Posted on Sep 20, 2020

27 Movies Scenes That Are So Perfectly Performed, They May Just Be The Best Of All Time

Crying! Singing! Leonardo DiCaprio doing the absolute most!

Allie Hayes

BuzzFeed Staff

Twice now, we've asked our BuzzFeed Community, "What is the best-acted movie scene of all time and why?" and their answers were so good, they sparked even more brilliant responses! So here's the threequel in our trilogy of posts — with even MORE of the best-acted scenes of all time:

Also, WARNING: Given the nature of this post, several of the entries contain SPOILERS for their respective films, so please proceed with caution!

1. The processing scene, The Master (2012)

"The performances given by both actors are incredible, but Joaquin Phoenix is something else. It's the most intense scene I've ever seen in a movie, and I felt every inch of his pain."—billhaverchuck — The Weinstein Company

"The performances given by both actors are incredible, but Joaquin Phoenix is something else. It's the most intense scene I've ever seen in a movie, and I felt every inch of his pain."
—billhaverchuck

The Weinstein Company

"The performances given by both actors are incredible, but Joaquin Phoenix is something else. It's the most intense scene I've ever seen in a movie, and I felt every inch of his pain."
—billhaverchuck

2. The soap scene, 12 Years a Slave (2013)

"Or, really, any scene with Lupita Nyong'o in it. She was so incredible in that film."—forbesy85 — Fox Searchlight Pictures

"Or, really, any scene with Lupita Nyong'o in it. She was so incredible in that film."
—forbesy85

Fox Searchlight Pictures

"Or, really, any scene with Lupita Nyong'o in it. She was so incredible in that film."
—forbesy85

3. The messages scene, Interstellar (2014)

"What about the scene in this movie when Matthew McConaughey is reading his messages, which spanned 23 years, and he watched his son grow up and get married?! I sobbed like a baby during that scene!"—alishapathrose — Paramount Pictures

"What about the scene in this movie when Matthew McConaughey is reading his messages, which spanned 23 years, and he watched his son grow up and get married?! I sobbed like a baby during that scene!"
—alishapathrose

Paramount Pictures

"What about the scene in this movie when Matthew McConaughey is reading his messages, which spanned 23 years, and he watched his son grow up and get married?! I sobbed like a baby during that scene!"
—alishapathrose

4. The show scene, Moulin Rouge! (2001)

"The scene when Ewan McGregor tries to pay Nicole Kidman and she's crying, begging him to go because she doesn't want him to be killed, then she sings their secret song to him on stage and they reunite before she dies in his arms."—vokeslucy — 20th Century Fox

"The scene when Ewan McGregor tries to pay Nicole Kidman and she's crying, begging him to go because she doesn't want him to be killed, then she sings their secret song to him on stage and they reunite before she dies in his arms."
—vokeslucy

20th Century Fox

"The scene when Ewan McGregor tries to pay Nicole Kidman and she's crying, begging him to go because she doesn't want him to be killed, then she sings their secret song to him on stage and they reunite before she dies in his arms."
—vokeslucy

5. The fountain scene, Atonement (2007)

"James McAvoy and Keira Knightley manage to say so much with so few words."—tmr250 — Focus Features

"James McAvoy and Keira Knightley manage to say so much with so few words."
—tmr250

Focus Features

"James McAvoy and Keira Knightley manage to say so much with so few words."
—tmr250

6. The dress scene, Selena (1997)

"The hoops, the lipstick, the facial expressions of both actors...that shit was (and still is) #goals for so many Latinas who still go through this all the time."—intellectualsphere — Warner Bros.

"The hoops, the lipstick, the facial expressions of both actors...that shit was (and still is) #goals for so many Latinas who still go through this all the time."
—intellectualsphere

Warner Bros.

