Rhiannon Elizabeth Irons
Movies are an escape. Their stories, a part of history. Some are a product of their time. Some define generations. Others leave a legacy that stands for all time.
Cinema has long been impactful on my life. Using them to escape the harsh realities of my life, I found myself most relaxed when curled up on the couch, popcorn in hand, as I enjoy the fictional worlds playing before me.
This may be my most ambitious article yet. I’ve spent the best part of a week going through the history of cinema to find 100 moments that defined their respective movies. Moments that are instantly iconic and I think I’ve got an impactful list.
This is your only warning – There will be spoilers ahead. There will not be any double-up of movies on this list, nor will a franchise make the list more than once.
So, grab your popcorn and get comfortable. Here is my Top 100 Memorable Movie Moments.
100: Kevin’s Scream – Home Alone (1990)
You know the scene. Kevin is home alone, mimicking his father’s getting-ready routine. Applies the aftershave to his hands then pats his cheeks. The look on his face instantly becomes iconic.
Even now, 30+ years later, Macaulay Culkin cannot escape the infamous scene. And why should he? It is the visual definition of Home Alone.
99: “That’s not a knife” – Crocodile Dundee (1986)
A moment of unhinged-Australian goodness, Mick Dundee is escorting Sue when he’s approached and asked for a light. Mick obliges when the other man pulls a switchblade and demands his wallet. Mick, unfazed by the attempted robbery, laughs as the robber’s friends show up. Sue tells him to hand over his wallet because he has a knife. Mick pulls out his own hunting knife and says “That’s not a knife. This is a knife” and proceeds to slice the gang-leader’s jacket.
Moral of this moment – Don’t fuck with an Australian.
98: Moses Parts the Red Sea – The Ten Commandments (1956)
Charlton Heston steps into the sandals of this biblical figure in this epic feature length adaptation of scripture.
Regardless of your stance on religion, you cannot deny this was a monumental moment of cinematic glory as Moses leads the Hebrews out of slavery.
97: “Good morning, Vietnam!” – Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
Robin Williams was a legendary performer and as a radio DJ in this 1987 feature, he shows some of his best work. His first broadcast where he begins with the famous “Good morning, Vietnam!” intro before segueing into improvisation of impressions is just pure gold.
96: Boombox Serenade – Say Anything (1989)
Was there anything more romantic than Lloyd standing outside Diane’s house with a boombox in the air and In Yours Eyes playing? While it might not be acceptable to do what Lloyd did by today’s standards, there’s no denying this moment has defined a generation and has often been imitated by others, though none have really captured the magic of this moment.
95: Jason Gets His Iconic Look – Friday the 13th Part III (1982)
Jason may not have kickstarted this long-running horror franchise as the original villain, but he certainly is the face of it. And that face is usually covered by a hockey mask. This pissed-off goalie is a beacon for horror fans the world over. While he’s had some memorable kills (possibly a future list), no moment in the franchise is as noteworthy as when he dons the hockey mask for the first time.
Stealing the mask from jokester Shelly (Larry Zerner) after slitting his throat, Jason appears on the dock wearing it before killing Vera with a harpoon gun. From that moment on he is rarely seen without the iconic mask. For those counting, that’s an additional 9 movies.
94: Jump! – Love Actually (2003)
There were a few moments from this movie that could have made the list. Emma Thompson’s performance when she discovers her husband, played by Alan Rickman, is cheating on her. Or perhaps the cue cards at the door. Or even Sam’s race through the airport to tell the object of his affection that he likes her. But for me, the most memorable moment from this movie is watching Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister dancing around his house and his reaction to being caught is absolutely hilarious.
93: “You’re tearing me apart!” – Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Picked up by the cops while intoxicated, Jim Stark, played by James Dean, is listening to his parents reason with the police officers and it results in one of the most beautiful breakdowns of the silver screen. Jim feels his parents are tearing him apart when one says one thing and the other says another.
Let’s be real; Who hasn’t felt like that one time or another?
92: He Who Must Not Be Named Is Defeated – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
Good versus evil always results in an epic showdown. But none has stood out more than Harry Potter finally besting Voldemort for the last time. People were heavily invested in the Harry Potter franchise by the time we got to the finale. We had grown up with these characters and had cared for them as though they were our friends.
The muggle world will never be the same after catching a glimpse of the wizarding world. But at least we know it’s a lot safer after Harry was victorious.
91: Playing The Piano – Big (1988)
Nothing was more enjoyable than seeing Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia dance on top of the giant keyboard at FAO Schwarz toy store in the late 80’s. The fact that they did it themselves without the aid of doubles is truly glorious. There’s a child-like innocence about both of them in this magical movie moment.
90: “Is that hair gel?” – There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Ted (Ben Stiller) is in love with Mary (Cameron Diaz). So, when he finally catches up with her, he follows some advice to ‘tend’ to his own needs before the date in hopes that, should it go well, he can last a little longer.
Naturally, this doesn’t go to plan and the evidence of his self-indulgence is hanging from his left ear when he opens the door to Mary. Thankfully, she mistakes it for hair gel and, before Ted can clean it up, she grabs it and slides it through her hair, resulting in a stiff hairstyle that has been mimicked many times.
89: The Pottery Wheel – Ghost (1990)
Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) have one of the most romantic scenes in cinema history. As Molly attempts to make a vase using her pottery wheel, Sam sidles up behind her and joins in, all the while Unchained Melody from The Righteous Brothers plays in the background.
Messy. Sensual. Seductive. A perfect moment captured on film.
88: The Seductive Mrs. Robinson – The Graduate (1967)
We’ve all heard the line, often misquoted, before. Ben (Dustin Hoffman) becomes a stammering fool when Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) shows a little interest. You can hear the panic in his voice as he points out the music, the drinks, the fact that her husband won’t be home for hours. “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me.” When she responds with a sultry laugh, he questions it with “Aren’t you?”
Often imitated in later films like American Pie (1999), nothing will quite match the original. Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson!
