Posted on Jan 29, 2020

23 Movie Scenes That Would've Won The Academy Award For Best Scene If That Was A Category

And the (imaginary) Oscar goes to...

Allie Hayes

BuzzFeed Staff

We recently asked members of our BuzzFeed Community, "If there were an Academy Award for Best Movie Scene, what scenes would have DEFINITELY won?" and, WHEW BUDDY, they did not disappoint. Here are just a few of the movie scenes that would like to thank the academy:

Also, WARNING: Due to the nature of this post, many of the scenes shared contain SPOILERS for their corresponding films, so please proceed with caution!

1. The Godfather Part II (1974) — "I know it was you, Fredo..."

"The moment Michael reveals that he knows his own brother betrayed him...Call me basic, but it just doesn't get better than this."—butwhytho — Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com

"The moment Michael reveals that he knows his own brother betrayed him...Call me basic, but it just doesn't get better than this."
—butwhytho

Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com

"The moment Michael reveals that he knows his own brother betrayed him...Call me basic, but it just doesn't get better than this."
—butwhytho

2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) — the Leap of Faith

"When Miles jumps off of the building and learns to trust himself...it’s beautiful and breathtaking. It truly inspires me every time I watch it."—soleil__ — Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com

"When Miles jumps off of the building and learns to trust himself...it’s beautiful and breathtaking. It truly inspires me every time I watch it."
—soleil__

Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com

"When Miles jumps off of the building and learns to trust himself...it’s beautiful and breathtaking. It truly inspires me every time I watch it."
—soleil__

3. Steel Magnolias (1989) — the Funeral Monologue

"For me, the award would have to go to the moment after Shelby’s funeral, when M’Lynn gives this heartbreaking monologue. You can feel her pain and grief. Sally Field delivers every line with such intensity and emotion, and I love how the scene is cut with a joke to lighten the mood...because that's what would happen in real life. It’s truly a complex, perfect scene from start to finish."—amityc — TriStar Pictures / Via youtube.com

"For me, the award would have to go to the moment after Shelby’s funeral, when M’Lynn gives this heartbreaking monologue. You can feel her pain and grief. Sally Field delivers every line with such intensity and emotion, and I love how the scene is cut with a joke to lighten the mood...because that's what would happen in real life. It’s truly a complex, perfect scene from start to finish."
—amityc

TriStar Pictures / Via youtube.com

"For me, the award would have to go to the moment after Shelby’s funeral, when M’Lynn gives this heartbreaking monologue. You can feel her pain and grief. Sally Field delivers every line with such intensity and emotion, and I love how the scene is cut with a joke to lighten the mood...because that's what would happen in real life. It’s truly a complex, perfect scene from start to finish."
—amityc

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) — Theodén’s Speech

"Okay, so this may be a bit random, but Theodén’s speech leading up to the ride of the Rohirrim gives me chills every time. Seeing that ocean of orcs in front of the city and knowing they're outnumbered, but they charge in anyway to help their fellow man. It's such a gorgeous scene."—racheli46a6f2d99 — New Line Cinema / Via youtube.com

"Okay, so this may be a bit random, but Theodén’s speech leading up to the ride of the Rohirrim gives me chills every time. Seeing that ocean of orcs in front of the city and knowing they're outnumbered, but they charge in anyway to help their fellow man. It's such a gorgeous scene."
—racheli46a6f2d99

New Line Cinema / Via youtube.com

"Okay, so this may be a bit random, but Theodén’s speech leading up to the ride of the Rohirrim gives me chills every time. Seeing that ocean of orcs in front of the city and knowing they're outnumbered, but they charge in anyway to help their fellow man. It's such a gorgeous scene."
—racheli46a6f2d99

5. The Help (2011) — "Ain't you tired?"

"The scene when Abileen confronts Ms. Hilly gets me every single time. The exhaustion from Abileen and the sheer shock on Hilly’s face...it made me have some hope for her."—mary12155 — Walt Disney Studios / Via youtube.com

"The scene when Abileen confronts Ms. Hilly gets me every single time. The exhaustion from Abileen and the sheer shock on Hilly’s face...it made me have some hope for her."
—mary12155

Walt Disney Studios / Via youtube.com

"The scene when Abileen confronts Ms. Hilly gets me every single time. The exhaustion from Abileen and the sheer shock on Hilly’s face...it made me have some hope for her."
—mary12155

