Top 10 most paused movie scenes in the history of cinema!
Moviegoers are meticulous creatures, eager to dissect each and every scene from their favourite films in order to glean as much information as possible from their favourite cinematic texts. There are thousands of films across the landscape of cinema that dedicate themselves to adding little easter eggs, whether intentional or not. These films range from big blockbusters to intricate independent releases.
Many of these can be found in the biggest and most celebrated franchises of all time, with George Lucas’ Star Wars series long obsessed with secrets big and small that only ‘true fans’ will respect. Similar examples can be found throughout Steven Spielberg’s filmography, where fan favourites Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park frequently reference each other with winks to the audience.
Top most paused movie scenes:
10. Star Wars: A New Hope:
Year of release: 1977
The first instalment of the Star Wars franchise featured a rather amusing blooper that made it into the final movie. A Stormtrooper can be seen walking into the control room and hitting his head on the doorframe, which goes unnoticed. Since the film’s release, director George Lucas has acknowledged the error, and in 2002, the scene was re-edited with an added sound effect to highlight the amusing gaffe. The Stormtrooper’s identity is unknown, with two different actors recalling hitting their heads while dressed in the iconic costume.
9. There’s Something About Mary:
Year of release: 1998
The most memorable scene in the film involves Ben Stiller’s nerdy character Ted getting his genitals caught in his trouser zipper. While he begins to panic, the bathroom fills up with more and more characters, including a police officer who appears out of nowhere through the window. The reactions of various characters create a lot of comedic tension, and it appears unlikely that we will actually see the dreaded image – but we do, and the timing of the scene is perfect.
8. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace:
Year of release: 1999
Multiple representatives can be seen sitting in pods with varying responses to the vote during a scene in which Queen Padmé Amidala calls for a vote against the Head of the Galactic Senate, Chancellor Valorum. Three aliens who resemble E.T. are in one of these pods. It’s unclear whether it’s E.T. or just three of his friends, but fans were thrilled to find the easter egg.
7. Signs:
Year of release: 2002
Despite only having a 12-certificate age rating, the film’s most memorable scene has been dubbed one of the scariest moments in cinema. Phoenix’s character is sleeping in front of the television when a news report shows an image of a terrifying alien sighting at a children’s birthday party.
6. Iron Man 2:
Year of release: 2010
A massive S.H.I.E.L.D. activity map can be seen in the background of a scene in which Nick Fury meets Tony Stark. Highlighting key areas in the Marvel Universe. To name a few, the map includes Tony’s Malibu home, New Mexico – a reference to Thor’s Mjolnir impact site, Greenland – where Captain America was frozen, and Wakanda – eight years before the release of Black Panther.
5. The Cabin In The Woods:
Year of release: 2012
The pause-worthy scene in question occurs when one of the corporation’s managers stands in front of a whiteboard that lists all the potential villains who could go after the teens, including names like “Sugarplum Fairy” and “Snowman.”
#Bales2021FilmChallenge
Oct 3: Character named KevinThe Cabin In The Woods (Drew Goddard, 2011)
Kevin is the name of one of the potential killers listed on the whiteboard. I personally like to think this refers to Kevin of Home Alone, the most horrifying sociopath of them all. pic.twitter.com/tGuh0CSbAF
— Scampy (@scampyspiro) October 3, 2021
4. Fight Club:
Year of release: 1999
The protagonist, played by Edward Norton, befriends a maverick macho-man named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) in David Fincher’s celebrated drama, only to discover at the end of the film that they are, in fact, one and the same, the protagonist projecting Pitt’s character into his life. Fincher alludes to this throughout the film by flashing Pitt’s character on screen for a split second, just long enough to know you saw something.
3. The Exorcist:
Year of release: 1974
One of the film’s most memorable scenes occurs when Jason Miller’s Damien runs down the street in fear. And the terrifying face of the demon Captain Howdy appears for a split second on screen. Blink and you’ll miss it unless you’ve paused it, of course.
2. Boogie Nights:
Year of release: 1997
To avoid ambiguity, Wahlberg’s Diggler has impressively sized privates. Which are finally displayed at the end of the film when the character is standing in front of the mirror in the changing rooms.
1. Basic Instinct:
Year of release: 1992
When Stone’s character is being interrogated, she suggestsively crosses her legs. Giving viewers a split-second shot in which she is exposed.
