The Most Paused Movie Scenes in Hollywood History

When "The Wolf of Wall Street" was released to cinemas in 2013, moviegoers worldwide couldn't stop talking about it. There was one scene, in particular, that moviegoers felt inclined to pause - and no, it wasn't the slo-mo scene in which Jordan Belfort decided to abuse quaaludes.

The scene involved the leading lady, played by the talented Margot Robbie, attempts at seducing Leonardo DiCaprio's character. There you have it, one of the most-paused movie scenes in recent memory!

Along with Rami Malek's outstanding portrayal of rock legend Freddie Mercury - the movie was worth watching for many reasons. There is a cameo moment that is difficult to notice without a quick pause - which is the reason award-winning film "Bohemian Rhapsody" has made its way onto this list.

The moment may happen too quickly for one to notice, but Adam Lambert, the singer, portrays the trucker with whom Mercury becomes besotted.

While it may not be the most excellent movie of all time, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is home to one of the most-paused moments in cinema. Phoebe Cates's character, Linda Barrett, is going for a swim in her friend's pool in a red bikini.

The most paused moment in this movie, and perhaps in movie history, comes when Linda finally climbs up the steps and gets out of the pool...dropping viewers' jaws on the floor.

"Basic Instinct" was a groundbreaking film for many reasons. First of all, we are blessed with a criminal mastermind who can keep her murder a secret. In what might have been one of her most significant moments as an actress, Sharon Stone has made it on this list with a pause-worthy moment.

In this scene, Stone's character decided to cross her legs in a dress in an attempt to confuse the detective, portrayed by Michael Douglas. Surprise, surprise! It works!

Anytime you see Alison Brie on screen, there’s a good chance she’ll do something quirky or out of this world. This film was no different; in "Sleeping With Other People," Brie gave viewers a dance scene that they probably didn’t expect.

In the film, Brie plays the role of Lainey, a woman who reunites with Jake, an old college friend, played by Jason Sudeikis. The scene had Jake starring at his former college fling - though the closest viewers got was pausing the scene in hopes of making it last longer.

In the film "Zootopia," we're given a sneak peek into the lives of animals as they live their lives like humans in the big city. For the most part, the story revolves around a few animals as they try to uncover a conspiracy. In the middle of the mess, we're treated to a scene that is worth pausing.

One of the movie's characters glances at their iPod to reveal a list of musicians that have been renamed to fit the animal theme. Trust us, and this is a creative moment that is worth pausing!

This scene has been paused so many times; the image has become iconic in its own right. In fact, we've seen it so many times, and it's hard to imagine this scene was a part of a film, to begin with. In "The Seven Year Itch," Marilyn Monroe's character tempts the married male protagonist, Richard Sherman.

In one outstanding scene, Monroe gives us this moment, and she walks over a vent from the ground that begins to blow her dress up. She holds it down, but the scene is one that has been paused countless times since the movie's release in 1955.

Many refer to "The Exorcist" as one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Linda Blair's character's transition from a sweet innocent girl into a fully possessed demon really is a work of art. The film contains some tricks that make watchers want to pause.

One of the more obvious of these scenes is when the demon Pazuzu shows his face. In a brief moment, we are shown the face of the possessor, and of course - people paused to take a better look.

The next one might take a bit of concentration. "Iron Man" was one of the first in a series that we now know to be a modern-day superhero franchise. Aside from this, it is also known as being one of the most-paused movie moments in cinematic history. So, which scene exactly did Marvel fans pause on?

We get shown a little piece of Captain America's shield. While Tony Stark was being disassembled by his robot - we spot the guard hiding in the background...

Everyone knows that Jessica Rabbit is one of the most bodacious animated characters of all time. In the 1988 film, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"the red-haired woman often makes the people around her stop and stare at the screen.

Off-screen, it had the same effect; only viewers had to pause the film physically. It is important to remind fans that she is not real, which in all honesty, can be easy to forget.

Before he was known as the Former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in some of the greatest movies. His role in perhaps one of his biggest flicks, "Total Recall," led many to hit the pause button.

