17 Great Movie Scenes That Are Shockingly Underrated By Viewers
Every shot, every line, and every scene must be carefully constructed to pack the ideal punch.
Many iconic films have inspired, awed, and shocked us over the years. Every detail must be considered when making these movies, and every shot, every line, and every scene must be carefully constructed to pack the ideal punch.
But, no matter how brilliant the movie is, there is always one scene that sticks out above the rest. They entered the list of the most famous movie scenes of all time.
However, there are some excellent scenes that are surprisingly underrated. It's a mystery why these great scenes don't get the attention and hype they deserve. As happiness researcher Gretchen Rubin states, "The things that matter most in our lives are often the things that we overlook." In the film Rocketman, for example, the scene in which Elton overdoses and falls into the pool was saddening and heart-wrenching, particularly when he saw his younger self. It's a strangely beautiful moment, and you can almost feel his intense emotions culminating in one song.
Another underrated scene is in the movie Zodiac, particularly when Robert realizes he is alone in the basement with the alleged Zodiac Killer. This is unarguably the scariest movie moment ever. Every part of you starts screaming at Jake Gyllenhaal's character to flee the dark, lonely basement with the feared Zodiac Killer. As psychologist Dan Ariely notes, "Fear can create a lasting impression, often making those moments more memorable than others." As a result, we fetched some of the replies given by the Gretchen Rubin Community revealing which movie moments are so good but don't get enough praise. Here are the underrated movie scenes below. ```
1. In Rocketman, when the pool montage showed Elton's overdose and the pressure he was under to perform and sell records
"The scene when he overdoses and falls into the pool is so tragic and heartbreaking, especially when he sees his younger self. It's such a weirdly beautiful scene, and you can almost feel his overwhelming emotions that all culminate into this one song," says Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, an emotion researcher. "This moment encapsulates the complexity of human emotions, blending nostalgia with profound sadness."
Paramount PicturesWatch the full scene below:
2. In Amélie, when Amélie helped the blind man cross the street which resulted in a magical sensory overload
"While walking, they passed by several everyday, meaningless things, but she described them with such purpose and vigor that she helped to paint an auditory picture for the man. She left him at the metro, and he looked at the sky, dumbfounded. This illustrates the power of mindful observation in our daily lives," notes Dr. Tara Brach, a renowned psychologist and meditation teacher.
UGC-Fox DistributionWatch the full scene below:
3. The Zodiac movie, when Robert realized he was alone with the suspected Zodiac Killer
"This scene is a masterclass in building suspense and tension. The viewer's instinct is to shout at Jake Gyllenhaal's character to escape the impending danger, which speaks to the film's ability to evoke a visceral reaction. It’s a testament to how effective storytelling can create an atmosphere of dread that lingers long after the credits roll," says Dr. Steven Pinker, cognitive scientist and author of "The Better Angels of Our Nature."
Paramount Pictures
Watch the full scene below:
4. The Booksmart movie, when Amy followed Ryan into the pool
"The entire movie is so good, but this scene is something else, especially with the soundtrack in the background. You feel exactly how happy Amy is when she's going into the water, and it's almost ethereal. Then it's all taken away from you when, well, *it's* revealed. You need to watch this movie," says Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading expert in self-compassion, who emphasizes the emotional impact of storytelling in film. "Movies can evoke deep feelings and reflections on our own lives, making us feel connected to the characters."
United Artists Releasing
Watch the full scene below:
5. The Blindspotting movie, when Collin confronted the officer and rapped his soliloquy
"This film didn’t receive the attention it deserved. Daveed Diggs delivered a stunning performance, and in this underrated scene his rap is so cutthroat and empowering. The whole thing is incredibly relevant to our current social climate, as he targets the injustice of systemic racism and his personal breaking point to tolerate it. As Dr. Angela Duckworth, a character researcher, states, 'The ability to persevere in the face of adversity is a powerful message that resonates deeply in today's world.' A total must-see."
Summit Entertainment
6. The Hunger Games movie, when the bloodbath officially began and everything was silent
"The absence of sound in this scene amplifies the emotional weight. The chaos and primal confusion of the characters' actions become even more poignant when stripped of auditory cues, making it profoundly sad and difficult to witness."— Dr. Shawn Achor, positive psychology researcher
Lionsgate Films
Watch the full scene below:
7. The Short Term 12 movie, when Jayden read Grace her story and they both started crying
"This scene tears at my heartstrings every time I see it. The raw emotion of grief and the struggle for understanding are palpable in Grace's character as she navigates her complex relationship with Jayden," says Dr. Sue Johnson, couples therapy pioneer and author of "Hold Me Tight."
