Have you ever watched a movie and thought “is that what I think it is?” just to pause, rewind and look for it again? It can be the outcome of scenes that were either too amazing or weird to see multiple times, hidden messages, or noticeable production plunder. Either way, Hollywood is filled with many pause-worthy moments. Continue reading to learn about some of the most paused scenes in films that viewers only had to take a second look.
These Clips Have Been The Most Paused By Viewers To Watch Over Again
Basic Instinct (1992)
In the 1992 erotic thriller movie Basic Instinct, due to Sharon Stone’s portrayal of Catherine Tramell, it secured her a spot as Hollywood’s sex symbol. One of her film scenes has been such a favorite among fans that it is now considered as one of the most paused movie moments in the books. It was in the scene where Sharon was being interrogated by police after being considered a prime suspect in her well-known boyfriend’s murder case. In an attempt to seduce the officer to be distracted, she crosses her legs, causing it to expose herself in the process. It had viewers everywhere to grab for their remotes to try to rewind and take a sneak peek and left little up to the imagination.
Basic Instinct (1992)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Stacy Hamilton in the classic 1982 coming-of-age film, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The film is about an inexperienced teenager who is prepared to experience the world of dating. She took the advice of her carefree best friend Linda Barret who was played by Phoebe Cates. She also ended up getting cornered in a love triangle.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Psycho (1960)
In the 1960 psychological thriller film Psycho produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the audience was exposed to the harrowing depiction of the somewhat true story about Marion Crane. A woman disappeared after stealing $40K from the company she was working for. When she found herself at Bates Motel, the viewers found out that the owner of the hotel is also the murderer, Norman Bates. This scene brought us one of history’s most paused movies. If you’re thinking about the shower scene, you got it all wrong. Hitchcock showed off Norman’s real depravity and evil psyche in one of the film’s final moments. When the gruesome criminal was finally caught by the police and then turned to the camera, a skull superimposed over his face was revealed. At that moment, Hitchcock knew what he was doing. The image lasted for a split second, so if you blinked you’ll miss it!
Psycho (1960)
Three Men and a Baby (1987)
What’s even weirder than Three Men and Baby’s storyline, as well as the fact that Leonard Nimoy (aka Star Trek‘s Spock) was its director, has to be the film’s iconic scene that led many people to dive for their remote controls in a bid to hit pause and rewind. Never mind the wacky plot that follows three bachelors who mysteriously find a baby on their doorstep and raise it together. The strangest part of the film is undoubtedly the scene where Ted Danson and his character’s mother look happily at the baby, while someone looks back at him through a set of window drapes. Many believed it to be a ghost, yet rumor has it that this was instead a cardboard cutout of Ted Danson that someone accidentally left on set.
Three Men and a Baby (1987)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Of course, a Quentin Tarantino film had to be on the list. Being known for his non-linear storylines, it was no surprise that his 1994 crime movie Pulp Fiction was famous for having a lot of continuous slip-ups. In one of the most legendary scenes of the film, Jules (portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent ( portrayed by John Travolta) victoriously dodge the bullets that were being shot at them by a roommate hiding in their bathroom. But before commending the hitmen for successfully escaping the gunfire, some viewers looked closely and observed the wall behind the duo and noticed that the bullet holes were already in the wall even before the shootout. Since rumors about the scene got out and spread quickly, a lot of people have been pressing pause to confirm if the rumors were true.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Wild Things (1998)
Of course, we’re talking about the moment when Denise Richards and Neve Campbell are in the pool and exchange some passionate kisses. Let’s face it: Wild Things was destined to be a flop unless of course, it gave audiences something worth remembering. And this scene served as just that fantasy fodder. Yes, we are talking about the scene when Neve Campbell and Denise Richards were at the pool and were exchanging some deep passionate kisses. We have to admit that Wild Things was bound to fail, unless of course, if it gave the viewers something that they will truly remember. This scene served as just that fantasy fodder.
