What is your favorite movie moment of all time? That is the question that filmmaker and film fan Scott Derrickson proposed to the people of Twitter about a week ago. Now, he was not asking people to share their favorite movie. He was asking people to share what they believe is the greatest moment in a film in the history of cinema. And the people of Twitter delivered.
Some of these moments were chosen for their emotional intensity, while others are recognized the incredible acting performances or unique and trendsetting visual style.
Whatever the reason, the following 30 movie moments are burned into our brains for their emotional effect and their contribution to film history. These may not be the best movies of all time, but their individual moments are no doubt total classics in film history. So...do you agree with this list?
Wings of Desire
What is the single greatest scene in cinema history? I say it’s the library sequence in Wim Wenders’ WINGS OF DESI… https://t.co/6Ny7vpXCFz— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S)1537930611.0
Jaws
I mean, yes. Jaws is one of the greatest movies ever made, and this moment was beyond shocking the first time I saw it.The Untouchables
This is such a dad movie, but it is also a quality film. You should watch The Untouchables with your dad or uncle.Saving Private Ryan
@scottderrickson I think the Normandy invasion scene from Saving Private Ryan might be the top scene. https://t.co/W6pp63HqIH— Rollo (@Rollo)1537931911.0
Hot Rod
@scottderrickson Hot Rod “I need to go to my quiet place” https://t.co/YgA9d9z4lf— David Wilson (@David Wilson)1537931827.0
The Master
@scottderrickson I dunno about greatest ever but I think about this *constantly* https://t.co/Nz5XWupuJt— sawyer mom (@sawyer mom)1537933165.0
Jaws, again
@scottderrickson I feel obligated to say: https://t.co/lvWn9i2fJv— David Hayter (@David Hayter)1537932043.0
Dead Poets Society
@scottderrickson This one from #DeadPoetsSociety. I will love it forever and ever. https://t.co/AzI7B4zjdz— Deah H (@Deah H)1537992285.0
Good Will Hunting
@scottderrickson The "it's not your fault" scene from Good Will Hunting. https://t.co/iSxruGmUzJ— debalina 🏳️🌈 | ziruming (@debalina 🏳️🌈 | ziruming)1537934200.0
The Wrestler
@scottderrickson Randy “The Ram” Robinson’s last fight in “The Wrestler”. Kills me every time. https://t.co/yqrz49hM0y— Grant (@Grant)1537934413.0
Back to the Future
@scottderrickson https://t.co/TsjFJUSJ7G— Yvonne Sutch (@Yvonne Sutch)1537992855.0
Inglourious Basterds
@scottderrickson Sir, I think we have a contender. https://t.co/6rJ5KWZwp2— M.Faris.N (@M.Faris.N)1537931819.0
Mad Max: Fury Road
@scottderrickson This scene from Mad Max Fury Road always stood out to me. https://t.co/xCIXzQ34Kk— Apurv Gedam (@Apurv Gedam)1537932822.0
Psycho
I mean, yes, this is a total classic. This exact moment has been recreated in countless homages and parodies since then.No Country for Old Men
@scottderrickson It has to be the gas station scene from "No Country for Old Men" https://t.co/fL8t9ybSwj— KRAKEN 🦑 (@KRAKEN 🦑)1537989644.0
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
@scottderrickson The hallway scene at the end of eternal Sunshine https://t.co/BIwBjd4Kgw— david joyce (@david joyce)1537933300.0
The Shining
@scottderrickson You can’t beat Kubrick, even if this took him 127 tries. https://t.co/XO4YHwrBry— Jen (@Jen)1537936218.0
The Shawshank Redemption
@scottderrickson Last scene of Shawshank, because you know the characters have reached the pinnacle of happiness af… https://t.co/HpMfn7YMKf— hunter (@hunter)1537991968.0
The Graduate
@scottderrickson https://t.co/b8tePUUPcy— Daryl Sng (@Daryl Sng)1537932847.0
Children of Men
@scottderrickson For me the scene that stood out for me and that comes to mind is this from Children of Men. And al… https://t.co/yru2jwd0hX— #BLM Sanjay Samani 🍊✊🏽 ⚧️ (@#BLM Sanjay Samani 🍊✊🏽 ⚧️)1537991555.0
The Dark Knight
@scottderrickson I could list my personal favorites all day but I truly think the best scene of all time’s gotta be… https://t.co/jffsjyhW0w— olivia (@olivia)1537992913.0
The Color Purple
@scottderrickson Just thinking of this scene from The Color Purple makes me wanna cry. So many to choose from! https://t.co/552F77ji6C— antony pedreira (@antony pedreira)1537933832.0
The Usual Suspects
@scottderrickson I’ve loved this movie, and this scene in particular, since the first time I saw it in the theatre… https://t.co/hD5yT3EzTS— Branden McCarney (@Branden McCarney)1537992302.0
Whiplash
@scottderrickson The climax of Whiplash, visual perfection, glorious pacing and cameramovement, the culmination of… https://t.co/JahLEos3XS— George Abrams (@George Abrams)1537932395.0
Schindler's List
@scottderrickson Schindler’s List-the little girl in the red coat. https://t.co/VV2vgXbmdg— Marie Resists (@Marie Resists)1537991829.0
Superbad
@SKA_THFC @scottderrickson https://t.co/dttDMePIyu— Lloyd (@Lloyd)1537954878.0
Drive
Drive is such an atmospheric triumph and such a moving movie that has so little dialogue. This moment was definitely super interesting.Young Frankenstein
@BrannonBraga @scottderrickson https://t.co/Z7DCnZpmvy— Josh The Zamboni Guy (@Josh The Zamboni Guy)1537941267.0
em>E.T.
@scottderrickson Just a beautiful scene. 😍 https://t.co/H1RzKmPtGt— Joseph Fascio #RIPKobe (@Joseph Fascio #RIPKobe)1537931284.0
Space Jam
@scottderrickson https://t.co/F4gsSU3Wiv— not fitz (@not fitz)1537993852.0