87: Kong’s A-Bomb Rodeo – Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Riding a bomb like it’s a bucking bronco isn’t exactly my idea of fun. But as far as iconic moments in movies go, this clip from Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb can’t really be beat.
Major ‘King’ Kong (Slim Pickens) is working on the electrical wiring of the bomb door just before the plane reaches its target. Not only does he manage to fix it, but he also opens it. Now that the door is open, the bomb drops with Kong riding it all the way down until its inevitable explosion.
86: The Ocean Embrace – From Here to Eternity (1953)
Nothing has made me want to make love on a beach more than this scene. Sgt Milton Warden (Burt Lancaster) makes out on the sand and surf with Karen Holmes (Deborah Kerr). The lust to begin this scene is something to be enviable.
The lovers have a small tiff which brings up painful memories for Karen. But as she recalls the story to Milton, the expression of his hard exterior crumbles. Love really is a splendid thing.
85: The Climax – The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
When Colonel Nicholason (Alec Guinness) agrees to build a bridge on the river Kwai to transport Japanese munitions, he does so initially to provide a morale-boosting project for the military engineers under his command. As the bridge goes up, he descends into madness, obsessed with perfection, eventually losing sight of the fact that it would help the Japanese. During the climax of the film, the realization of what needs to be done hits Colonel Nicholson. He makes a beeline for the detonator. A shell explodes near him, injuring him.
With his final staggered steps, he makes it to the detonator, succumbing to his wounds, and falling on it, causing the bridge to explode, just as a train filled with Japanese munitions is approaching it.
84: When in Rome – La Dolce Vita (1960)
It all started with finding a stray kitten on the streets of Rome and ended with a frolic in the majestic Trevi fountain. Marcello (Marcello Rubini) is racing all over Rome to find some milk for Sylvia (Anita Ekberg). She’s found a small kitten and wishes to take care of it.
Such a simple premise. As Marcello hunts for milk, Sylvia walks the streets until she comes across one of Italy’s greatest tourist destinations. When Marcello finds her, milk in hand, Sylvia is splashing around in the Trevi fountain. He joins her before escorting her out of the water.
This is the movie that started my love affair with Italy. When in Rome, right?
83: The Phone Booth – The Birds (1963)
Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense, and while there were a few moments from this film that could have made the list, seeing Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) cower in a glass phone booth while seagulls attack had to be the obvious choice.
Melanie tries to leave the phone booth but when she opens the door, a seagull strikes. Quickly closing it, she waits out the incident. When birds begin to smash the glass, causing cracks to appear, Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) comes to her rescue, and they manage to seek refuge in a bar.
And I thought magpie mating season was bad…
82: Clock on! – Safety Last! (1923)
A defining scene of the silent era of cinema, seeing Harold Lloyd hanging from the face of a clock as he attempts to get away from the long arm of the law, is truly something special.
A scene that many may not know. But if you pay close attention to the opening sequence of QUIZarenaLIVE, you may just see it…
81: The Stargate Sequence – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1967)
An electronic acid trip, this sequence in the classic 2001: A Space Odyssey is as memorable as Hal refusing to do what Dave asks.
The scene builds beautifully. A trip through space, the scene is a sensory overload. The bright colours on screen teamed with the screeching musical cues and the odd flash of Dave (Keir Dullea) is enough to pique curiosity and make you want to delve into the story.
80: The Great Confrontation – Heat (1995)
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino come face to face in a restaurant, showing why they are two of the greatest actors of all time. Both the tension and the power of these two can be felt through the screen.
The respect for each other is monumental. Pacino is a cop while De Niro is a criminal. Despite being on opposite sides of the law, they let each other know what the go is, where they both stand, and what will happen if their paths cross again. That’s enough to make this moment truly memorable.
79: Heads or Tails? – No Country For Old Men (2007)
“What’s the most you ever lost on a coin toss?”
That sentence was enough to send a chill down your spine. From Anton’s coldness to the perplexed Gas Station Proprietor, the tension was very real. Javier Bardem thoroughly deserved his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for this role. Just like this moment deserved a place on this list.
78: Best Cinematic Kiss – Spider-Man (2002)
There’s something so sensual about a kiss in the rain. It’s been a staple of romantic comedies for decades. When the first live-action entry to the Spider-Man universe hit cinemas, audiences were treated to what is one of the best kisses seen on the big screen when Mary-Jane receives a smooch in the rain from an upside-down Spider-Man.
Gentleman, you have Tobey Maguire to thank for unrealistic expectations when it comes to sensual kisses.
Oh, and if you want to see a hotter version of this kiss, you might want to subscribe to Under the Covers…
77: A Tale as Old as Time – Beauty and the Beast (1991)
The moment we see Belle in her signature yellow ballgown, we know we’re in for a memorable moment. When Beast takes her in his paws and begins to waltz her around the ballroom, children and adults alike were feeling the love.
The scene is elevated with Angela Landbury’s Mrs. Potts singing the titular song, Beauty and the Beast while Lumiere illuminates the room with soft, romantic candlelight. Regardless of what you think of Disney, you cannot deny that they knew how to do romance.
76: “Hello Clarice!” – Silence of the Lambs (1991)
A victim of the Mandela effect, the scene in question doesn’t actually begin with Hannibal greeting Clarice with a “Hello”, but I couldn’t resist kicking this famous scene off with some misinformation.
Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster played Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling respectively in this Academy Award winning thriller. The power of Hopkins is unmatched as he delivers a chilling performance as the doctor-turned-cannibal. In 18 minutes, he made a lasting impression.
Now, would you care for a chianti?
75: Tears in Rain Monologue – Blade Runner (1982)
The late, great Rutger Hauer delivers a powerful 42-word monologue in Blade Runner that has been described as “perhaps the most moving death soliloquy in cinematic history” by critic Mark Rowlands.
During a rooftop chase in heavy rain, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) misses a jump and hangs on to the edge of the building by his fingers, about to fall to his death. Roy Batty (Hauer) turns back and lectures Deckard briefly about how the tables have turned but pulls him up to safety at the last instant. Recognising that his limited lifespan is about to end, Batty further addresses his shocked nemesis, reflecting on his own experiences and mortality, with dramatic pauses between each statement. A truly unforgettable moment.