Wild Things (1998)
Titanic (1997)
A film with an epic romance and disaster in the middle of the North Atlantic water, Titanic has left its viewers swooned ever since it was released in 1997. The film has grown from being a blockbuster movie to something of a cultural phenomenon, winning the hearts of people. The movie also won 11 Oscar awards which prove its excellence. It’s hard not to get swept up in the love story between socialite Rose and poor sketch-artist Jack. As a fan of his work, Rose especially admires his images of naked women in Paris. She asks him to draw her in what is the most paused scene of the film and then proceeds to sleep with him in the back of a very foggy car. The drawing later plays an important role in the story after it’s uncovered from the ship wreckage years later. It’s hard not to get caught up in the love story between Rose and Jack. In fact, as a fan of his work, Rose admires his photographs of nude women in Paris. She asked him to draw her in what is the most paused scene of the film and then goes on to sleep with him in the back of a very foggy car. Later, drawing plays a significant part in the tale after it has been revealed from the ship wreckage years later.
Titanic (1997)
Boogie Nights (1997)
Finally! A movie that proves that showing nudity in films is not the only thing that captures the attention of the viewers. In the 1977 drama movie Boogie Nights, Mark Wahlberg portrayed Eddie Addams, a teenage boy who transformed into an adult movie star sensation after being discovered by a porn director. All thanks to his good looks. The film was packed with many “OMG” moments, but the greatest part was the scene towards the end of the story. Dirk Diggler, Eddie’s on-screen counterpart, reached into his pants and revealed his manhood for all the camera crew to see. While Wahlberg was wearing a prosthetic in this scene, the viewers couldn’t help themselves but pause to savor the moment. And they were left with so many questions on their mind.
Boogie Nights (1997)
Before I Go to Sleep (2014)
The 2014 psychological thriller film Before I Go to Sleep, was starred by Nicole Kidman and played the role of Christine Lucas. The character was an amnesiac and loses all her memories every time she goes to self. While the movie itself didn’t gain that much positive feedback from critics, one scene for sure captured the attention of many. It was undeniable that people were so eager to see one of Hollywood’s most loved actresses appear in her most natural state. And you’ll wonder, why? Well, because it turns out that many people who have seen the movie repeatedly pause on the part where Nicole Kidman was standing naked while looking at a wall full of photos.
Before I Go to Sleep (2014)
Peter Pan (1953)
As a child, there were some things better than watching a Disney film and did all the media giant’s overtly scandalous messages into our innocent little heads. But luckily some Disney fans draw their attention to the downright shady scenes in some of our favorite classic Disney films. And because of this, moviegoers can’t let something of this nature pass again. In the 1953 animate Peter Pan adaptation of J.M. Barrie, Peter was living in Neverland together with his friends The Lost Boys, his trusty shadow, and of course Tinker Bell. In the scene where Peter does a little jig to show that the shewed he sewed to his feet is now stuck to for the rest of his life, which showed the viewer an inappropriate but quick outline of his inferior region.
Peter Pan (1953)
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Out of all the legendary Star Wars franchises, one of the most talked-about scenes took place in its very first installment, which is Episode IV: A New Hope. It happened when Luke Skywalker suave Han Solo while the rest of their team went on to save Princess Leia from being imprisoned on the Death Star. While they were hiding, their ship was boarded and searched by Stormtroopers. If you watch closely, you will see one of them knocking his head on the door frame that rises from the ground. This scene has become a popular blooper that not only do people pause the scene repeatedly when watching it, but George Lucas even added a sound effect to the bang during the release of the DVD to make it even more enjoyable.
