Epic Movie Scenes That Made You Hit That Pause Button

Different genres of film all have different effects on us. Whether it is a horror, an action film, or even romance, a good movie will always hit hard and leave you wanting for more. However, sometimes, a well-written story isn’t enough to carry a film to a certain degree of success. That is why having the perfect cast to portray and depict hard-hitting scripts is a must-have for any high-production film. Moreover, a talented director can elevate any given script into a masterpiece. All of these aspects, I’m sure, can be found in all of our favorite films. Moreover, these films gave us some of the best scenes that we surely can’t forget.
Sometimes, a scene hits so perfectly that we just have to capture it in one shot. This list will showcase some of the most memorable scenes in modern and classic films that made us want to hit that pause button.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street is credited by some for being one of Martin Scorsese’s greatest films. It starred Leonardo DiCaprio as the infamous Jordan Belfort. As we know, he is responsible for founding the notorious wall street firm Stratton Oakmont in the early ’90s. The movie followed the story of his rise and fall, scamming, and earning millions. It was a blockbuster that garnered nearly $400 million at the box office.
DiCaprio might have been the star of the show, but some might find it hard to forget the breakthrough performance of the gorgeous Margot Robbie. She played his wife, and one of the best pause-worthy scenes in the movie was when she was seducing DiCaprio. They were in the children’s room, and she held her foot on DiCaprio’s forehead while he crawled towards her. That shot painted a thousand words about the duo’s on-screen chemistry and how talented the young actress is.

 

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Bohemian Rhapsody swatted any doubts about how talented actor Rami Malek really is. Malek played the iconic frontman, Fredy Mercury, of the rock and roll ban Queen. This modern classic was conceived in 2010, and comedian Sacha Baren Cohen was originally set to play Mercury. But unfortunately, due to some creative differences, Cohen parted ways with the project. Fortunately, the studio’s investments made their way to cast Malek in 2016, and what a perfect choice he was! The actor even won an Academy Award for his performance.
There is no question that the film had top-level talents. Some of them include Ben Hardy and Gwilym Lee. However, it also had a cameo of American Idol star Adam Lambert. Although, you might have missed him if you didn’t pause at the perfect moment. He played a trucker who wore a full beard that made him almost unrecognizable.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a classic coming-of-age film released in 1982. It was adapted from a book of the same name by Cameron Crowe, and it recounts his experiences when he went undercover at San Diego’s Clairemont High School. The film follows the story of several sophomores played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brain Backer, Phoebe Cates, and Robert Romanus. It also starred a young Sean Penn, who played a hippie surfer.
To a certain degree, most teenagers had a memorable experience with this iconic pool scene of Cates, who played the role of Linda Barett. She was swimming in a red bikini in her friend’s pool, and the perfect pause-worthy moment came when she climbed up, dropping the jaws of millions of teenagers. You can see why this scene has been recreated numerous times. It’s a downright classic.

Basic Instinct (1992)

Basic Instinct is a classic erotic thriller that starred Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone. It was directed by Paul Verhoeven, and despite initial controversies, it is one of the most memorable thrillers of the decade. The film follows police detective Nick Curran, played by Douglas, as he investigates the murder of a famous rock star. Along with his investigation, he gets entangled in an intense relationship with an enigmatic writer, Catherine Tramell, played by Stone.
This scene is credited for being one of the most iconic movie moments of the ‘90s. Moreover, it is probably the most pause-worthy moment of Stone’s career. The scene was when Tramell was being interrogated by the cops, along with Curran, about the murder. She seductively crosses her legs in an attempt to confuse the detective. And to no one’s surprise, she was very successful.

Sleeping with Other People (2015)

Sleeping with Other People is a romantic comedy released in 2015. It was written and directed by Lesley Headland and starred Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Adam Scott, Amanda Peet, and Natasha Lyonne. If you are a fan of Brie, then you know that you can expect this film to showcase her unique brand of quirkiness in comedy. Needless to say, the film did not disappoint and was even credited by critics with mostly positive reviews. Although the film only made $3.2 million at the box office, some still consider it as one of the best rom-coms of that year.
This scene showed Brie, who played the role of Lainey, dancing in front of Sudeikis’s character, Jake. Fans were treated to the actresses dancing talents — certainly, some even paused the scene to prolong the moment further. The scene is definitely a classic, and you should watch the show to see what we mean.

Zootopia (2016)

Disney has always given us some of the best animated films in the history of Hollywood. And Zootopia is certainly among the top of the lot. It was directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore. Among the talented voice actors were Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Ginnifer Goodwin, Tommy Chong, and J.K. Simmons. The story takes place in the city of Zootopia, where anthropomorphic mammals live. It follows the story of rabbit police officer Judy Hopps and red fox con artist Nick Wilde.
The best thing about these high-production animations is how they allow us to immerse ourselves in a world created by computers. We can credit the talented creators of this film for their attention to detail. In one scene, if you pause at the moment when one of the characters looks at their iPod, you will see a list of musicians renamed with an animal pun.

The Seven Year Itch (1955)

There is no question that Marlyn Monroe is the most famous actress of the ‘50s. One of her most iconic films is The Seven Year Itch. It is a romantic comedy directed by Billy Wilder. The movie is a screen adaptation of a Broadway production in 1952, which also starred Tom Ewell. On the other hand, Monroe replaced Vanessa Brown for the film. For those unaware, The title refers to the saying that you will face the difficulties of a monogamous relationship after seven years of marriage. Clearly, it’s not a very encouraging thing to say to newlyweds.
This scene is not only pause-worthy but it is also credited by most as one of the most iconic images in pop culture of the 20th century. It shows Monroe conveniently standing atop a subway grate as the gust of wind from the subway blows her white dress upwards.

The Exorcist (1973)

Moviegoers credit The Exorcist as one of the best horror movies of all time. It was directed by William Friedkin and is based on a novel of the same name that was published in 1971. The story follows a young girl named Regan, played by Linda Blair, who was possessed by a mysterious being. Her worried mother seeks the help of two priests.
The film showed us countless terrifying and memorable sequences, but the scene where Regan fully transitions to a possessed demon was certainly one of the best. The devil Pazuzu shows his face, and the director shows this with a frontal shot masked in darkness. Unlike typical horror flicks in modern cinema, this film used makeup and old-school film trickery to create this visual masterpiece. This iconic scene certainly showcases this, and it continues to haunt viewers to this day.

