Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man in Masters of the Universe
Movies Upcoming movies: The most exciting new movies coming in 2026 and beyond
One Piece
Netflix The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch in 2026
Dune
Movies Movie release dates 2026: Every major film coming to cinemas and streaming
Walton Goggins as the Ghoul in Fallout season 2
TV The 25 best shows on Amazon Prime Video to watch right now
Cillian Murphy as Tommy in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
Movies The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch right now
The Lion King is undoubtedly one of the best movies on Disney Plus
Movies The 30 best movies on Disney Plus to watch right now
Best Spider-Man movies
Marvel Movies The best Spider-Man movies of all time, ranked from worst to best
South Park season 27
Streaming Services The 25 best shows on Paramount Plus to watch right now
The Super Mario Movie
Movies 10 Best video game movies of all time, ranked
(L to R) Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars, Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, and Kyle Chandler as DEA Agent Mateo 'Matty' Nix in The Rip.
Action Movies The 25 best Netflix action movies to watch right now
Charlize Theron swims in new Netflix movie Apex
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and more (April 24-April 26)
Next James Bond
Action Movies Next James Bond: The 27 actors who could replace Daniel Craig as the new 007
Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis in Widow's Bay.
Apple TV Plus From Slow Horses to Widow's Bay, these are the best Apple TV shows to watch right now
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3
Amazon Prime Video The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Movies 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

50 Greatest Scene Stealing Performances

Features
By Joshua Winning published 2 April 2013

Theatrical thieves

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Anna Kendrick Up In The Air (2009)

The Performance: Ferocious and uptight as newbie Natalie, Anna Kendrick proved she could do more than just grin sweetly in Twilight by pulling the rug out from under George Clooney in this high-flying drama.

If They Had Their Own Movie: It would be more about youngsters struggling to make their way in the world than silver foxes avoiding commitment.

With Clooney putting in a cameo appearance.

Klaus Kinski Doctor Zhivago (1965)

The Performance: A super-smart anarchist who’s being shipped off to Siberia in chains, Kostoyed (Kinski) is a mere punctuation point in this grand epic, but boy does he make an impression.

“I am the only free man on this train! And the rest of you are CATTLE!” he bleats.

If They Had Their Own Movie: We wish he had – it would be just as involving as Zhivago’s story, though with more mad eye-rolling.

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather. The 20 best movies on Paramount Plus to watch right now
  • Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
  • Keanu Reeves as FBI Agent Johnny Utah and Patrick Swayze as Bodhi "Bodhisattva" in the movie Point Break. The best movies on Hulu to watch right now

Rowan Atkinson Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)

The Performance: Atkinson does the ‘bumbling thing’ as priest Gerald, who keeps fluffing his lines up at a wedding ceremony, getting names wrong and talking about the ‘Holy Goat’.

If They Had Their Own Movie: It would basically be a more verbal version of Mr Bean.

Leonardo DiCaprio Whats Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993)

The Performance: Lasse Hallström’s film pretends to be a coming-of-ager centred on Johnny Depp, but it’s a young DiCaprio who makes the film as Depp’s mentally-challenged younger brother.

If They Had Their Own Movie: Well, he does – just because the film’s not called What’s Eating Arnie Grape? doesn’t mean DiCaprio doesn’t own Hallström’s film.

Steve Martin The Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

The Performance: Addicted to nitrus oxide and tending to his patients with all the sensitivity of a serial killer, Steve Martin’s performance as sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello is a comedy tour-de-force.

With really good hair.

If They Had Their Own Movie: It’d have the tone of I Married An Axe-Murderer and make us even more terrified about visiting the dentist.

Rutger Hauer Sin City (2005)

The Performance: “When he came to me, he was a tormented boy,” rasps Rutger, bald as a plucked chicken and swathed in shadow as Cardinal Roark.

He gets some of the most poetic lines of the film, and does the unthinkable by stealing our attention away from Mickey Rourke as plastered bruiser Marv.

If They Had Their Own Movie: It would be a savage indictment of modern-day religion with Hauer doing his best teeth-gritting angry face.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Benicio Del Toro The Usual Suspects (1995)

The Performance: Sure, Kevin Spacey has that iconic moment at the end of the film, but Del Toro is effortlessly enigmatic way before that in Bryan Singer’s brain-melting thriller.

Examples? Just check out the line-up scene. “Hand-me-the-fuckin-keys-what-the-fuhhh?”