"The hoops, the lipstick, the facial expressions of both actors...that shit was (and still is) #goals for so many Latinas who still go through this all the time."
—intellectualsphere

7. The car scene, The Sixth Sense (1999)

"Toni Collette was driving with Haley Joel Osment, and he tells her he sees dead people and has seen his grandma (her mother). Her reaction and tears was an amazing piece of subtle acting."—philipjohnmarshall — Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Toni Collette was driving with Haley Joel Osment, and he tells her he sees dead people and has seen his grandma (her mother). Her reaction and tears was an amazing piece of subtle acting."
—philipjohnmarshall

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Toni Collette was driving with Haley Joel Osment, and he tells her he sees dead people and has seen his grandma (her mother). Her reaction and tears was an amazing piece of subtle acting."
—philipjohnmarshall

8. The discovery scene, Midsommar (2019)

WARNING: Disturbing Content"When Florence Pugh found out what happened to her family...she absolutely shattered my heart in that scene, and it was toward the beginning of the movie!"—veeeeeee — A24

WARNING: Disturbing Content
"When Florence Pugh found out what happened to her family...she absolutely shattered my heart in that scene, and it was toward the beginning of the movie!"
—veeeeeee

A24

WARNING: Disturbing Content
"When Florence Pugh found out what happened to her family...she absolutely shattered my heart in that scene, and it was toward the beginning of the movie!"
—veeeeeee

9. The proposal scene, Pride & Prejudice (2005)

"Mr. Darcy confesses his love for Elizabeth, all while saying how she and her family are in an inferior class. Matthew Mcfayden and Keira Knightley do the most amazing job bringing this scene (and the whole movie) to life and it is the best-acted scene ever. The way Keira fights back and how Matthew’s subtle sadness is shown, it's just..wow."—brandeechunter — Focus Features

"Mr. Darcy confesses his love for Elizabeth, all while saying how she and her family are in an inferior class. Matthew Mcfayden and Keira Knightley do the most amazing job bringing this scene (and the whole movie) to life and it is the best-acted scene ever. The way Keira fights back and how Matthew’s subtle sadness is shown, it's just..wow."
—brandeechunter

Focus Features

"Mr. Darcy confesses his love for Elizabeth, all while saying how she and her family are in an inferior class. Matthew Mcfayden and Keira Knightley do the most amazing job bringing this scene (and the whole movie) to life and it is the best-acted scene ever. The way Keira fights back and how Matthew’s subtle sadness is shown, it's just..wow."
—brandeechunter

10. The Russian roulette scene, The Deer Hunter (1978)

"Hands down the single best-acted scene in American cinema. When Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken are forced to play Russian roulette by their Viet Cong captors, a level of primal fear and gut-wrenching horror is reached that has not been surpassed either before or after. Enthralling and powerful."—jmcknight — Universal Pictures

"Hands down the single best-acted scene in American cinema. When Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken are forced to play Russian roulette by their Viet Cong captors, a level of primal fear and gut-wrenching horror is reached that has not been surpassed either before or after. Enthralling and powerful."
—jmcknight

Universal Pictures

"Hands down the single best-acted scene in American cinema. When Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken are forced to play Russian roulette by their Viet Cong captors, a level of primal fear and gut-wrenching horror is reached that has not been surpassed either before or after. Enthralling and powerful."
—jmcknight

11. The dinner scene, August: Osage County (2013)

"Meryl Streep is the mother who, one by one, picks at her family — Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Julianne Nicholson, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Abigail Breslin, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The family tries to appease the mother’s usual craziness until it culminates into a fight. I’ve watched that scene at least one million times."—robertwooldridge — The Weinstein Company

"Meryl Streep is the mother who, one by one, picks at her family — Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Julianne Nicholson, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Abigail Breslin, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The family tries to appease the mother’s usual craziness until it culminates into a fight. I’ve watched that scene at least one million times."
—robertwooldridge

The Weinstein Company

"Meryl Streep is the mother who, one by one, picks at her family — Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Julianne Nicholson, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Abigail Breslin, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The family tries to appease the mother’s usual craziness until it culminates into a fight. I’ve watched that scene at least one million times."
—robertwooldridge

12. The wedding tape scene, Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

"The scene when Bradley Cooper is freaking out over finding his wedding video. It's so chaotic and stressful. You can totally see why the entire main cast received Oscar nods for acting — and it was the first film in 31 years to do so."—janedope13 — The Weinstein Company

