Top 10 Movies You Only Know for One Scene.
Here's a list of iconic scenes that have eclipsed the movies they are in, featuring unforgettable moments with Marilyn Monroe, Tom Cruise, and more:
### Top 10 Forgotten Plots Overshadowed by Iconic Moments
1. **"The Seven Year Itch" (1955)**
- **Iconic Scene:** Marilyn Monroe’s White Dress Over the Subway Grate
- **Why:** Monroe's white dress billowing up over a subway grate became one of the most famous images in film history, overshadowing the rest of the film's plot.
2. **"Risky Business" (1983)**
- **Iconic Scene:** Tom Cruise Dancing in His Underwear
- **Why:** Tom Cruise's character dancing in his underwear to Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll" became a cultural touchstone, eclipsing the film's storyline about a teenager's wild adventure.
3. **"Chariots of Fire" (1981)**
- **Iconic Scene:** Running on the Beach
- **Why:** The opening sequence of athletes running on the beach to the iconic Vangelis score is so memorable that it overshadows the film's plot about two runners competing in the 1924 Olympics.
4. **"Say Anything…" (1989)**
- **Iconic Scene:** John Cusack Holding Up the Boombox
- **Why:** The image of John Cusack’s character holding a boombox over his head, playing "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, became an enduring symbol of romantic gesture, overshadowing the rest of the film’s narrative.
5. **"Basic Instinct" (1992)**
- **Iconic Scene:** Sharon Stone's Interrogation
- **Why:** Sharon Stone's provocative leg-crossing during the interrogation scene became one of the most talked-about moments in film, eclipsing the intricate plot of this thriller.
6. **"Jerry Maguire" (1996)**
- **Iconic Scene:** "Show Me the Money!"
- **Why:** The scene where Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character demands that Tom Cruise's character "show me the money!" became an unforgettable moment that overshadowed the film's overall plot about a sports agent's redemption.
7. **"The Graduate" (1967)**
- **Iconic Scene:** "Mrs. Robinson, You're Trying to Seduce Me"
- **Why:** The line delivered by Dustin Hoffman's character became iconic, often overshadowing the rest of the film’s plot about a young man's affair with an older woman and subsequent pursuit of her daughter.
8. **"A Few Good Men" (1992)**
- **Iconic Scene:** "You Can't Handle the Truth!"
- **Why:** Jack Nicholson's explosive courtroom outburst became one of the most quoted lines in cinema, overshadowing the intricate legal drama of the film.
9. **"Titanic" (1997)**
- **Iconic Scene:** "I'm the King of the World!"
- **Why:** Leonardo DiCaprio’s character standing at the bow of the ship and proclaiming "I'm the king of the world!" is one of the most iconic moments in film history, often eclipsing the film's broader narrative.
10. **"Dirty Dancing" (1987)**
- **Iconic Scene:** The Final Dance
- **Why:** The climactic dance to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" became a cultural phenomenon, often overshadowing the film's plot about a young
### Top 10 Forgotten Plots Overshadowed by Iconic Moments
1. **"The Seven Year Itch" (1955)**
- **Iconic Scene:** Marilyn Monroe’s White Dress Over the Subway Grate
- **Why:** Monroe's white dress billowing up over a subway grate became one of the most famous images in film history, overshadowing the rest of the film's plot.
2. **"Risky Business" (1983)**
- **Iconic Scene:** Tom Cruise Dancing in His Underwear
- **Why:** Tom Cruise's character dancing in his underwear to Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll" became a cultural touchstone, eclipsing the film's storyline about a teenager's wild adventure.
3. **"Chariots of Fire" (1981)**
- **Iconic Scene:** Running on the Beach
- **Why:** The opening sequence of athletes running on the beach to the iconic Vangelis score is so memorable that it overshadows the film's plot about two runners competing in the 1924 Olympics.
4. **"Say Anything…" (1989)**
- **Iconic Scene:** John Cusack Holding Up the Boombox
- **Why:** The image of John Cusack’s character holding a boombox over his head, playing "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, became an enduring symbol of romantic gesture, overshadowing the rest of the film’s narrative.
5. **"Basic Instinct" (1992)**
- **Iconic Scene:** Sharon Stone's Interrogation
- **Why:** Sharon Stone's provocative leg-crossing during the interrogation scene became one of the most talked-about moments in film, eclipsing the intricate plot of this thriller.
6. **"Jerry Maguire" (1996)**
- **Iconic Scene:** "Show Me the Money!"