74: Sandy’s Bad Girl Transformation – Grease (1978)
By now it’s no secret that Grease is a big part of my life, and when it comes to iconic moments in cinema, Sandy stepping out in her all-black leather ensemble is truly breathtaking.
A bad-girl persona coupled with an infectious song that everyone has performed at karaoke at some point in their lives, you cannot deny the impact of this scene.
And before you leap down my throat about how sexist it is, be sure to have a read of my article where I argue that Danny changed more for Sandy.
73: The Rules – Fight Club (1999)
When Tyler Durden lays down the rules, you better listen. In fact, I might as well list them. “Gentlemen, welcome to Fight Club. The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you DO NOT talk about Fight Club! Third rule of Fight Club: someone yells “stop!”, goes limp, taps out, the fight is over. Fourth rule: only two guys to a fight. Fifth rule: one fight at a time, fellas. Sixth rule: No shirts, no shoes. Seventh rule: fights will go as long as they have to. And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.”
Yeah, I didn’t know there was anything beyond not talking about Fight Club either…
72: Wax On, Wax Off – The Karate Kid (1984)
Mr. Miyagi taught us all a valuable lesson; every day movements can be used to defend ourselves.
He gets Daniel to help him around the house in exchange for teaching him karate. What Daniel doesn’t realise initially is that Miyagi’s techniques are teaching him a lot more than how to put wax on his car. Or how to paint a fence.
71: Maleficent Shows Her Inner Dragon – Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Maleficent is a beloved Disney villain now, but when the Mistress of all evil is enraged by Prince Philip’s tenacity to get to Princess Aurora’s castle, she shows just how powerful she can be, transforming into a giant dragon.
This moment was traumatizing for a lot of children. Even now, over 60 years since its release, Maleficent’s powerful spells, cruel nature, and her transformation can be frightening for those who aren’t familiar with the story.
70: Twist and Shout – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
The ultimate slacker movie about playing hooky with your friends. Ferris, his girlfriend, Sloane, and his best friend, Cameron, take the day off school and explore Chicago. And while there are a few stand out moments throughout the movie, none are more mind blowing than watching Ferris take to a float during a parade and lip syncing to Twist and Shout from The Beatles.
The whole city joins in the celebrations, including Ferris’ own father. With all the shenanigans that Ferris got up to that day, it was a genuine wonder he wasn’t caught earlier.
69: Hanging from the Ceiling – Mission Impossible (1996)
Not sure if Tom Cruise got the memo from Lionel Richie. You’re supposed to dance on the ceiling.
Either way, Ethan Hunt (Cruise) showed he was truly a super spy when he pulled off this maneuver, hanging just inches above the ground as he hacked into a mainframe.
Regardless of if you’re a fan of Mission Impossible or not, you cannot deny there’s an element of coolness to this scene. And at some point, you yourselves have wanted to do it. I know I have…
68: You Spin Me Right Round – The Exorcist (1973)
When young Regan is possessed, the Catholic church sends in two of its finest priests to perform an exorcism.
Like most films on this list, The Exorcist does possess (getit?) a number of iconic and memorable moments. Pea soup vomit? The spider-walk down the stairs? Check and check. But no scene really hit audiences as hard as when Regan’s head performs a complete 360. Spine-chilling (and snapping) goodness from arguably the greatest horror movie of all time.
67: “Damn you all to hell!” – Planet of the Apes (1968)
Watching the trials and tribulations that George Taylor (Charlton Heston) goes through during the runtime of Planet of the Apes is stressful. Not knowing where he is or what’s happened to humanity would be terrifying.
But at the end, as he’s strolling along the beach, he falls to his knees and cries out in anguish as he sees landmarks that he recoginses. He has been on Earth this whole time. Talk about an ending that will stay with you.
66: “I’m Spartacus” – Spartacus (1960)
The slaves have a chance to be set free on the condition that they give up Spartacus for execution. A collective cry of “I’m Spartacus” arises from the slaves in a way of keeping their leader safe.
A truly powerful moment that has been paid homage to many times. With a stellar cast of Kirk Douglas as Spartacus, Laurence Olivier as the emperor, Crassus, and John Gavin, Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons, and Peter Ustinov, Spartacus will forever stand the test of time.
65: Emerging from the Sea – Dr. No (1962)
The name is Ryder. Honey Ryder.
I had a few James Bond moments that I wanted to include on this list. Blofeld petting his cat, the tank car chase from Goldeneye, Bond in space, Bond gets a jetpack in Thunderball, or perhaps discovering Jill Masterson has been painted solid gold…
But for me, no moment was more memorable than when James Bond (Sean Connery) lays eyes on Ursula Andress’ Honey Ryder. This scene must have made a lasting impact as it was recreated not once, but twice in the franchise. Once with Halle Berry’s Jinx Johnson in Die Another Day (2002) and then with Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale (2006).
64: Seductive Interrogation – Basic Instinct (1992)
This has to be one of the most paused moments in cinema history.
When author Catherine Tramell is brought down to the police station by Det. Nick Curran after the murder of her lover, Johnny Boz, she has the entire homicide department eating out of the palm of her hand. Her seductive tones and looks set the scene before she uncrosses her legs, revealing her lack of underwear.
A brief flash to the camera is all it took for this thriller to make the list.
63: Old Time Rock ‘N’ Roll – Risky Business (1983)
Alright, show of hands. Who hasn’t attempted to recreate this scene in the living room when your parents were away? Yeah, I thought so.
When Joel’s parents are away, the plucky teenager wants to play. And naturally things get out of hand pretty quickly.
But before things take a turn for the worst, Joel enjoys a quiet night in. Which includes blaring Bob Segar’s Old Time Rock ‘N’ Roll from his dad’s speakers and dancing around the living room in his underwear.
62: An Angel Gets Its Wings – It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s A Wonderful Life has always been a powerful film; with many people stating its ending message had prevented them from committing suicide.