 

Iron Man (2008)

Iron Man is one of the most fan-favorite characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was also the first to be introduced. Many people who watched the movie paused one scene, in particular, to be able to analyze the entire scene, which is one of the best in the movie. It was when Tony Stark’s suit was being disassembled by his robotic assistant and the shield of Captain America appeared on the screen.
To explain the timeline of the movie, Iron Man was released in 2008 while Chris Evans booked the role of Steve Rogers in 2011. In other words, the teasing started years before Captain America was introduced. Anyway, the investment to produce Iron Man was a complete success. IMDb revealed that it earned a whopping $318 million worldwide. The film was directed by Jon Favreau from a script by Shane Black.

 

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

For starters, this movie was released on June 22, 1988, and the character of Jessica Rabbit became one of the most loved animated characters in the history of the film industry. This red-haired woman with luscious lips had the ability to seduce men without even trying. However, before seduction turns into obsession, They should come back to their senses and immediately realize that no matter how much they pause the movie, Jessica Rabbit isn’t real.
Some of the actors who had acting credits in the movie were Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, and Joanna Cassidy. When it comes to its monetary side, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? earned a hefty $329 million worldwide against its impressive budget of $70 million, according to IMDb. It became the fifth highest-grossing film of 1988 and the second highest-grossing film of the year (behind The Princess Bride).

 

Total Recall (1990)

Before Dwayne Johnson rocked the film industry, Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the main action stars around. One of his most unforgettable movies is Total Recall, which was released on June 1, 1990. Aside from him, the film starred Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, and Mel Johnson Jr. The scene where our protagonist surveyed the Martian planet and came across a character that most watchers did not expect is one of the many scenes that should be paused for a closer look.
The runtime of the movie is nearly two hours. Just like many Schwarzenegger films, Total Recall was also a massive hit, grossing $261 million globally, which was four times its estimated budget of $65 million. The investment was indeed profitable.

 

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The screenwriters deserve credit for all the subtle jokes that were included in every dialog. There is a scene where the characters pause whenever this movie plays. This is where a Mexican restaurant is featured and it has a very peculiar name. If translated in English, it would be “We spit on your food.” Despite being a joke for some, their giggles surely made them pause this movie and ultimately play it after recovering from a good laugh.
In case one forgot, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, starred veteran actors and actresses, including Will Ferell, Christina Applegate, and Steve Carell, to name a few. It was released in the US on July 9, 2004, and was commercially successful, grossing nearly $91 million.

 

Before I Go to Sleep (2014)

This film featured a stellar cast, including the impeccable Nicole Kidman. She played the role of Christine Lucas, a woman who suffers from a mental problem that makes her forget her memories when she sleeps. It was a thrilling film. Despite its critical failure, there is a specific scene that surely has been paused by many, particularly men, who admire the Oscar-winning actress. It was when Kidman was looking at the photographs hanging on the wall. The catch? She was wearing no clothes.
Meanwhile, other celebrities who earned acting credits in the film were Adam Levy, Mark Strong, and Anne-Marie Duff. According to IMDb, Before I Go to Sleep was released on October 31, 2014, in the US.

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

This movie revealed a different side of Chris Hemsworth as an actor. As most know, he either brings a hammer as Thor in the MCU or uses guns in Men In Black. Here, he played a role in the horror and mystery movie The Cabin In The Woods., which falls in the horror and mystery genre. With that being said, it’s normal that it made it to this list of one of the most-paused movies in the history of film. The specific scene we’re talking about was was when the controllers of the monsters were exposed.
Anyway, other personalities with acting credits in the film are Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison, and Jesse Williams. The movie was directed by Drew Goddard and written by both him and Joss Whedon.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)

Everyone knows that the Star Wars franchise is set in the vastness of outer space. With so many scenes worth watching, there is a certain scene that many might not notice. During the scene where various senators and powerful politicians were standing on platforms. One is allotted to a specific alien species that has a resemblance to the famous movie E.T. Next time your friends decide to binge-watch the series, tell them this.
For starters, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was released in the US on May 19, 1999. It was undeniably a box office hit, and it surpassed the $1 billion mark worldwide, which was almost 10 times its estimated $115 million budget. Those who made investments in this movie must have been really happy.

 

The Graduate (1967)

Because of how good this film was, especially because of its wonderful cast, it received numerous nominations from the Academy Awards, winning Best Director for Mike Nichols. It has a lot of wow moments, and no doubt people have paused the film on occasion because of them. One scene that stood out among the rest was when Mrs. Robinson’s obsession with Ben took to a different degree — she decided to lock the bachelor in an empty room and remove her clothing.
As for some of the cast members, Dustin Hoffman played the role of Ben Braddock, Anne Bancroft played Mrs. Robinson, and Katharine Ross played Elaine Robinson. The Graduate was released on December 21, 1967, and earned over $105 million worldwide, besting its estimated budget of $3 million.

 

Teen Wolf (1985)

Teen Wolf was actually made as a family-friendly movie, but most people who watched it might disagree. Especially because of the scene where an extra got caught by the camera with his pants and undies wrapped around his ankles — it was indeed an embarrassment that people paused the movie just to see. We’re not sure how they missed editing that one out. Also, this was the time when Scott Howard, who is Michael J. Fox’s character, wins the basketball game.

Anyway, this movie was released on August 23, 1985, and was shot in 1727 Bushnell Avenue, South Pasadena, California. Hollywood celebrities who have acting credits in this iconic film aside from Fox are James Hampton, Susan Ursitti, and Matt Adler, to name a few.

