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In the age of the internet, movies don’t have to stop at being movies.
But what movies have actually become part of the universal meme canon?
the uptick of social media in the late 2000s spawned the beginning of modern meme culture.
Here are 32 movies that have spawned iconic internet memes.
Unfortunately, poor distribution rights outside Asia have made this gem of world cinema unknown to most English-speaking audiences.
It’s actually a fan-made 3D animated recreation of Chow Yun-fat’s big monologue in A Better Tomorrow.
Never mind most admit they don’t know what the beaver is saying.
What If I Told You?
So it might be a surprise how the movie inadvertently inspired one of the funniest memes around.
Eames, who dreams bigger, suddenly brandishes a giant grenade launcher.
It’s a funny moment in an otherwise serious thriller.
Hence, the confused part in “Confused Travolta.”
The meme version remixes the exact dialogue a bit, but the point remains the same.
Sam notices Steve wearing a wedding ring, which inspires him to ask Steve about it.
Released in 2011, X-Men: First Class chronicles the first mutants to call themselves “X-Men.”
Magneto, a mutant radicalist, invites Mystique to bed and insists on having “the real Raven.”
It’s a deep moment that uses physical intimacy and attraction to illustrate these characters' psyches.
But the internet has since riffed over it in the way only the internet can.
At one point in the movie, Keanu’s Ted has a shocked look on his face.
The movie employs handheld camera movement to vaguely resemble a documentary.
The meme peakedwhen the Smithsonian Museumgot in on the action usingactualdinosaur skeletons from its collection.
The actual scene in the movie plays outwaydifferently, however.
Note the hilarious way he spins around and sits on a backwards chair.
You know, like acoolsuperhero.
Smug Willy Wonka Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
16. along with best friend, stunt man, and chauffeur (played by Brad Pitt).
Nodding Man Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
For the last time: No, this isnotZach Galifianakis.
“First Time?”
For others, it’s a Tuesday.
Unfazed, he looks over to another elderly man who is weeping.
He simply quips, “First time?”
Well, for everyone here, it’s their last.
As the kids learn to experience first love, fate takes a dark turn when spoilers!
Culkin is attacked by bees, triggering a fatal allergy.
Now, grown millennials still traumatized by the movie use gallows humor to reference it.
Relieved Denzel Fallen (1998)
We’re all relieved as Denzel when we hear good news.
“For the Better, Right?”
Cheersing Leo The Great Gatsby (2013)
Cheers, old sport.
Because how else would Jay Gatsby make an entrance?
Hence the line, “You know, I’m something of a scientist myself.”
Removed from context, the line is strange and funny enough on its own.
In 2021, Dafoe hilariously recited the line in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
“You Don’t Say?”
Vampire’s Kiss (1998)
As usual, the memers got it slightly wrong.
but somehow we can all hear him do so in his whispery, raspy voice.
Patrick Bateman Listens to Music American Psycho (2000)
We’ve all been there.
Walking into the office, full of people we may or may not despise.
So you put on happy music just to get through the agony.
Epic Handshake Predator (1987)
The 1987 action-thriller Predator has spawned dozens of memes.
“This Is Sparta!”
followed by a more declarative “THIS IS SPARTA!”
The movie’s reverence among audiences has made many of its scenes iconic on the internet.
