Advertisement

Hiddlestoners, Potterheads and the Cumbercollective: Film's most dedicated fandoms

Which is the best fan base of them all?

Does Tom Hiddleston have the best fans?

While we admire their dedication, sometimes hardcore fans can be a little overwhelming.

For example, over 93,000 Batman fans who feel Ben Affleck is the wrong man to play Bruce Wayne have signed a Change.org petition to remove him from the role.

And Tom Hiddleston has said he's "flattered and amazed" by a group of Hiddlestoners who have decided he deserves his own solo superhero movie.

[Fan petition asks for Loki spin-off movie]


Saddened that Hiddleston won't appear in Joss Whedon's Avengers follow-up, and clearly concerned that we might never see Loki again, the fans have collected over 22,000 signaturespetitioning Marvel for the God of Mischief to star in his own story on the big screen, steadily working toward their goal of 30,000.

But are Hiddlestoners the most dedicated fan base of them all? Let's see...

Hiddlestoners

Object of affection:
Tom Hiddleston

What's it all about?
Dedicated and determined, Tom Hiddleston obsessives are pretty hardcore in their love for the actor. After piquing their interest in Marvel's 2011 superhero epic, Thor, Hiddleston further seduced his legion of fans when he reprised the role of Loki in Joss Whedon's wildly successful team-up, Avengers Assemble.

But more than the standard group of swooning teenagers, Loki's Army have used their force for more than simply penning fanfic and stalking Hiddles on Twitter. One gang, Hiddlestoners Have Hearts, have even raised thousands of pounds for UNICEF in his name.

Don't say:
"Phwoar! That Thor's a bit of alright, isn't he?"

Do say:
"Oh my God, he's so adorable!"


The Cumbercollective

Object of affection:
Benedict Cumberbatch

What's it all about?
Formerly known as Cumberbitches or Cumberbabes, before Benedict himself poured disapproving scorn on the offensive noun, the lusty Cumbercollective have but one simple goal in mind: To meet Benedict Cumberbatch and make him fall in love with them.

It's a dream many can understand, albeit one the man himself seems to be a bit embarrassed by, but for most of them a dream it will remain. Luckily for them, he ain't going nowhere.

Don't say:
"You know what? I think Ricardo Montalban was a better Khan."

Do say:
"The Purple Shirt of Sex. That is all."


Tributes

Object of affection:

The Hunger Games

What's it all about?
First fans of Suzanne Collins' best-selling trilogy, and more recently devotees of the Jennifer Lawrence-lead movie franchise, Tributes spend their days speculating endlessly about the upcoming sequels and Tumbling gifs.

When it comes to casting news and storylines, the most important thing for Tributes is fidelity to Collins' original tale. So they should be thrilled to hear that Francis Lawrence has at least three major changes in store for the next instalment, Catching Fire.

Don't say:
"What kind of a name is Katniss, anyway?"

Do say:
"I'm sure Sam Claflin is a good actor and everything, but he's not Finnick Odair."


Ringers

Object of affection:

The Lord Of The Rings

What's it all about?
While the purist Tolkienites are disciples of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy tale, the rather unfortunately-named Ringer's are more interested in Peter Jackson's movie adaptations. Snobbery abounds.

From getting involved in role-playing games to pilgrimages to filming locations and getting involved in serious debates over decisions the filmmakers made about ambiguous parts of the books, this bunch fan hard.

Don't say:
"But why didn't Gandalf just get his massive bird friends to fly them all the way to Mount Doom?"

Do say:
"Gi suilon!" (It's Elvish for "Hello".)


Potterheads

Object of affection:

Harry Potter

What's it all about?
Why, the worldwide phenomenon that is Harry Potter, of course. J.K. Rowling's novels are the best-selling book series in history, while the films have become the highest-grossing franchise of all time.

Fans enjoy devouring every teeny, tiny extra bit of information about Rowling's rich world that they can get their grubby little mitts on, playing Quidditch for realsies, and penning some seriously disturbing fanfic.

Don't say:
"Harry Potter's for kids!"

Do say:
"Seriously, I think I might legally change my name to Draco."


Warsies

Object of affection:

Star Wars

What's it all about?
You really have to ask? 35 years after George Lucas' original movie came out, Star Wars still has a flock of fans who can't get enough of the space opera.

From cosplaying at conventions to citing Jedi Knight as their religion on census forms, investing in extraordinarily expensive memorabilia and banding together to raise millions for charity, the Warsies are a force to be reckoned with.

Don't say:
"Jar Jar Binks is brilliant, isn't he?"

Do say:
"Han shot first."