swinging onto the scene with a barbed-wire bat and a grin, Negan instantly became one of the most hated villains in modern TV history. Fans despised him – and with good reason. But over time, The Walking Dead worked its slow-burn magic, peeling back the bravado to show a more complex, even sympathetic, man underneath all that swagger. Did everyone forgive him? Not entirely. But somewhere between his sharp one-liners and unexpected vulnerability, Negan managed to charm audiences enough to go from “please die already” to “actually, don’t go, we like you now.” That’s no small feat. | © AMC Studios

Howard Hamlin – Better Call Saul

At first glance, Howard Hamlin felt like the kind of smug corporate lawyer you’d cross the street to avoid – flashy suits, perfect hair, and a knack for making Jimmy McGill’s life miserable. Fans dismissed him as a one-note antagonist, the kind of guy you love to roll your eyes at. But then Better Call Saul did what it does best: it flipped the script. Suddenly, Howard wasn’t just a polished foil; he was layered, vulnerable, and even weirdly sympathetic. By the time his story reached its tragic crescendo, audiences were left shocked at how deeply they’d grown to care about him. Proof that sometimes the “villain” isn’t the one you should be watching out for. | © AMC

Loki – MCU

Who knew the God of Mischief would become the God of Tumblr gifs? Loki started out as your standard-issue trickster villain – manipulative, power-hungry, and constantly betraying his family. Fans loved to hate him, but then something shifted. With each appearance, his sharp banter, vulnerability, and surprising loyalty peeked through the chaos. Soon, audiences weren’t rooting against him; they were rooting for him to get his own spotlight. And when he did, he stole the show in ways no one predicted. Mischief managed, indeed. | © Marvel Studios

Zuko – Avatar: The Last Airbender

If ever there was a masterclass in redemption arcs, Zuko wrote the book. Starting out as a scarred prince obsessed with capturing the Avatar, he was every bit the brooding antagonist fans loved to hate. But slowly, painfully, beautifully, Avatar: The Last Airbender unraveled his anger and showed the wounded teenager underneath. By the end of the series, Zuko wasn’t just redeemed; he was beloved, a shining example of how character development can completely flip the script. Honestly, without him, the show’s heart wouldn’t beat the same. | © Nickelodeon Animation Studio

Severus Snape – Harry Potter Saga

Few characters sparked as much fan whiplash as Severus Snape. For years, he was the professor everyone despised: bitter, cruel, and seemingly allergic to kindness. Yet when the full story came out, audiences suddenly saw him in a new light – tragic, brave, and heart-wrenchingly human. The reveal didn’t erase his faults, but it did cement him as one of the saga’s most memorable characters. Love him or hate him, Snape’s story arc remains one of the most talked-about in modern fantasy, and for good reason. | © Warner Bros. Pictures