23 Films That Would've Won The "Best Single Shot In A Motion Picture" Oscar If, Ya Know, That Was A Thing
Capturing perfection one frame at a time.
We recently asked members of our BuzzFeed Community, "What is the closest example to a perfect single shot in a film?" and their answers DID NOT disappoint. Here are just a few of the most impeccable seconds ever committed to film:
WARNING: Given the nature of this post, there are SPOILERS ahead for some of these films!
1. The not-kiss shot, Pride & Prejudice (2005)
"Darcy and Elizabeth finally declare their love for one another and...don’t kiss. Instead, they press their foreheads together while standing in a field as the sun rises behind them. It is *chef’s kiss!*"
2. The swimming shot, Moonlight (2016)
"That movie is so full of beautiful images, but that’s the one that stuck with me."
3. The staircase scene, The Truman Show (1998)
"The staircase leading up to Truman's final bow before entering the outside world is so well done."
4. The hospital shot, Juno (2007)
"Juno's dad just finished talking to her after she gave birth, and Paulie comes and lays in bed with her. That scene is so beautiful and it makes me cry every time."
5. The escape shot, The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
"Andy emerges from the sewer pipe and it's raining...it's so perfect."
6. The car shot, Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
"It's the first time you see the entire family — each with their own problems — working together with the singular goal of getting Olive to her competition."
7. The afterlife shot, Black Panther (2018)
"This whole sequence is stunning, but the shot of the tree with the panthers on it is next level."
8. The burning shot, Midsommar (2019)
"I could pick any given shot in this movie because the cinematography is stunning — and I know a lot of people love the final shot — but the shot of the temple with Christian inside burning is so stunning and creepy and eerily beautiful."
9. The rose petal shot, American Beauty (1999)
"Lester is having a daydream where Angela is covered in nothing but rose petals, and it's just an iconic shot."
10. The bathroom shot, The Shape of Water (2017)
"I know some people thought this was an odd movie, but this shot was so beautiful, it made me want to be in love."
11. The leap of faith shot, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
"Next question."
12. The statues shot, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
"The shot when the fellowship crossed between the Argonath statues (those huge statues on either side of the river) was incredible."
13. The daffodils shot, Big Fish (2003)
"Edward somehow fills an entire field with daffodils, Sandra's favorite flower. The flowers fill up the entire shot and it's so gorgeous."
14. The double sun shot, Star Wars (1977)
"Luke goes outside to look at the sunset, then the iconic John Williams score hits...."
15. The bathroom shot, The Shining (1980)
"The setting is innocent enough — but that lingering shot, the abrasive colors, and the harsh lighting, all let you know that there's nothing good behind that shower curtain."
16. The bridge shot, Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
"The colors are beautiful and the attention to detail is stunning."
17. The desks shot, Dead Poets Society (1989)
"In a single shot, it shows the impact that the arts and a great teacher can have on young minds."
18. The police car shot, Joker (2019)
"Arthur Fleck stands on top of the police car and finally feels like he is not ignored in society, and truly becomes 'Joker.'"
19. The dig shot, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
"This is still one of the most outstanding single shots I have ever seen."
20. The explosion shot, Django Unchained (2012)
"The shot after the explosion, hands down. I think about this a lot. Getting to see him not only survive, but also get revenge, then ride off into the night with his lady was so beautiful and satisfying."
21. The door shot, Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
"When it transitioned from the real world to the underground realm...the contrasting color scheme, the lights, the angle — absolutely magical."
22. The battlefield shot, Avengers: Endgame (2019)
"When Captain America was standing alone, facing Thanos’ army? I get goosebumps every time."
23. And finally — the ending shot, Fight Club (1999)
"The buildings start exploding, ‘Where Is My Mind?’ by the Pixies kicks in, and the narrator finally reaches out to Marla. Perfect closer."
Now it's YOUR turn! What do you believe is the single most perfect shot ever committed to film? Share yours in the comments below!
Some entries have been edited for length and/or clarity.