35 of the Most Paused Movie Scenes in Hollywood History

Some of the most jaw-dropping moments in movies can happen so quickly that you simply have to pause to understand exactly what's happening. Blink at the following paused movie scenes and you might miss them!

While it's not the most recognizable film on this list, Scanners has developed a strong fan base since its 1981 release. This scene has been paused so much due for its gory nature, it happens so fast that you simply have to rewind and pause to get the full effect of it.

If you know the works of William Shakespeare, you might have realized that the 2006 comedy She's the Man is actually a modernized version of the play Twelfth Night. In the latter, Viola dresses up as her twin brother Sebastian to pass off as a male. In She's the Man, Amanda Bynes's character does the exact same thing in order to get into a soccer team. However, when she's caught, Viola pulls her top up to confirm that she is, in fact, a young woman. Naturally, many paused.

While it is not the greatest movie of all time, Fast Times at Ridgemont High is certainly a classic '80s coming-of-age movie. While there are some good performances, it seems like the most memorable scene is a pretty superficial one. It involves Phoebe Cates's character Linda, who is enjoying a swim with her friend Stacy. The most paused moment in that scene comes when Linda finally climbs up the steps and gets out of the pool.

It has to be, without a doubt, one of the most iconic and provocative shots in all of movie history. Sharon Stone certainly stole headlines for her performance in 1992's Basic Instinct. However, this scene ultimately overshadowed the entire movie and for obvious reasons. Despite seemingly being fully dressed, Stone's leg crossover gave viewers a lot more than they had anticipated going into the movie. It's amazing how many people failed to finish the movie because they paused on this scene.