Top 10 Movie Scenes RUINED by Memes

“Oppenheimer” (2023)

This stirring and alarming war epic ends on a disturbing note. Instead of absolution, Chris Nolan gives Oppie a glimpse at the chilling future he’s helped create. Thus, the film’s final beat is one of condemnation. He’s forced to finally acknowledge his complicity, with literally the biggest stakes possible. But of course, such a heavy atmosphere made for prime meme material. Cillian Murphy’s devastated look quickly became online royalty, along with several other shots of the actor. Things hit another level, though, once users started imagining much more cheerful versions of history. These gags took the movie’s gravitas and mixed in some good ol’ ironic detachment. Y’know, to take the edge off. We just hope Cillian isn’t too disappointed!

“Midsommar” (2019)

Ari Aster’s horror masterpiece is a rollercoaster, to put it mildly. This couldn’t be truer than for its protagonist, Dani. We watch as her mounting anxieties lead her into the arms of the Hårga. The film carefully shows us how dogma is designed as comfort for those who simply need a friend…regardless of its true intentions. That process reaches a fever pitch when Dani breaks down, screaming with a group of Hårgan women. And we’re treated to the now-iconic image of their collective vent sesh. It’s a surreal moment and understandably amusing out of context. As such, it grew as a favorite for users to convey explosive catharsis. Alongside other emotive clips from the movie, Florence Pugh really just became everyone’s mood avatar.

“Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005)

The “Star Wars” prequel trilogy is perhaps the holy grail of classic memes. It feels like every character has at least a handful of inside jokes among fans. And Hayden Christensen’s Anakin might just be their patron saint. That fact, however, sits squarely opposite how tragic and sinister his story becomes. This concoction of drama and farce is at its most guiltily funny with the Order 66 sequence. Even its most harrowing bit—when the newly-crowned Darth Vader encounters a group of Younglings—isn’t safe from the meme machine. Over the years, users have consistently found ways to get a chuckle out of it, despite the tonal contrast. We aren’t banking on Obi-Wan seeing the appeal, though!

“Interstellar” (2014)

In one of the film’s many incredible stretches, protagonist Cooper is hit with back-to-back haymakers. After escaping from a planet of literal tidal waves, he is then met with an emotional one. Due to time dilation, he has to witness his family age decades between meager video messages. It’s devastating to watch. But that doesn’t stop it from being perfect as a reaction template. Users leapt at the chance to splice in their own context for Cooper’s vividly expressive display. For some, the scene was reduced to just ‘Matthew McConaughey crying.’ Luckily, Christopher Nolan’s work is no stranger to being memed and is often too good to be kept down.

“Marriage Story” (2019)

Thanks to captivating performances from its two leads, Noah Baumbach’s divorce drama was a significant success, deftly walking the line between melodrama and raw sincerity. In its most ferocious segment, we watch as the pair’s communication totally collapses. They trade searing, resentful barbs as Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver pour their hearts out. Naturally, though, that amount of vulnerability wouldn’t stay serious for long on the internet. The scene saw an avalanche of custom captions and clever edits. Some have even dubbed it the heir apparent to the classic format from “American Chopper.” And Driver’s half of the tussle, in particular, has made its mark. Who knew this type of accomplished drama could be such a treasure trove for memes?

“Blade Runner 2049” (2017)

Denis Villeneuve’s seminal sci-fi ballad is a stunning exploration of identity and purpose. Ryan Gosling’s K is forced to take a sobering journey through his distorted past. A crucial reveal comes in Dr. Stelline’s lab, where K fosters an inkling that he’s a messianic figure. It’s a slow, haunting scene that culminates in a startling outburst. But the philosophical weight of his story would be muddled by its online legacy. An influx of edgy fancams and moody profile pics turned K into a shallow stand-in for toxic stoicism and rage. While there are certainly many that are self-aware, some just miss the point. The character actually reconciles with his isolation, rejects narcissism, and becomes more human for it. Cuz after all, even K is enough.

“Django Unchained” (2012)

Leonardo DiCaprio has a really well-known face. And it’s not just because of the movies themselves! He has a surprisingly large portfolio of memes and reaction GIFs. The least expected of them, though, is the still image of a laugh by the horrible Calvin Candie. As Django and Dr. Schulz enact their plan to rescue Broomhilda, the pair find themselves playing nice at supper. During a tension-filled sequence that runs for over 20 minutes, we’re treated to amazing performances and rich detail. Tucked inside of it is the split-second frame that would take the internet by storm. Turning a character of such outright evil into a glorified smug emoji felt weird, though. Fortunately, viewers of the film know what fate ultimately befalls the so-called ‘Candyland.’

“Downfall” (2004)

A major turn in this World War II drama comes when Adolf Hitler discovers that a critical attack never actually took place. With the war basically lost, the reprehensible dictator lashes out in a petulant episode. What follows, for years after release, can only be described as a meme sensation. Seemingly every niche possible—no matter how trivial—saw a version of the clip with custom-fitted subtitles. Through these, the film found a new, irreverent claim to fame. Suddenly, the figure of despicable evil was just yapping into the void. Over the years, major outlets have covered the trend, with the director himself expressing his approval.

“Taken” (2008)

Liam Neeson’s action hero renaissance can be traced back to his time as Bryan Mills. With the latter’s very particular set of skills, both became pop culture mainstays. And this iconic monologue did a lot of the heavy lifting. What began as a chilling threat, however, has since become more of a punchline. It permeated nearly every level of mainstream entertainment. That’s a telling sign that a meme is reaching oversaturation. Even Neeson himself began to play into the caricature that his persona became. One could argue that the franchise didn’t have much prestige to begin with. But it doesn’t help that Bryan’s later rescue missions would fail to make the same impact.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)

This legendary trilogy’s opening chapter remains a masterclass in setting the stakes. And we’d be hard pressed to find a sequence better at it than the Council of Elrond. But even beyond the Fellowship assembling, it’s Boromir’s anxious warning that steals the spotlight. It’s a frightening sermon that genuinely tees up the rest of the series. And as he describes the Herculean task waiting in Mordor, a stone-cold classic is born. The veteran meme has stood the test of time as one of the most recognizable gags in internet history. Whether changing the verb or the noun, it’ll land in nearly any context. And despite how essential the scene is, one does not simply watch it the same again.