 

The Matrix (1999)

It’s a Keanu Reeves movie, so, to some degree, it is typical for people to pause the movie every once in a while, especially as the camera focuses on Keanu’s dashing appearance. However, fans may have already guessed the scene we’re about to mention. It was the scene where a shot reflected off a doorknob. Normally, the reflection of the camera will be caught on a shot, but the director dressed the camera up so that it looked like Morpheus.
The stars of this movie include Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Hugo Weaving. The setting of this film was shot in Nashville, Tennessee, and it was eventually released on March 31, 1999. When it comes to earnings, the film amassed more than $467 million worldwide, which was seven times its estimated production budget.

 

American Beauty (1999)

Just by its title, this movie showed the beauty of American films. Those who have seen this movie will not have a problem recalling this pause-worthy scene, which is referred to as one of the most defining moments in the history of filmmaking. It was the scene where Lester, the protagonist, was at a basketball gym. His attention was later caught by the lead cheerleader, played by Mena Suvari, who happens to be the best friend of his daughter. He became fixated on the young woman, especially when the spotlight shone on her. This scene is undoubtedly one that was paused by many.
According to The Numbers, American Beauty was released on September 15, 1999, and had a runtime of 121 minutes. Other actors who had credits in the film were Annette Benning, Thora Birch, and Peter Gallagher.

 

Titanic (1997)

Aside from the moment when the ship was slowly sinking and the passengers were desperately looking for a way to survive, the most-stopped moment of this classic film was when Rose asked Jack to paint her as she admires Jack’s portraits of naked women in Paris. The frame where Rose takes off her robe is surely one of the most paused parts of that specific scene. Later, the painting played a crucial role in the latter part of the movie.
For many years, this film held the credit for being the highest-grossing film of all time. It was then stolen by the animated film Avatar, directed by the same director, James Cameron. According to The Numbers, this 1997 film earned an incredible worldwide gross of more than $2.2 billion.

 

The Lion King (1994)

Even years after its release, many fans have been speculating about the hidden messages incorporated in the movie. There is this one scene (not the horrific passing of Mufasa) where clouds of dust spelled something in the sky. Many wonder to this day whether the word that was spelled out on screen was put in the film intentionally.
Anyway, The Lion King was released on June 15, 1994. It was a massive hit for an animated film, making $986 million at the box office. In 2019, a remake of the movie was released. It was, to some degree, twice as successful as the original. It goes without saying that this movie is well-loved by many people. Indeed, it spawned numerous toys and other merchandise.

 

Scanners (1981)

It’s safe to say many of us enjoy watching fun horror flicks every now and then. The film industry has introduced us to many horror movies to watch when we want a good scare. Now, while there may be hundreds of popular names worth mentioning, one hidden gem that undoubtedly deserves credit is 1981’s Scanners. The movie was directed by David Cronenberg, a filmmaker who is now regarded as one of the pioneers of the horror genre. With that said, it’s no surprise one of the most paused scenes in Cronenberg’s 1981 cult classic is the very scene that showcased his creative eye for gory horror. In it, he utilized props such as ground beef and ketchup to amplify the effect of the scene.

Boogie Nights (1997)

Like many projects, the filmmaking process is usually divided into various groups. From screenwriters who are preparing and revising a movie’s script to actors studying their roles to directors guiding the way a scene goes, this investment’s success surely relies on each crew member cooperating. With that said, one department worth mentioning is the makeup and prosthetics department. There are now many films that feature this team in action, but one project that made this team’s efforts the center of attention is 1997’s Boogie Nights. The movie revolves around a dishwasher who aspires to become a famous actor. To make things brief, his determination to achieve big things in the industry is proportional to the prop the prosthetic team provided for one particular scene.

 

Wizard Of Oz (1939)

It can be said that technology is something that will never stop improving. Some of its achievements and innovations can be seen in the many films made over the years. One such title worth acknowledging would be 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. Well-known for its amazing fantasy setting and storytelling, not to mention its utilization of Technicolor, the movie has since garnered a high degree of love and praise from fans and critics around the world. Despite its reputation, however, The Wizard of Oz has one particular scene that has had people believe it is a cursed film. For a few decades, viewers thought the movie had a scene showing one Munchkin living through its last moments. While the imagery is undeniably dark and disturbing, it turned out to just be a bird they brought on set.

 

Wild Things (1998)

We often believe there’s a definite verdict regarding a film’s quality. The majority of viewers would either love it or hate it. As it turns out, though, that isn’t always the case. While there are plenty of highly loved or widely hated films in the industry, there is just as many that lie somewhere in the middle of the mixed territory. One such example is 1998’s Wild Things. To this day, the first thing that comes to mind when people mention the film is one particular scene involving its two leads. While the movie has spawned a few sequels since then, it’s safe to say none of them have surpassed the degree of attention and recognition the first installment has had.

 

Burn After Reading (2008)

It’s no secret that there are plenty of movies we haven’t seen yet. We may have watched a few scenes of some movies while browsing through TV channels or streaming services. With that said, one such shot that undoubtedly has a spot deep in the corners of our mind is of Brad Pitt in 2008’s Burn After Reading. The scene in question has him hiding in a closet in the hopes of not being spotted. It seems that his stealthy attempt was going smoothly for the most part. Well, that all changed when George Clooney’s character finally opened the closet, right when Pitt’s character realizes Clooney is armed with a revolver. The next shot takes credit for giving us two different reactions typical of people when they get surprised: to either awkwardly smile or scream in fright. Of course, the scene ends with a bang of sorts.

 

Cruel Intentions (1999)

Stories are categorized into certain genres. With that in mind, it’s a given that we all have one genre that we love more than the others. Well, many of us just so happen to find comfort in romance. Out of all the investments made in the genre since the industry’s inception, one such movie with a strong fan base is 1999’s Cruel Intentions. Although it’s not without its flaws, this teen romantic drama has plenty of great aspects, one of which is Sarah Michelle Gellar and her performance as Kathryn Merteuil. Speaking of which, one of the movie’s most remembered moments is the scene where Gellar’s Kathryn gives Selma Blair’s Cecile some tips for her next date. It sure looks like many viewers took some notes along the way.