6. Baby Driver (2017) — the Car Chase

"The opening scene is incredible. The music, the car chase, Baby acting like he's waiting for his mom in the grocery store instead of waiting for his accomplices to rob a bank...perfection."—monikap6 — Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com

"The opening scene is incredible. The music, the car chase, Baby acting like he's waiting for his mom in the grocery store instead of waiting for his accomplices to rob a bank...perfection."
—monikap6

Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com

"The opening scene is incredible. The music, the car chase, Baby acting like he's waiting for his mom in the grocery store instead of waiting for his accomplices to rob a bank...perfection."
—monikap6

7. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) — the Ending

"When the whole town and everyone George has ever helped comes through to help him in his time of need, it's so incredibly moving. There will never be a more powerful moment in cinema. EVER."—lwolf101 — RKO Radio Pictures / Via youtube.com

"When the whole town and everyone George has ever helped comes through to help him in his time of need, it's so incredibly moving. There will never be a more powerful moment in cinema. EVER."
—lwolf101

RKO Radio Pictures / Via youtube.com

"When the whole town and everyone George has ever helped comes through to help him in his time of need, it's so incredibly moving. There will never be a more powerful moment in cinema. EVER."
—lwolf101

8. The Boondock Saints (2000) — the Courtroom Speech

"This is, hands down, one of my favorite scenes in one of the most underrated movies of all time. The whole thing is SO good."—elephino1986 — Franchise Pictures / Via youtube.com

"This is, hands down, one of my favorite scenes in one of the most underrated movies of all time. The whole thing is SO good."
—elephino1986

Franchise Pictures / Via youtube.com

"This is, hands down, one of my favorite scenes in one of the most underrated movies of all time. The whole thing is SO good."
—elephino1986

9. Pride & Prejudice (2005) — the Failed Proposal

"That scene carries so much emotion and tension, and the escalation is perfectly timed with the weather, which...how?! Plus, that almost-kiss at the end?! UGH!"—laurao7 — Focus Features / Via youtube.com

"That scene carries so much emotion and tension, and the escalation is perfectly timed with the weather, which...how?! Plus, that almost-kiss at the end?! UGH!"
—laurao7

Focus Features / Via youtube.com

"That scene carries so much emotion and tension, and the escalation is perfectly timed with the weather, which...how?! Plus, that almost-kiss at the end?! UGH!"
—laurao7

10. Parasite (2019) — the Peach Sequence

"The scene where they try to get the final member of the family — the mother — the housekeeper’s job is a masterpiece. It conveys their plan in the most artistic way that gets you immediately hooked and invested."—anjalisajith13 — CJ Entertainment / Via youtube.com

"The scene where they try to get the final member of the family — the mother — the housekeeper’s job is a masterpiece. It conveys their plan in the most artistic way that gets you immediately hooked and invested."
—anjalisajith13

CJ Entertainment / Via youtube.com

"The scene where they try to get the final member of the family — the mother — the housekeeper’s job is a masterpiece. It conveys their plan in the most artistic way that gets you immediately hooked and invested."
—anjalisajith13

11. Jaws (1975) — the USS Indianapolis

"The scene when Quint tells the story of the sinking of the ship he was on...it gets to me every single time."—m4baf85f43 — Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

"The scene when Quint tells the story of the sinking of the ship he was on...it gets to me every single time."
—m4baf85f43

Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

"The scene when Quint tells the story of the sinking of the ship he was on...it gets to me every single time."
—m4baf85f43

12. Legally Blonde (2001) — the Perm Evidence

"When Elle finally cracks the case! I remember how amazed I was watching it for the first time when I was younger. The rhythm of the scene is so great, and she's so proud of herself for finally figuring it out. I just loved how she brought her own personality in it while winning the case."—chuysport419 — MGM Distribution Co. / Via youtube.com

"When Elle finally cracks the case! I remember how amazed I was watching it for the first time when I was younger. The rhythm of the scene is so great, and she's so proud of herself for finally figuring it out. I just loved how she brought her own personality in it while winning the case."
—chuysport419

MGM Distribution Co. / Via youtube.com

"When Elle finally cracks the case! I remember how amazed I was watching it for the first time when I was younger. The rhythm of the scene is so great, and she's so proud of herself for finally figuring it out. I just loved how she brought her own personality in it while winning the case."
—chuysport419