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
We all know that Jessica Rabbit is one of the most racist and most sexualized animated characters that ever made it to the big screen. Also, what made her have that kind of reputation is because of a lot of intrigued fans of Who Framed Roger Rabbit claimed that she goes commando during the entire film. They looked at one of the movie’s most paused scenes where Jessica Rabbit performs a sultry dance to “Why Don’t You Do Right?” just to prove their point. The red-headed sensations showed off her curves by kicking and twirling on the stage while men were watching and trying to calm themselves.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
Total Recall (1990)
The 1990 action thriller Total Recall was starred by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Construction worker Douglas Quaid was wondering why Mars kept appearing in his dream. It didn’t take long before he figured out that people implanted a fake memory in his mind and also wanted to kill him. The film is full of wacky scenes, but there’s one moment in particular that takes the cake — and it sent viewers pausing and replaying. In the movie’s most paused moment, a woman with three breasts is shown on the screen. We can’t say we blame the viewers who hit pause on this frame and thought to themselves, “Did I just see what I think I saw?!” The film was packed with absurd scenes, but there one scene in particular that stood out the most and event made viewers to repeatedly pause and reply to that part. A woman with three breasts was shown on the screen in the movie’s most paused scene. You can’t blame the viewers for repeatedly replaying this scene, I mean, It’s not every day that you see a woman with three boobs!
Total Recall (1990)
Teen Wolf (1985)
Long before Teen Wolf was made into a television show, it was a movie that perfectly mixed the elements of a coming-of-age, rom-com, and fantasy film all in one. It hit theatres in 1985 and starred Michael J. Fox as the teenage misfit who learns he is a werewolf. Before it was made into a television show, Teen Wolf was a movie that had a variety of elements, from coming-of-age, rom-com, and fantasy film all in one. The movie was released in theatres in 1985 and was starred by Michael J. Fox was the teenage misfit who discovered that he’s a werewolf. Strange as it may seem, the movie’s most paused scene happens just minutes before the credits roll. Scott Howard, Fox’s character won the basketball match when the camera swung over to an excited crowd cheering from the bleachers. There is nothing weird about that except for a guy that appeared with his pants and underpants down. Yes, one of the extras made and effort to do that.
Teen Wolf (1985)
Spider-Man (2002)
The first-ever Spider-Man movie was brought to us in 2002. After 18 years and eight Spider-Man years later, people still believed that it was the best one. Before Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland played for the role, we had Toby Maguire looking at the horizon in thought, swinging around New York City, and of course, how can we forget the famous Mary-Jane Watson kiss while Spidey was dangling upside down. It’s not hard to see why this scene has been paused so much since their kiss is iconic. But not seen here is the picture right in front of it, in which Dunst’s see-through shirt is a little forgiving to the innocent eye, and which viewers can’t help but replay sometimes.
Spider-Man (2002)
Aladdin (1992)
Hidden Easter eggs of Disney animators’ mostly stayed as inside jokes between them before the time of VHS and home video. The only way of spreading the news when viewers caught wind of the said inside jokes is through word of mouth. But thanks to streaming services available today, animators are forced to step their game up for them to hide these easter eggs better. In one of the scenes of the 1992 Aladdin, Aladdin asks Genie to turn him into a prince and this is where the animators planted a not-so-hidden Easter egg. While flipping the book through recipes for making a princely persona, he pulls out a crab, who is none other than Sebastian from the movie The Little Mermaid.
Aladdin (1992)
The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
The last thing that a group of five friends going on a vacation to a cabin forest expects is to have a bunch of backwoods zombies disturbing them. But they are left with no other choice when a shady organization of scientist manipulates them to an underground lair. One scene made almost every fan of horror films’ pause the scene to get a better look at it. It is when two scientists are shown contemplating what would happen next to the group of friends. Behind them is a whiteboard with names of different clowns, zombies, witches, and mutants.
The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
She’s the Man (2006)
Unknown to many, this 2006 comedy originates back to William Shakespeare. The film’s plot has the same from the English bard’s Twelfth Night, which focuses on the twins, Viola and Sebastian, who get separated from one another after a shipwreck. Viola then dresses up as Sebastian to be safer when travelling alone. In She’s the Man, Amanda Bynes’ character Viola does something similar, but this time for different reasons. She did this with hopes of getting into the male soccer team. When things got out of hand, Sebastian was forced to pull his pants down to prove that he’s a dude. Viola then lifts her shirt to prove that she is a woman. Many people paused for the scene and we’re sure most of them who missed the scene probably reviewed the movie.
