Don Quixote had his Sancho Panza. Sherlock Holmes had his Watson. And Fred Flintstone had his Barney Rubble. The bromance between an alpha male and his second banana goes way back and continues today. With the opening this week of Igor, an animated flick about the famed henchman, let's check out some cinema's other classic sidekicks.

Photo by DreamWorks/Kobal, WireImageDONKEY -- SHREK

A good second fiddle compliments his buddy like peanut butter does chocolate. So if you're a grumpy green ogre who hates people you really couldn't do better, sidekick-wise, than pairing up with an annoyingly garrulous donkey who doesn't know how to take a hint. He's loyal, more than willing to dispense advice, and he'll make waffles.

Photo by New Line Cinema, Everett CollectionSAM GAMGEE -- LORD OF THE RINGS

Some friends send you Christmas cards and others might help you move. But how many friends will shepherd you past flying visions of evil and through the most blighted, nightmarish landscape this side of Detroit just to help you properly dispose of some jewelry? Sam would and that's why he's the gold standard of second bananas.

Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures, Getty ImagesRON WEASLEY -- HARRY POTTER

It must be hard being Harry Potter's best friend. Potter is the ace Quidditch Seeker. Harry wins the coveted Triwizard Tournament. And of course, Harry is the chosen one who will save the earth from Voldemort. Harry. Harry. Harry. Ron loyally helped Potter through some of his hairiest of situations and didn't get half the press.

Photo by 20th Cent Fox/Lucas Films/Kobal, WireImageCHEWBACCA -- STARS WARS

Though he brays like a sea lion and looks like a fur coat in a bandolier, make no mistake -- Chewbacca is seven feet of Wookie muscle who likes to pull people's arms out of their sockets when annoyed. So unless your name is Han Solo, it would be wise not to taunt him.

Photo by Paramount, Everett CollectionGOOSE -- TOP GUN

As the Radar Intercept Officer to hunky ace pilot Maverick, Goose literally took a back seat to his alpha-male partner. Though Maverick had a love interest and Goose was married to Meg Ryan, the male bonding between these two buddies, punctuated by sweaty half-naked games of beach volleyball, was easily the most romantically-charged thing in the movie.

Photo by Paramount, Everett CollectionSPOCK -- STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN

While Capt. Kirk was brawling with lizard-headed aliens and cavorting with green women, his half-Vulcan sidekick Spock sorted matters out with an arched eyebrow and his superior reasoning abilities. At the end of this flick, arguably the best of the Star Trek movies, Spock uses his otherworldly rationality to make the ultimate sacrifice. And a nation of Trekkies wept.

Photo by New Line Cinema, Everett CollectionMINI ME -- AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME

Most sidekicks seem like an extension of the top banana. Who can think of the Lone Ranger without Tonto? Mini Me is literally an extension of Dr. Evil, thanks to a freakish genetic experiment. Sometimes the perfect second fiddle is an immensely creepy one-eighth-sized clone of yourself.

Everett CollectionGROMIT -- WALLACE AND GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT

Dogs make the best sidekicks because they follow the cardinal trait of being a good second banana -- unfailing loyalty. Not only does Gromit silently suffer through whatever ridiculous misadventure his cheese-obsessed master Wallace gets them into, he always saves the day in the end.

Photo by Paramount, Everett CollectionSHORT ROUND -- INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

Don't let his diminutive size and young age throw you. Short Round has the grit and mettle of a world-class sidekick. He can drive the getaway car through the streets of Shanghai like a pro -- albeit with boxes on the pedals. He can get through a meal of monkey brains and eye ball soup with remarkable aplomb. And he can watch the freaky ripping-a-heart-from-some-guy's-chest ritual with, apparently, a minimum of psychological scarring.

Photo by Fox Searchlight, Everett CollectionPEDRO -- NAPOLEON DYNAMITE

Pedro has the skills to be a great sidekick. He has a sweet bike, he's really good at hooking up with chicks, and he's the only guy in school who has a mustache. The perfect buddy for a guy who hunts wolverines in Alaska, hordes tater tots, and is pretty good with a bo staff.

Photo by Polygram/Kobal, WireImageWALTER SOBCHAK -- BIG LEBOWSKI

The Dude's Vietnam-obsessed buddy Walter Sobchak is prone to pulling guns during bowling matches, messing up ransom drop-offs, and throwing wheelchair-bound, middle-aged men to the floor. He can, however, if the situation requires it, get you a toe.

Photo by Columbia Pictures/Kobal, WireImageBILLY -- EASY RIDER

When your buddy "Captain America" decides to venture into the Deep South on a chopper with a wad of cash in the gas tank, best thing to do is fire up the Steppenwolf and tag along, man. But if you do go on a journey of self-discovery through the heart of America, watch out for drug-induced premonitions and shotgun-wielding rednecks.

Photo by Paramount, Everett CollectionDUCKIE -- PRETTY IN PINK

Where's the line between loyal sidekick and pining unrequited lover? Though this question could be raised with a number of movies on this list (discuss), it's the most obvious with this John Hughes classic. Duckie was seriously head over heels for Andie. Unfortunately, a charmingly goofy personality, good sense of humor and sweet bike are no match for a guy with great hair and an expensive car.

Photo by Paramount, Everett CollectionSEMMI -- COMING TO AMERICA

Some sidekicks embark on adventures with their alpha buddy out of friendship and a sense of integrity. Others do so because they're royally obliged to. While his charge, Prince Akeem, clearly loves slumming it in Queens, Semmi glumly follows along quietly longing for the luxury of the Waldorf-Astoria.

Photo by Paramount, Everett CollectionGARTH ALGAR -- WAYNE'S WORLD

In spite of his head-banger hair and slovenly attire, there's something about Wayne that's kind of cool. He plays guitar, has a TV show, and somehow lands Tia Carrere. On the other hand, Garth is pretty such pure metal nerd. Fortunately, coolness works by association.

Everett CollectionDUDE -- RIO BRAVO

John Wayne was the ultimate man's man -- rugged, macho, and tougher than saddle leather. As Sheriff John T. Chance, he didn't take guff from no one, including rich ranchers who want to skip out on the law. His deputy was the alcoholic gun-slinger, played by ultimate sidekick, Dean Martin. He's cool. He's funny. And most importantly, he's a top-drawer singer. Something that the Duke couldn't claim to be.

Everett CollectionCLYDE -- EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE

Philo is one of those guys who likes to swill beer, drive trucks, and get into bar brawls with cops. For a guy who's not all that refined, it's not that surprising that his second banana is Clyde the orangutan. He also likes to drink beer, watch Philo thump cops, and get lucky in the monkey house of the local zoo.

Photo by Warner Brothers, Everett CollectionROBIN -- BATMAN & ROBIN

Make no mistake, this movie is awful. Everything from bat suit nipples to the future governor of California spouting lines like "It's time to kick some ice," conspired to make this the worst comic book movie this side of Howard the Duck. But it does, however, feature one of the most enduring sidekicks around -- Robin, the boy wonder.

Photo by 20th Century Fox/Kobal, WireImageWILSON -- CAST AWAY

Some sidekicks provide comic relief. Others get their buddies out a pickle. And still others are simply good at listening. That's the role of Wilson, who listened without judgment to Tom Hanks as he struggled to get by on a desert island. Of course, it helped that Wilson was a volleyball. Just goes to show that if the situation is dire enough, an inanimate object can become your best friend in the world.