13. Beauty and the Beast (1991) — "Tale As Old As Time"

"The ballroom dance scene in the animated version is, hands down, the winner. All of the characters play a part to make it magical, and it used the latest computer technology (for 1991) to create a beautiful and memorable scene."—rclguard — Walt Disney Studios / Via youtube.com

"The ballroom dance scene in the animated version is, hands down, the winner. All of the characters play a part to make it magical, and it used the latest computer technology (for 1991) to create a beautiful and memorable scene."
—rclguard

Walt Disney Studios / Via youtube.com

"The ballroom dance scene in the animated version is, hands down, the winner. All of the characters play a part to make it magical, and it used the latest computer technology (for 1991) to create a beautiful and memorable scene."
—rclguard

14. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) — the Elevator

"The elevator fight between Steve Rogers and the Hydra agents is an absolute master class in fight choreography. Brilliantly paced to build tension and expertly filmed with a thrilling score, it's not only the best scene in the movie, it's the best fight scene in any Marvel movie or superhero movie ever."—angelmud — Marvel Studios / Via youtube.com

"The elevator fight between Steve Rogers and the Hydra agents is an absolute master class in fight choreography. Brilliantly paced to build tension and expertly filmed with a thrilling score, it's not only the best scene in the movie, it's the best fight scene in any Marvel movie or superhero movie ever."
—angelmud

Marvel Studios / Via youtube.com

"The elevator fight between Steve Rogers and the Hydra agents is an absolute master class in fight choreography. Brilliantly paced to build tension and expertly filmed with a thrilling score, it's not only the best scene in the movie, it's the best fight scene in any Marvel movie or superhero movie ever."
—angelmud

15. Marriage Story (2019) — the Fight

"I truly believe that this scene alone is why Scarlett Johannson and Adam Driver were nominated in the acting categories this year in the first place, so if there were a category for Best Scene, you better believe it would win."—kyles42a44fe32 — Netflix / Via youtube.com

"I truly believe that this scene alone is why Scarlett Johannson and Adam Driver were nominated in the acting categories this year in the first place, so if there were a category for Best Scene, you better believe it would win."
—kyles42a44fe32

Netflix / Via youtube.com

"I truly believe that this scene alone is why Scarlett Johannson and Adam Driver were nominated in the acting categories this year in the first place, so if there were a category for Best Scene, you better believe it would win."
—kyles42a44fe32

16. Pulp Fiction (1994) — the Diner

"It's so incredibly well-written and acted. I’ve always thought of this as the best scene in any movie I’ve ever seen and ever will, so naturally it would win a Best Scene award!"—thomash43907684b — Miramax Films / Via youtube.com

"It's so incredibly well-written and acted. I’ve always thought of this as the best scene in any movie I’ve ever seen and ever will, so naturally it would win a Best Scene award!"
—thomash43907684b

Miramax Films / Via youtube.com

"It's so incredibly well-written and acted. I’ve always thought of this as the best scene in any movie I’ve ever seen and ever will, so naturally it would win a Best Scene award!"
—thomash43907684b

17. I, Tonya (2017) — the Makeup

"When Tonya (Margot Robbie) does her makeup while sobbing, only to look up and smile in the mirror with tears streaming. CHILLS."—megandelaneyj — Neon / Via youtube.com

"When Tonya (Margot Robbie) does her makeup while sobbing, only to look up and smile in the mirror with tears streaming. CHILLS."
—megandelaneyj

Neon / Via youtube.com

"When Tonya (Margot Robbie) does her makeup while sobbing, only to look up and smile in the mirror with tears streaming. CHILLS."
—megandelaneyj

18. The Thing (1982) — the Blood Test

"Horror doesn't get enough love at the Academy Awards to begin with, but horror or not, this is one of the most intense scenes I’ve ever watched. SO SCARY."—shebitch — Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

"Horror doesn't get enough love at the Academy Awards to begin with, but horror or not, this is one of the most intense scenes I’ve ever watched. SO SCARY."
—shebitch

Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

"Horror doesn't get enough love at the Academy Awards to begin with, but horror or not, this is one of the most intense scenes I’ve ever watched. SO SCARY."
—shebitch

