Some movie scenes just stick with you. They’re the moments you re-watch again and again, the ones that give you goosebumps or have you reciting lines for days. Think of the shower scene in Psycho, or when Woody realizes he’s a toy in Toy Story. These scenes are pure movie magic.
This list celebrates those unforgettable moments in movie history. Get ready for some awesome lines and scenes that are guaranteed to bring back memories.
10. “Avengers! Assemble.”
The final battle in Avengers: Endgame is epic, but Black Panther’s return after the snap is especially powerful. The look between him and Captain America speaks volumes, and when he says “Avengers! Assemble,” it’s the perfect kickoff to the ultimate fight. It was a bittersweet scene to behold, made even more poignant after the passing of Chadwick Boseman.
9. “Things are gonna be different now.”
The Fast & Furious franchise is all about family, so Paul Walker’s death in 2013 hit fans hard. The filmmakers handled his passing with grace in Furious 7, giving Brian O’Conner a heartfelt send-off. The montage at the end, set to Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again,” is a tear-jerker, perfectly summed up by Tyrese’s line: “Things are gonna be different now.”
8. “Light as a feather, stiff as a board.”
Not all iconic scenes have to be tragic. In The Craft, a group of teenage girls tries out a levitation spell. The scene, set in true 90s fashion, involves chanting “light as a feather, stiff as a board.” It’s a fun, witchy moment that still resonates with audiences today.
7. “Day-O.”
Beetlejuice is definitely a film like no other. The dinner scene is a bizarre highlight where the guests are compelled to sing “Day-O” while performing outlandish dance moves and hitting themselves. Just when you think the scene couldn’t get any weirder, hands emerge from the dinner plates and push the guests off. Good luck getting that song out of your head!
6. “Did you feel that?”
The T-Rex reveal in Jurassic Park is a masterclass in building tension. The water rippling in a glass, the young boy asking, “Did you feel that?” followed by the earth-shaking growls, creates a sense of dread. The characters’ expressions when they finally see the massive dinosaur are priceless. Steven Spielberg got the idea while listening to an Earth, Wind & Fire song in his car with the bass turned way up.
5. Parting the Red Sea
The Prince of Egypt is an underrated animated treasure from DreamWorks. There is arguably no scene more memorable than the parting of the Red Sea. Moses raises his staff causing gigantic water walls to spring up as his people march through the sea on dry land, while a giant fire column deters the pursuing Egyptians.
4. ‘’My tiny little nipples went to France.”
In Bruce Almighty, Bruce Nolan is down on his luck. After receiving God-like powers, Bruce decides to get a little revenge on his rival, Evan Baxter. The result is pure Jim Carrey silliness. It’s over-the-top and ridiculous, but it’s also hilarious and unforgettable.
3. “I’m not your f…..g mommy!”
In The Ring Two, fans were rooting for Naomi Watts to defeat Samara. When Naomi finally throws Samara back down the well, it’s a triumphant moment. Seeing Samara crawling towards her, crying “Mommy!” is terrifying, and Naomi’s response is the perfect way to end the scene.
2. “I’ve never hit a kid before.”
Zombieland was a surprise hit, and Bill Murray’s cameo is one of the funniest parts. He plays himself, disguised as a zombie. When Abigail Breslin’s character asks, “Who’s Bill Murray?”, Woody Harrelson’s character, Tallahassee, says the iconic line: “I’ve never hit a kid before. All right? I mean, that’s like asking who Gandhi is.”
1. The loss of three sons
Tear-jerker scenes often leave the biggest impact. The scene in Saving Private Ryan, where Mrs. Ryan learns about the loss of her sons, is devastating. Her demeanor tells you everything you need to know. This scene is a raw depiction of the experiences of thousands of families during wartime and stands out as one of cinema’s most haunting moments.
+ “He can’t see without his glasses!”
Since everyone loves a sad movie, here is probably the most harrowing scene ever captured for a childhood classic movie. In My Girl, Vada, played excellently by Anna Chlumsky, approaches the casket of Thomas (Macaulay Culkin) who died after being stung by bees. Seeing her best friend in the casket overwhelms her as she cries out. “He can’t see without his glasses!”
My Girl was released in 1991, and this scene remains one of the saddest in movie history. Try and watch the clip without shedding a tear. It’s not as easy as it may seem.
These scenes have stood the test of time. The impact they had on audiences then, is still relevant today.
What are your favorite movie scenes? Leave a comment below!