Buzz
Certain cinematic moments leave such a profound impression that they demand repeated viewing—sometimes dozens of times. Examples include the chilling shower sequence in Psycho, the iconic “you are a toy” moment from Toy Story, the hilarious “he slimed me” scene in Ghostbusters, and the inspiring training montage from Rocky. These scenes are often highlighted by memorable lines that fans love to quote whenever the chance arises.
This list features some of the most cherished scenes in film history, many of which are accompanied by unforgettable dialogue that’s sure to give you chills.
10. “Avengers! Assemble.”
The climactic battle in Avengers: Endgame has taken on a poignant tone following the untimely death of Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed Black Panther. It was disclosed in 2019 that Black Panther was initially set to have an extended fight with Ebony Maw during the final battle, but the scene was removed as it didn’t align seamlessly with the focus on Iron Man and Thanos.
The moment Black Panther reappears post-snap is undeniably emotional, capable of bringing tears to one’s eyes. The silent exchange of glances between him and Captain America speaks volumes, and the rallying cry “Avengers! Assemble” perfectly sets the stage for the epic battle as the fallen heroes make their triumphant return. The overwhelming audience reactions during the initial screenings are a testament to its impact.
9. “Things are gonna be different now.”
For years, fans have laughed, cried, and been amazed alongside the Fast & Furious characters. Paul Walker’s sudden death in 2013 sent shockwaves across the globe, leaving fans in disbelief. The filmmakers faced difficult choices, as Walker’s passing occurred during the production of the 7th installment. Ultimately, they chose to retire Brian O’Conner’s character, though not in the tragic manner of his real-life demise.
The poignant montage at the end of Furious 7 allowed friends and fans to bid farewell to Walker’s character. Accompanied by the emotional track from Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, the scene is perfectly encapsulated by Tyrese’s character, who remarks, “things are gonna be different now.”
8. “Light as a feather, stiff as a board.”
On a more lighthearted note (pun intended), some memorable movie moments don’t need to be profound or tragic to leave a lasting impression—they simply need to resonate with viewers. During an era dominated by teen films like Clueless and others, The Craft emerged and immediately captivated audiences. Its story revolves around themes of female friendship, empowerment, and witchcraft, and the film became an unexpected success following its 1996 debut.
A standout scene features four teenage girls experimenting with a spell, where one is lifted off the ground by the others as they chant, “light as a feather, stiff as a board.” The entire setup is quintessentially 90s, yet the scene continues to captivate new generations of viewers even decades later.
7. “Day-O.”
Beetlejuice remains one of the most bizarre films ever created. It features ghosts with bizarre head movements, eerie opening music, an odd fascination with calypso tunes, and even a handbook for the dead.
Then there’s the infamous dinner scene, where guests are compelled to rise and sing “Day-O” while performing energetic dance moves and slapping their own faces. To heighten the strangeness, hands emerge from the plates, pushing the diners off their chairs. Good luck trying to forget the song after witnessing this unforgettable clip.
6. “Did you feel that?”
The subtle ripple in a glass of water, paired with a young boy’s question, “did you feel that?”, perfectly captures the mounting dread of the iconic Jurassic Park T-Rex scene. The deep growl of the T-Rex intensifies the suspense, while the characters’ stunned expressions upon seeing the colossal dinosaur complete this unforgettable Steven Spielberg masterpiece.
Spielberg’s inspiration for the scene came while listening to an Earth, Wind, and Fire track in his car with the bass cranked up. Noticing his rear-view mirror shaking, he instantly knew how to translate that sensation into the film.
5. Parting the Red Sea
The Prince of Egypt is a hidden treasure of hand-drawn animation from DreamWorks. It chronicles Moses’ quest to liberate his people from slavery, blending gripping family drama, stunning visuals, a powerful score by Hans Zimmer, and a collection of unforgettable scenes.
One scene that never fails to send chills down the spine is when Moses parts the Red Sea, allowing his people to flee from the pursuing Egyptians. The moment is preceded by a towering column of fire meant to halt the Egyptians, followed by a tense pause as Moses steps into the shallow waters and raises his staff. Hearing God’s voice, he strikes the water, causing massive walls of water to rise on either side.
Keep an eye out for the silhouette of a whale shark as the Israelites cautiously traverse the sea on dry land.
4. ‘’My tiny little nipples went to France.”
Before gaining divine powers, Bruce Nolan was struggling in Bruce Almighty. Not only does he miss out on a coveted promotion, which goes to his rival Evan Baxter, but his relationship with Grace Connelly also begins to falter. Upon realizing the potential of his newfound abilities, Bruce decides to exact a humorous revenge on Baxter, leading to this iconic scene.
While it’s undeniably slapstick and exaggerated, would we expect anything less from Jim Carrey?
3. The loss of three sons
Heart-wrenching scenes often leave a more lasting impression than comedic or dramatic ones. The moment in Saving Private Ryan involving the mother is a perfect illustration. Even years after the film’s release, this scene remains a staple on lists of the most iconic movie moments. Mrs. Ryan’s demeanor as she watches the military vehicle approach speaks volumes—she already senses the impending tragedy. The events that unfold after the officers step out of the car are utterly heartbreaking, offering a raw portrayal of the pain countless families endured during wartime. It’s a scene that never fails to evoke tears.
2. “I’ve never hit a kid before.”
Zombieland was a massive success in 2009, earning over $60 million at the box office in just 17 days. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin as survivors navigating a zombie apocalypse, documenting their cross-country journey to escape the undead.
The movie also includes a memorable cameo by Bill Murray, who plays himself disguised as a zombie to roam freely. Tragically, he is killed after being mistaken for an actual zombie. Before his death, the group arrives at Murray’s home, where Abigail Breslin’s character asks, “Who’s Bill Murray?” This prompts Tallahassee, played by Woody Harrelson, to quip, “I’ve never hit a kid before. All right? I mean, that’s like asking who Gandhi is.” She then immediately follows up with, “Who’s Gandhi?”
The sequel, Zombieland: Double Tap, debuted in 2019 and includes a ‘resurrected’ Bill Murray.
1. “I’m not your f…..g mommy!”
When audiences connect with a horror movie protagonist, they often cheer for them to triumph over their challenges and defeat the antagonists. In The Ring Two, fans were thrilled when Naomi Watts finally defeated Samara by pushing her back into the well after their climactic confrontation. Samara’s eerie emergence from the well, crawling unnaturally while crying “Mommy!”, was enough to haunt viewers in 2005, and many were relieved to see her returned to where she belonged.
That final line is absolutely flawless.
+ “He can’t see without his glasses!”
For those who appreciate emotional films, here’s one of the most heart-wrenching scenes ever featured in a childhood classic. In My Girl, Vada, portrayed brilliantly by Anna Chlumsky, approaches the casket of Thomas (Macaulay Culkin), who tragically died from bee stings. Overcome with grief at the sight of her best friend, she cries out, “… his face hurts, and where are his glasses? He can’t see without his glasses!”
Released in 1991, My Girl includes a scene that remains one of the most tear-jerking moments in cinematic history. Attempt to watch it without crying—it’s far harder than it sounds.
