Top 10 Oh Crap Moments In Movies

“The Fifth Element” (1997)

There’s a reason archvillains don’t do their own dirty work. Until this moment, corrupt industrialist Zorg is always one step ahead, thanks to the guidance of “Mister Shadow” and the brute force of his Mangalore mercenaries. But when the Mangalores fail to obtain the keys to a powerful superweapon, Zorg decides to get his hands dirty. After defusing his own bomb, he seems to be in the clear - until the Mangalores activate their own, much larger device.

“The Sandlot” (1993)

Who dares face the Beast? According to local lore, the savage English mastiff has literally eaten thieves, bones and all. But the stakes are high after the sandlot kids hit a baseball signed by Babe Ruth into the Beast’s backyard. With the help of new kicks, team leader Benny dares to enter the monster’s lair. A moment of celebration turns into awful realization: it turns out that for such a stocky dog, the Beast is a pretty fantastic jumper.

“Interstellar” (2014)

Water is the building block of life. But as the crew of the Endurance evaluate conditions for a potential colony, it soon becomes apparent there’s more to this world than meets the eye. The scientist who gave the planet a thumbs up is nowhere to be seen. And as Dr. Brand wades out to retrieve her data, the mountains on the horizon seem to be coming closer. Colossal waves are pushing across the planet’s surface, and soon loom over the crew. Terrifying for them, thrilling for the audience.

“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984)

In a classic case of out of the frying pan and into the fire, the intrepid archaeologist and his companions escape a flooded mine only to be cornered on a rickety wooden bridge hanging precariously over crocodile-infested waters. As Indiana looks from side to side, he realizes he’s all out of options - except for the one that’s completely nuts. Hefting his machete high, he takes aim at the bridge’s support ropes, and swings.

“X-Men 2” (2003)

We all like to think we’re special. But it turns out Wolverine isn’t as unique as he thought. Deep in Colonel William Stryker’s base, the mutant faces his past as an experimental subject of the government’s clandestine “Weapon X” program. He also confronts Stryker’s assistant Yuriko, a.k.a. Lady Deathstrike. With the same healing factor as Logan, and similar adamantium claws, she’s almost a match for the grizzled mutant, who only escapes due to luck and quick thinking.

“Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope” (1977)

The Death Star is massive, dwarfing even the gigantic Star Destroyers. So it’s no wonder that Luke mistakes it at first for a natural satellite. It’s the older and wiser Obi-Wan who realizes the horrible truth. That “moon” is an imperial battle station, and it’s just annihilated the planet Alderaan. Worse, it soon has the Millennium Falcon in its tractor beam’s inexorable grip.

“Léon: The Professional” (1994)

Ah, the bond between hitman and child. Mathilda’s thirst for vengeance runs deep after corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield murders her family. But after her plans go awry, it’s up to her hitman guardian Léon to avenge them. As Stansfield looks down at what the dying Léon has handed to him, he realizes he’s done for. It’s a grenade pin, and Léon is wearing enough explosives to blow the whole building sky high.

“Ghostbusters” (1984)

It’s actually pretty hard to not think anything. So we can’t blame Ray for failing evil god Gozer’s final challenge. While the rest of the team manages to keep their minds carefully blank, Ray accidentally remembers a childhood mascot, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. After all, how scary could a man made of marshmallow be? As it turns out, a 112.5 feet tall version of the mascot is pretty destructive - especially when set on fire.

“Jurassic Park: (1993)

As the T-Rex approaches, there’s a string of “oh shit” moments for the park’s guests. For Tim, it’s the vibration of water in the glasses on the dash to the beat of massive footsteps. For Lex, realization begins to dawn with the thump of a bloody goat’s leg onto the jeep’s sunroof. And that’s when things get bad. These collective “oh shits” are summed up in Dr. Alan Grant’s stare as the king of the dinosaurs bellows into the night.




Before we reveal the identity of our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:



Batman Seeing Doomsday



Data realizes the Enterprise Is Going to Crash





Hinx Is Pulled Off the Train

Rooney Hears Bueller Is On The Other Line

“Jaws” (1975)

It really does suck to be right sometimes. After a shark attacks a swimmer, Police Chief Martin Brody races to close the beaches. Amity’s mayor has other ideas, insisting the attack was really a boating accident. As Brody rests uneasily on the beach, children splash about in the water. When it comes, the “oh shit” moment arrives complete with dolly zoom. There is a shark hunting in the waters around Amity, and it’s a big one.