Some movie scenes are truly iconic–so much so that we instantly recognize the film when we see a movie still of a specific scene. Indeed, some of these scenes are going down in film history as the most iconic of all time, for various reasons.
There are scenes that pretty much define a movie, while others have such memorable lines that they’ve been adopted by popular culture and are quoted by people to this day. In this gallery, we put together some of the most iconic movie scenes of all time. Click through and see if you come across your favorite movie.
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‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)
Perhaps one of the happiest moments in film history, this joyful dance scene just puts a smile on our faces.
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‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)
“The hills are alive with the sound of music,” sings Maria (Julie Andrews) in this beautiful opening scene.
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‘Dirty Dancing’ (1987)
‘Dirty Dancing’ has so many iconic scenes, from the dance training sequences to the epic lift, to name a few. But the last dance sums it all up, and we’re just so glad that Johnny (Patrick Swayze) and Baby (Jennifer Grey) managed to pull it off.
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‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)
“And You will know My Name is the Lord when I lay My Vengeance upon Thee!” Quentin Tarantino’s classic is full of iconic moments, but the one where Samuel L. Jackson recites a (made-up) Bible verse is perhaps the one most people will remember.
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‘Lost in Translation’ (2003)
The famous last words in the final scene where Bob (Bill Murray) whispers something in Charlotte’s (Scarlett Johansson) ear. Truly memorable.
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‘Titanic’ (1997)
Most people will instantly recognize James Cameron’s movie by the “I’m flying, Jack!” scene.
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‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ (1953)
Does it get more iconic than Marilyn Monroe singing ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend?’ We don’t think so.
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‘The Matrix’ (1999)
‘The Matrix’ became synonymous with dodging bullets, literally. Neo (Keanu Reeves) was a real pro at it!
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‘The Shining’ (1980)
“Here’s Johnny!” is probably one of the most terrifying scenes in horror movie history.
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‘Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)
You probably remember this scene, though it’s usually misquoted as “Luke, I am your father.” Darth Vader actually says, “No, I am your father.”
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‘Fight Club’ (1999)
Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) going through the eight rules of Fight Club is one of the most iconic scenes in David Fincher’s cult classic.
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‘The Terminator’ (1984)
“I’ll be back” remains one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most notable lines in film.
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‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)
Who can forget Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) standing in front of the mirror saying “You talkin’ to me?.”
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‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)
The girl in red in this black-and-white Steven Spielberg film has made many people cry since 1993.
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‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’ (2005)
Remember Steve Carell’s character getting his chest waxed for the first time and shouting random sentences? “No, Kelly Clarkson!” probably remains the most memorable one!
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‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)
Is there a more famously terrifying monologue in film history?
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‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
Steven Spielberg really raised the bar for war films with the opening scene of ‘Saving Private Ryan.’
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‘Scream’ (1996)
Who can forget Drew Barrymore’s panicking in the first minutes of this slasher classic?
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‘Psycho’ (1960)
Most people will recognize the classic shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic horror thriller.
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‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)
“Hello Clarice.” How memorable (and creepy) was the scene where Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) meets FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster)?
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‘Love Actually’ (2003)
The cue card scene is likely this beloved film’s most memorable moment.
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‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)
The library dance scene is one of the most iconic of this classic coming-of-age movie.
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‘Get Out’ (2017)
The terrifying “the sunken place” tear scene is instantly recognizable.
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‘Alien’ (1979)
The chestburster scene goes down in film history as one of the most epic (and disgusting) scenes of Ridley Scott’s classic movie.
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‘Dead Poets Society’ (1989)
Everyone gets emotional when the “O Captain! My Captain” scene comes along. Especially now that Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) is no longer with us.
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‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)
Audrey Hepburn with a pastry in one hand and coffee in the other, peeking through the window. Classic!
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‘When Harry Met Sally…’ (1989)
“I’ll have what she’s having.” The fake orgasm scene became such a hit that the quote is now firmly a part of pop culture.
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‘Rocky’ (1976)
We could argue that most ‘Rocky’ movies have iconic scenes, but the training sequence in the first film of the franchise is truly remarkable.
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‘Full Metal Jacket’ (1987)
Who can forget Gunnery Sergeant Hartman’s insults in Stanley Kubrick’s classic war movie?
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‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’
This Spielberg classic has many iconic scenes, including the “phone home” line, the flying bicycle ride, and the moment E.T says goodbye to young Elliot.
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‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
“There’s no place like home,” says Dorothy (Judy Garland) in the scene where she returns to Kansas.
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Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article
Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article