 

Dirty Dancing (1987)

A great deal of note-taking was undoubtedly done after watching the 1987 romantic movie, Dirty Dancing. To this day, the film takes credit for being one of the industry’s most popular and successful titles. Along with praise for its stars, notably Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, Dirty Dancing’s soundtrack has also won several awards, including an Oscar for Best Original Song for (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life. Along with the fame, it’s no surprise many people have since tried to recreate Swayze and Grey’s iconic dance number. Of course, besides keeping with the beat, getting the poses right is also a must. Well, that’s where the pause button finally comes in handy for all aspiring dancers out there.

 

Signs (2002)

Besides the actors we see in movies and shows, many filmmakers have garnered a high degree of praise and recognition through the years. More often than not, these directors and writers have a feat that is often associated with them. Well, for M. Night Shyamalan, it would be his love for incorporating plot twists into his movies. Ever since landing his directorial debut with the 1992 film Praying with Anger, Shyamalan has made several beloved titles, one of which is 2002’s sci-fi mystery thriller, Signs. A movie revolving around the possibility of extraterrestrial life, it’s no wonder one of Signs’ most memorable scenes features a very brief shot of an alien standing in the middle of an alley.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

It goes without saying that making a movie requires a significant amount of investment money. Of course, to make the most out of it, the team behind it, including the cast, crew, and the filmmaker, ensure that every scene that is shot, every costume and prop that is used are at their best quality. Despite that determination, though, there will be some goofs here and there: we’re only human after all; we can only get so close to perfection. With that out of the way, we finally got ourselves a Quentin Tarantino movie in this article. One of the industry’s most recognized directors, Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction has one obvious flaw. The wall was already marked with bullet holes, though the shootout hasn’t happened yet.

 

Beauty And The Beast (1991)

There are many live-action films, for sure, but they’re not the only movies that grace our screens. Through the years, plenty of investments has been made in animated projects. Thanks to them, we now have countless timeless classics, such as the beloved Walt Disney film 1991’s Beauty and the Beast. Of course, at this point, just about everyone recognizes the film’s main duo, Belle and the titular Beast, but it would be a disservice to ignore the story’s antagonist, Gaston. One interesting scene near the end of the movie involves Gaston, though viewers will only see it if they look hard enough. Just as Gaston is about to attack the Beast, you could find skulls in his eyes, foreshadowing his eventual demise.

 

Toy Story 3 (2010)

While still on the topic of animated movies, earlier projects in this genre were often hand-drawn by a group of artists. As the years went on, though, with technology improving, we were eventually introduced to 3D computer-generated animations. One such movie that takes credit for being a hit in this genre would be 1995’s, Toy Story. Since then, it has spawned several installments, including 2010’s Toy Story 3. The third film in the franchise re-introduces Sid, the toy-hating kid from the first movie. He’s now all grown up and working as a garbage man, and he’s still wearing the same skull-printed shirt. Besides this, fans have also proposed a theory as to why he took on this profession: to allegedly rescue abandoned toys.

 

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

The sci-fi genre undoubtedly has a strong community of fans. While there are many stories made in this genre already, there’s no denying that one title that continues garnering a skyrocketing degree of popularity is 1977’s Star Wars. The first installment in what eventually became a massive franchise consisted of numerous comics, novels, video games, and a TV series. The 1977 sci-fi epic spawned two follow-up films and two trilogies, a prequel, and another sequel trilogy. With that said, one of A New Hope’s iconic moments involves three Stormtroopers. It was originally supposed to be a shot of them walking, but since one of them was taller than the others, he ended up hitting his head on the doorway.

 

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Along with its success, A New Hope also introduced us to several popular figures in the entertainment industry. One such actor is Harrison Ford. Well-known in the sci-fi epic for his performance as Han Solo, Ford garnered even more recognition after his follow-up acting credit as treasure hunter Indiana Jones in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. Throughout the story, Indiana Jones meets several people, such as Belloq, portrayed by Paul Freeman. Like many characters like him, Belloq eventually gets to give a speech. While it gave us another look into his psyche, this moment is also remembered for another reason: a fly lands on his face, and as he keeps talking, it slowly climbs its way to his mouth.

 

Psycho (1960)

Sometimes, it takes time for something to be appreciated. Well, such was the case with Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film Psycho. Initially garnering mixed reception, the movie eventually received a higher degree of love and became a classic in the film industry. With that said, the movie revolves around Norman Bates, a motel proprietor who has a bizarre relationship with his mother. One of the movie’s iconic shots is of Bates eerily smiling at the camera. Keen-eyed viewers, however, will notice something interesting. One frame has Bates’ mother overlapping with his face. Along with it being a twisted image to pause the video for, it’s also a nice piece of foreshadowing that subtly hints at a significant plot point.

 

Fight Club (1999)

In the previously-mentioned movie, Psycho, we had Norman Bates’ mother superimposed on his face. While shots like these only stay on screen for less than a second, that hasn’t stopped movies from still using it. Another title that took credit for this is David Fincher’s 1999 cult classic Fight Club. The movie revolves around Edward Norton’s unnamed character who later meets the free-spirited soap salesman Tyler Durden. They have pretty interesting chemistry throughout the movie, for sure. Before their first encounter, though, the film intentionally puts still shots of Durden on-screen for a frame. If you keep playing the movie without pausing, you wouldn’t even notice it – kind of like Norton’s character initially not knowing Tyler Durden’s true identity.

 

Deadpool 2 (2018)

Speaking of Brad Pitt appearing in the frame for a few seconds, another film he has worked on – albeit briefly – is 2018’s Deadpool 2. With the entertainment industry spending a significant portion of investment money producing superhero films and TV shows, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool films serve a fresh take on the now-saturated genre. Along the way, the titular hero forms a team called the X-Force, featuring members such as the Vanisher, who, as his name suggests, is invisible. That is, until he gets electrocuted. As it turns out, the Vanisher is played by Pitt. Despite the brief cameo appearance, Pitt was more than happy to be a part of the project in some way. He even accepted the role for a pretty low fee – and a cup of coffee.

