The recent installation of a bronze statue depicting the characters Raj and Simran from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) in London's Leicester Square on December 4, 2025, is a milestone for Indian cinema—but it's far from the first time world cinema has been honored this way. Statues of fictional film characters have been erected in public spaces globally for decades (and even earlier for film-inspired figures), often to celebrate iconic moments, boost tourism, or pay homage to cultural impact. Here are some notable historical examples of bronze (or similar durable metal) statues of movie characters installed before 2020.
Maria (Robot Maria) from Metropolis (1927): A full-color bronze statue of the iconic android character from Fritz Lang's groundbreaking German sci-fi film stands outside the Babelsberg Studio in Potsdam, Germany. Installed in the 1920s as a tribute to the film's production there, it honors one of cinema's first major robot figures and has become a landmark for film history enthusiasts.
The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin's character) from various silent films (1914–1936): A 13-foot (4-meter) bronze statue of Chaplin as his signature hobo character—complete with bowler hat and cane—stands in front of Chaplin's World museum in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland. Erected in 2016 (though Chaplin's films date back over a century), it celebrates his enduring legacy in early cinema, where he appeared in over 80 shorts and features.
Godzilla from the Godzilla franchise (1954 onward): A downsized bronze statue of the kaiju monster (originally towering up to 350 feet in films) was installed in Hibiya, Tokyo, Japan, in 1993. It commemorates the 1954 original film's anti-nuclear themes and Godzilla's role as a global pop culture icon, drawing crowds to the city's theater district.
John Wayne as various Western characters (e.g., from The Quiet Man, 1952): Multiple bronze statues exist, including a 9-foot figure unveiled in 1979 at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, shortly after his death. Another in Cong, Ireland (filming site for The Quiet Man), depicts Wayne carrying Maureen O'Hara's character in a romantic pose from the film's ending—installed in the 1990s to boost tourism.
Rocky Balboa from Rocky (1976): This 8-foot-7-inch bronze statue of Sylvester Stallone as the boxer (mid-punch) was created as a prop for Rocky III (1982) but donated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1980. Placed at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps (site of the famous training scene), it has become a pilgrimage site for fans, symbolizing underdog perseverance.
Superman from various films (e.g., Superman, 1978): A 15-foot bronze statue of Christopher Reeve's Man of Steel stands in Metropolis, Illinois (named after his comic hometown), installed in 1979. It's outside the Superman Museum and has been a draw since the city's rebranding as a superhero capital in the 1980s.
Bruce Lee as various martial arts characters (e.g., from Fist of Fury, 1972): An 8-foot bronze statue in a dynamic fighting pose was erected in 1980 on Hong Kong's Avenue of Stars. Funded by fans after his 1973 death, it honors Lee's global influence on action cinema and attracts millions of visitors annually.
Paddington Bear from Paddington films (2014 onward, based on 1958 books): A life-sized bronze statue of the Peruvian bear with marmalade sandwich was installed in 2014 at Paddington Station in London, UK. It ties into the character's railway arrival in the stories and films, blending literature with cinema.
Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins (1964): Part of London's Leicester Square "Scenes in the Square" trail, this bronze statue (with umbrella) was unveiled in February 2020—just making the pre-2020 cutoff. It joins earlier square installations like Laurel and Hardy from their 1930s comedies (added in 2020 but honoring pre-war cinema).
Marilyn Monroe as her character from The Seven Year Itch (1955): The 26-foot "Forever Marilyn" stainless steel (alloy similar to bronze) statue, showing her dress billowing over a subway grate, was first installed in 2011 in Chicago before moving to Palm Springs, California, in 2012. It's a provocative nod to mid-century Hollywood glamour.