The finale of the movie shows the community rallying around George Bailey and his family, as they celebrate Christmas. A feel-good ending that has inspired many stories, it was impossible not to include this loving Christmas moment on this list.
61: The Crop Duster Attack – North by Northwest (1959)
Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is a New York City advertising executive on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies.
Alfred Hitchcock was a master filmmaker. He knew how to make a scene truly memorable. North by Northwest is a classic, and no scene defines the movie more than seeing Cary Grant running from a crop duster. Even if you haven’t seen this classic feature, you know this scene.
60: “What’s in the box?” – Se7en (1995)
A gritty crime thriller from writer Andrew Kevin Walker and director David Fincher, Se7en is all about John Doe, a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins to murder people, ultimately becoming the sin of Envy himself.
When John Doe leads detectives Mills and Somerset to an isolated location, you instantly know this finale will have bloody consequences. So, when a van pulls up with a delivery, Somerset races over to it. His shock and dismay of what’s in the box is enough to trigger Mills into screaming “What’s in the box?”
John Doe enrages Mills by telling him it's his wife and that Mills has been a part of his plan all along. He’s to be Wrath.
59: Tiffany’s – Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) stuns in this opening sequence to the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Dressed to the nines and enjoying a coffee and pastry, she stands outside the famed jewelers, staring at the displays in the windows.
Simple? Yes. But entirely memorable, if nothing else, just for Audrey’s look. Again, often imitated, this scene has cemented its place in history.
58: “O’Captain! My Captain!” – Dead Poets Society (1989)
Regardless of what kind of student you were in school, one teacher influenced you and the way you think about the world around you. In Dead Poets Society, that teacher was John Keating (Robin Williams).
When he’s fired for his unorthodox methods, the students show their support for him by standing on their desks and letting him know how much he’s inspired them.
57: The Subway Grate – The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate, the breeze from below billowing her white dress is one of the most iconic images in history.
Stepping out of a screening of The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Marilyn and Tom Ewell walk side-by-side down the street when she excitedly points out the subway grate. Hearing an approaching train, she stands on the grate as the wind lifts her dress.
The conversation turns to her toothpaste advertisement, and they share a kiss. But it’s the moment of glee where an express train rumbles beneath the city street that cements Marilyn into this list.
56: Bella Notte – Lady and the Tramp (1955)
When thinking about classic Disney moments, the often-underrated Lady and the Tramp should get a mention solely for one of the most wholesome and memorable kisses on screen. Move over Spider-Man and Mary Janes, we have Lady and Tramp.
Sharing a plate of spaghetti in an alleyway behind Tony’s restaurant, while Tony serenades them with the song Bella Notte, Lady and Tramp find themselves sucking on the same piece of spaghetti. It results in one of the cutest Disney moments of all time.
55: Gunnery Sergeant Hartman’s Wrath – Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Not many people can send me cowering as quickly as R. Lee Ermey could. The former marine was an imposing figure whenever he was on screen. But during this four-minute introduction in Full Metal Jacket, he laid down the law like no one else.
Facing off against his platoon, Ermey gave a performance that all future military drill sergeant performances have struggled to live up to.
54: Time Of My Life – Dirty Dancing (1987)
No one puts Baby in the corner.
Johnny (Patrick Swayze) and Baby (Jennifer Grey) do the last dance of the season at Kellerman’s. And what a dance it is.
We all know how troubled behind the scenes were with the two leads not getting along. But the magic that was captured on screen is undeniable. And if you’re questioning why this appears on this list, I have two words for you; The lift!
53: “Long live the king!” – The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King is one of, if not the best, Disney animated movie ever released. There is no shortage of memorable moments from the opening sequence right to when Simba finally reclaims his birthright as king.
But no Disney moment has destroyed an entire generation like the moment when the hyenas cause a stampede to trap Simba in the gorge. Scar and Mufasa look down upon the impending doom before Mufasa leaped into action to save his son. Once he rescues Simba, he is caught by the stampede before launching himself onto the rocks, pulling himself upwards, calling to his brother for help.
Scar’s response was to drive his claws into Mufasa’s paws, grin menacingly, and say “Long live the king” before tossing him back into the chaos below.
Scar’s evilness doesn’t stop there as later we see him gleefully playing with a skull that just happens to be his brother’s. Diabolical and soul-crushing, many a child was destroyed by this one scene, cementing its place on this list.
52: “My name is…” – The Princess Bride (1987)
This introduction really needs no…erh…introduction.
Just when you think he’s down, Inigo Montoya finds his strength, repeating the lines “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
This duel between Count Rugen and Montoya is iconic. The count continually belittles him, only to become surprised when Montoya gets the upper hand and ultimately defeats him when an agreement can’t be reached through bartering.
But then again, the count couldn’t exactly revive Montoya’s father, so he died.
51: “Frank my dear, I don’t give a damn.” – Gone With the Wind (1939)
One of the greatest films of all time, the scene where Rhett Butler finally turns his back on Scarlett, uttering the famous line, as he strolls out of the house and disappears from her life is often the first thing anyone thinks of whenever Gone With the Wind is mentioned.
With two incredible stars as the leads (Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh), this moment is the absolutely glorious.
50: You Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – Top Gun (1986)
Maverick and Goose always had each other’s back. So, when they’re out on the town before they begin their training at Top Gun, they come across Charlotte, a seemingly single bar patron, Maverick convinces Goose to join him in a serenade.
Choosing You Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ by The Righteous Brothers, Maverick and Goose win Charlotte over. Even if she does tell Maverick he should stick to his day job as a pilot, he later gets the girl when it’s revealed she’s his instructor at Top Gun.
49: “You Shall Not Pass!” – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Gandalf (Ian McKellen) stands tall, metaphorically speaking, against Balrog, defending the others, seemingly sacrificing himself to protect them.
Standing defiantly on a bridge, he faces the beast and says “You cannot pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udun! Go back to the shadow. You shall not pass!”
