Top 100 Greatest Movie Scenes of All Time

You'll recognize these even if you haven't seen the movies! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest singular scenes that have ever graced the big screen. Watch out for spoilers ahead! Our countdown includes scenes from movies “Back to the Future”, “Frankenstein”, “Taxi Driver” and more! Did we think of all your favorite iconic movie moments? Let us know what we missed in the comments below.
Check out these other Top 100 videos:
Top 100 Greatest Horror Movies of All Time: • Top 100 Greatest Horro...
Top 100 Greatest TV Characters of All Time: • Top 100 Greatest TV Ch...
Top 100 Best Video Games of All Time: • Top 100 Best Video Gam...
Become a channel member to get access to special perks:
/ @watchmojo
Don't forget to play our Live Trivia games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!: www.watchmojo.com/play
Have your idea become a video!
wmojo.com/suggest
Subscribe for more great content!
wmojo.com/watchmojo-subscribe
Visit our shop for awesome merch!
shop.watchmojo.com/
Your trusted authority for Top 10 lists, reviews, tips and tricks, biographies, origins, and entertainment news
#movies #scenes #classic #starwars #moviescenes #watchmojo

[@WatchMojo]

Did we think of all your favorite iconic movie moments? Let us know what we missed in the comments below. For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ6XaKibrZmml5Y Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@marcusyates3044]

Top 20 Best Animated DC Shows of All Time!

[@marcusyates3044]

Top 20 Greatest Supervillains Teams in Comics!

[@marcusyates3044]

Top 10 Members of the Guardians of the Galaxy! Top 20 Best Ever Members of the X-Men!

[@infamouswickedjokestar]

All I could think of is about The Dark Knight (2008). Anyways great content guys ❤️

[@jamesrippy1161]

Seriously? No animation scenes? Long live the king-The Lion King Motorcycle chase-Akira Bathhouse-Spirited Away Tale as old as time-Beauty & The Beast

[@juggler64]

I think that Rocky Balboa running up the steps in Philadelphia and dancing and jumping about afterward is one of the most memorable scenes ever.

[@guus5504]

Memoreble yes, but it isnt one of the best scenes tbh.

[@amynoosun3703]

Yes, they definitely missed that one!

[@justingroff3682]

exactly they chose the WRONG scene from the RIGHT film

[@larryhowser1404]

Actually I waiting for a nod to the rocky movies as well - but I think the final round against Apollo Creed in the first movie would get my vote! Certainly should have made the top 100!

[@PJSO]

For me Rohan's charge was the most iconic scene in The Lord of the Rings

[@summertyme5748]

For me LOTR is most overrated as Cinema. The battle is one sided - the enemy is nothing and no one, just CG, (which is why you don't mention them, no one does) - sans an evil-one - who doesn't show up for the battle and yet his army sort of dies when a ring is tossed into an active volcano which Frodo WALKS UP barefoot. lol. I think you have to be into fantasy genre and D&D stuff to look past all the things that are wrong with LOTR.

[@PJSO]

@@summertyme5748 you're referring to D&D like its the peak of fantasy when it all came from LoTR and Tolkien. Most of the army is CG but you have a few hundred in makeup and armour like the Gothmog or Mumakil (which one was a practical set). Cinematically, I don't know of a better fantasy series that has the adventure and practical effects involved, both villain and hero alike.

[@misters8708]

Hahaha, lotr is a masterpiece and win 17 oscar

[@adamrabinowitz2997]

The shining “here’s Johnny” better than the typewriter scene

[@jolanvreysen2601]

For The Godfather i think "i'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse" is also a better line.

[@IntheClutch75]

Nah. I stopped being scared once he started acting silly.

[@SpammytheHedgehog]

The Dark Knight is better than the entirety of the DCEU.

[@lugialover2496]

What’s the difference between you and me? I’m not wearing hockey pads.

[@infamouswickedjokestar]

Hands down!

[@J.J.sFantasticImagination]

Of course bro

[@jasondale7358]

Truth

[@jasondale7358]

I get shit on by the MCU fans but I'd say it beats any MCU movie head to head

[@daviddyson3630]

No Thanos snap?! The Villain wins and the movie ends! That scene left the movie theater speechless!