"The scene when Bradley Cooper is freaking out over finding his wedding video. It's so chaotic and stressful. You can totally see why the entire main cast received Oscar nods for acting — and it was the first film in 31 years to do so."
—janedope13

The Weinstein Company

"The scene when Bradley Cooper is freaking out over finding his wedding video. It's so chaotic and stressful. You can totally see why the entire main cast received Oscar nods for acting — and it was the first film in 31 years to do so."
—janedope13

13. The fight scene, Ladybird (2017)

"Saoirse Ronan's 'Give me a number' moment is so realistically and well acted, it gives me chills every single time I watch it. I had uttered those exact words to my mother before, and I think that's what made it even more appealing."—smokingkrillz — A24

"Saoirse Ronan's 'Give me a number' moment is so realistically and well acted, it gives me chills every single time I watch it. I had uttered those exact words to my mother before, and I think that's what made it even more appealing."
—smokingkrillz

A24

"Saoirse Ronan's 'Give me a number' moment is so realistically and well acted, it gives me chills every single time I watch it. I had uttered those exact words to my mother before, and I think that's what made it even more appealing."
—smokingkrillz

14. The diagnosis scene, Precious (2009)

"When she writes in her notebook 'Why me?' and says she's HIV positive. Gabourey Sidibe's breakdown was so powerful that I lost it. That scene still gives me chills."—jsrborg2 — Lionsgate

"When she writes in her notebook 'Why me?' and says she's HIV positive. Gabourey Sidibe's breakdown was so powerful that I lost it. That scene still gives me chills."
—jsrborg2

Lionsgate

"When she writes in her notebook 'Why me?' and says she's HIV positive. Gabourey Sidibe's breakdown was so powerful that I lost it. That scene still gives me chills."
—jsrborg2

15. The abortion scene, The Godfather Part II (1974)

"Diane Keaton is so powerful in that moment...and to say that to your husband!"—davidjo — Paramount Pictures

"Diane Keaton is so powerful in that moment...and to say that to your husband!"
—davidjo

Paramount Pictures

"Diane Keaton is so powerful in that moment...and to say that to your husband!"
—davidjo

16. The gestapo scene, Jojo Rabbit (2019)

"When the gestapo enter Jojo’s house and spend what feels like a good five minutes just saying 'Heil Hitler' back and forth to each other. I full-on cried with laughter watching it and I'm not sure how the actors managed to keep straight faces."—kaleeah — Fox Searchlight Pictures

"When the gestapo enter Jojo’s house and spend what feels like a good five minutes just saying 'Heil Hitler' back and forth to each other. I full-on cried with laughter watching it and I'm not sure how the actors managed to keep straight faces."
—kaleeah

Fox Searchlight Pictures

"When the gestapo enter Jojo’s house and spend what feels like a good five minutes just saying 'Heil Hitler' back and forth to each other. I full-on cried with laughter watching it and I'm not sure how the actors managed to keep straight faces."
—kaleeah

17. The speech scene, Snowpiercer (2013)

"The scene when Chris Evans’ character talks about what life was like in the beginning of the train ride in the tail section. You can see all the pain, disappointment, and rage that his character has for what his life has been like. Then, the moment when he reveals the cannibalism in the tail section — it's so disturbing and downright gross, but Evans makes the reveal feel practical. You can tell his character is mad at himself for participating, but you know that, if he didn’t do it, then he may not be where he is. Evans plays it so well."—megana459810788 — The Weinstein Company

"The scene when Chris Evans’ character talks about what life was like in the beginning of the train ride in the tail section. You can see all the pain, disappointment, and rage that his character has for what his life has been like. Then, the moment when he reveals the cannibalism in the tail section — it's so disturbing and downright gross, but Evans makes the reveal feel practical. You can tell his character is mad at himself for participating, but you know that, if he didn’t do it, then he may not be where he is. Evans plays it so well."
—megana459810788

The Weinstein Company

"The scene when Chris Evans’ character talks about what life was like in the beginning of the train ride in the tail section. You can see all the pain, disappointment, and rage that his character has for what his life has been like. Then, the moment when he reveals the cannibalism in the tail section — it's so disturbing and downright gross, but Evans makes the reveal feel practical. You can tell his character is mad at himself for participating, but you know that, if he didn’t do it, then he may not be where he is. Evans plays it so well."
—megana459810788