48: The Library – The Breakfast Club (1985)
Saturday detention never looked more enjoyable than watching the members of The Breakfast Club busting some seriously 80’s moves in the library.
Seeing the likes of Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, and Anthony Michael Hall break into dance is one of the most iconic moments of the film. The fact that it has been parodied many times before, even in the Nickelodeon show Victorious, just adds to the coolness factor.
47: Elliot and ET Flying High – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Riding his bike with E.T. in the basket, Elliot is doing his best to get his alien friend home. When he comes to the edge of the cliff side, E.T. takes matters into his own finger and ensures Elliot’s bike can fly.
The scene is recreated later when Elliot and his friends are being chased by authorities. E.T. ensures they make a getaway by using his powers to lift them all sky-high.
As good as the second chase is, nothing really beats the silhouette of Elliot on his bike flying in front of the moon.
46: “Say hello to my little friend!” – Scarface (1983)
When his compound is under attack, Tony Montana (Al Pacino) decides to take matters into his own hands. Brandishing a massive weapon, he moves onto the offensive, screaming out “You wanna play rough? Okay. Say hello to my little friend!” just as he opens fire on the unsuspecting people standing outside his office door.
What happens after that is a shootout for the ages, resulting in his being shot in the back with a double barrel shotgun.
45: “I’m walking here!” – Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Proof that not all the greatest moments needed to be scripted. Ratso (Dustin Hoffman) and Joe Buck (Jon Voight) are walking down a busy New York City street when they step off the curb and onto the road. From nowhere, a taxi turns, nearly running into them. Hoffman, without breaking stride, slams his hand down on the hood of the car and screams at the driver “I’m walking here!”
Improvised in the moment, this line has regularly been voted one of the greatest lines of all time.
44: “I’m ready for my close-up” – Sunset Blvd. (1950)
The last lines from Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) are as theatrical as one would expect from a former silent-era movie star. Her jealousy had gotten the best of her when her new lover Joe (William Holden) falls in love with a young aspiring writer, Betty Schaefer (Nancy Olsen).
The dream she had clung to so desperately had unfolded her. Standing before the news cameras, Norma goes out with one hell of a speech. Robin Williams even referenced it in Mrs. Doubtfire. “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”
43: Training Montage – Rocky (1976)
Watching Rocky Balboa run through the streets of Philadelphia in the grey sweatsuit while practicing taking punches or hitting slabs of meat inside a butcher shop is enough to make you want to get your fitness on.
The iconic moment of his standing at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art with his arms in the air in a victorious pose is what we all strive for. Conquering the mountain, one step at a time.
42: “Stella!” – A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Watching the great Marlon Brando reduced to tears as he demands to see Stella is a product of its time. And while this was Brando’s second role on film, it was an incredible performance to see some vulnerability in such a hard man.
Working alongside Vivian Leigh and Kim Hunter brought out the best in Brando and this moment goes down in history as being one of the most quotable scenes in history.
41: “They’re here!” – Poltergeist (1982)
Perhaps one of the most quoted moments from a horror movie, the scene depicts little Carol Anne Freeling sitting in front of a static TV. Inaudible whispers come from the television set.
What happens next is terrifying. A hand reaches out of the screen towards the small girl, before a it moves past her, hovering over the bed where her sleeping family is. The room begins to shake violently, waking everyone. Carol Anne turns to face her family and let’s out a chilling “They’re here.”
Yeah, I’d be moving.
40: Russian Roulette – The Deer Hunter (1978)
Watching Michael (Robert De Niro) and Nick (Christopher Walken) forced to play Russian Roulette during the Vietnam War is one of the tensest scenes you’ll ever watch. They either play or they’re dead.
But seeing them playing the game again later on in the film says the trauma was too much for Nick to handle. The psychological scars that the war left behind took its toll.
This time he isn’t walking away.
39: Chariot Race – Ben-Hur (1959)
Charlton Heston is Judah Ben-Hur, a rich Jewish prince and merchant. After an accident injures the governor, he is sentenced to the galleys, where he vows vengeance.
One of the most epic sagas in cinema history, the chariot race in Ben-Hur was pure adrenaline. Taking five weeks to film, on a set constructed on 18 acres of backlot at Cinecitta Studios outside Rome, and with 15,000 extras on set, it’s no wonder this scene stands out. What makes this more impressive is the 263:1 cutting ratio (263 feet of film for every one foot used), possibly the highest for any 65mm sequence ever filmed.
38: “I coulda’ been a contender.” – On The Waterfront (1954)
In the back of a taxi, this scene is so simplistic and so powerful. Rod Steiger is Charley Malloy while Marlon Brando is Terry Malloy, brothers who are at odds when it’s revealed that Terry had been taking dives in his boxing career. Getting into fixed betting is one thing but mix in a corrupt boss of the docker’s union, and things get really hairy.
This scene is Terry telling his older brother that it was his fault, not his managers, that should have looked out for him. Brando delivers an exceptional performance, filled with heart and soul. Pack the tissues. You’ll need them.
37: The Races – My Fair Lady (1964)
A moment of refined elegance, Eliza Dolittle (Audrey Hepburn) is escorted to Ascot by Colonel Hugh Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White) and Professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) to show off how far the young flower girl had come. Her story about her aunt’s death is hysterical.
But it’s the moment where she reverts back to her Cockney self to cheer on Dover in the race that lands on this list. Breaking the silence of the crowd with a cheer, Eliza Dolittle showed a little encouragement to Dover by telling the thoroughbred to move his “Bloomin’ arse!”
As someone who loves sport and have had more than my fair share of fun at the Melbourne Cup, this scene is the epitome of me at the best of times. Although I will say now, Eliza is far more refined than I ever could be.
36: Canyon Leap – Thelma & Louise (1991)
Being hunted by the police for crimes they’ve committed, Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) sit on the edge of the Grand Canyon cliffside, contemplating their next move.
With the cops behind them, instructing them to turn off the engine and give themselves up, the two women look at each other. Louise says she’s not going to give up. Thelma agrees and tells Louise to floor it, sending their Ford T-Bird flying over the edge in a suicidal jump that has gone down in history as one of the most impactful endings to a movie.
