27 Of The Most Perfectly Executed Shots In All Of Cinema
A while back, we asked our BuzzFeed Community, "What ... is the closest example to a perfect single shot in a film?" and the incredible answers sparked even more amazing suggestions — which, in turn, inspired even MORE great suggestions! So with that in mind, here are EVEN MORE of the most impeccable seconds ever committed to film:
WARNING: Given the nature of this post, there are some slight SPOILERS ahead for these films!
1.The flashback shot, Ratatouille (2007):
Pixar
"From Anton Ego taking the first bite of Remy's ratatouille to the pen hitting the floor, it's 100% my favorite movie moment."
2.The bride shot, Crazy Rich Asians (2018):
Warner Bros.
—Tiffany Rock, Facebook
3.The team-up shot, Avengers (2012):
Marvel Studios
"That iconic shot of the original six Avengers all together for the first time."
4.The Luke versus Vader shot, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980):
Lucas Film Ltd.
"When Luke meets Darth Vader and they ignite their lightsabers."
—Stacey McKune DeRoche, Facebook
5.The Marla shot, Fight Club (1999):
20th Century Fox
"I can't believe Marla's introduction scene wasn't on either of the other lists! That close-up of her while she's smoking a cigarette in slow motion — I'm obsessed."
6.The fire shot, Carrie (1976):
United Artists
"Sissy Spacek descending the stairs, covered in blood and surrounded by flames."
—Bari Dershowitz, Facebook
7.The ballroom shot, Beauty and the Beast (1991):
Walt Disney Studios
"The grandness of the ballroom as the shot pans up to the ceiling and then back down to them dancing. I still get emotional during that scene!"
—Mari
8.The stairs shot, Joker (2019):
Warner Bros.
"The shot of him dancing on the stairs. I always thought it was so picturesque and communicated a lot about his confidence in just a few short seconds."
—Kisha Thapar, Facebook
9.The argument shot, Brokeback Mountain (2005):
Focus Features
"Jake Gyllenhaal with that incredible scenic backdrop screaming, 'All we got now is Brokeback Mountain!' The cinematography of that film — it's one of the all-time greats."
10.The return shot, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002):
New Line Cinema
"When Aragorn opens the heavy doors at Edoras."
—Re Asato, Facebook
11.The prefight shot, The Raid 2 (2011):
PT Merantau Films
"The best shot ever, in my opinion, is definitely the very start of the final fight."
12.The lanterns shot, Tangled (2010):
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
"How was this one not on any of the other lists?!"
—Jordan Folsom, Facebook
13.The No Man's Land shot, Wonder Woman (2017):
Warner Bros.
"I get goosebumps and nearly cry every single time I watch it. It's just so powerful."
14.The "Mr. Cellophane" shot, Chicago (2002):
Miramax Films
"The backlit view of Amos in the spotlight as he sings 'Mr. Cellophane.'"
15.The transformation shot, Black Swan (2010):
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"The shot where she transforms into the black swan. There are a lot of beautifully shot scenes in that movie, but that one is really incredible for its aesthetic beauty, as well as its symbolism."
16.The parted-sea shot, Prince of Egypt (1998):
DreamWorks Pictures
—Jenny Mantini, Facebook
17.The observatory shot, La La Land (2016):
Lionsgate
"When they are in the observatory and they start to float and dance in the stars. It's such a beautiful shot!"
18.The escape shot, Inglourious Basterds (2009):
Universal Pictures
"When Shosanna is running away from the house where she was hiding after her family was murdered. The moment when you see her running into the distance from Landa's POV out of the doorway is just perfect."
—Michelle Savage, Facebook
19.The grains shot, Amélie (2001):
UGC-Fox Distribution
"The shot of Amélie dipping her hand in the sack of grains!"
—Ehch
20.The first sight shot, The Greatest Showman (2017):
20th Century Fox
"The scene where Zendaya and Zac Efron first make eye contact. The lighting, the way the world stops for a moment before she swings away. Flawless."
21.The Gatsby shot, The Great Gatsby (2013):
Warner Bros. Pictures
"When Nick Carraway is searching for Gatsby at the party. The way Leonardo DiCaprio narrates over the entire scene without the audience seeing him until he’s finally shown in such a stunning and elegant way with fireworks, music, a dazzling smile, and a martini."
22.The door shot, Léon: The Professional (1994):
Gaumont Buena Vista International
"When Natalie Portman's character is crying and ringing the bell and begging for Léon to open the door for her so that she can escape the drug dealers who've killed her family. Then the door opens and her face is flooded with light and palpable relief."
23.The unmasking shot, The Phantom of the Opera (1925):
Universal Pictures
"The first time I saw it, I saw it with live organ, and the organist hit this massive, thunderous chord right at that shot. The organ combined with Lon Chaney’s makeup scared the hell out of me!"
24.The "Show Must Go On" shot, Moulin Rouge (2001):
20th Century Fox
"Satine's exit from the Moulin Rouge during 'The Show Must Go On' is the most memorable single shot in a movie I've ever seen. The way she just slightly raises her chin in determination before striding outside, despite her reddened eyes. You can almost see the physical weight on her shoulders. It gets me EVERY TIME."
25.The Mj?lnir shot, Avengers: Endgame (2019):
Marvel Studios
"Alongside the cheers from everyone who had waited 17 films for him to wield Mj?lnir!"
—Tracy Newbury-Abegg, Facebook
26.The rain shot, The Shawshank Redemption (1994):
Columbia Pictures
"When Andy finally escapes and he's in the water, letting the rain fall on him with his arms out."
27.And finally — the ending shot, Knives Out (2019):
Lionsgate
"The last shot of the main character standing on the balcony, literally looking down on that awful family. Then the reveal of the mug from the beginning, which reads, 'My House. My Rules. My Coffee!!' It's flawless."
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 — but before you do, be sure to check out our first and second iterations of this list to see if your picks are on there!
Note: Some entries have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Solve the daily Crossword