She’s the Man (2006)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
The Wolf of Wall Street chronicled around the story of a New York City stockbroker, Jordan Belfort. He conned his way into making fortune off of penny stocks in the 1990s. It has a plot that crashed helicopters, prostitutes, and drugs. That made viewers think that Martin Scorsese must have taken lots of creative liberty in describing the story. Scorcese’s movie follows the memoir Belfort wrote on the same title. Whether the hot scenes of Margot Robbie reducing Leonardo DiCaprio happened, we’re not so sure. But one thing is for sure, we know that viewers loved it and many admit to replaying the scenes from time to time.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
American Pie (1999)
A certain brand of high-school based comedies came upon in the late 90s and early 2000s. American Pie was at the helm of it all. The films were wild, free, and exciting! It brings the cast of Sean William Scott, Tara Reid, Jason Biggs, and Alyson Hannigan. There was one scene that was very memorable to viewers. It was when a foreign student, Nadia, undresses to a live webcam audience, even though she thinks she is alone. It is a moment which was certainly paused and replayed quite a bit.
American Pie (1999)
American Beauty (1999)
American Beauty was another popular film that came out during that year. The scene in question wasn’t hard to recall for those who have already seen the film. It starts with the film’s protagonist, Lester, sitting in a crowded basketball gym, and watching a group of cheerleaders do their dance routine. He soon becomes infatuated with the lead cheerleader played by Mena Suvari, someone who also starred in American Pie. Her spotlight shines as he becomes more focused on her dancing and when all else turns to black. We’re sure no one would forget that film-defining moment any time soon.
American Beauty (1999)
Cruel Intentions (1999)
This movie was like a dark and mysterious cousin of American Pie. It also packs young, vibrant, and lovely stars. But the downside is that many of them are also incredibly malicious and full of really cruel intentions. Sarah Michelle Gellar, playing the role of the sinister Kathryn, is the head of the snake – but it’s safe to say that she dominated every scene she was in. The scene that got stuck to most of the viewer’s minds for a while is when she taught the less experienced Cecile how to kiss. We’re sure treated with one of the most entertaining and not boring lessons of all time.
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Grease (1978)
Many scenes make Grease a classic. The high school drama involved is great entertainment for young viewers and the catchy tunes are endless. But the scene at the very end that turns everything upside down. Throughout the entire film, a new girl Sandra Dee is portrayed as the goody-two-shoes and the movie even dedicates a whole song just to show her innocence! But in the final scene, she shows up with a full-on makeover, wearing black leather tight pants and top combo. It was surely a shock for most viewers of the film.
Grease (1978)
Dirty Dancing (1987)
There is a moment in Dirty Dancing that is so iconic that is has been recreated countless times. It occurred in the climax of the movie, where “Time of my life” is going its way through the speakers, and Jennifer Grey goes right up in the outstretched arms of Patrick Swayze. It was the case there because it is a kind of redeeming moment that can make a film truly great. In a lot of ways, it almost as if the scene was made so that people would pause for it. Surely, lots of fans tried to recreate this pose of the two and pausing the scene to study the stars at this moment is a great way for fans to be able to perfect the pose.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Signs (2002)
The man who gave us this movie was already a pretty big deal before Signs cane out in 2002. M. Night Shyamalan was already a pretty big deal by the time Signs came out in 2002. The world was now a few years removed from the success of his film The Sixth Sense. and they were waiting to see what else the moviemaker had up his sleeve. Signs were a pretty compelling movie about aliens coming down from outer space but there was one scene everyone paused most of all. It took a long time for the aliens in the movie to show up, but when they did, it tore the house down. A newscaster showed footage of a long, human-like green alien to the world taken on a camcorder at a birthday party. Even though the world was fictional, viewers still felt the fear in the character’s eyes.
Signs (2002)
Sleeping With Other People (2015)
There is a good chance that you’ll see something wild when you see Alison Brie on the screen. In Sleeping With Other People, she gave the viewers a provocative dance scene which they probably didn’t expect. But we’re sure none of them complained about it. Brie plays the role of a girl in the film who reunites with Jake, an old college friend whom she had once been intimate with. Their eventual coupling up was inevitable, and the dance scene surely didn’t make things easier for Jake.