35: The Cemetery Duel – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach come head-to-head in a duel for the ages. Taking place in a cemetery, this three-way shootout was filled with tension so thick you could carve it with a knife.
A western shootout for the ages, this moment helped inspire the 2017 feature-length documentary Sad Hill Unearthed, which was about a group of fans creating the Association Cultural Sad Hill and who restored the set to it’s true movie glory.
34: Heather’s Extreme Close-Up – The Blair Witch Project (1999)
A revolutionary entry to kick off the found footage sub-genre of horror, The Blair Witch Project had some of the best marketing around. With many people convinced it was real footage captured on camera, the movie hit Box Office like a wrecking ball.
But it’s the moment where a snot-filled Heather talks to the camera, apologizing for getting her, Mike, and Josh lost in the woods and for putting them in danger that makes this list. Parodied by spoof movies like Scary Movie (2000) it’s safe to say this scene has influenced a number of films that came after it. Even if none were able to recapture that intense fear.
33: Count Orlok’s shadow – Nosferatu (1922)
Even if you haven’t seen the classic film, you know the moment I’m talking about.
Max Schreck is Count Graf Orlok, a man who Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) believes to be vampire. During his time at the castle, Hutter manages to notice unusual occurrences, primarily feeling as though a dark shadow is hanging over him.
The moment that makes this list is when the count ascends the stairs. The sinister shadow with long, pointed fingernails that resemble claws is the stuff of nightmares.
Someone might want to call Buffy on this guy…
32: William Wallace’s Rallying Battle Cry – Braveheart (1995)
Leading the Scottish people, William Wallace (Mel Gibson) delivered a powerful speech about how the English would not take their freedom. The bloody battle that follows his speech just shows how far a country will go to secure its freedom.
While not historically accurate, this battle for Scotland’s independence made for an incredible cinematic experience.
31: Captain Willard Emerges from the Jungle Water – Apocalypse Now (1979)
When I mentioned this movie to some friends, they instantly began quoting “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” And while I agree that it’s a great moment in the film, or the ride of the valkyries, for me the greatest moment comes much later as Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) takes matters into his own hands, killing Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando).
The scene of Willard emerging from the water of a jungle river, his face painted in camo before moving through the ruins to find Kurtz is pure cinema gold.
“The horror… The horror…”
30: Saleswoman Smackdown – Pretty Woman (1990)
Call me petty but watching Vivian take a snooty retail worker down a peg is one of the greatest “F-you” moments in cinema.
This is the perfect case of don’t judge a book by its cover. When Vivian (Julia Roberts) enters an expensive store to find something conservative to wear on her date with Edward (Richard Gere) she is told to leave based on her appearance. The following day, after Edward takes her shopping and helps her get a new look, she returns to the snooty store and lays a smackdown that still makes me cheer.
“Do you remember me?”
“No, I’m sorry.”
“I was in here yesterday. You wouldn’t wait on me.”
“Oh.”
“You work on commission, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now.”
29: “Here’s looking at you, kid” – Casablanca (1942)
When Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) tells Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) to get on the plane with Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), hearts broke around the world. His speech to her about being safe and how she belonged with Victor.
The parting speech is something truly remarkable. And though Rick and Ilsa were parting, at least she could take solace in knowing they would always have Casablanca.
28: “Funny how?” – Goodfellas (1990)
Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) is a dangerous man, and this scene shows just how dangerous he can be. From a moment of laughter, the atmosphere changes when Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) calls him a funny guy.
The change in his persona causes the scene to become rife with tension. It takes a moment before Henry catches on that he’s teasing him. Talk about sweating bullets.
27: Dance Off – Pulp Fiction (1994)
Mia (Uma Thurman) and Vincent (John Travolta) take to the dance floor for the Twist contest.
What transpires is a legendary scene that has been recreated in various film and television shows since. Even if you’ve never seen Pulp Fiction, you know this scene just from how iconic it is.
26: “Do I feel lucky?” – Dirty Harry (1971)
Harry Callahan is enjoying his lunch when an alarm goes off. He sees a man robbing a bank. He calls out and a shootout begins.
He walks over to the man who fired first and delivers one iconic speech that is often misquoted thanks to the Mandela effect: “Uh uh. I know what you’re thinking. ‘Did he fire six shots or only five?’ Well, to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handfun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you’ve gotta ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?”
25: “You talkin’ to me?” – Taxi Driver (1976)
Another well-known scene that had improvised dialogue. Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) is a cabbie who is an ex-marine and Vietnam veteran living in New York City.
During one particular scene, Travis is trying on his guns and watching his reflection. He begins to talk to himself, convincing himself that he’s intimidating. And that’s where the famous line of “You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin’… You talkin’ to me? Well, I’m the only one here.”
24: Romance On The Bow – Titanic (1997)
A young aristocrat falls in love with a poor-but-kind artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic. And while I was tempted to go with the enthusiastic “I’m king of the world” cheer from the earlier in the voyage, I had to go with Rose and Jack standing on the bow, wind in their hair, arms outreached.
The romance blooms between these two characters as Jack holds Rose still. Her excited cry of “I’m flying, Jack” is what makes this scene both spectacular and magical.
23: Johnny B. Goode – Back To The Future (1985)
I was very tempted to go with Doc sending Marty back to the future mostly for his reaction after the DeLorean explodes into a bright light display. But instead, I have gone for the moment where Marty rocks out at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance.
Marty is getting the dance back into the swing of things, replacing one of the guitarists whose hand was injured. He is convinced to stay for another song after Earth Angel finished and decides to take the spotlight by busting out a golden oldie in Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry. The fact that Michael J. Fox actually did play the guitar during this moment just adds to the awesomeness of the entire scene.
22: “Here’s Johnny!” – The Shining (1980)
Overcome by madness thanks to the isolation of the Overlook Hotel, Jack is hellbent on murdering his family. And in this scene, his manic personality is on full display.
