Top 10 Movie Hiding Places

On the run from Nazis and their goons for hire, Marion seeks refuge in one of Cairo’s many wicker baskets. She almost gives the baddies the slip, but a traitorous monkey sells her out. Indiana Jones chases the screaming basket through a series of alleys. When he loses Marion in a crowd, though, she becomes harder to pinpoint than Where’s Waldo. In what could have been a standard chase, this scene from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” goes the extra mile by having Indy locate a needle in a haystack.

In order to survive the Hunger Games, tributes need to employ every skill in their repertoires. As a baker’s son, you wouldn’t think Peeta Mellark would have anything to bring to the table…except maybe dessert. Using his frosting skills, though, Peeta camouflages himself with mud and dirt to blend in with the rocks by a stream. Although Peeta is sometimes observed as a bumbling nuisance, hiding places like this demonstrate that he can be quite resourceful and crafty. He’s still probably better off leaving the manual labor to Katniss, however.

“Toy Story” creates a world of its own where playthings spring to life right under our noses. To keep their world secret, toys must get creative while maneuvering around public places. When confronted by a couple of Cylon guards at Pizza Planet, Woody and Buzz disguise themselves with a soda cup and a burger container. Since nobody pays much attention to the litter on the floor, they’re able to sneak through the automatic doors without a hitch. But does anybody else find it weird that Buzz’s lid opens when he talks?

Most scream queens have a tendency to pick the dumbest hiding places imaginable - like under the bed or in a closet. We gotta give Hannah from “28 Days Later” props for thinking on her feet when chased by the infected. With Clifton just around the corner, Hannah latches onto the back of a mirror. When Clifton enters, the zombie gazes into the mirror and sees what he’s become. All the while, Clifton remains unaware that Hannah is on the other side.

This scene from “The Fellowship of the Ring” captures the dread of a Grimm fairytale as monsters pursue our heroes through the woods. With the ring-wraiths hot on their trail, the hobbits retreat under a nearby tree. Great tension builds as a black rider sniffs just inches above and insects immerge, tempting Frodo to give into the ring. Good thing Sam is there to keep him in check. The two come even closer to capture in the following film, but they have a trusty Elven cloak this time around.

The Millennium Falcon has everything an intergalactic smuggler could possibly need in spacecraft: light speed for outrunning the authorities, gun turrets for blowing up TIE Fighters, and, most important of all, smuggling compartments for illegal goods. These compartments come in especially handy in “Star Wars” as the Empire apprehends the ship. Hidden under the floor, the would-be rebels manage to evade the incompetent Storm troopers. Since a scanner crew is on the way, though, Luke, Han, and the others quickly realize they need to stop hiding and start blasting.

When you’re a little kid, nothing’s scarier than realizing that your own parent is out to get you. When his ax-wielding father goes over the cuckoo’s nest, young Danny attempts to lose him in the snowy hedge maze. Cold and frightened, Danny could easily run into certain death around any corner. Fortunately, the quick-thinking lad uses his environment to its full advantage and throws daddy dearest off track with a false trail of footprints. Jack and his sanity remain forever lost in the icy labyrinth.

In “Schindler’s List,” Steven Spielberg strived to authentically recreate the horrors of the Holocaust down to the very last detail. The audience is overcome with uncertainty, fear, and grief as Jewish families try to escape the Nazis by hiding under floorboards, in pianos, an even in toilets. As careful and quiet as they are, almost nothing gets past the Nazi soldiers, who will gun innocents down upon discovery while discussing classical music. Much like in Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist,” these scenes are truly shocking in just how real they feel.

Just when it looks like the kids are done dodging dinosaurs for the day, they’re paid an unexpected visit by a couple Velociraptors. In this brilliantly staged scene from “Jurassic Park,” Tim and Lex attempt to crawl out of the kitchen undetected. This is easier said than done as the raptors are highly intelligent hunters. Using a ladle to draw them out, a cabinet as a hiding place, and her own reflection, Lex tricks the beasts and the audience. That raptor might not be a clever girl, but Lex definitely is.

Before we call olly olly oxen free on our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Mud Camouflage
“Predator” (1987)
- In a Tree
“Get Smart” (2008)
- Old Trunk
“Young Guns” (1988)
- Closet
“Burn After Reading” (2008)
- Under the Table
“Matilda” (1996)

In “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” Elliott does everything he can to hide his friend from the adults. It appears that Elliott’s mom is about to have a close encounter with E.T. upon inspecting her child’s closet. Luckily, the adorable alien fits in perfectly with Raggedy Andy and various stuffed animals. In an instant, the audience goes from leaning over in suspense to laughing hysterically. Subsequently, all the kids in the audience feel the need to add an E.T. doll to their toy collection. It’s merchandising hidden within a hiding place.

Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the greatest movie hiding place? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.