[@olvialee7221]

Big time

[@malalford]

Nah. That's just generic superhero magic of the 2010s, not dissimilar to Transformers

[@b5media241]

​@malalford nah, you just sound like a hater. Move on.

[@brianmurphy9039]

"Luke , I am your Father" might as well be Thanos winning 30 years prior and in more style.

[@chriswelter3859]

I'm quite the movie snob, but yes, that scene should have made it onto a list of 100. That's really the only scene I've seen in the Marvel movies that genuinely made me gasp (except maybe the last 20 minutes of Civil War).

[@kathy51767]

Another memorable movie scene is Moses' parting of the Red Sea in The Ten Commandments.

[@dianeridley9804]

THANK YOU!!

[@riotbunny]

It could've been number 1.

[@mattfrench9294]

The Tyler Durden reveal in 'Fight Club', the original training montage from 'Rocky', The snap from 'Infinity War' and the first appearance of the creature at the start of 'A Quiet Place' all spring to mind.

[@trinaq]

Thanks for dropping this video, Watchmojo. Many of these scenes officially solidified my interest in cinema.

[@powerzwerg5566]

The man playing the harmonica in "Once Upon a Time in the West" - a movie full of iconic shots and incredible music!

[@mitchelltyler5972]

You mean "Harmonica"? That's literally the character's name lmao.

[@summertyme5748]

The opening montage "Looks like we're short one horse!" "You brought - 2 too many." One of the most bad ass retorts of all time.

[@MarkJusti]

Ride of the Rohirim from LOTR return of the king still gives me goosebumps everytime i watch it. when King Theoden gives his speech, that’s where i loose it. Only Movie that makes me tear up. Such a classic.

[@melissagramling8348]

What about the battle scene from Braveheart "They may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!" or Rocky yelling out for Adrian...

[@chrisandre1315]

WatchMojo should do the top 100 greatest fight scenes of all time.

[@dreamguardian8320]

Good idea.

[@ChibiProwl]

Ooh, yes please.

[@malalford]

As an avid martial arts fan and practitioner of over 30 years, my favourite 2 fight scenes of all time are: Happy Gilmore vs Bob Barker (Happy Gilmore) & Rowdy Roddy Piper vs Keith David (They Live)

[@brianmurphy9039]

Sure but we know the Top 10 already and #1 undoubtedly is going to be "Indy just huffs and shoots sword dude" We know what audience WMJ is playing to.

[@bigprovos12]

Anakin vs obi wan

[@matthewbaduria]

The scene from Almost Famous where they sing Tiny Dancer on a tour bus is amazing.but the ending of Close Encounters was amazing.

[@chrisstapleton5652]

The plane ride when all secrets are revealed from Almost Famous is also great.

[@IntheClutch75]

The ending of Close Encounters! First suggestion in the comments that I actually agree with!

[@jacklomas4218]

An amazing moment is from two towers where Sam gives that epic speech. Those brilliant lines at the end really, really stands out especially today. "that there's good in this world Mr Frodo, and it's worth fighting for."

[@jishadali672]

‘Always’ from Harry Potter deserves to be on this list. The whole series building up piece by piece to that moment totally separate from the main theme to show the amazing twist. That scene deserves to be on the list

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

The T-Rex is my favorite dinosaur, and the scene in "Jurassic Park" just solidifies that!

[@summertyme5748]

Top 100 Dino's coming right up! - Rebecca

[@Rocky64]

Russian Roulette scene from The Deer Hunter.

[@renovandermade2051]

Great list! I miss the line-up scene from The Usual Suspects and the 'funny how?' scene from Goodfellas tho. But great list overall 😀

[@williamsummerson1204]

WatchMojo is dropping a gem on Sunday. Rebecca's narration is going to be flawless as always. 🥰

[@12345673976]

These movies will always have a strong legacy especially since the golden age of Hollywood

[@TheInkdN3rd]

My only true qualm is that nothing from The Green Mile was here. Especially the scene where John Coffey explains to Edgecombe why he would rather be executed than set free, when he asks him what he should do. Ugh SO good!!!!!

