15 Cinematic moments that are guaranteed to give you goosebumps

Movies are one of the most important forms of storytelling in the modern age. An equivalent as immersive as cinema is yet to be found. The beauty of movies lies in their ability to enthrall audiences with stunning visuals, soul-stirring musical scores, and tear-jerking scenes. Therefore, it is guaranteed that some of the best movies will have some of the best cinematic moments. Here are 15 such scenes that have roused the audiences.

1. Dead Poets Society (1989)

Starring Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, and others, this coming-of-age drama movie is directed by Peter Weir. It focuses on the relationship between a group of students and their English teacher (Williams), who wants them to admire poetry and live courageously. The movie’s end is especially beautiful when the students stand on top of their desks and recite ‘O captain, my captain’ to their Professor; one of the most iconic movie moments.

2. The Descent (2005)

Directed by Neil Marshall, this British horror movie broke ground for its graphic horror and feeling of claustrophobia. It tells the tale of a group of six adventure-seeking women who get stuck in a cave and encounter cannibals. There are many goosebump-inducing scenes in the movie, but the scene where the protagonist, Sarah gets stuck in a narrow crevice of the cave is horrifying. She gets rescued, but it is a tense scene.

3. Interstellar (2014)

Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConaughey, this sci-fi drama revolves around a group of astronauts who travel across space and time to search for a new home for mankind. The docking scene, as it is known, is a goosebump and anxiety-inducing scene as Cooper’s (Matthew's) automatic docking system breaks apart, and he tries to manually dock his ship to the space station. The gorgeous visuals and Hans Zimmer’s background score build to a crescendo, which is awe-inspiring.

4. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, this prison drama movie is directed by Frank Darabont and revolves around a banker (Robbins) who is wrongfully sentenced to prison. He becomes friends with a fellow prisoner (Freeman) and promises him that he will get out and the two will start a new life. The movie’s ending scene is surreal as Freeman’s character is released, and he meets Robbin’s character at a promised place, and the two share a warm embrace.

5. Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Created by George Lucas and directed by Irvin Kershner, this famous installment of the Star Wars franchise revolves around Luke Skywalker and his continued battles against the Empire as he trains to master the force from the Jedi and becomes a strong warrior. But the scene that makes this movie iconic and is one of the most legendary and goosebump-inducing moments in cinematic history is when the antagonist, Darth Vader, reveals that he is Luke’s father.

6. The Sixth Sense (1999)

Starring Bruce Willis and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this horror drama is a famous movie that revolves around a child psychologist (Willis) who counsels a special child who claims to see and talk to the dead. The movie was universally acclaimed for its atmosphere, direction, and performances, but what made it memorable was the last scene when it was revealed that Willis’ character is also dead; one of the most terrifying scenes.

7. Jurassic Park (1993)

Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, and others, this sci-fi movie broke records and was immensely popular due to its graphics and plot that revolved around a dinosaur wildlife park gone berserk. The movie has many anxiety-inducing scenes, but towards the end, when the children get trapped in a kitchen and have to stay deathly quiet as the dinosaurs prance around is especially terrifying and keeps the audience on the edge.

8. Steel Magnolias (1989)

Starring Sally Field, Julia Roberts, and others, this comedy-drama directed by Herbert Ross revolves around a group of women in a small town in the American South who are the best of friends. But when Field’s character’s daughter (Roberts) is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and dies of complications after childbirth, Fields delivers a soul-stirring speech at the graveyard about the anger she feels over her daughter’s death. When her friends embrace her, it truly makes for a heartbreaking moment.

9. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo and starring Chris Hemsworth and others, this superhero movie is based on the Marvel comics characters. The movie revolves around the fight between the evil Thanos and the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, who want to stop him from destroying the world. There are many iconic moments in the movie, but the scene where Thor enters Wakanda and saves his fellow superheroes is brilliantly directed.

10. Titanic (1997)

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet and directed by James Cameron, this epic romance-disaster movie is inspired by the real-life sinking of the Titanic. It blends a romantic story that transcends class distinctions. The smash hit has a memorable and goosebump-inducing scene where the ship starts to sink, and while the other passengers are rushing everywhere, the boat’s choir realizes their fate and plays the hymn “Nearer My God To Thee.”

11. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks, this famous war movie is set during World War II, where a group of soldiers and their leader, John Miller (Hanks), must save Private Ryan. In one terrifying scene, Miller is mortally wounded, and a German tank rolls near him. As Miller tries to fire a single bullet against the huge tank, his life is spared as a fighter plane arrives at that very moment and blasts the tank off.

12. The Lion King (1994)

Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, this famous Disney animated movie is about a young lion, the heir to his father’s throne, but must flee when his uncle kills his father and snatches the throne. After growing up, he strives to take vengeance. The scene where Simba is shown off to the animal kingdom by his father Mufasa, while the song “Circle of Life” by Elton John plays away is goosebump-inducing.

13. Rocky (1976)

Starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by John G. Avildsen, this sports drama movie is highly inspiring and, therefore, a popular flick. The movie is about an underdog, Rockie, who trumps financial troubles and other hardships to compete at a world heavyweight boxing championship. The ending scene where Rocky fights with Creed and calls out to his love, Adriana, is soul-stirring and bewitching.

14. The Dark Knight (2008)

Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, this superhero movie is based on the DC Comics character and is immensely popular. While Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is iconic, there is a chilling scene in the movie where Gordon begs Harvey to spare his son’s life, and Harvey is about to decide over a coin toss. When Batman comes to the rescue, the scene is extremely tense.

15. The Conjuring (2013)

Starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, this horror movie is immensely popular. A family moves into a new house and begins to experience haunted activities. They soon employ the help of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Wilson and Vera). One scene is especially terrifying when Lorraine is inspecting the children’s room and comes across a toy that plays music and has a mirror. As she inspects the mirror, she catches the sight of an evil creature.