 

Man of Steel (2013)

With franchises being a common investment in the industry, it’s no surprise for movies to tease elements hinting at plot points for future films. With that said, let’s take a look at the movie that started DC’s Extended Universe – 2013’s Man of Steel. By the end of the movie, Henry Cavill’s Superman had to fight General Zod, a Kryptonian who wanted to turn Earth into an uninhabitable planet for humans and other forms of life. Their battle eventually leads them away from the planet and onto a satellite. Now, it may look like any other satellite, but if you look closer, you can see it has a logo showing that it’s owned by Wayne Enterprises. A subtle hint for future installments, for sure, such as the follow-up movie, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

 

She’s The Man(2006)

She’s the Man is a classic 2006 film that traces its origin story back to William Shakespeare. The plot of this film revolves around two twins, Sebastian and Viola. Viola is Amanda Bynes’ character, and she dresses up as her brother, Sebastian, in the hopes of making it into an all-male soccer team.
There’s no question that this film is incredibly entertaining to a certain degree. When things begin to get out of hand, Viola is forced to disclose her true identity by flashing her chest. Subsequently, this act causes everyone to hit the pause button and see if they could somehow catch a peek. We certainly have to commend Amanda Bynes for an incredibly gutsy performance in this particular scene.

 

Spider-Man(2002)

2002 marked the release of several things, including the first Spider-Man film out of many. Nearly two decades later, fans are still calling it one of the best Spider-Man films of all time. Accordingly, this film also had the best kissing scenes, and it instantly became one of the most-paused scenes in movie history. You could say that Tobey Maguire set the bar pretty high for those who’d come after him.
In this scene, Spiderman kisses Mary-Jane Watson while he dangles upside down. As we said, this scene is incredibly paused, and it’s quite easy to understand why this kissing scene was an iconic one. Both Maguire and Kirsten Dunst certainly deserve a ton of credit for this incredibly iconic scene!

 

Aladdin(1992)

Who could forget Disney’s domination over the entire animation industry back in the 90s? Most Disney animators’ were also having a great time as they managed to include Easter eggs as inside jokes between each other. Accordingly, some viewers happen to notice these insertions, and news would spread through word of mouth. These days, secret tricks like this can be easily noticed and talked about, credit to the power of the Internet.
In the classic 1992 film Aladdin, Aladdin asks Genie to magically turn him into a prince. In that scene, Disney animators managed to plant a not-so-hidden surprise. When Genie takes out his book in order to figure out how to make someone look like a prince, he pulls out a crab. That crab happens to be Sebastian from The Little Mermaid.

 

Back to the Future(1985)

The Back to the Future franchise has certainly become a huge part of the subculture. You could say that this franchise was a rite of passage for everyone from that era when it was released. It certainly had a ton of memorable moments, and there was one particular scene that stood out. It’s one scene that the average Joe will easily miss if the remote wasn’t nearby.

This intriguing scene was when Marty McFly ran over a tree that had the namesake for a local grocery: Twin Pines. Upon visiting the same store in the future, the grocery store suddenly changed its name to Lone Pine because Marty ran over one of the trees. The film’s creators certainly deserve credit for their attention to detail!

 

The Little Mermaid(1989)

We often give Disney a ton of credit for putting out innocent movies that are perfect for kids. However, it’s quite interesting that some of their films incorporate adult innuendos cleverly hidden in the film. One of the films with such innuendos is the Disney classic The Little Mermaid. Without question, this film had a ton of references that are considered to be wildly inappropriate.
These moments and scenes were incredibly shocking that some people had to pause the video to confirm that they saw what they thought they did. A good example is a scene where Ariel had the human legs she wanted, and the viewers saw a bit too much of her. It’s certainly not something you’d expect in a children’s movie.

 

Finding Dory(2016)

Disney has been able to produce a good number of instant classics throughout the 2000s, and one of them was the 2003 film Finding Nemo. The film was certainly a success, and fans begged and pleaded for years for Disney to come up with a sequel. After waiting for more than a decade, people certainly got what they wanted when Disney released Finding Dory.
This film follows Dory as she carefully navigates through life as a forgetful fish. While Dory stumbles upon some degree of trouble, you’ll be able to see an unexpected villain. However, you’ll have to look close enough in order to see that there’s a photo of “Darla” from Finding Nemo. The trick is to press pause to catch the photo of one of the main villains from Finding Nemo lurking in the background.

 

Grease(1978)

It’s no secret that Grease instantly became a cultural classic back when it was released. This movie had an amazing collection of catchy tunes, and it featured a captivating high school drama that was good entertainment for millions of viewers. However, it’s the scene at the very end that makes Grease one of the best films in history.
Throughout the entire film, Sandra Dee showed off a good girl attitude, which prompted a song dedicated to her innocence. However, in the final scene, she had a complete makeover, and it’s one scene that easily takes credit as the most paused moment in film history. We were undoubtedly in awe, and the makeover left us with chills all over our bodies!

 

Thor: The Dark World(2013)

Every Marvel fan knows that there are Easter eggs hidden in almost every Marvel film. One of the most paused scenes in the MCU happens to be in the 2013 film Thor: The Dark World. In this scene, Dr. Selvig was scribbling all over a chalkboard while he was in a mental health facility.
If you don’t know much about equations and formulas, then you might not be able to understand that the gibberish on the board were actually real mathematical and astronomical equations and theories. Without question, the person who wrote all of those formulas deserves some credit for adding a touch of authenticity and complication to the film. It even contains a place called Nidavellir, which plays an integral part in Avengers: Infinity War.

 

Iron Man 2(2010)

Another paused Marvel movie scene is the final scene of Iron Man 2. In this scene, Nick Fury and Tony Stark meet, and behind them was a screen that showcased a full map of superhero motion. Without question, the people at Marvel deserve a ton of credit for this incredibly creative and intriguing scene.
Some of the areas in this scene revealed “hotspots” such as Captain America’s frozen body in Greenland. Interestingly, there was also a spot in Africa that would later be revealed as “Wakanda” in the 2018 film Black Panther. It also showcased Thor’s iconic hammer in New Mexico, among many other hidden gems. You could say that this scene was a “hotspot” in itself for many hidden Marvel Easter eggs!

