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 confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

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
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

Slim Pickens Dr Strangelove (1964)

The Performance : Stepping into Peter Sellers’ shoes is no small task, but character actor Slim Pickens was more than up to the challenge in Stanley Kubrick’s black comedy.

Though he reportedly didn’t know the film was a satire, Pickens is amazing as Major Kong – not least in that thrilling moment he rides a bomb like a bucking bronco.

If They Had Their Own Movie: It would, in a word, be mental.

Bette Davis What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962)

The Performance: The film’s about the rocky relationship between two sisters, but it’s Bette Davis as former child star Jane who comes out on top.

Unnerving, ghoulish and, totally cuckoo, she’s a devastatingly human movie monster.

If They Had Their Own Movie: We’d see everything from Jane’s warped perspective – cue loads of dreamy musical segments and rampant weirdness.

Christoph Waltz Inglourious Basterds (2009)

The Performance: A performance that deservedly earned Waltz an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, he’s mesmerising and menacing as SD Colonel Hans Landa – and totally owns that ball-busting opening scene.

If They Had Their Own Movie : It would be the best movie ever.

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

Ralph Brown Withnail And I (1987)

The Performance: A drug dealer that we actually care about? Ralph Brown pulls off the impossible in Withnail And I as Danny, a shaggy-haired shades-wearer who talks like his jaw’s been wired shut.

See also: Wayne’s World 2.

If They Had Their Own Movie: We’d follow him as he attempts to take down hairdressers – they’re all working for the government as spies, after all.

Robert Carlyle Trainspotting (1996)

The Performance: Unstable and terrifying because of it, Carlyle’s Begbie is a car crash of a character who just can’t seem to help inciting chaos anywhere he goes.

Which makes him the perfect embodiment of a scene-stealer.

If They Had Their Own Movie : It would be a symphony of carnage.

You may like
  • Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
  • Michael B. Jordan in Ryan Coogler's vampire horror Sinners Oscars 2026 live coverage: All the winners, red carpet, and the 97th Academy Awards' biggest moments – as it happens
  • Scytale standing among the Fremen I can't wait to see Robert Pattinson in Dune 3 – it's about time he played a blockbuster villain

Robert Shaw Jaws (1975)

The Performance: Crotchety and no-nonsense, Shaw’s turn as shark hunter Quint brings serious bite to Spielberg’s watery drama.

His chemistry with Richard Dreyfuss is fantastic.

If They Had Their Own Movie: We’d get to see if Quint’s stories were all true – including the Hiroshima one.

Jack Nicholson A Few Good Men (1992)

The Performance: “You can’t handle the truth!” Jack Nicholson seethes as Col Nathan R. Jessep, jaw set, eyes like a shark’s.

He owns the courtroom scene, one of the greatest moments in cinema history.

If They Had Their Own Movie:
It would be very shouty.

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.

Heath Ledger The Dark Knight (2008)

The Performance: Ledger showed audiences what he was made of despite overwhelming initial negativity over his casting as The Joker in Chris Nolan’s Bat sequel.

Heavily mannered but never hammy, it’s a lived-in, robust performance that completely overshadows The Bat.

If They Had Their Own Movie:
We’d probably come out of it still not knowing any personal details about The Joker – which is as it should be.

Alec Baldwin Glengarry Glenn Ross (1992)

The Performance: Though he only appears in one scene, Alec Baldwin’s frenzied performance as ‘motivator’ Blake leaves the rest of the film in tatters.

Aggressive, confrontational and expletive-loving, it’s a career-defining turn for the 30 Rock star.

If They Had Their Own Movie: It would be a really fuckin’ angry movie.

Harrison Ford Star Wars (1977-1983)

The Performance: A space cowboy, Harrison Ford’s Han Solo single-handedly ensured that George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy had snap and snark – but also surprising pathos.

Thank God Lucas refused to kill him off in Return Of The Jedi ; we’re weak at the knees at the thought of seeing Solo’s comeback in Episode VII.

If They Had Their Own Movie: Solo Wars ? Bring it.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Current page: Page 5

Prev Page Page 4
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
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Movies 20 best movies on HBO Max 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
 
 
Scytale standing among the Fremen
Sci-Fi Movies I can't wait to see Robert Pattinson in Dune 3 – it's about time he played a blockbuster villain
 
 
Nicolas Cage as the Spider in Spider-Noir
Streaming Services The 6 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV and more (May 29–May 31)
 
 
Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis and Dacre Montgomery as Richard Hall in Dead Man's Wire
Thriller Movies Bill Skarsgård plays a scorned kidnapper in Dead Man's Wire, a surprisingly funny crime thriller
 
 
An alien food vendor voiced by Martin Scorsese in The Mandalorian & Grogu trailer.
Star Wars Movies Martin Scorsese's unexpected cameo in The Mandalorian and Grogu explained
 
 
Latest in Movies
jurassic park
Adventure Movies Steven Spielberg reveals Harrison Ford turned down Alan Grant in Jurassic Park
 
 
Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin and Baby Yoda in the snow in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies The Mandalorian and Grogu star defends the Star Wars movie's box office and hints at Dave Filoni's grander plan
 
 
Milly Alcock as Supergirl in Supergirl character poster
DC Movies Supergirl writer says the DCU movie is "completely different" from her DCEU Supergirl script: "Nothing carried over"
 
 
Tom Holland as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day tickets go on sale very soon – here's when you can buy them
 
 
Mad Max: Fury Road
Action Movies George Miller reportedly wants to make a final Mad Max movie and TV show, but Warner Bros has already turned it down
 
 
Star Wars The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Movies The Mandalorian and Grogu director says The Phantom Menace inspired one cool, subtle detail in the new Star Wars movie
 
 
Latest in Features
Toniebox 2 playing Game of Life lifestyle photo with two kids
Board Games My kids won't stop asking to play this new version of The Game of Life
 
 
Simon Ordell looks at a gadget in his hands in a dark, misty town in key art for Silent Hill Townfall, cropped for a header, with the orange GamesRadar+ Summer Preview 2026 frame
Silent Hill Silent Hill: Townfall would be a better horror game if it had nothing to do with Silent Hill
 
 
A Space Marine in worn blue armor and gold trim looking to his left in Total War: Warhammer 40K
Total War Total War: Warhammer 40K is getting a closed beta, and its latest gameplay has sold me
 
 
An angled photo of six pro controllers on a gaming desk
Gaming Controllers I've been reviewing gaming controllers for years; these are my top-tested ones to look out for this Prime Day
 
 
Clutch screenshot
Racing Games Clutch preview: A stylish open-world racing game that is trying to do too much too quickly
 
 
Stranger than Heaven screenshot
RPGs Stranger Than Heaven preview: Immaculate vibes collide with a static combat system
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Posing with a rifle in the Fallout 76 Ghoul update
    1
    New Xbox CEO reportedly pushing for faster Fallout and Elder Scrolls games
  2. 2
    RPG dev inspired by classic MMOs says his Steam success was "this seemingly unattainable dream"
  3. 3
    Microsoft considered cutting Xbox off entirely and making it easier to sell, report says
  4. 4
    Stuntman: Hollywood was the best 15 minutes of my Summer Game Fest
  5. 5
    My kids won't stop asking to play this new version of The Game of Life

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...