- **Why:** The scene where Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character demands that Tom Cruise's character "show me the money!" became an unforgettable moment that overshadowed the film's overall plot about a sports agent's redemption.
7. **"The Graduate" (1967)**
- **Iconic Scene:** "Mrs. Robinson, You're Trying to Seduce Me"
- **Why:** The line delivered by Dustin Hoffman's character became iconic, often overshadowing the rest of the film’s plot about a young man's affair with an older woman and subsequent pursuit of her daughter.
8. **"A Few Good Men" (1992)**
- **Iconic Scene:** "You Can't Handle the Truth!"
- **Why:** Jack Nicholson's explosive courtroom outburst became one of the most quoted lines in cinema, overshadowing the intricate legal drama of the film.
9. **"Titanic" (1997)**
- **Iconic Scene:** "I'm the King of the World!"
- **Why:** Leonardo DiCaprio’s character standing at the bow of the ship and proclaiming "I'm the king of the world!" is one of the most iconic moments in film history, often eclipsing the film's broader narrative.
10. **"Dirty Dancing" (1987)**
- **Iconic Scene:** The Final Dance
- **Why:** The climactic dance to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" became a cultural phenomenon, often overshadowing the film's plot about a young
Transcript
00:00Hey, Stella!
00:05Hey, Stella!
00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Movies You Only Know For One Scene.
00:16For this list, we'll be looking at forgotten plots overshadowed by singular iconic moments.
00:21What scene do you think eclipses the movie it's in? Let us know in the comments.
00:26Hey, Mojoholics!
00:28For a chance to win cash prizes, play our live daily trivia challenges every day at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern
00:35only at watchmojo.com slash play.
00:41Even if you're a huge cinephile or Martin Scorsese superfan, there's a good chance when you think of Taxi Driver,
00:47the scene where Robert De Niro talks to himself in front of a mirror is immediately what jumps out.
00:51You talking to me?
00:55You talking to me?
00:59Then who the hell else are you talking to?
01:01You talking to me?
01:03Well, I'm the only one here.
01:05Like other entries on this list, the scene has been the source of a countless number of parodies for movies and TV shows,
01:11and has undoubtedly been mimicked by introverts and egotists alike.
01:14The movie, of course, offers more than just this scene, such as the excellent performances from Jodie Foster and Harvey Keitel.
01:21Go ahead, I'll give you some good time. Go ahead.
01:25So if De Niro's monologue is the only part you know, you won't regret giving the film an entire watch through.
01:30So what makes you so high and mighty? Will you tell me that?
01:34Didn't you ever try looking at your own eyeballs in the mirror?
01:39If you're playing Trivial Pursuit or you ever find yourself on Jeopardy,
01:42this is the movie where Gene Kelly dances with Jerry from Tom and Jerry.
01:46The character visits the kingdom where Jerry is ruling over and teaches him how to dance in a spectacular, cheery number.
01:55The rotoscoping was an innovative display of visual effects for the 1940s,
01:58and it made it so that Kelly and Jerry moved together seamlessly.
02:01Look at me! I'm dancing!
02:10The entire sequence is the dictionary definition of wholesome.
02:13The filmmakers initially wanted Mickey Mouse, but unfortunately, Disney wasn't interested.
02:17Even Family Guy is paid tribute to the scene, in one where Stewie takes the place of Jerry.
02:31This film won the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay,
02:34but we challenge you to name another part of the movie that isn't associated with running on the beach
02:39or that recognizable score by Vangelis alongside it.
02:43The scene from the opening credits comes in the form of a flashback.
02:47One of the characters is reminiscing at a funeral and seems to be remembering a group of men running along a sandy shore.
02:53The scene and score were featured predominantly in the trailer, so the studio knew they had a good thing going.
03:02Incidentally, the beach that was used, which is located on West Sands in St. Andrews, Scotland,
03:07has also enjoyed tourism from interests surrounding the film.
03:13The most spectacular scene from this biblically-themed epic has to be the chariot race.
03:17In the scene, Charlton Heston's character, Judah Ben-Hur, races for his freedom in direct competition with Masala,
03:23a former friend-turned-rival who betrayed him.
03:30They really went all out for shooting, going as far as to build an 18-acre set in Rome.
03:35The stunt work, directed by Yakima Kanat, and the practical effects are also breathtaking.
03:39It is one of the most iconic scenes in film history, and it stays with viewing audiences long after they've finished seeing the movie.