There is a scene in the science action film in which he is surveying the Martian planet and comes across a character that is different than many expect. It is that same difference that caused fans to pause and ponder.

"Anchorman" is one of those movies that crafts subtle jokes into every scene they could fit. For the audience that can read Spanish, this joke is enough to make anyone pause to read. In this scene, there is a Mexican restaurant with a pretty odd name.

The name translated into English is: “We spit in your food.” Although this joke speaks to a specific crowd, those who can read the language paused and giggled during this scene.

In the psychological thriller "Before I Go to Sleep," Nicole Kidman plays Christine Lucas, an amnesiac whose memories fade each time she falls asleep. The film itself didn’t win over much praise from critics; one scene, in particular, captured the attention of plenty of viewers.

One of the scenes that had the film's viewers pressing pause on repeat was the scene where Kidman appears to be standing naked, looking at a bunch of hanging photographs on the wall.

Although the title of the film may sound like the beginning of a pretty corny joke, the movie is phenomenal. There is one scene in the movie that is so strange and out of place. For a second, you have to pause it to make sure you didn't accidentally change the channel.

In that scene, we are shown a cardboard cutout in the background. Who is it a cutout of, you may be wondering? Actor and heartthrob, John Stamos! The strangeness of the scene had many raising an eyebrow as they pressed pause.

When you think of Chris Hemsworth, the last thing you think of is a horror movie, right? Well, in 2011, Hemsworth was cast in "The Cabin in the Woods," a modern horror movie that tried to things a little different. The film has one of the most-paused scenes in recent history.

The scene involved the controllers of the monsters showcasing which monsters and demons they do have control over, showing exactly how many. The fine details make many want to pause and review the scene.

In the first of the three Star Wars prequels, there is a small and hard-to-notice Easter egg that director George Lucas decided to place in the film. This shocking moment has many grabbing their remote and hitting pause.

In the scene in which senators and other politicians meet to talk, a glance at a specific platform will show a family of alien friends that may remind you of another movie...What movie, you may be asking? E.T! Keep your remote close next time you're binging Star Wars.

If there's one thing to be said about the movie "TRON," its that it was drastically ahead of its time, the movie's production incorporated state-of-the-art computer graphics to show a hacker in his digitized universe. The film was innovative, but more than that, there was one scene that was worth pausing.

There was one scene when the protagonist, Sark, is looking at a glass screen. What exactly is he doing? He's playing Pac-Man! Is this scene worth a pause? Um, yes!

The Oscar-winning film "The Graduate," starring Dustin Hoffman in his breakthrough performance, tells the story of a young man who moves back in with his parents after college. Hoffman's character, Benjamin Braddock, struggles to find direction in life and is seduced by a woman twice his age, Mrs. Robinson.

The film's progressive plot may have caused chaos with its release in 1967 but also blessed us with one of the most paused scenes in history - the one in which Mrs. Robinson locks Ben in a room and strips naked.

"Teen Wolf" was targeted as a family-friendly flick, but millions of viewers may disagree, and believe it or not, the scene in question happens minutes before the credits roll. During the movie's opening, an extra is seen with his pants and underwear around his ankles - a pause-worthy, gasp-inducing moment.

The exact moment happens when Michael J. Fox's character, Scott Howard, wins the basketball match when the camera catches a glimpse of the crowd cheering from the bleachers. Oops! Wonder how they forgot to edit that out.

The first "Matrix" movie is often regarded as one of the best films of all time. There is one scene in the Academy-award winning installment that is both a fan favorite and well, you guessed it - pause-worthy. In this scene, there is a shot reflected off a doorknob.

Usually, a shot would show a reflection of a camera, but the director decided to do something worthy of a double-take. They dressed the camera up to look like Morpheus. Dedication level - 100!

Perhaps one of the most film-defining moments in modern history - if you've ever seen "American Beauty," this scene won't be hard to recall. The film's protagonist, Lester, is sitting in a crowded basketball gym - when he becomes obsessed with the lead cheerleader, his daughter's best friend, played by Mena Suvari.

As he becomes fixated on the young woman, the spotlight shines on her, and all else fades to black. This scene has been paused so many times; it is embedded in our minds for good.

