What do James Bond, Frodo Baggins, Batman and Spider-Man all have in common? Yep you guessed it: (mostly) great films. And also the same number of alive Mummies and Daddies. Zilch. There's actually a strangely high number of works of fiction, let alone films based on all four characters to be released this eyar, that feature orphans as their main characters. Relatability is a key feature of a main character isn't it? Well most of us who love these films probably have parents. So what's going on here? Why no parents? Are they just too uncool? The orphaned protagonist has appeared in ancient folk tales from all over the world and it's because they inspire loneliness in the audience. The loneliness and abandonment of the orphan makes the viewer/reader/listener instantly sympathise with the hero as it's something everyone feels at some point or another. With many of the characters the death of their parents results in a change in their upbringing from the beginning of their lives whether it's poorer, more abusive or even feral but for others the death of their parents plays a much bigger and continuing part in the story. Ironically in works of fiction orphans aren't usually totally alone in their story and usually have a devoted companion figure along for the ride. Aw isn't that nice. Thanks Sam, Ron & Hermione, Aunt May, Alfred etc. But who are the definitive on-screen orphans? How were they come to be Orphaned and what was the point? Who's been left out? Read on and see.