03:45The whole movie is a build-up to this compelling exchange between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson's characters.
03:49They're not enemies, they just like to stress each other out.
03:52Of course, here's the unique difference between these two.
03:55Christopher Nolan, and a film that is purely colorful, has, on the contrary, more of a sentimental side to it.
04:00They're full of emotions, but that doesn't mean that this is an overtly tragic film.
04:04But there's one thing the film lacks.
04:06This is a very emotional film.
04:09Music is the reason why you take what's important and never give a damn about it.
04:13between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson's characters in the courtroom,
04:16or, honestly, it's a build-up to one of pop culture's greatest lines.
04:23Cruise plays Daniel Caffey, a JAG lawyer defending two clients accused of murdering a fellow Marine.
04:28To get them off, Caffey goats Colonel Jessup into admitting that he gave the
04:32order for the Marines' murder. Nicholson's performance is disturbing yet hypnotic,
04:41as he passionately defends his cynical worldview,
04:44and Cruise's acting is as earnest as David up against Goliath.
04:47The dialogue delivered in this sparring match is Aaron Sorkin at his best.
05:04In this movie, John Cusack plays a teen slacker Lloyd, who starts a relationship
05:09with a class valedictorian played by Ione Skye. After they break up,
05:12Lloyd tries to win her back with one of the most memorable romantic gestures in movie history.
05:22Originally, director Cameron Crowe wanted to use an Elvis Costello song for this pivotal scene,
05:27but had to settle for Peter Gabriel.
05:28It's hard to hear In Your Eyes on the radio without thinking of Say Anything,
05:44just as hard as it would be to think of Say Anything without this scene.
05:53The scene where Tom Hanks and Robert Loge's characters play chopsticks and hardened soul
05:58on the giant piano was a highlight because of two things.
06:07Firstly, it's a heartwarming scene where two characters bond by connecting with their inner
06:10child, and secondly, that walking piano is really cool. The creator of the walking piano
06:15made a special over-15-foot version that reportedly is valued at $250,000.
06:21Production assistant Timothy Bourne wondered aloud whether Hanks and Loge could even be
06:25physically capable of playing the thing. It was such a concern that two professional
06:29dancers were assigned to take their place for shots of dancing feet if needed.
06:40Fortunately, Hanks and Loge were able to perform their duet and make the memorable scene.
06:44This film won eight Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor for Frank Sinatra and Best Picture,
06:49yet the main thing people remember from the movie is the scene where the tide comes in
06:53as Burt Lancaster and Debra Kerr's characters share a passionate kiss.
07:00Though the two don't have intercourse like they do in the book, the scene was definitely
07:04considered rather scandalous for the time. Originally, the two were supposed to be
07:08Originally, it was written for the two to be standing up as they shared their embrace
07:11to be censor-friendly, but Lancaster apparently thought it would be better lying down. It
07:15looks like he made the right call.
07:21As everyone knows, one of the most iconic images of Marilyn Monroe is that of the actress
07:25standing over a subway grate and holding down her dress as it blows up in the wind.
07:32That's from this moment on.
07:38Director Billy Wilder knew this scene would be an attention grabber, and, in order to
07:42drum up publicity for the upcoming movie, he allowed the public to witness the filming
07:46of the scene. However, commotion from the public interfered with its production, so
07:50it ended up having to be redone on the Fox lot in California.
07:54Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
07:58On the Waterfront
07:59Brando bares his heart out over what could have been.
08:08Battleship Petumpkin
08:09Calling all films, students! Who could forget the baby carriage going down the Odessa steps?
08:19Glenn Gary, Glenn Ross
08:21Alec Baldwin really sells the movie with his brief appearance.
08:32Soylent Green
08:34Soylent Green
08:35Charlton Heston perfectly sums up everything with his exclamation.
08:41Spartacus
08:42This simple act of solidarity is a downright inspiring moment.
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09:10Risky Business
09:12One of Tom Cruise's early films, Risky Business helped launch the actor into
09:15superstardom thanks largely to the scene. His character, Joel, is home alone for the
09:26weekend after his parents have left town. Naturally, part of his celebration involves
09:30dressing casually and rocking out to a Bob Steeger tune. Cruise had a lot of input in
09:40this scene, from the decision to wear socks to make the slide smoother to the dance moves
09:44that he improvised. A true mark of one of the greats, this is a performer who always
09:49throws himself completely into everything he does.
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10:06latest videos.