[@Starbeam1979]

I read that, instead of watching the movie. It made me so sad, I couldn't watch the movie. And from what I've seen from snippets here and there, the movie is, in fact, just as sad.

[@PebbleRockBolder]

The dark night interrogation scene should’ve been on here, so should the Shawshank redemption escape scene, and should have been Alonzo’s king Kong speech in training day

[@NanaJana4cozygames]

A movie moment that stuck with me is Return of the King "My friends, you bow to no one"

[@juggler64]

I'm glad to see a scene from "The Wizard of Oz" take the top spot, but I thought it was going to be the demise of the Wicked Witch of the West. And while it was nice to see numerous Alfred Hitchcock films make the list, I think there should have been room for the scene in "The Birds" when the crows are attacking the children as they run from school.

[@Tuggle.Wombat]

"You Shall not Pass" from Lord of the Rings... Everyone knows This Line even you didnt watched the Films!!!! "Im the King of the World" from Titanik must be in this List. Even if i dont like the Film i would place this Scene Top 30 or Higher. "I am Ironman" + Snap from Avengers Endgame. The Ride of the Rohirrim from Lord of the Rings is for me the Greatest Scene of All Time.

[@JohnSmith-cw7ez]

Heres a couple I think you forgot. 1. Rocky - Either Training scene with the steps or ending screaming "Yo Adrianne" 2. La La Land - Moonlight Dance 3. John Wick - Babayaga Intro Scene 4. Casino - Dessert Scene 5. Willy Wonka - Entering Chocolate Factory 6. 12 Years a Slave - Hanging Scene. 7. Intersteller - Docking Scene 8. The Prestige - Reveal

[@charlesrooks4191]

What about Val Kilmer’s iconic line in “Tombstone” when he portrays Doc Holiday? His performance was incredible and gave us an iconic line when he walks into the light when meeting Ringo “I’m your Huckleberry”

[@ghostme1635]

The interrogation scene in The Dark Knight was the best scene

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Awesome! Love your content guys 😊😊😊

[@batgurrl]

I wouldn’t be shocked or displeased if Marion Crane was number one. It was done with chocolate syrup, not blood. Love to hear Rebecca narrate this kind of list❤️

[@AnitaLonski]

You forgot the flying cow scene in Twister & the opening scene of Saturday night fever & the prom scene from Carrie

[@olvialee7221]

Inigo Montoya is my dad’s favorite character and he loves that iconic scene

[@unfiltered_aries1619]

The Avengers Endgame moment was so damn EPIC!!!!!

[@lawrencefine5020]

"You're gonna need a bigger boat." "Smile you son of a bit...boom!" Jaws has so many great scenes. Especially when Quint told the story of the USS Indianapolis.

[@andrewmiller4573]

I just watched....AND WAITED for the USS Indianapolis scene, but they went with the opening scene, (which is great), but Jaws had SO MANY great scenes. The best being Quint telling a truly historical story.

[@rickjend6667]

Good Will Hunting had 2 great scenes! The bench scene (Robin Williams monologue) and the "It's Not Your Fault" scene. One of these should have been included.

[@terrancemiller7456]

This right here is why I cannot agree with this list. You cannot leave the bench speech off the list and be considered serious. So sad.

[@Starbeam1979]

Also Robin Williams' improvised story about how his character's wife would fart in her sleep. The laughs were REAL.

[@theonetheycallfear8237]

That Gladiator scene is so gangster

[@themr_wilson]

The writer of the Alien-Belly scene was afflicted with Crohn's Disease. That scene was his visual representation of the pain it causes

[@CLITMASTER23]

-Ring lands on Frodo's finger. -I'm the King of the World. Or did I somehow miss those?

