Top 10 Movie Nude Scenes You Probably Missed

"Asteroid City" (2023)


Scarlett Johansson has never been shy about taking on bold roles (or showing skin), but in Wes Anderson’s quirky sci-fi dramedy “Asteroid City,” her nude scene is so understated that many moviegoers didn’t even realize it happened. The scene sees Johansson’s character, a Hollywood actress, asking photojournalist Augie Steenbeck, played by Jason Schwartzman, if he’d like to watch her rehearse for an upcoming nude scene. When he agrees, she lets her towel fall, briefly revealing her reflection in a nearby mirror. It’s quite the “meta” moment - one framed so elegantly with Anderson’s signature matter-of-fact flair that it’s easy to miss.

"Pulp Fiction" (1994)


While Quentin Tarantino’s hard-R-rated cinematic tales are packed with violence, profanity, and provocative moments, nudity is used rather sparingly. Naked flashes in Tarantino flicks can also be largely inconspicuous, as seen in this brief instance in “Pulp Fiction.” After Bruce Willis’ Butch Coolidge returns following his latest fight, we later see him step out of the shower, revealing a quick moment of full-frontal nudity. Given the film’s many shocking and chaotic moments though, it’s no surprise that a hasty glimpse of Willis’ member isn’t exactly the one that sticks with viewers the most.

"Django Unchained" (2012)

Speaking of Quentin Tarantino, the director’s bold take on pre-Civil War America, “Django Unchained,” contains another moment of nudity that many likely missed. When Kerry Washington’s character, Broomhilda, is taken sans clothes through the plantation after being tortured, there are small flashes of her upper half as she is moved about. The moment is brief, not to mention heartbreaking. It’s all framed in a way that focuses more on her vulnerability than on the nudity itself. Audiences might have also missed another instance of nudity in the film, this time when a man is shot in his genitals. Ouch.

"The Graduate" (1967)


Mrs. Robinson may be one of the most famous seductresses in cinema, but many moviegoers would say that she never appears nude in the film. Well, they would be wrong. Yep, there’s actually brief flashes of a nude Anne Bancroft in Mike Nichols’ celebrated movie. We first see her nude in a reflection. And then, while Dustin Hoffman’s Benjamin is flustered by her advances, many quick images of Mrs. Robinson’s nude body parts appear. The blink and you’ll miss them shots are cleverly made to mimic Ben’s briefest of glimpses as he tries to navigate the situation.

"Gone Girl" (2014)


We all remember “Gone Girl” for its shocking twists and chilling narrative, but did you catch Ben Affleck’s nude moment? Towards the end of David Fincher’s 2014 thriller, Ben Affleck’s (ahem) front appendage flashes briefly on-screen. It happens when a bloody Amy returns home and Affleck’s Nick is made to strip naked in order to listen to her chilling confessions in the shower. With Rosamund Pike also naked and, you know, covered in blood, it’s easy to miss Affleck’s “big” reveal. It’s said that Ben was more than happy to show it all - even if it was for just a few seconds.

"Blue Sky" (1994)

Jessica Lange may have won an Oscar for her role in the 1994 drama “Blue Sky,” but her nude scene in the film remains relatively under the radar. Opposite Tommy Lee Jones, Lange plays Carly Marshall, a passionate and unpredictable military wife whose bold personality is reflected in everything she does—including a daring bit of skinny-dipping at the beginning of the film. The moment is rather fleeting, making it easy to overlook that she has completely undressed. However, the scene does highlight Carly’s uninhibited nature (and tendency toward exhibitionism), foreshadowing her eventual decline mentally.

"Hackers" (1995)

Before she became an A-list superstar, Angelina Jolie starred in the cyberpunk cult classic “Hackers,” where she had a brief, but surprising, nude scene. Since the Iain Softley-directed film was aimed at a young male demographic, it's not surprising that it contains plenty of bold references. Other than another character’s bare bum, there’s nothing overly explicit on display – except for this shot. During a scene with Jonny Lee Miller, Jolie’s character, the rebellious and savvy Kate Libby, is seen topless for a split second before she goes in for a makeout session. The “unzip flashing” is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment that has since become an Easter egg for dedicated Jolie fans.

"Fight Club" (1999)


It’s no secret that David Fincher’s "Fight Club" thrives on subliminal messages and hidden details. In fact, throughout the film, various flashes pop up at different points – including the inclusion of male nudity. In a callback to character Tyler Durden’s previously explored film-splicing antics, a single frame of male genitalia appears for just a fraction of a second near the end of the film. If you weren’t paying attention (or blinked for that matter) you probably missed it. It was so subtle that many didn’t even realize it existed until Fincher confirmed it. Yep, it's a final visual shock that Tyler Durden himself would undoubtedly appreciate.

"Closer" (2004)

Audiences who watched “Closer” likely anticipated some level of nudity. For one, Nathalie Portman’s character, Alice, is a stripper and is shown at her workplace multiple times. Despite this, there’s no overt nudity. However, an unintentional “wardrobe malfunction” that remained in the final cut fleetingly exposes Portman’s chest. You see, during a conversation with Larry, a small movement causes her bra to slip down briefly, showing more than intended. The nude moment is mostly lost on viewers though, as Portman’s daring performance makes sure the attention is elsewhere. There’s a reason this role is one of the actresses most widely praised.

"The Rescuers" (1977)

Disney's "The Rescuers" follows two mice who set out to save a young girl and get help from a variety of animals along the way. Yes, it’s very much aimed at children. And yes, it does (or did) contain nudity. For years, rumors circulated about a topless woman appearing in the window during an action scene. The moment was confirmed when the film's VHS release allowed viewers to slow it down. Disney recalled the tapes, stating that the image was added during post-production, not by their animators. It was likely intended as a harmless joke in the 70s, with no expectation that future technology would allow viewers to catch it. But, we totally did!

Which nude moments in film caught you by surprise? Share your thoughts in the comments below.