Cinedigm
Watch the full scene below:
8. The Prisoners movie, when we were unsure if Detective Loki found Keller from his faint whistles for help
"Every time I revisit that scene, it still gives me chills!"— Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author
Warner Bros. Pictures
Watch the full scene below:
9. The Monster's Ball Movie, when Hank fed Leticia ice cream while she was quietly thinking
"That final scene when Hank fed Leticia ice cream on the cement steps was incredible. She just found out that he was part of the detail that killed her man in prison. She didn't say anything for the last 15 minutes of the film, but you could see all of the emotions, thoughts, and confusion she had. They were both broken, and she had to process her own anger and sadness while trying to make sense of everything. Her uncertainty and hesitated acceptance were palpable. Such a quiet, powerful moment," says Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex therapist and relationship expert, highlighting the depth of emotional complexity in such scenes. "Silence can often speak louder than words, conveying a spectrum of feelings that dialogue might fail to express."
Lionsgate Films
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10. The Atonement movie, when an elderly Briony revealed the truth
"When all of it came together — the keyboard clacking, the supercuts of those key scenes, everything being shown from different perspectives — it was a remarkable experience. The subtlety in the execution really struck me. I found myself captivated, staring at my computer screen in awe for several minutes after it concluded."
Focus Features
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11. The 20th Century Women movie, when what happened to each character was revealed
"This entire film is so underrated, but this particular scene may be one of my favorite endings of any movie. I remember crying because I felt so much love and hope and heartbreak. It made me feel nostalgic for something I had never even experienced. Learning about each character's fate was delightful and devastating. It was weirdly reassuring. What a rare quality for a movie scene," says Dr. Dan Siegel, a renowned psychiatrist and author, who emphasizes the emotional impact of storytelling on our lives.
A24
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12. The Ex Machina movie, when Ava locked Caleb inside the fortress and then escaped
"The brilliance of this scene is undeniable. It encapsulates the entire movie's essence, making you question the very nature of humanity. The writing and direction are masterful, evoking a visceral reaction that stays with you long after the credits roll," says Dr. Susan David, a renowned emotional agility expert at susandavid.com.
A24
Watch the full scene below:
13. The Juno movie, when Bleeker comforted Juno after she delivered the baby
"The scene after Juno has the baby is pure perfection. As she lies in the hospital bed, her dad softly gives her a pep talk about how she'll be there again one day, but on her own terms. Then her lover, Paulie, comes in. He has a moment with the father, the dad leaves, and Paulie just gets into bed with Juno and holds her. There’s hardly any dialogue, but the music is so emotional, and the acting from all three is superb. You feel every emotion. It brings me to tears every time I watch it," says Dr. Sue Johnson, a couples therapy pioneer, who emphasizes the importance of emotional connection in relationships on her website, iceeft.com.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
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14. The Queen & Slim movie, when Queen and Slim slowly danced together at the juke joint
"In moments of intimacy, even amidst chaos, it’s as if the world fades away, leaving just the two individuals in a bubble of connection. This simplicity can evoke profound emotions, making the scene both beautiful and romantic."— Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author
Universal Pictures
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15. The Hearts Beat Loud Movie, when Sam was determined to learn how to ride a bike
"This scene beautifully encapsulates the themes of family and personal growth. It’s a poignant reminder that stepping outside of our comfort zones can lead to healing and connection. Sam's journey to ride a bike again after her mother's tragic accident is a powerful moment, especially with her father's guitar playing in the background, symbolizing support and love."— Dr. Ramani Durvasula, clinical psychologist
Burn Later Productions
Watch the full scene below:
16. The Almost Famous movie, when Lester delivered his monologue
"It’s my favorite movie monologue to date. It's just so natural and vulnerable."— Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher
Sony Pictures Releasing
Watch the full scene below:
17. The Someone Great movie, when Jenny wrote a love letter about her relationship with Nate
"The emotional impact of a film's ending can resonate deeply with viewers, often eliciting tears and reflection. It's a testament to the storytelling power that not enough people recognize."— Dr. Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence expert
Netflix
Watch the full scene below:
When these scenes occur, they are significant to punch, and they are more than that, as they grip you, reeling you in from the outside world. However, determining why they do not receive the rating and respect they deserve becomes extremely difficult.
Perhaps you can assist us in figuring it all out in the comments section below.