Swinging an axe at the bathroom door, he’s taunting his wife, Wendy. When he finally breaks part of the door away, his face appears, and he delivers the line made famous by the Johnny Carson show.
Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall delivered phenomenal performances in this Stanley Kubrick adaptation of the Stephen King novel. Jack is absolutely chilling and the menacing way he delivers the line of “Here’s Johnny” is genuinely memorable.
21: The Ultimate Fake Orgasm – When Harry Met Sally (1989)
What started out as a discussion about knowing when a woman orgasms turns into Meg Ryan’s most notable performance.
Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) are in a diner. Sally is telling Harry how glad she is that she hasn’t been involved with him because he doesn’t stick around. When Harry retorts that he hasn’t had any complaints, it causes a bemused Sally to challenge him in knowing when a woman is faking an orgasm. What transpires is the greatest fake orgasm on the silver screen. And it’s made greater when one of the patrons of the diner turns to the waiter and says, “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Not going to lie, this scene has saved my hide with some of my exs…
20: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Fantasia (1940)
There’s a lot to love about Fantasia. I was very tempted to go with the segment, Night on Bald Mountain, but figured Mickey Mouse commanding brooms to come to life was a little more iconic than Chernabog.
Adorned in a red robe with a blue pointed hat, Mickey bewitches the brooms to life to help with his chores. Naturally, things go awry, and the Sorcerer has to step in to help with the misdirected magic.
The animators secretly modeled elements of the Sorcerer in this segment on their boss, Walt Disney. The raised eyebrow was regarded as a dead giveaway and they even went as far as calling the character Yen Sid, which is Disney spelled backwards.
19: The Hills Are Alive – The Sound of Music (1965)
How do you solve a problem like Maria? Simple. You get her to stand on a hill and spin while performing The Sound of Music.
A timeless musical that starts with an incredible helicopter shot of Julie Andrews standing with her arms outstretched as she breaks into the titular song as she explores the hillside location.
While there were other moments from this film that could be featured here, none set the scene quite like the opening.
18: Girl in the Red Coat – Schindler’s List (1993)
This black and white powerful story set in the German-occupied Poland shows Oskar Schindler becoming concerned for his Jewish workforce after he witnesses their persecution by the Nazis.
The girl in the red coat is a pivotal moment in this film as it’s the only splash of colour featured in the grim story. While her coat isn’t fully coloured, you can make out the difference in shade as she’s escorted through the streets of war-torn Poland.
She is the hope of a brighter future as we see the small child enter a home and hide beneath a bed, hands over her ears in a desperate bid to drown out the sounds of destruction and death. The symbolism of this scene alone could be dissected and discussed at length, but trust me when I say it’s a memorable moment in one of the most powerful movies of the early 90’s.
17: Courtroom Drama – A Few Good Men (1992)
It’s Tom Cruise vs. Jack Nicholson in this military courtroom drama. Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Cruise) is a smart-mouthed military lawyer who has summoned the decorated Col. Nathan Jessup to court to face allegations of a Code Red. What occurs next is a fierce showdown between two Hollywood heavyweights.
Kaffee gets the better of Jessup and gets him to confess on the stand that he ordered the Code Red that resulted in the death of a marine. And we get an epic line of “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” Win-win.
16: Dodge This – The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix revolutionized the way action scenes were played out. If you grew up with the movie dominating box office, you would have attempted Neo’s bullet dodging maneuver at some point.
Mocked in parody movies like Scary Movie (2000), this moment goes down in pop culture history for how impactful it was since its release. Shaping the way action movies would go about their fight scenes for the next decade, The Matrix holds its spot on this list.
15: The Escape – The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Was there anything more iconic about this movie then the moment Andy emerges from the tunnel, rips his shirt off, and stands in the rain, arms outstretched for his first taste of freedom in decades?
No, probably not. Which is why it’s the moment I’ve chosen for this entry.
There’s doesn’t need to be anything else said. If you haven’t watched the movie, go and see it.
14: “… And I am Iron Man” – Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Tony Stark has watched Thanos destroy his entire team and part of the world. In the final moments, he manages to switch the infinity glove during a heated battle with Thanos.
Believing that he has finally won, Thanos snaps his fingers, only to discover that the glove on his hand isn’t the infinity glove. Tony sits up and in a moment of self sacrifice, snaps his fingers after reminding the overgrown behemoth that he is Iron Man.
I’m not crying. You are.
13: Rexy’s Escape – Jurassic Park (1993)
Controversial, I know. I should have gone for the classic “Welcome to Jurassic Park” with the iconic John Williams score amplifying in the background. But hear me out.
Why Rexy’s escape is so poignant is because there is no music. The scene is pure terror times a million. The tension and suspense of a Tyrannosaurus Rex breaking free of its enclosure is magnified by the fact that the scene is not accompanied by a score.
From the image of Lex holding the flashlight up to the eye, to Rexy breaking through the sunroof, to Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ian Malcolm risking their own lives to save the kids, this scene was pure heart-pounding adrenaline. The fact that it still holds up well, 30 years later, shows why it belongs on this list.
12: The Snow Globe – Citizen Kane (1941)
This classic feature begins with the utterance of the word “Rosebud” before we see a hand belonging to an elderly gentleman holding a snow globe.
The hand releases the snow globe, a clear indicator of the man passing away. It falls from the bed before smashing on the ground.
A beautifully constructed moment that has been caricatured in many television series, including on The Simpsons. Citizen Kane is a must-see film for this opening alone.
11: A Hero’s Demise – Platoon (1986)
The image of Willem Dafoe kneeling with his arms outstretched, his body riddled with bullets is usually the first image that springs to mind when you think of Platoon.
Sgt. Elias (Dafoe) is doing his best to ensure the safety of his men. When he’s shot by the enemy and is running through the jungle, his platoon can only look on in horror as he succumbs to his fate.
How the hell did Willem Dafoe not win an Oscar for this is still perplexing.
10: Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) and Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell) are just ‘Two Little Girls from Little Rock’, lounge singers on a transatlantic cruise, working their way to Paris.