One of the most epic love stories of our time has evolved from a blockbuster movie to a cultural phenomenon, capturing the hearts of many. It's hard not to fall in love with Rose and Jack's love story. Rose admires Jack's images of naked women in Paris.

She asks him to draw her in what is the most-paused scene of the film. The drawing later plays a vital role in the movie after it's uncovered from the wreckage years later.

Over the years, there have been speculations over hidden messages in many Disney movies - "The Lion King" was not exempt from such allegations. There is a scene in which something a little eerie happens, and no, we're not talking about Mufasa's horrific death.

In the movie, there is a scene in which clouds of dust briefly spells out something in the sky. While the reasoning behind this decision is still a mystery - it's one that makes many viewers pause and wonder...

There are a few movies that have turned themselves into classics without even really knowing it. "Fight Club" is one of them. Full of raw, piercing moments, anyone who has seen this movie knows it's one to be admired.

Before we are appropriately introduced to Tyler Durden, Brad Pitt's character - we get a quick shot of him early on in the movie. If you blink, you will most likely miss the subliminal effect in this film as Tyler appears for a literal frame.

"Psyhco" may have been the first of many horror films of its kind. In many ways, the 1960 film has become the standard for how these movies would be made. There was one moment, though, there is a scene that is particularly pause-worthy.

In the photo here, which is a paused image from the film, we see the face of character Norman Bates's mother superimposed over his face. The haunting scene is one that many wanted to see again and again, to make sure their eyes aren't fooling them!

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" is a movie loved for many reasons. For starters, it was one of the films that helped us gain a new appreciation for Harrison Ford. Another reason is that it had one of the most-paused moments in movie history.

During filming, Belloq, played by Paul Freeman, is giving a speech. While speaking, a fly lands close to his mouth. Then the little critter makes its way into the actor's mouth. It's a moment worth pausing.

A Quentin Tarantino had to make it on this list! Famous for his non-linear plotlines, it's no surprise that "Pulp Fiction" is known for its constant slip-ups. In arguably one of the most infamous scenes, Jules ( Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent (John Travolta) successfully dodge bullets that are shot at them by someone hiding in the bathroom.

Some viewers took a closer look at the wall behind the two and noticed that the bullet holes were in the wall even before the shootout took place.

Even if you aren't the biggest Star Wars fan - you know that the original movies were groundbreaking. The films incorporate timeless themes into a cinematic experience that was hard to forget.

There's one scene in A New Hope that's deeply embedded in our minds. In this scene, a group of Stormtroopers comes off of a cargo ship. So what makes this scene so unique? It's probably far from what you're expecting! One of the Stormtroopers hits their head!

Cameos are frequent in Hollywood. Sometimes there’s an actor that’s asked to play a peripheral role to add some humor, or sometimes an actor strictly likes a production and wants to make their mark on it. In "Jurassic World" - Jimmy Buffet makes a cameo.

In the scene in which flying pterosaurs assault civilians, he is seen fleeing with two margaritas. It had us laughing...and pausing the scene to do a doubletake as we stirred up our own margaritas.

Cameos can frequently be the thing that makes or breaks a film. As for "Deadpool 2", there was a cameo that made the action movie even that more compelling. Once we figured out who this cameo was made by - many movie watchers felt the need to pause and contemplate.

The character in question, Vanisher, accidentally guides himself into a set of electrical wires. As a result, he is, unfortunately, electrocuted to death. In the process, we are shown that the invisible man is portrayed by none other than...wait for it, Brad Pitt!

As well as being one of M. Night Shyamalan's better films, "Signs" was one of Mel Gibson's more prominent roles before he experienced a downpour of negative publicity. In one creepy moment of the film, we are exposed to footage showing the alien caught on tape.

The eerie creature is shown lurking in an alley in Mexico. The briefness of the sequence has caused many fans to stop and pause the scene.

While it may not be the most recognizable as the other films on this list, "Scanners" has built a strong fanbase since being released in the early 1980s. Scanners mostly revolve around psychic powers and how hard dealing with those powers can be.

We don't want to spoil it for you, but the following scene has been paused countless amounts of times due to the gory nature of it. It entails the typical 1980s horror tactics, including the explosion of someone's head complete with ketchup and ground beef.