 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame(1996)

Disney easily takes credit as one of the first studios to include hidden Easter eggs in their films. Interestingly, one of the most difficult-to-spot and subtle Easter eggs was in a scene in the classic 1996 film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In case you’re wondering, it’s the scene where Quasimodo was singing high above the city.
If you look closely and pay attention to the city streets, you’ll be able to see Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Belle isn’t the only one in this scene — the magic carpet from Aladdin and Pumbaa from Lion King were also clearly visible. It’s worth noting that the scene progressed quite fast, and you’ll need to press pause in order to catch these subtle Easter eggs.

 

The Back-up Plan(2010)

The 2010 film The Back-up Plan was Jennifer Lopez’s attempt to show her fans that she can also act. This film tells the story of her character’s pregnancy as well as the new guy in her life. As you may know, J-Lo’s behind was also showcased a few times in the film. It’s also common knowledge that there’s a huge group of people that are somewhat obsessed with her behind.
In this movie, one scene clearly showcased Lopez’s backside as she stared in the mirror. Without question, this scene had been paused countless times in the hopes of catching a certain degree of her backside. If you happen to adore Lopez’s backside, then we have some news for you, the character in the scene isn’t actually Jennifer. It’s her body double!

 

There’s Something About Mary(1998)

The classic 1997 film There’s Something About Mary had been released more than two decades ago. Despite being released way back in 1997, the film still manages to receive credit and praise as a comedy classic. It also has a ton of memorable scenes, but one could argue that it has one significant scene. One could argue that the most paused scene in this film was when Ben Stiller encountered an incident with his zipper!
Despite being incredibly hilarious, it certainly looked like the moment was painful for Ben. As a result, we’re asking why people would even want to pause the video in the first place! Despite asking “why,” people still press pause the scene, and we can’t help but feel a mix of pain and hilarity upon seeing it.

 

Peter Pan(1953)

Any film enthusiast can easily argue that there aren’t many things that can surpass the joy of watching a classic Disney movie. Interestingly, one of the only things that get credit for outdoing a Disney classic is a Disney incident.
In the classic 1953 film Peter Pan, Peter performs a little dance to show that his shadow is sewed to his feet and that there’s nothing he can do about it for the rest of his life. In addition to Peter’s dance, viewers also saw a quick and seemingly inappropriate outline of his lower region. As a result, it’s not too much of a surprise to find out that this awkward scene from the classic 1953 Disney film makes it on our list.

 

American Pie(1999)

The 1999 film American Pie is arguably one of the most iconic teenage comedies of that era. In case you’re wondering, the entire American Pie franchise has been known to be free, wild, and exciting. As a result, the cast of American Pie, such as Jason Bigg, Tara Reid, and Alyson Hannigan, rose to popularity after the films’ were released.
Though their acting credit in American Pie allowed them to skyrocket towards stardom, it brought with them their fair share of controversy. One scene in the 1999 film was incredibly memorable to viewers. In the scene, the international student named Nadia undresses in front of a webcam, thinking that she was alone. Needless to say, this scene was paused, and even replayed by the franchise’s millions of fans.

 

Trading Places(1983)

Anyone who knows their Hollywood stars can argue that Jamie Lee Curtis was well on her way to becoming one of Hollywood’s elite. She rose to stardom through her acting credit in the iconic thriller Scream, which was preceded by her role in Halloween. As Curtis grew older, she was able to land several acting gigs and roles in numerous movies, and one of them was the 1983 film Trading Places.
In one particular scene, Curtis stood in front of a mirror, and she was soon deemed as “the body” thanks to her exceptional figure. You could say that this scene was highly anticipated by film enthusiasts, and it easily earns the title as one of the most paused scenes in film history.

 

E.T.(1982)

The 1982 classic film E.T. has unquestionably captured the hearts of millions of viewers since it was released. Along with their hearts, this iconic film also captured millions of pause buttons. One could even make an argument that E.T. is one of the most paused films in movie history!
One of the most memorable scenes in the film was when E.T. lifts himself using his telekinetic abilities. By doing so, E.T. is able to create one of the most beautiful and most paused shots in cinematic history. As a result, this particular shot has, to some degree, been able to leave its mark on millions of viewers and fans of the franchise. It still manages to captivate anyone who watches the film today.

 

A Space Odyssey(2001)

Stanley Kubrick deserves a ton of credit for his exceptional directing technique. His directing technique was fully showcased in one of the most iconic films of all time: 2001: A Space Odyssey. He was certainly able to use his constant and symmetrical framing of various camera viewpoints. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie was when Dave Bowman was in the center of the frame while simultaneously being surrounded by white lights.
Kubrick was able to create the feeling that the viewer was directly behind the main character. As a result, many viewers felt they were a part of the movie, thus causing millions of viewers to pause the film. It’s certainly not a surprise why this classic continues to captivate film enthusiasts to this day.

 

Frozen (2013)

Disney is quite fond of adding Easter eggs into its movies. This really appeals to parents and their children, especially when they grow up. Imagine watching a movie over and over again and then, as an adult, discovering the various hidden treats in the movie that you can now understand to a great degree.
The popular movie Frozen is no exception to this. In the scene where Hans and Anna were singing and mentioning sandwiches, the two uttered the same exact line in a scene from Arrested Development, another critically acclaimed film. In some ways, the two movies actually “finish each other’s” sentences. For sure, they got the necessary rights to use those lines, so there should be no problem.

The Rescuers (1977)

Sometimes Easter eggs are not as innocuous as they seem, and they can be spotted quickly and cause some controversy. This was the case with The Rescuers. At first, the movie didn’t seem like any other G-rated movie. It was fun, and people were ready to credit the animators for a job well done. Except that there was one thing that deviated from people’s expectations.
While taking a ride on Orville, Bianca and Bernard happened to pass by the image of an almost naked woman in the New York City landscape. Eagle-eyed parents noticed this, and they provided immediate and rather strong feedback about it. As such, more than 3 million videos had to be recalled. We do not know if the person responsible was let go or if other actions were taken.

Speed (1994)

The movie Speed was something that really lived up to the title. This was, to some degree, a very fast-paced movie, and almost every sequence was an action sequence. If you are not so keen on following plot points, it was very easy to miss. With just a blink of the eye you would have missed a very critical punch thrown.
In the last battle between Jack and Payne, they were in a subway and a train was approaching. Payne died when they struggled and tried to dominate each other. Jack then updates via radio, but if you rewind those moments and make time investments to go frame by frame, you will see that a dummy replaced Payne’s body.