[@olvialee7221]

Scream wouldn’t be Scream if it wasn’t for the phone call

[@RaindanceMaggieDance]

I personally knew a man that was at Normandy beach that day. I ran into him shortly after the release of Saving Private Ryan. His words will resonate with me forever. He said “If only we were so lucky”. As awful as the movie was, what he experienced was worse. He passed away on Nov 11. Fitting for the life he lived. Always remember you Ed. From the little girl in the red dress. Xo

[@olvialee7221]

Speaking of Frankenstein, I was at Las Vegas with my dad and grandma, this guy dressed as Frankenstein walks up to me and I got a picture with him

[@ishanbhasin9381]

Can you do top 100 movie characters of all time? I’d love to see that

[@ChibiProwl]

Vito Corleone and Rocky Balboa to name but two in live action. Optimus Prime and Maleficent to name but two in animated movies.

[@dinralte24]

So disappoint that "Jack , I'm flying" scence from Titanic is not in this top 100 list , it is memorable and one of the greatest scences in cinemas . Also , I love Scarlett Johansson and Adam Drive fighting scence in Marriage Story .

[@BrianRP1209]

Ballet finale - An American in Paris (1951) Leaving Egypt and parting the Red Sea - The Ten Commandments (1956) Bond. James Bond. - Dr. No (1962) Cleopatra arrives in Rome - Cleopatra (1963) Old west battle spills into modern movie studio - Blazing Saddles (1974) Training montage, or final fight - Rocky (1976) The Battle of Yavin - Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) Parade mayhem - Animal House (1978) Playing catch with Dad - Field of Dreams (1989)

[@jefflong5395]

Two that should have been on the list, Keyser Soze reveal in the Usual Suspects and Captain Dudley Smith shooting Jack Vincennes in L.A. Confidential. Honorable mention to the motorcycle chase scene in the Great Escape.

[@PeterOlson]

The monologue about the girl on the ferry is the best moment of Citizen Kane. I will be taking no further questions.

[@olvialee7221]

Since it’s now 2024, I’m ready to say it! WatchMojo, I’ve been watching your videos since I was 11 years old. I’m now 25 years old and I’ve been watching these videos for 14 years

[@michaelkelsay4559]

The opening scene from the dark knight is one of the best openings in movie history for me

[@nadhasthirundhitan]

There are 100 great scenes in the Godfather itself.

[@ChibiProwl]

Horse head in the bed. And "Look at how they massacred my boy." To name but two.

[@christophercooper5843]

2 minutes left and no Doc Holliday I'm your huckleberry yet

[@pop130]

Great video. Thanks for the great work. Awesome job as always Rebecca.

[@thaIllYankee]

Surprised there wasn't room for the following on this list: Parting of the Red Sea in The Ten Commandments, something iconic from Lawrence of Arabia, "They call me Mr. Tibbs!" from In The Heat of the Night and the opening scene of the original Shaft movie showing him walking through Times Square like the Boss that he is.

[@daniellebron8428]

Endgame when everyone returns at 75 is wild

[@stefandevilliers602]

The Batman and Joker interrogation scene from Dark Knight is epic🙌

[@IntheClutch75]

I would've chosen that or the opening robbery from The Dark Knight.

[@ghostme1635]

The Endgame scene should be way higher

[@TeamDaemon1980]

Silician Scene, True Romance (1993) Funny Guy, Goodfellas (1990)

[@MediaLieDetector]

Elias’ Death in Platoon WTF WM? This scene should be number one. The truth about war and death revealed perfectly on film.

[@maxride1760]

I think that the ending scene of The Usual Suspects should have been on here. Because that is such a great plot twist and is also iconic.

[@Zabetta1963]

Anita Ekberg wading in the Trevi Fountain in’La Dolce Vita’ really iconic. Also any scene from ‘ The Blues Brothers’ and the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’

[@lansesteiner3563]

“I’ll never let you go” - Titanic

[@summertyme5748]

Ugh. No sorry, i'm averse to Titanic.

[@TyWashdaddy]

" is there any outfit more iconic than Uma Thurman's yellow jumpsuit?" Well, yeah... The one it was based off of, Bruce Lee's yellow jumpsuit 🤦🏾‍♂️. This is a great list tho👍

[@bardthenascarfanaticdragon]

That "Psycho" scene always makes me go to my Hallway bathroom with a lightsaber, turn the lights off, and mimic the scene in the dark.