The Toy Story gang can't stay out of trouble - no matter how hard they try. In the third movie, they are donated to daycare. There is one scene in this animated wonder that has caused many people (old and young) to stop the film immediately.

This scene is where a villain from one of the past movies is now shown as the sanitation worker. You have to be pretty sharp to notice, but when you do, the pause button comes in handy!

Some movies add such a subtle form of foreshadowing, we can't help but admire them for it.  "Beauty and the Beast" is one of those films. This very tactic has also earned it a spot on our list of most-paused movie moments.

In this climactic scene, Gaston tries to attack The Beast. As he approaches, little skulls are placed into his eyes, moments before he’s thrown from the ledge. This subtle artistry is worthy of pause.

It's no secret that fans have been spotting out many obscure references since the 1939 classic was released. One of the strangest observations someone made was in the background while Dorothy and the gang were walking down the yellow brick road.

Although the official story confirmed the figure in the background was, in fact, a bird, many viewers have developed a theory that a munchkin is spotted taking his own life. It certainly puts a dark spin on this scene!

There is one moment in "Dirty Dancing" that is so iconic - it has been recreated countless times. It occurs in the film's climax just as "Time of My Life" blasts in the speakers, and Jennifer Grey soars up into the arms of Patrick Swayze.

It's the kind of moment that makes a film great, and in many ways, it seems like this scene was created specifically for people to pause it. Anyone who ever tried to recreate this pose knows that they had to tirelessly study Swayze and Grey at this moment, staring at the paused screen until they perfected it.

"Burn After Reading" had a cast of characters that is anything but typical. Some are so bizarre and awkward that we can’t help but flinch anytime they enter a frame. One of the movie's most pause-worthy moments - that is, if you didn't need to pause the film and take breaks while watching it - is Brad Pitt is lingering in a closet.

While some might find this recreational activity odd, the sudden plot twist involving his character caused many pauses.

There is no denying that Paul Thomas Anderson’s "Boogie Nights" is a unique movie due to the focus of attention. The 1997 drama revolved around Mark Wahlberg's character, Dirk Diggler, an aspiring adult movie star. He slowly but surely becomes the talk of the town.

Viewers couldn't help but pause, not one, but several moments throughout the movie. The most seemingly paused movie scene happened when Diggler bares all for the crew. As it turns out, whatever he was showing off was prosthetic.

The 1999 film "Cruel Intentions" is easily a cult classic. The characters are young, beautiful, and are experiencing love for the first time. At the same time, they are also full of...you guessed it, cruel intentions. Sarah Michelle Gellar, playing the role of Kathryn, dominated every scene she was in.

This specific scene has been in fan's heads for more than two decades. As Kathryn taught Cecile (Selma Blair) how to kiss, we were treated to one of the most entertaining and most-paused lessons of all time.

Though it was critically slammed, "Wild Things" has a particularly steamy scene that will forever be synonymous with the film. The film's main characters, portrayed by Denise Richards and Neve Campbell, kiss in the swimming pool.

This scene is one that forced most folks to forget they didn't like the movie to begin with. Of course, it was that scene that had people grabbing their remotes and hitting pause. Although the film was destined to be a flop, this is a scene worth remembering.

"Man of Steel" depicts the Krypton expatriate-turned-superhero played by none of there than Henry Cavill plays the. In the scene in which Cavill's character is fighting the supervillain General Zod, we see a delightful little gem that has caused many to hit pause.

What kind of gem, you may be wondering? On the satellite the two crash into on their way out of Earth’s orbit, we get a glimpse of a Wayne Enterprises logo. This little bit of foreshadowing has caused many to imagine the increased frustration with Batman.

"She's the Man" traces its story's origins way back to William Shakespeare. The film centers around two twins Viola and Sebastian, in which Amanda Bynes' character Viola dresses up as her brother in hopes of making it onto an all-male soccer team.

When things get out of hand, Viola is forced to reveal her true identity by flashing her chest - causing everyone to hit pause and see if they could catch a look.