Sleeping With Other People (2015)
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
You have to talk about Marilyn Monroe when you talk about Hollywood titans who paved the way for the future of the industry. She was a symbol back then when sexuality was starting to change rapidly. One scene from this movie sums up the effect that she had on the world. A strong gust of air blows her white dress up as she walks over a subway grate while she innocently laughs and covered herself. She manages to balance modesty and exposure and she does effortlessly that it is no surprise her image stood tall for a long time.
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
The Graduate (1967)
The story of Benjamin Braddock, a young man of interest who moves back in with his parents after college is the center of this Oscar-winning film, The Graduate. While struggling to find direction in his life, he is seduced by a woman twice his age! But their affairs was short-lived because he soon falls for her daughter, Elaine. The film’s progressive plot may have caused a stir among some of its 1967 viewers, but it also gave us one of the most paused scenes in history. It is the scene where Mrs Robinson locks Benjamin in a room and strips naked. The quick glimpse of her body and the helpless look on Ben’s face made the scene priceless and iconic.
The Graduate (1967)
Iron Man (2008)
Marvel films are similar to Disney because they are both known for their Easter eggs. The movie Iron Man is a great example. In one notable scene, viewers are shown a glimpse of a movie made three years later. It captured fans of the comics of Captain America and it made Chris Evans a hero. It is in the scene where Tony Stark puts on his iconic suit, and Captain America’s shield lies to the left of him. It only took one viewer to notice it and after that, tons of fans turned to the movie to see the talked about the nod.
Iron Man (2008)
The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
Being a timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz is loved for a lot of reasons. Including its heartwarming message, memorable characters, imaginative world. and catchy sing-along songs. And even though it brings a lot of pause-worthy moments, there is one that stood above others. It is the scene where Dorothy and her friends are skipping cheerfully on the Yellow Brick Road. A dark figure is shown dangling from a tree in front of them. There were rumors that it was a cast member that must have committed suicide. In reality, it was just a huge bird.
The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King is an example of how rumors spread like wildfire once they hit the internet. In the animated classic, parents were outraged to spot a PG-13 word. This is the scene where Simba, Pumba, and Timon are lying on a rock, gazing up the stars. The rumors even got out of hand that even one of the movie’s animators had to step forward to discuss the scene. In reality, it wasn’t as dirty as people thought because the word spells “SFX” which is a nod to the film’s art and special effects department.
The Lion King (1994)
Fight Club (1999)
You must be thinking of what could be the most paused scene in Fight Club. But it is not one of those borderline pornographic scenes. It is actually when Brad Pitt appears on the screen before his character is even introduced in the plot. It is really easy to miss these moments because of how fast they are. Look away for a second and it’s gone, but Pitt appears in the film six different times before his character Tyler first meets the narrator on the plane. You can see him as one of the waiters in the TV commercial early on. You can also see him in the scene where the narrator is making photocopies and leaving the doctor’s office.
Fight Club (1999)
Jurassic World (2015)
Most people think of Jurassic World as an action-packed sci-fi thriller. Few people think about the comedy about the movie. But there is this one scene in particular where the viewers were everywhere laughing. It is in the scene where the pterodactyls fly around and create chaos in the park, we see people screaming and running for their lives. That is for everyone, except the man salvaging the two margaritas he is carrying while also finding straws for both.
Jurassic World (2015)
The Matrix (1999)
Throughout the majority of the movie, viewers were waiting to see whether Neo is true “The One” After Morpheus rescues Neo, he tells him that he is special. But after a particular comment from the all-knowing Oracle, we started to doubt Neo’s power. It is in the climax of the film where those doubts are squashed. We were able to see something extraordinary. Neo holds up his hand and miraculously stops the bullets his way. This was a defining moment in The Matrix franchise, and it certainly etched into our minds forever.
The Matrix (1999)