If They Had Their Own Movie:
It’d be a really dark comedy with some very loud shirts.

Forest Whitaker Platoon (1986)

The Performance: “I don’t know brothers, but I’m hurting real bad inside.”

Though the cast includes the fantastic likes of Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen and John C. McGinley, it’s Whitaker who delivers sucker-punches to the heart here as Big Harold.

If They Had Their Own Movie: It would be a riveting chronicle of one soldier’s bruising experiences in Vietnam.

Er, starring Forest Whitaker.

William Hurt A History Of Violence (2005)

The Performance: Just one scene, but such a blinder that it earned Hurt an Oscar nomination for playing Joey Cusack’s brother, a total psychotic who has no qualms about ordering his sibling’s assassination.

If They Had Their Own Movie: It would probably resemble Scarface .

Judi Dench Shakespeare In Love (1998)

The Performance: Bringing a regal reserve and a rattlesnake tongue to the ‘character’ of Queen Elizabeth I, Dench is unforgettable despite only appearing in John Madden’s film for a total of eight minutes.

It’s all quality over quantity there, eh?

If They Had Their Own Movie:
Cate Blanchett would play a younger version of her.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
Joshua Winning
Social Links Navigation

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.  

Read more
Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather.
Streaming Services The 20 best movies on Paramount Plus to watch right now
 
 
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Movies 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
 
 
Keanu Reeves as FBI Agent Johnny Utah and Patrick Swayze as Bodhi "Bodhisattva" in the movie Point Break.
Hulu The best movies on Hulu to watch right now
 
 
The Lion King is undoubtedly one of the best movies on Disney Plus
Movies The 30 best movies on Disney Plus to watch right now
 
 
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3
Amazon Prime Video The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now
 
 
Michael B. Jordan in Ryan Coogler's vampire horror Sinners
Drama Movies Oscars 2026 live coverage: All the winners, red carpet, and the 97th Academy Awards' biggest moments – as it happens
 
 
Latest in Movies
Close up Noob Saibot's face in Mortal Kombat 2 trailer
Action Movies Mortal Kombat 2 writer reveals the fighter he cut from the script: "I wasn't able to devote enough time to sell him as a character"
 
 
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies Pedro Pascal says he originally didn't realize Jon Favreau wanted him to play The Mandalorian in the Star Wars show
 
 
Grogu being painfully adorable in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies Former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy compares Mandalorian and Grogu director Jon Favreau to George Lucas
 
 
Mando and Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer
Star Wars Movies The Mandalorian knows Grogu "will outlive him" so he's "making sure" he "can survive without him"
 
 
andy serkis
Fantasy Movies Andy Serkis says he doesn't see a difference between game and movie acting: "Hollywood is using video game engines"
 
 
Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin unmasked in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies Pedro Pascal wants to keep playing the Mandalorian for as long as the "many bodies we put into the suit can take it"
 
 
Latest in Features
Lost Odyssey screenshot
RPGs If you loved Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, find a way to play one of the Xbox 360's best-kept secrets
 
 
A Paladin in heavy armor leans on a shining sword
Tabletop Gaming "Our players are going to be pretty psyched": Hasbro CEO talks D&D, video games, and playing to win
 
 
Nathan Drake looks at some ruins as Sam watches, in Uncharted 4, from the PS5's Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
Action Games 10 years later, Uncharted 4 remains the perfect antidote to overly bleak and serious adventuring
 
 
The official Summer Game Fest logo in shades of purples and blues, with a pink circle surrounding the event's title
Games Summer Game Fest schedule 2026: Dates, times, and where to watch the showcases
 
 
Fox McCloud's rival Falco sitting in the cockpit of an Arwing in a screenshot taken from Star Fox for the Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 Star Fox 64 remains one of Nintendo's greatest action games, and its Switch 2 remake will prove it to a new generation
 
 
Adeline Rudolph as Kitana in Mortal Kombat 2
Action Movies Mortal Kombat 2 ending explained: who fights, who dies and every fatality
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Lost Odyssey screenshot
    1
    If you loved Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, find a way to play one of the Xbox 360's best-kept secrets
  2. 2
    10 Games like Persona 5 you should play next
  3. 3
    The Boys fans think season 5's POV episode reveals the order in which major Supes will die
  4. 4
    The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess finally gets a fanmade PC port
  5. 5
    10 years later, Uncharted 4 remains the perfect antidote to overly bleak and serious adventuring

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...