19. The Usual Suspects (1995) — the Ending Reveal

"The scene at the end where the police detective figures out the meaning of Verbal Kint's story and the true identity of Keyser Soze...only for it to be too late. Truly iconic."—awesomeamanda523 — Gramercy Pictures / Via youtube.com

"The scene at the end where the police detective figures out the meaning of Verbal Kint's story and the true identity of Keyser Soze...only for it to be too late. Truly iconic."
—awesomeamanda523

Gramercy Pictures / Via youtube.com

"The scene at the end where the police detective figures out the meaning of Verbal Kint's story and the true identity of Keyser Soze...only for it to be too late. Truly iconic."
—awesomeamanda523

20. The Social Network (2010) — the Betrayal

"The scene toward the end when Eduardo (Andrew Garfield) confronts Mark (Jesse Eisenberg) about forcing him out of Facebook. The pure rage in Eduardo's words, the subtle guilt in Mark's eyes, the delivery of the line, 'My Prada's at the cleaners, along with my hoodie and my fuck you flip-flops...' — all of it is perfect."—stephmarko — Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com

"The scene toward the end when Eduardo (Andrew Garfield) confronts Mark (Jesse Eisenberg) about forcing him out of Facebook. The pure rage in Eduardo's words, the subtle guilt in Mark's eyes, the delivery of the line, 'My Prada's at the cleaners, along with my hoodie and my fuck you flip-flops...' — all of it is perfect."
—stephmarko

Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com

"The scene toward the end when Eduardo (Andrew Garfield) confronts Mark (Jesse Eisenberg) about forcing him out of Facebook. The pure rage in Eduardo's words, the subtle guilt in Mark's eyes, the delivery of the line, 'My Prada's at the cleaners, along with my hoodie and my fuck you flip-flops...' — all of it is perfect."
—stephmarko

21. Call Me by Your Name (2017) — the Father's Monologue

"It is so touching, the acting is outstanding, the script is spot on — it is just everything and as close to a 'perfect scene' as there ever will be."—jackien4bf360c86 — Sony Pictures Classics / Via youtube.com

"It is so touching, the acting is outstanding, the script is spot on — it is just everything and as close to a 'perfect scene' as there ever will be."
—jackien4bf360c86

Sony Pictures Classics / Via youtube.com

"It is so touching, the acting is outstanding, the script is spot on — it is just everything and as close to a 'perfect scene' as there ever will be."
—jackien4bf360c86

22. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) — the Blue Belt

"When Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) gives Andy (Anne Hathaway) the speech to explain exactly where her blue sweater came from and how shallow it is of her to not realize how many jobs it created and lives it influenced. It's genuinely some of Streep's best acting to date, and that’s saying something considering her extensive career."—emmagarnerrr — 20th Century Fox / Via youtube.com

"When Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) gives Andy (Anne Hathaway) the speech to explain exactly where her blue sweater came from and how shallow it is of her to not realize how many jobs it created and lives it influenced. It's genuinely some of Streep's best acting to date, and that’s saying something considering her extensive career."
—emmagarnerrr

20th Century Fox / Via youtube.com

"When Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) gives Andy (Anne Hathaway) the speech to explain exactly where her blue sweater came from and how shallow it is of her to not realize how many jobs it created and lives it influenced. It's genuinely some of Streep's best acting to date, and that’s saying something considering her extensive career."
—emmagarnerrr

23. And finally, Inglourious Basterds (2009) — the Opening Sequence

"When Hans Landa (Christopher Waltz) goes to the country side to look for runaway Jews. The dialogue gives me goosebumps every time, and the way he ends it with 'Au revoir, Shosanna!' Brilliant."—maxieg710 — The Weinstein Company / Via youtube.com

"When Hans Landa (Christopher Waltz) goes to the country side to look for runaway Jews. The dialogue gives me goosebumps every time, and the way he ends it with 'Au revoir, Shosanna!' Brilliant."
—maxieg710

The Weinstein Company / Via youtube.com

"When Hans Landa (Christopher Waltz) goes to the country side to look for runaway Jews. The dialogue gives me goosebumps every time, and the way he ends it with 'Au revoir, Shosanna!' Brilliant."
—maxieg710

Now it's your turn! What movie scene do YOU believe would be honored with the coveted (and completely made up) Best Movie Scene Oscar? Share your pick in the comments below, and be sure to follow BuzzFeed Community for a chance to be featured in an upcoming post and/or video!

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

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