Alien (1979)

There are many people who like watching movies related to aliens. They also like watching alien documentaries to a degree. For these folks, thinking about other life forms apart from humans is really fascinating. But perhaps many changed their minds when they saw Alien from 1979. In this movie, people got a taste of what it will look like for an otherworldly creature to wreak havoc.
They say giving birth is always a blessing, but not the scene from this classic movie. The baby Xenomorph that was born gave us a glimpse of the destructive nature of such creatures. Because they needed a host, they took over the life of some person. It was not a pleasant experience for some. Moviegoers were shocked by what happened and got out of their way to watch the xenomorph give birth several times.

Star Wars – Return of the Jedi (1983)

The 1980s were a time when visual effects were not at their best because the technology was not as advanced. It has always been enjoyable to watch Star Wars because the filmmakers pushed the limits of what was available to them. Re-watching these films are fun because they provide an avenue for a lot of Easter eggs.
A lot of these Easter eggs were in Star Wars – Return of the Jedi. A pause-worthy moment was when Luke Skywalker backed away from the fight with his father and Emperor Palpatine struck Vader with a bolt of electricity. Briefly, we could see Vader’s skeleton as he was impacted by the lightning. Interestingly, a bolt of lightning could act like an X-ray, at least in the Star Wars universe.

Inception (2010)

People have always speculated that we are living in a matrix and that, one day, we will wake up. This curiosity was fueled when Inception, a movie about lucid dreaming, came about in 2010. It was a film that had a rather complicated and unique plot that explored the powers of the mind and of lucid dreaming. Here, we can see that imagination can really be powerful.
In one scene from the movie, Cobb takes Ariadne into a common dream in Paris. Ariadne then uses her imaginations to create something that is impossible in reality. It had very unique architecture from France. We know from watching Emily in Paris that France is a very wonderful country, but the dream made it even more special, credits to Ariadne.

 

V for Vendetta (2006)

Because there are societal norms that need to be followed when portraying characters in wholesome films, there is usually a great degree of censorship involved when converting books into movies. Swear words have become acceptable, but nudity, in general, is not accepted yet. Hence, book lovers always feel that something is missing, or that the movie is incomplete.
When V for Vendetta came out, Natalie Portman did not go fully nude, like her character, Evey, did in the book. There was a tribute to it, though, when Portman’s character visited a clergyman to take his life. In the ensuing escape scene, the camera shows a glimpse of what the character was wearing. It’s a moment that’s been paused so many times on DVD.

Nerve (2016)

When movies break barriers, they are usually remembered. Many movies, like Avatar, are known for making so much money because they were done well and were well-received by moviegoers. Others are rather controversial, and in the process, they also get recognition. As they say, bad publicity is still publicity.
One of these rather divergent movies is Nerve, which came out in 2016. There were many pause-worthy moments in the film, but the cheerleading scene that involved Sydney is perhaps the most popular. She wowed not only the audience, but also startled those watching the movie. Parents would have quickly covered their children’s eyes — if they did, credit goes to them. Most fans, however, remember the bottom-exposing scene rather vividly.

The Greasy Strangler (2016)

Many films have violent scenes in them, and some of them have been censored because they cannot be shown to children. Others are simply gory, and lawyers have probably revolted at the various scenes. What is amazing is that some of these rather violent action sequences have become crowd favorites.
In The Greasy Strangler, there is a scene where the criminal who, in the process of strangling his victim, causes his victim’s eyes to pop out. While this is the most-paused clip in the movie, it was not the most violent or socially unacceptable. Cooking the eyes is. Yes, the perpetrator ended up making food out of his victim’s eyes. Was it really necessary to kill them and cook their eyes? The scene does provide some interesting visual humor, but the gore is just too much.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Reddit users are usually a good source of weird information that’s yet to hit mainstream. They are usually able to find Easter eggs in the most unusual of places. They found a note written by Captain American — he listed the things he would do now that he was awake. Many Redditors shared this list and they noticed that the list varied depending on the country where the movie was released.
In one version of the note, Steve Jobs, an investment and tech magnate, was on the list. In two other versions, he wanted to know more about the moon landing. Of course, we are aware of the various conspiracy theories surrounding it. Plus, we wonder why he was interested in the moon landings when they had the ability to fly there via Avenger’s technology.

The Matrix (1999)

There are so many who consider The Matrix as one of the best movies ever. This is true due to many things, the first of which is that it was advanced for the time. It also tackled something that really touched on the curiosities of many people–life itself. As we know, philosophers and regular folks alike have been pondering life since time immemorial.
Of course, in the movie, there were several pause-worthy moments, one of which was a doorknob reflection. Normally, the cameraman with all his cables and paraphernalia are exposed in shots like this. Not in The Matrix. The directors made investments to make it appear that the cameraman was Morpheus. We can really praise them for the effort as this became one of the most discussed scenes in the movie.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

The Star Wars franchise is not just limited to the six movies that came out, but it now has several other branches that are considered canon. One of them is Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which follows the story of Rey in her search for Luke Skywalker. This was the first major film that George Lucas wasn’t involved in because this was after Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012.
One of the scenes, to some great degree, awakened not just the force, but also the deep questions in people’s minds about whether Rey was Luke’s daughter. This was the scene where Luke appeared to be standing next to a gravestone — assumed to be that of Rey’s mother. We’re not sure why anyone would pause this scene, but apparently many do.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Plotlines in movies usually involve lies, deception, and manipulation, and director Stanley Kubrick was able to capture these elements in Eyes Wide Shut, which was released in 1999. The film’s story revolves around the character of Dr. Bill (Tom Cruise), a surgeon, who is also a member of the secret society. It is one of those films where 20th-century stories from Vienna were cast in the 1990s — in the city that never sleeps, New York. The main protagonist then goes about unmasking a secret society.
In the process, Bill Hartford arrived at a secret meeting and an intimate ceremony was ongoing. Many viewers who see this today will likely hit the pause button several times. Lawyers and activists might have something to say about the overall plot, but many have actually praised Kubrick for this rather unique movie.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Quentin Tarantino is perhaps one of the most celebrated filmmakers of all time. He is responsible for Reservoir Dogs, which is considered his first feature film. Empire even praised this movie for being the greatest independent film of all time, which is a pretty solid endorsement of Tarantino. It has also become one of the most studied and analyzed crime-related films in history, so many made investments in fleshing out various details of the movie.
As such, they discovered a number of pause-worthy moments. One of them is rather violent. In this scene, we see Mr. Blende holding a prisoner while trying to cause him bodily harm — he turns on the radio and starts dancing to the tune. A rather macabre sight.

