Too Hot to Handle

When Hollywood casts a 10 out of 10 hottie to play a nerdy comic book hero, it can be a little difficult to suspend our disbelief. We're not complaining though: some of our biggest crushes were born in the screen adaptation of our favorite geeky content. Here are 20 nerdy characters played by show-stoppingly gorgeous actors. 

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1. Neville Longbottom

Matthew Lewis brought Neville Longbottom to life on the screen. The audience had the joy of watching both actor and character grow from a timid, chubby boy into a brave and swoon-worthy young man.  

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2. Peter Parker (Spider-Man)

It's hard to buy the narrative of Peter Parker as the nerdiest kid in school when he's played by the hottie Andrew Garfield. He can catch us in his web any day. 

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3. Hermione Granger

The book worm of Hogwarts was played by the absolutely stunning and elegant Emma Watson. Even though she's much too pretty to be a believable nerd, we still can't picture anyone else in that role. 

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4. Bilbo Baggins

The adventuring hobbit from Tolkein's masterpiece, Bilbo Baggins might have big ears and hairy feet, but take off all that movie makeup and Martin Freeman is revealed. Middle Earth's bravest hobbit is played by one cute actor. 

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5. Clark Kent (Superman)

Clark Kent goes to work with big heavy glasses and a button-up which is meant to mask how handsome he is. However, when the perfectly chiseled Henry Cavill is cast, it's impossible to do so. 

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6. Tony Stark (Iron Man)

Tony Stark, the genius behind the mask of Iron Man is supposed to be a nerdy physicist who's a little rough around the edges and tough to get along with. He's played by the ever so handsome Robert Downey Jr. who's way too swoon-worthy for us to believe he's a lonely brainiac. 

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7. Hank McCoy (Beast)

As a doctor with six PhDs, Hank McCoy is a certifiable nerd who also happens to turn into a giant blue monster. He's played by the dishy Nicholas Hoult. 

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8. Bruce Banner (Hulk)

Bruce Banner is a theoretical physicist who turns into a giant green monster. He's also a loner which is hard to believe when he's played by the likes of dashing Mark Ruffalo.

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9. Barry Allen (The Flash)

Barry Allen is a forensic scientist who gets struck by lightening, giving him superhuman speed. The speedy scientist is now being played by the gorgeous Ezra Miller. 

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10. Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic)

Reed Richards is a scientist and inventor, often considered the smartest man on the planet. We couldn't be happier that the daddy of the internet Pedro Pascal has been cast in the role for the 2026 Avengers movie.

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11. Nathan Drake

This video game hero may be a thief but he has the mind of a historian. He's also not the most agile, with many of his stunts going awry. He's played by Tom Holland, who, when you remove that nerdy exterior and video game wardrobe, you quickly realize is a total hunk. 

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12. Bruce Wayne (Batman)

Although many consider the dark vigilante a playboy, his detective skills, fascination with science and technology, and bookishness make him a definite nerd. The most iconic portrayal of Batman was done by the strapping Christian Bale. 

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13. Frodo Baggins

The protagonist of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is a reluctant hero with a love of lore and books. Frodo pales in comparison to Legolas and Aragorn when it comes to sex appeal, but when you remove those hobbit ears, Elijah Wood and his piercing blue eyes are revealed. 

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14. Beast Boy

Teen Titan's Beast Boy loves video games, science, and is a bit of an outcast surrounded by geeky friends. However, the actor who played him, Ryan Potter, looks more like the most popular guy in school than anything resembling a nerd. 

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15. Elrond 

Having lived for thousands of years, Elrond is the wisest and most knowledgeable person in Middle Earth. He's played by the silver fox Hugo Weaving in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

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16. Sybill Trelawney

With her big, heavy glasses, disheveled hair, and weird personality, Hogwarts' Professor Sybill Trelawney is anything but "cool." However, peel back the frizzy hair from her face and the ravishing Emma Thomspon emerges.

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17. Luna Lovegood

Luna Lovegood is Harry Potter's eccentric and whimsical Ravenclaw friend. She's a free thinker but is certainly not part of the cool kids' club. However, she's played by the undeniably dope and beautiful Evanna Lynch.

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18. Ron Weasely 

Ron Weasely isn't extremely agile, strong, brave, or smart. However, he's loyal, has a big heart, and comes into his own. He's also played by the very cute Rupert Grint who gradually steals hearts throughout the eight films.

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19. Lara Croft

Although she's highly athletic, Lara Croft is still a nerdy archaeologist with a love of research and books. She was portrayed by the stunning Angelina Jolie in a casting decision that was just too perfect. 

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20. Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is a genius who comes from a background of academic excellence. He's a master sorcerer with a wealth of ancient knowledge. He's portrayed by one of Glamour Magazine's sexiest men alive, Benedict Cumberbatch. 

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