You can’t go wrong when it comes to Will Smith. “Men in Black” follows Jay (Smith) in his journey to join the super-secret Men in Black organization. As he arrives, he initially receives a facility tour, which is exactly when our most paused moment happens. Jay takes a facility tour, eventually arriving at a holographic computer that displays several alien locations.
Audiences were forced to pause the screen to understand precisely what images were being displayed. If you’re quick enough to pause the scene, you’ll notice each image is a celebrity or rather an alien disguised as a celebrity. This brilliant shot was both clever and a dig at quite a few of our favorite celebs, including Danny DeVito and Sylvester Stallone.
V for Vendetta (2006)
Within the graphic novel are a few panels in which Evey appears in a state of nudity. While the film adaptation featuring Natalie Portman refrains from showcasing explicit nudity, it cleverly nods to the source material. During a pivotal scene orchestrated by V, Evey is sent on a mission to assist in the assassination of an evil clergyman.
When Evey attempts to flee, a fleeting glimpse is granted, revealing the revealing attire she had been concealed in. This tantalizing moment, blending the delicate balance between homage and artistic interpretation has enticed countless viewers to hit the pause button repeatedly. The scene's allure lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in the symbolic representation of Evey's transformation and her journey toward empowerment.
The Rescuers (1977)
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. So, what started off as trying to spice up the child-friendly movie, turned into a very expensive bill Disney had to pay.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
In this thriller, director Stanley Kubrick gives us a look into a world full of secrets, lies, and deception. "Eyes Wide Shut" feels like the culmination of a career spent telling stories of every stripe; it's at once horrifying, intimate, and thrilling, and it explores a world that is unlike anything that could exist outside the mind of Kubrick. One of the most pause-worthy moments in the history of cinema takes place in this unique film.
When our protagonist, Bill Hartford, portrayed by Tom Cruise, arrives at a mysterious event of an obscure cult, we encounter an intimate ceremony. This unforgettable moment has had viewers pressing pause for the past 20 years and will have fans pressing pause for years to come.
Inception (2010)
One of the most captivating films of the century, "Inception," caught the eyes of many viewers. A complicated and unique plot that follows the powers and possibilities of lucid dreaming, Christopher Nolan's "Inception" is the source of an incredible pause-worthy moment. This moment happens when Leonardo DiCaprio, playing Cobb, takes his student Ariadne into a common dream in Paris, France.
That's when Ariadne takes action and uses her imagination to create an impossible architectural wonder in what is already one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The moment, a beautiful one, is one of the most pause-worthy moments and one for our list!