18. The dinner scene, Django Unchained (2012)

"Leo is obviously incredible, but people don’t praise Kerry Washington enough for her performance in this movie and, more specifically, this scene. They cleaned up Leo’s hand after he cut it, so that's not his REAL blood on her, but from Kerry’s reaction, you’d THINK that was real blood he was smearing all over her face."—brieannad — The Weinstein Company

"Leo is obviously incredible, but people don’t praise Kerry Washington enough for her performance in this movie and, more specifically, this scene. They cleaned up Leo’s hand after he cut it, so that's not his REAL blood on her, but from Kerry’s reaction, you’d THINK that was real blood he was smearing all over her face."
—brieannad

The Weinstein Company

"Leo is obviously incredible, but people don’t praise Kerry Washington enough for her performance in this movie and, more specifically, this scene. They cleaned up Leo’s hand after he cut it, so that's not his REAL blood on her, but from Kerry’s reaction, you’d THINK that was real blood he was smearing all over her face."
—brieannad

19. The Wilson scene, Cast Away (2000)

"When Tom Hanks loses Wilson...who'd have thought you'd ever feel so sorry about a ball?! I mean, literally every scene with him on the island is great. He is such a talented actor."—jessicashog — 20th Century Fox

"When Tom Hanks loses Wilson...who'd have thought you'd ever feel so sorry about a ball?! I mean, literally every scene with him on the island is great. He is such a talented actor."
—jessicashog

20th Century Fox

"When Tom Hanks loses Wilson...who'd have thought you'd ever feel so sorry about a ball?! I mean, literally every scene with him on the island is great. He is such a talented actor."
—jessicashog

20. The video store scene, I Am Legend (2007)

"I expect great acting from certain movies, but what always impresses me is when an actor kills it in a movie where they didn’t need to be anywhere close to THAT good. For instance: Will Smith did not need to be that good in this movie. The video store scene with the mannequins was so much better than this movie required or deserved, but he gave it everything he had."—reginaldcartwright — Warner Bros.

"I expect great acting from certain movies, but what always impresses me is when an actor kills it in a movie where they didn’t need to be anywhere close to THAT good. For instance: Will Smith did not need to be that good in this movie. The video store scene with the mannequins was so much better than this movie required or deserved, but he gave it everything he had."
—reginaldcartwright

Warner Bros.

"I expect great acting from certain movies, but what always impresses me is when an actor kills it in a movie where they didn’t need to be anywhere close to THAT good. For instance: Will Smith did not need to be that good in this movie. The video store scene with the mannequins was so much better than this movie required or deserved, but he gave it everything he had."
—reginaldcartwright

21. The daughter scene, Mystic River (2003)

"When Sean Penn finds out that his daughter (played by Emmy Rossum) is dead. His reaction is so raw and heartbreaking. Not only that, but his character has this tough mafia boss persona, and to see that break in an instant was incredible."—larad45fd029cd — Warner Bros.

"When Sean Penn finds out that his daughter (played by Emmy Rossum) is dead. His reaction is so raw and heartbreaking. Not only that, but his character has this tough mafia boss persona, and to see that break in an instant was incredible."
—larad45fd029cd

Warner Bros.

"When Sean Penn finds out that his daughter (played by Emmy Rossum) is dead. His reaction is so raw and heartbreaking. Not only that, but his character has this tough mafia boss persona, and to see that break in an instant was incredible."
—larad45fd029cd

22. The fireplace scene, Call Me by Your Name (2017)

"Timothée Chalamet has just hung up the phone and he’s crouched in front of the fire. The range of emotions that he manages to cycle through just in his facial acting — and the organic way he does it — is utterly fucking devastating."—tabathaowen — Sony Pictures Classics

"Timothée Chalamet has just hung up the phone and he’s crouched in front of the fire. The range of emotions that he manages to cycle through just in his facial acting — and the organic way he does it — is utterly fucking devastating."
—tabathaowen

