Top 10 Most Rewatched Reunion Scenes in Movies

“Aquaman” (2018) [b-roll:”Atlantis murdered my mother...for loving you and having me.”] From the onset of the 2018 Aquaman movie, it’s clear that Arthur Curry believes his mom died at the hands of the Atlanteans. Rejecting all things Atlantis, Arthur has taken on his own mission of thwarting pirates and other criminals. So it comes as a surprise when he accompanies Mera to Atlantis and then eventually to Italy seeking out the Trident of Atlan. After being transported deep beneath the ocean, much to Arthur’s surprise, he finds his mother alive. As the camera cuts between Arthur and Atlanna, you can clearly see the disbelief in both of them. Having settled on the idea of never seeing each other again, we’re presented with an unexpected but warming family reunion.

“Back to the Future Part III” (1990) When the pennant string flags landed on the ground, we all wondered, where did Doc Brown go? Thanks to a letter, we learn that Doc made it to 1885, and has hidden the Delorean for Marty to find and return home. Marty opts to take a trip back to the Old West to help his friend. Playing off similar gags from the previous two films, he gets himself into a mess but lo and behold, a quick shot from Doc, and Marty is saved. His reaction to seeing Doc is nowhere near as shocking as his return to a new 1985 in the first movie. It is however quite warming to see these two long-lost friends finally coming back together.

#8: Kevin McCallister & His Family

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“Home Alone” (1990) Haven’t you ever had moments where you wished your family would just disappear? After being punished for unruly behavior at home, Kevin McCallister made such a wish. Except this time, he woke up to an empty house, and a life full of unrestrained. Without any parents around, Kevin is free to watch as much TV and eat junk food to his heart’s content. However, that same heart eventually yearns for his family as he puts up a Christmas tree and stockings, all while still home alone. When his mom and family finally return, we get to see the relief on Kevin’s face who now knows that family is far better than having to thwart off any burglars, or go out to get groceries.

“Halloween” (2018) Since 1978, there have been 11 movies in the Halloween franchise. In 2018, a direct sequel to the original effectively retconned all of the other films in the series. For this version, Laurie Strode has been living the last 40 years as an agoraphobic alcoholic, constantly in fear of Michael Myers' return. When she learns of his escape from a psychiatric facility and a subsequent attack at a costume party, Laurie rushes to help her granddaughter. It’s here Laurie’s worst nightmare comes to fruition. The sheer look of terror and disbelief on her face when she sees Michael’s reflection in a mirror is enough to tingle your spine. Jamie Lee Curtis’ fear is palpable as she shatters the mirror with a gunshot.

“Tangled” (2010) You know the story: a girl whose hair holds magical powers is locked up in a tower for years upon years. With help from Mother Gothel, the witch who kidnapped her as a baby and has been the one holding her prisoner all this time, Rapunzel has developed a phobia of the outside world. But the lanterns she sees in the sky once a year are a signal that, just maybe, that outside world could be filled with magic after all. Accompanied by a scamp named Flynn Ryder - real name Eugene - Rapunzel sets out to see those lanterns up close… But what she actually finds is her true identity as the princess of Corona, and the long-lost, loving parents who have been releasing those lanterns for their beloved daughter ever since she went missing, all those years ago. Talk about a fairytale reunion.

#5: Mamá Coco & Her Parents

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“Coco” (2017) In this Pixar delight, we meet Miguel, a young man who travels to the Land of the Dead to discover the true meaning of eternal life. It is there that he meets Héctor, his great-grandmother Coco’s father whom she is beginning to forget. As Héctor begins to blink out of existence, Miguel learns when the living forget the dead, they are gone forever. With an unconditional blessing, Miguel returns to the living just in time to play a song Héctor once sang as a lullaby to Coco. She smiles and a year later, we see her reunited with her parents in the Land of the Dead. It’s a touching reunion and a reminder that as long as we are remembered, we’re never really gone.

“Finding Nemo” (2003) Children often feel the need to rebel against their parents. For Nemo, this comes on his first day of school when he swims out into open water, against his overprotective father Marlin’s wishes. Unfortunately, he’s caught by a diver, and is soon whisked away by boat. Over the course of the rest of the movie, we get to see both Marlin & Nemo come to terms with how much they really mean to each other now that they are separated by an ocean. So when they finally reunite, not only is the audience in relief, but both father and son have a newfound respect for each other. This also of course led to a sequel with a similar heartwarming reunion of Dory with her parents.

#3: Andy Dufresne & Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding

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“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994) After Andy Dufresne is wrongly convicted of murder, he spends almost two decades behind bars. He finds a good friend in Ellis “Red” Redding who has a knack for getting things people want. Although abused repeatedly behind bars, Andy finds a place for himself within the walls of the prison, and shares his dream of living out his life in Mexico to Red. When Red suspects Andy desires to take his own life, it’s an even bigger surprise to find out he’s escaped. Although happy for his friend, Red misses him dearly. So when Red is paroled a year later, and the two finally reunite on a beach in Mexico, it’s not just jailmates reconnecting. It’s two brothers finally being free and happy.

#2: Han Solo & General Leia Organa

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“Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens” (2015) “Return of the Jedi” came out in 1983. It wasn’t until 2015 and “The Force Awakens” that we finally got to see what has happened in all that time. When the second teaser trailer dropped, fans were ecstatic to see Han & Chewie again. As exciting as that moment was, it couldn’t compare to seeing Leia hop off a transport only to lock eyes on Han standing there waiting for her. A long and warm stare followed by a smirk and comment about his jacket. These characters had aged but our memories of them hadn’t. It was a moment fans had been waiting decades for and easily eclipsed her short reunion with her brother in The Last Jedi. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Shrek, Princess Fiona & The Kids, “Shrek Forever After” (2010) How Many Times Can a Kiss Cure Everything in Fairy Tales? Woody & Bo Beep, “Toy Story 4” (2019) A Couple of Long Stares Followed by Awkward Conversation Frank & Barry, “Sausage Party” (2016) The Gods Can Be Killed Jonathan Trager & Sara Thomas, “Serendipity” (2001) Apparently Fate Costs $5 & 1 Book Dr. Christopher James ‘Chris’ Nielsen & Annie Collins-Nielsen, “What Dreams May Come” (1998) The Truest Love Spans Both Heaven and Hell

#1: Tony Stark & Peter Parker

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“Avengers: Endgame” (2019) Although it was awesome to finally hear [b-roll: Avengers. Assemble], “Avengers: Endgame” was certainly packed with other family reunions. Tony spent time with his dad in 1970, while Thor got to have a real goodbye with his mother on Asgard. Sometimes though, family isn’t something you’re born into. At the end of “Infinity War.” when Peter says to Tony [b-roll: “I don’t want to go. I don’t want to go. Sir. Please”], and then falls to the ground and dusts away, you can see the depth of the loss on Tony’s face. Which is why when Spidey swoops in to help Iron Man stand up in “Endgame,” Tony is speechless. His face is lit up with elation as he listens to Peter ramble, but quickly succumbs to hugging Peter, reminding fans that in the end, it’s the people close to us that matter.