This scene is a stunning musical number that has been recreated by many musical superstars from Kylie Minogue and Christina Aguilera to Madonna. But none will compare to the sheer power of the most iconic blonde of the big screen performing this song and dance.
9: Goodbye Kansas, Hello Oz – The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
We all know the magical story of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas, being sucked up by a tornado and transported to the mythical land of Oz. And while, like most entries on this list, I could have gone for a number of other memorable moments, the one I’ve selected is the transition from Sepia to Technicolor.
Watching the house come crashing down, our young protagonist opens the front door to be greeted by bright, beautiful colours. When she steps through the door, she herself has been colourised. This whimsical moment is the catalyst for the adventure to come.
“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
8: Kong’s Climb – King Kong (1933)
Though I could have gone with one of the other various adaptations of this remarkable story, my heart beats true for the original.
Climbing his way up the Empire State Building, with Fay Wray in his firm grasp, Kong is set upon by four planes. Their continual buzzing antagonizes the beast, causing him to lash out at them. He successfully grabs one of them before sending it careening into the side of the building.
Eventually the gun fire from the planes is enough to take the great gorilla down, sending him plummeting from the top of the building to the city streets below.
7: Boulder Dash – Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Switching a golden idol for a bag of sand might seem like a good idea but this movie teaches us to think differently. Archaeology professor, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is exploring a temple when he makes the fateful switch, causing the temple to unleash its booby traps as a preventative measure.
When he discovers his back-stabbing associate has been killed by one of the traps, Indy hears a rumbling behind him. A giant boulder is dislodged from its resting place and rolls towards him.
Non-stop heart-pounding action, this scene (and movie) was responsible for an explosion in university numbers of people wanting to study archaeology.
6: Gene Kelly is Singin’ in the Rain – Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) has a lot to smile about after he’s able to come up with an idea to save his latest big screen picture.
As he steps outside, it’s raining. But that doesn’t dampen his mood. If anything, it enhances it as he breaks into song and dance. The fact that he was suffering from a temperature of 103 Fahrenheit (39.4 Celsius) at the time of the performance just shows the lengths he would go to for a perfect take.
5: You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat – JAWS (1975)
When I first announced this article on QUIZarenaLIVE, I used this movie as an example of what was to come. JAWS has a flurry of memorable moments – Chrissie’s swim that sets the scene for the terror that is to come, Hooper discovering Ben Gardener, Quint’s heart wrenching speech about the Indianapolis.
But none have had as much impact as when Brody first catches a glimpse of the terror beneath the glassy ocean surface. Seeing the shark rear its head fully for the first time was shocking to both Brody and the audience. The reaction, followed by one of the most quoted adlibbed lines of all time, is enough to give this moment a Top 5 placing.
4: Daddy? – Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
I’m just going to say it; I don’t like Star Wars. But even I, a non-fan, can appreciate how impacting this big reveal in the sequel to the 1977 smash hit was.
Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are dueling on a bridge when Vader gets the upper hand. And Luke’s apparently. One swift strike of his lightsaber, he cuts off Luke’s right hand, sending it into the void below.
Vader monologues in a vain attempt to get Luke to join him on the dark side. He ends up delivering a line that shocked audiences. “No, I am your father.”
Rather than accepting his father’s request, Luke purposelessly falls from the bridge, thankfully surviving to fight another day.
3: Is That Heartburn? – Alien (1979)
This was one franchise where I ummed and ahhed over whether or not I should have gone with the sequel and the classic battle where the Queen takes Bishop and Ripley delivers the mother of all lines in “Get away from her, you bitch!”
But the reality is, while Aliens is a classic, and my preferred viewing pleasure out of the franchise, Alien set the scene for the terror in space by giving us a pivotal moment that shocked both audiences and the cast.
After encountering an alien lifeform, Kane (John Hurt) is sent to the infirmary with the organism wrapped around his face. Eventually the parasite falls off, freeing him from its grasp. But later that day at dinner, Kane starts clutching his chest, collapsing on the table as convulsions set in. It doesn’t take long before his chest cavity is split open by an alien organism, none like they’ve encountered before.
The cast were not told of what was to come, so their reactions of terror and shock were legitimate. This genuine fear of the unknown adds to the already horrific and tense nature of this scene, proving that in space no one can hear you scream.
2: Shower Time – Psycho (1960)
It has taken all my strength not to put this crucial moment in at number one. Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) has stolen money from her employer and is on the run. She’s heading to see her boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin). But a chance encounter with a cop and getting off the main highway, leads her to a vacant motel.
Run by a shy Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), Marion realizes she’s done the wrong thing and, in a bid to right her wrongs, decides to head back to Phoenix the next morning. She strips off and climbs into the shower for one of the most ominous and iconic cinematic moments of all time.
As she’s showering, a dark, looming figure moves menacingly towards her. The shower curtain is ripped away and, while audiences don’t see the attacker fully, it does look like a woman. Could it be Norman’s overbearing mother? Brandishing a knife, the attacker strikes Marion until she falls dead to the floor, all the while violins shriek a horrifying score.
This scene was enough for Janet Leigh to never to have a shower in her house. Even her daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, has replicated the moment. The musical score has been used as a foreboding warning many times throughout pop culture.
I said it before, and I’ll say it again; Alfred Hitchcock knew how to create a memorable moment.
1: Thoroughbred in the Bed – The Godfather (1972)
To beat out Psycho, you knew this scene had to be truly iconic. And while Marlon Brando’s lines of “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” is indeed the first thing many people tend to think of, the scene where Jack Woltz wakes to find himself covered in blood and his prize horse decapitated at the foot of his bed, under his sheets really sticks with audiences.
As an animal lover, I know this scene was hard for me to digest, but I appreciated the graphic nature for the shock value that Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo put together.
The Godfather is arguably one of the greatest movies of all time. From its cast to its story and its direction, the legacy this film leaves behind is unmatchable.
And that’s my Top 100 Memorable Movie Moments. What makes your list? Sound off in the comments below.
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