Men In Black (1997)

Do aliens live among us? As Men In Black has shown, they actually do. In plain sight at that. So it really does not matter if we have the best home security system, it would not be able to detect aliens. On a more realistic level, we do think there might be aliens as it is impossible that we are the only ones in this vast universe.
In Men in Black, Will Smith gets a tour of a facility and in one of the scenes, a holographic computer shows the location and the human camouflages of the various aliens in the world. They were all celebrities and were actually a dig at some of the world’s best actors and actresses, like Sylvester Stallone. It goes to show that they can “act” very well and deserve all the praise.

Doctor Strange (2016)

The last few years have seen the release of a number of films that are based upon the MCU Universe. One of them is Doctor Strange. The Eye of Agamotto is an element of the movie that captured the attention of many. This led audiences to believe that the powerful magical artifact will have a big role to play in the future.
The Eye can manipulate timelines and act as a containment device for the Time Stone. Because it is so powerful, the Masters of the Mystic Arts have been protecting it for generations, making investments to make sure no one misuses it. In Doctor Strange, we see the good doctor using the Eye to save the world and manipulate time to revive himself.

 

The Brothers Grimsby (2016)

Those who followed the life story of Rebel Wilson and her transformation would have seen every movie she has ever been a part of, including The Brothers Grimsby, which came out in 2016. The film had many noteworthy moments from various celebrities such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Peter Baynham, and Phil Johnston.
Perhaps the most remembered, however, is when Wilson’s character ran across a football field with no clothes on. This was rather controversial and was not really part of Wilson’s character so they had to hire an Australian body double to do it. Fans were disappointed to learn that the actress did not do it herself, but at that time she was suffering severe body issues, so it should be understandable and she should still deserve credit.

The Crying Game (1992)

Released in 1992, The Crying Game was a film produced by Stephen Woolley, directed by Neil Jordan, starring Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker, and others. The film was released in a number of countries, including Ireland, the UK, the US, Canada, and Italy. The film received an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, as well as Oscar nominations, and was a critically and commercially successful film.
At one point as the reel continued to roll, people’s attention was drawn to the character of Dill, who was played by Davidson. Halfway through the movie, the latter and Fergus (played by Rea) had an intimate encounter. Viewers were in for a shocking surprise because Dill was later revealed to be a transgender—the twist surely got the credit.

 

Passengers (2016)

The director of the film Passengers is, to some degree, known to be a big fan of Stanley Kubrick, and he wanted to honor the late director through the film’s set design, while also leaving “Easter eggs” for his fans. If you’ve seen the bar area that Chris Pratt’s character frequents, well, you might notice that it looks familiar. This is because it’s an homage to Kubrick’s The Shining.
For the uninitiated, the robot-bartender bears a remarkable resemblance to the bartender in The Shining, and even the carpet looks like that in the Overlook hotel. Passengers is a sci-fi romance film starring Hollywood actors Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. The main plot centers around a spaceship that is on a long journey to another planet.

 

Black Panther (2018)

Marvel Cinematic Universe has produced many blockbuster movies, such as the Black Panther in 2018, which grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide—great investment planning. It starred Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa/Black Panther) and Michael B. Jordan (Killmonger), among many others, and was directed by Ryan Coogler. In 1992, Wesley Snipes planned to make the movie. However, the project didn’t come to fruition. The film received several accolades that included an Academy Award as well as seven nominations.
The film clearly took the worldwide audience by storm, and was therefore bound to have a number of pause-worthy moments. One of these is the battle between T’Challa and Killmonger for control of Wakanda, a fictional country in the movie. Fans didn’t expect Killmonger to win and throw T’Challa over a waterfall.

 

The Favourite (2018)

The Favourite is a period film released in 2018 that starred Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone. Its plot examines the relationship between the cousins Abigail Masham (Stone) and Sarah Churchill (Weisz), who were vying to be the Court favorite of Queen Anne (Colman). The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 75th Venice International Film Festival and Colman won the Best Actress of Volpi Cup.
One particular scene in the movie had viewers do a double-take — this was when Queen Anne was explaining to Sarah why she favored Abigail immensely. She delivers her speech in such an expressionless manner—just like an attorney questioning a person in court. It’s definitely a scene worthy of this list.

 

Free Solo (2018)

A pause-worthy scene in a movie is one that makes you sit back in your seat and say “Wow, that was awesome”. The documentary film Free Solo featured a number of adrenaline-pumping moments worth watching over and over again. In the film, Alex Honnold begins climbing the El Capital of Yosemite National Park, making him the first person to do the feat in a free solo manner. The heart-stopping scene worth pausing and fully appreciating is when he reaches the top.
It premiered in the 2018 Telluride Film Festival and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival that same year, where it received the People’s Choice Award in the category of Documentaries. It also won Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards, as well as positive credit from critics.

 

Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary is a psychological horror film released in 2018. It premiered at the Sundance Film festival in the same year. It received critical acclaim and made over $80 million on a mere $10 million budget, becoming A24’s highest-grossing film worldwide. It’s been touted as one of the most intense films in recent years, and the majority of viewers were left unsure about the movie’s fate.
One of the scenes that stuck out the most was when Peter’s sister, Charlie, unknowingly consumes nuts. She has a severe allergy attack, and he immediately rushes her to the hospital. Although it may seem like an ordinary thriller scene to some degree, the audiences were stunned and felt that they had to pause before they could go on.