2002 marked the first "Spider-Man" movie of many. Nearly twenty years later, people are still calling it one of the best. One of the best movies, kisses, was also one of the most-paused moments in history. Tobey Maguire playing Spider-Man set the bar high for those who would come after.

Spidey kissing Mary-Jane Watson while dangling upside down is a scene paused so often, and it's easy to understand why that kiss was simply iconic.

Back in the 90s, Disney animators’ hidden Easter eggs were inside jokes between them.  If viewers ever saw the secret tricks, they would spread the news of it through word of mouth. These days, thanks to streaming services and the ability to screenshot, animators are forced to step up their game to keep these moments better hidden.

In "Aladdin," when Aladdin asks Genie to turn him into a prince, animators planted a not-so-hidden surprise. Genie takes out a book, and while he flips through recipes on how to make a princely persona out of someone, he pulls out a crab - Sebastian from The Little Mermaid.

"Back to the Future" has become a massive part of the subcultures that saw it. It was a rite of passage for the era in which is it was released. Among many memorable moments, there was one scene in particular that stood out, and one easily missed if the remote wasn't nearby.

Marty McFly runs over a tree that is the namesake for a local grocery - Twin Pines. When he visits the store in the future, we see that the store had to change its name to Lone Pine because he ran over one of the trees.

Although we tend to think that Disney movies are as innocent as they get - the more we watch them, the more we realize adult innuendos are hiding in every corner. "The Little Mermaid" had its fair share of references that were, and still are, considered inappropriate.

The moments were so shocking that people had to pause them just to understand if they saw things right. For example, when Ariel is given human legs, the viewers see too much of her...for a children's movie.

Years after fans begged and pleaded for a sequel to "Finding Nemo"; "Finding Dory" was released. In the animated sensation, we follow Dory as she navigates her way through life as a forgetful fish. While Dory is in the midst of trouble, you'll see an unexpected villain, that is, if you look closely enough.

On the wall behind where Dory is encased, we see a photo of one of the main villains from "Finding Nemo" - Darla, the girl with the braces. You may have to pause to catch it, though.

Many scenes turn "Grease" into a cultural classic. The movie's catchy tunes are endless, and the high school drama involved is good entertainment for young and old viewers alike. But it’s the scene at the very end that makes the movie.

Throughout the entire film, the new girl Sandra Dee is such a "good girl" that there is even a song dedicated to her innocence! But in the final scene, we see her come out after a complete makeover - a moment that has fans pausing in awe and had our chills multiplying.

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" is another "coming into their own" story of one of our favorite Marvel characters. In the film, Spiderman learns how to save the world while balancing the mischievousness that comes with being a high school student.

There is one moment in the movie that has paused so many times - and it's a surprising one. One of the movie's characters is reading literature that you wouldn't expect a high school teenager to be reading...

It seems like if there are Easter eggs in almost every Marvel Studios film. One of the most paused scenes in the franchise happens to be in one of the studio's least popular films, "Thor: The Dark World." The scene we're talking about is when Dr. Selvig scribbles all over a chalkboard in the mental health facility he's in.

The gibberish that's written is actually real astronomical and mathematical equations and theories. They even contain the name of a place called Nidavellir, which plays a huge part in "Avengers: Infinity War."

Yet another paused Marvel movie scene; this time, at the end of "Iron Man 2." Tony Stark and Nick Fury meet, and behind the characters is a screen that apparently shows a map of superhero motion.

The areas reveal "hotspots" like Captain America's frozen body in Greenland, a spot in Africa that would be revealed as Wakanda years later, Thor's hammer in New Mexico, and many other hidden gems.

Disney may have been one of the first studios to drop Easter eggs into their films. One of the most hard-to-spot and subtle moments took place in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" when Quasimodo sings high above the city.

If you look closely at the city streets, you'll see Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" reading a book, the Carpet from Aladdin, and Poomba from "The Lion King."

In "The Back-up Plan," Jennifer Lopez’s character undergoes artificial insemination. The film tells the story of her pregnancy and the new guy in her life. As you may already know, the world has become somewhat obsessed with J-Lo's behind.