[@BrotherChrisBuffalo]

Loved and enjoyed this, thank you!

[@karenlbellmont6560]

OMG!! You hit all my faves of all time!!

[@Peyton-qf8vn]

This is awesome, btw can you do Top 100 Greatest Movie Heroes next, please

[@sebom141]

Thanks a lot for doing these awesome work :)!

[@cmonster3002]

I would have included the Godzilla attacks Tokyo scene from the original film. Quite a genre shaping moment. But I agree with everything else!

[@HarryHill-dy1sp]

Agreed that they didn't include Godzilla or passion of the Christ. Not a bad list but missing 2 of the greatest movies of all time.

[@olvialee7221]

My mom got me into Disney, my dad got me into Action and my old Nanny Colleen got me into Old Timey Movies

[@noahegr3341]

The effort behind this video is very admirable, but not including a single Akira Kurosawa, Yasujiro Ozu, Sergio Leone, Sidney Lumet or Masaki Kobayashi scene is ridiculous

[@Fixxer315]

Great list. Here are some others I'd consider for such a list: Two Towers: The lighting of the beacons--just great cinematography. Star Trek--First Contact: The scene between where Lily confronts Captain Picard about his actions regarding the Borg and his crew --not as iconic as KHAAAAN, but a great piece of drama Avengers--Endgame: The Snap--one of the biggest "Holy Sh!t" moments in a movie blockbuster. Halloween: The opening scene--An amazing first-person scene that set the tone for the era of slashers, made even more so by the surprise conclusion to the scene Star Wars: The cantina scene--the music was iconic, with a perfect scene that is both alien and normal. Plus, we saw Obi Wan demonstrate his Jedi skills, as well as the introduction to Han Solo and Chewbaka. Finally, this applies primarily to the original scene where Han shoots first.

[@Fixxer315]

Correction: the beacon scene was from Return of the King.

[@Richtofen-gy9cj]

Magneto's Speech from Days Of Future Past should definitely be here, since the X-Men and Deadpool movies were completely separate from the MCU until recently

[@lls3676]

Vito Corleone going back to Italy and avenging his family's death.

[@tylerdrechsel8840]

My favorite is a tie between Inigo's revenge in The Princess Bride, and the ending of Pulp Fiction.

[@olvialee7221]

Oh yes. That is Stephen Spielberg’s best scene. If that scene in ET wasn’t famous, it wouldn’t be the symbol of Amblin Entertainment

[@wilburjunior9949]

"Time to die" from the first Blade runner always hit me harder than the tears in the rain monologue but I may be in the minority on that. good list Mojo

[@lkrproductions835]

the big Lebowski was my cousins favorite movie when she died she wanted her ashes in a Folgers coffee can based off of that scene. RIP sue. 😢

[@user-Natsu2001]

The hypnosis scene in Get Out was my favorite scene in that movie

[@LaunchPadMcQuack4Hire]

You didn't include the end of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest where chief Bromden put McMurphy out of his suffering and broke out the window to freedom?!?! 😳

[@amandabeaty1492]

I'm not through this list yet but you already had Full Metal Jacket on here so I'm pretty sure you won't have a second from it. The scene where Gomer Pile played by Vincent D'Onfrio shoots himself in the head should have made that list. It's a brilliant scene and D'Onfrio is brilliant in it. I think he's so underrated.

[@laurendaley2503]

Video probably would've had a warning since it is a strong subject

[@colleenross8752]

Good choice for #1, such a beautiful moment

[@hollysdad49]

I'm surprised Arnold's famous line from The Terminator "I'll be back" didn't make the list. I figured that only would it make the list it would be high up.

[@TheMoonlight2887]

I love Viggo and I love Aragorn, but Théoden's speech in the battle of the Pelennor Fields is the most epic thing in the entire trilogy. And the sword clinking was Bernard Hill's idea! "Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered! A sword-day, a red day, Ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Éorlingas!"