Sony Pictures Classics

"Timothée Chalamet has just hung up the phone and he’s crouched in front of the fire. The range of emotions that he manages to cycle through just in his facial acting — and the organic way he does it — is utterly fucking devastating."
—tabathaowen

23. The introduction scene, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

"We've all scene Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow so much at this point that I think we've forgotten how absolutely incredible that first performance was. The scene where he escapes at the beginning of the movie and delivers his now iconic line, 'This is the day you will always remember as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!' It's just...so good."—abbeyparty — Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"We've all scene Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow so much at this point that I think we've forgotten how absolutely incredible that first performance was. The scene where he escapes at the beginning of the movie and delivers his now iconic line, 'This is the day you will always remember as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!' It's just...so good."
—abbeyparty

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"We've all scene Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow so much at this point that I think we've forgotten how absolutely incredible that first performance was. The scene where he escapes at the beginning of the movie and delivers his now iconic line, 'This is the day you will always remember as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!' It's just...so good."
—abbeyparty

24. The Baba Yaga scene, John Wick (2014)

"When Michael Nyqvist is explaining to his son, Alfie Allen, who John Wick really is, intercut with Keanu Reeves going to his basement and taking out his guns...it's so well done by everyone involved. It's rare that you feel so worried for the villains in a movie!"—shimonholman11 — Lionsgate

"When Michael Nyqvist is explaining to his son, Alfie Allen, who John Wick really is, intercut with Keanu Reeves going to his basement and taking out his guns...it's so well done by everyone involved. It's rare that you feel so worried for the villains in a movie!"
—shimonholman11

Lionsgate

"When Michael Nyqvist is explaining to his son, Alfie Allen, who John Wick really is, intercut with Keanu Reeves going to his basement and taking out his guns...it's so well done by everyone involved. It's rare that you feel so worried for the villains in a movie!"
—shimonholman11

25. The birthing scene, A Quiet Place (2018)

"I personally adored how Emily Blunt did her whole birth scene, from the moment she stepped on the nail and onwards. I was full-blown panicked for her, and I think that's a testament to her performance."—andiiexxx — Paramount Pictures

"I personally adored how Emily Blunt did her whole birth scene, from the moment she stepped on the nail and onwards. I was full-blown panicked for her, and I think that's a testament to her performance."
—andiiexxx

Paramount Pictures

"I personally adored how Emily Blunt did her whole birth scene, from the moment she stepped on the nail and onwards. I was full-blown panicked for her, and I think that's a testament to her performance."
—andiiexxx

26. The stories scene, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

"Sean Astin was robbed of an Oscar for this role in general, but ESPECIALLY this scene."—oliviaci30 — New Line Cinema

"Sean Astin was robbed of an Oscar for this role in general, but ESPECIALLY this scene."
—oliviaci30

New Line Cinema

"Sean Astin was robbed of an Oscar for this role in general, but ESPECIALLY this scene."
—oliviaci30

27. And, finally — the ending scene, The Truman Show (1998)

"The whole movie is such a perfect representation of what someone goes through when they begin to question their 'Creator,' and seeing Jim Carrey basically give Ed Harris the middle finger and then escape the world that had held him captive is so unbelievably touching and satisfying. Jim was perfect in that scene and in that role."—yourbrothermarvinberry — Paramount Pictures

"The whole movie is such a perfect representation of what someone goes through when they begin to question their 'Creator,' and seeing Jim Carrey basically give Ed Harris the middle finger and then escape the world that had held him captive is so unbelievably touching and satisfying. Jim was perfect in that scene and in that role."
—yourbrothermarvinberry

Paramount Pictures

"The whole movie is such a perfect representation of what someone goes through when they begin to question their 'Creator,' and seeing Jim Carrey basically give Ed Harris the middle finger and then escape the world that had held him captive is so unbelievably touching and satisfying. Jim was perfect in that scene and in that role."
—yourbrothermarvinberry

Now it's your turn! What scenes were left out of this list? What do YOU believe is the single best-acted movie scene of all time? Share yours in the comments below! And be sure to check out MORE of our best-acted movies scenes posts here and here!

Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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