In the movie, there is a scene where movie-watchers can see Lopez's backside as she looks in the mirror. Of course, the moment has been paused countless times in hopes of catching a glimpse. Well, we have some news for you, it's not actually Jennifer in the scene at all; it's her body double!

More than 20 years after its release, "There’s Something About Mary" still manages to hold its place as a comedy classic. The film has many memorable scenes but perhaps the most significant scene. Definitely, the most paused moment was when a teenage Ben Stiller had an unfortunate incident with his zipper.

It looks like a painful moment, which raises why people would want to pause the video, but they still do!

"Ghostbusters" was a big hit when it came out in the mid-'80s; it was appealing to both older and younger audiences. It was so appealing, in fact, that a special someone made a brief cameo in the film. Ron Jeremy, a famous 1970s adult film actor, made an appearance in the film.

Viewers noticed the actor's presence, and of course, paused the film to get a better look at him. Jeremy can be seen in a crowd as the ghost outbreak occurs.

There aren't many things that surpass the joy of watching a classic Disney film. One of the things that outdo a Disney classic is a Disney scandal.

In the 1953 "Peter Pan," Peter does a little dance to show that his shadow has been sewed to his feet and is now stuck for the rest of his life. In addition to the dance, the viewer got a quick yet seemingly inappropriate outline of his lower region, so of course, this scene had to be put on this list.

"American Pie" may be one of the most iconic teen comedies of our time. The films were free, wild, and exciting. The cast rose to fame thanks to the movies; actors like Jason Bigg, Alyson Hannigan, and Tara Reid became huge after the films' release.

Though the films were full of controversy, there was one scene that was very memorable to viewers. Nadia, the international student, undresses in front of a webcam, under the impression that she was alone. Needless to say, the moment was paused and replayed by many fans.

As the daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis was destined for fame. She made a name for herself as the "Scream Queen," after her tole in the horror film, "Halloween." As she grew older, she managed to land herself roles in several movies, one of which was "Trading Places."

In one scene, in particular, Jamie was standing in front of a mirror and was soon deemed "the body," thanks to her perfect figure. This highly anticipated scene has been paused numerous times and will probably be paused for many years to come.

E.T's freedom ride has captured the hearts of viewers since the film's release in 1982. It's also captured their pause button.

As E.T lifts the two with his telekinetic powers, their silhouettes can be seen against the moon, creating one of the most beautiful, well-known, and most-paused shots in cinematic history. The shot has left its mark on millions of viewers since the movie's release until today.

Stanley Kubrick's directing technique is quickly identifiable due to his constant, symmetrical framing and camera viewpoints. In one particular scene in "2001: A Space Odyssey," the main character, Dave Bowman, is in center frame and surrounded by white lights.

Kubrick created the feeling that the viewer is directly behind Bowman, making them feel like a part of a narrative and causing many to pause the film.

"Alien" was a pretty exciting film. After a baby Xenomorph is introduced into the plot, the audience gets a real taste of what's about to await the crew. The scene also showcases the destructive abilities of these creatures.

So many elements at this moment caused viewers to pause, from the gory effects to the look of horror on the actors' faces.

The 1994 film "Speed" more than lives up to its title. The film is so fast-paced if you don't pay close enough attention, you may miss something. After a "duel" between Payne and Jack Traven, Payne is beheaded by an overhead light.

If you rewind that moment and hit pause, you'll notice that the actor (Dennis Hopper) has been replaced with a lifeless dummy.

In the graphic novel, there are a couple of panels in which Evey is nude. Though Natalie Portman didn't go topless for the film adaptation, there was a wink to the original novel. It takes place when V sends Evey in to help assassinate an evil clergyman.

After Evey tries to escape, there's a brief glimpse of what she's been wearing underneath. A moment that was paused too many times to count.

At first glance, “The Rescuers” seems like an innocent family film. When the film was released, attentive audiences noticed something a little bit risqué about this G-rated flick. While hitching a ride on Orville, Bernard and Bianca fly past the image of a topless woman in the New York City background.

Unless you're paying very close attention, you'll miss it. And though we're not sure who's responsible for the mishap, we do know that Disney had to recall more than 3 million videos due to controversy.