[@Gor85]

Superman,Scream,Forest Gump,Bohemian Rhapsody,Breakfast Club,Gladiator,Crazy 88,Lost in Translation,Aragon's speech at Black Gate. Watched to 62. To be continued :)

[@arthurtafero9230]

Did you not see the parting of the Red Sea in the 10 Commandments? How can that not be in the top 100? Not to mention the fantastic emotional scene at the beginning of The Legend of 1900 as the ship passes the Statue of Liberty with an unforgettable Morricone soundtrack. Leaving those two scenes off of ANY list of the top 100 scenes is unforgivable.

[@Makunic2024]

Where is the scene from Jack and Rose seeing the sunset in Titanic? This moment should be minimum in the fifth position

[@renamon5658]

Awesome list

[@sidneysalcido9314]

Some notable absences: 1. Dirty Harry (either, "Go ahead, make my day", or, "your are probably asking, was it five bullets or six" scenes) 2. Scene from Miracle where he practices them to death until one cries out he is from the "United States of America" 3. Hulk rag-dolling Loki in Avengers and says, "puny god" 4. And most of all biggest snub- "I want the truth! You can't handle the truth" should be top five.

[@elizabethbaird2132]

Did I miss it or did this not include the speech by Bill Paxton as the President in Independence Day? That was most definitely iconic. And I love the T-rex scene, but seeing the dinosaurs, the brachiosaurs was probably my favorite part of that film when I first saw it.

[@spettt]

Oh Gid. So many were left outside and so many useless made the cut. - The parting of the Red Sea by Moses/ The Ten Commandments - Rocky Balboa on the steps in Philadelphia - Footloose dancing Scene - They're all perfect - the ending of The Last Samurai - The James Bond scene where the car crosses a twisted bridge. The man with the Golden Gun - Summer Loving scene from Grease - Al Pacinos speech in The Devil's Advocate -... So many

[@zanight]

The Green Mile - "I's afraid of the dark"

[@jaxteller4565]

How could you completely forget the U.S.S Indianapolis Story from JAWS! Quint takes you on an emotional journey of the fate of the sailors on that horrible mission. One of the greatest scenes in movie history!

[@larahall422]

The scene where Captain Jack Sparrow drifts into Pirates of the Caribbean on a sinking boat is memorable to me.

[@scottsandmeyer]

I hardly ever comment but this was the best one I've seen on movies. Nice job!

[@harsyakiarraathallah2222]

My Top 20 List: 1. Welcome to OZ 2. the Shower Murder 3. "I Believe in America" 4. "Here's Looking at you, Kid" 5. Dawn of Man 6. "No... I am your Father!" 7. Kong on Top of the Empire Stage Building 8. Flying Across the Moonlight 9. RoseBud 10. Singin in the Rain 11. the Buried Stague of Liberty 12. the Temple Run 13. Chestburster 14. Parting of the Red Sea 15. T-Rex Appear 16. Training Monatage 17. "I Drink your Milkshake" 18. the Barber Speech 19. Three Man Standoff 20. Bullet Time My other Choices: "I'm Just Ken"!

[@BrianRP1209]

Best part of the Superman scene is when Lois asks, Who's got you?!

[@olvialee7221]

79: I got a new bed and WatchMojo has a new list of Top 100. This new year has a good start

[@stephenalbin2122]

I would say that three of the best movie scenes of all time is the portal scene from Endgame, the Hanging tree scene from Mockingjay pt 1, and the Ride of the Rohirum from Return of the King

[@KevyNova]

I’ve seen 64 of these. Out of the ones I haven’t seen, I own about 5 or 6 on DVD but haven’t gotten around to watching them yet.

[@matthijssmeets9325]

17:12 Avengers....Assemble! Best moment for me!

[@655321able]

To Kill A Mockingbird. "Stand up. You're father's passing."

[@javierheras2327]

Apparently there aren't memorable scenes directed by John Ford, David Lean, Sam Peckinpah, Visconti, Fellini, Wim Wenders, Kurosawa, Godard and sooo many more