Star Wars' 'I Am Your Father' Voted Most Epic Movie Moment in 50 Years
Star Wars Scene Beats Titanic in Epic Movie Moments Poll

Star Wars' Iconic Scene Crowned Most Epic Movie Moment in 50-Year Poll

A comprehensive survey of 2,000 dedicated film enthusiasts has definitively revealed the most epic cinematic moment of the last half-century. The legendary "I am your father" revelation from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back has claimed the prestigious top spot, narrowly edging out a formidable contender from cinematic history.

Nostalgia and the Big Screen Experience

The research, commissioned by Vue cinemas to mark the launch of its new premium large-screen format named EPIC, provides fascinating insights into contemporary viewing habits. It found that a significant 51% of respondents still prefer to experience new film releases in a cinema when they first debut, underscoring the enduring appeal of the theatrical experience.

Nostalgia proves to be a powerful driver for cinema attendance. The study indicates that approximately one-third of film fans are willing to watch a re-release of a classic blockbuster on the big screen. Motivations include the desire to relive impactful scenes (36%) and the opportunity to watch a beloved film in enhanced high definition (35%).

The Top Five Epic Moments Revealed

Following the iconic Star Wars moment and the Titanic scene featuring Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack declaring "I'm king of the world!", the poll's top five was completed by three other unforgettable sequences:

  1. The terrifying Alien Chestburster scene from Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi horror classic, Alien.
  2. The harrowing and visceral Normandy Landing sequence from Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (1998).
  3. The thrilling T-Rex Escape from the groundbreaking Jurassic Park (1993).

A Vue spokesperson commented on the findings, stating: "Whether it's agonising suspense, an emotional love story, or the type that makes you laugh so much it hurts, these stories are best experienced on the big screen."

Beyond Moments: Soundtracks and One-Liners

The OnePoll research extended beyond defining epic scenes to explore other cinematic hallmarks. In the category of most epic movie soundtrack, the musical Grease secured first place with 22% of the vote. Star Wars and Dirty Dancing shared a close second position, each garnering 18% support.

When it came to memorable one-liners, Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic delivery of "I'll be back" from The Terminator topped the list. It was followed by Clint Eastwood's menacing "Go ahead, make my day" from Sudden Impact and Tom Hanks' folksy wisdom as Forrest Gump: "Life is like a box of chocolates."

Innovation in Cinematic Presentation

Reflecting on the evolution of film and the new EPIC format, the Vue spokesperson added: "Over the past 50 years, there have been plenty of changes in the way that we make, review and watch movies. What remains constant is the desire to experience great films in a way that feels special... This is why we've introduced EPIC at some of our biggest screens, to let our visitors experience amazing moments like these with some of the most breathtaking visuals and immersive sounds possible."

The Full Top 20 List of Epic Movie Moments

The complete ranking from the survey of 2,000 film fans is as follows:

  • Darth Vader’s “I am your father” – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
  • Titanic’s “I’m King of the World!” – Titanic (1997)
  • Alien Chestburster – Alien (1979)
  • Normandy Landing – Saving Private Ryan (1998)
  • T-Rex Escape – Jurassic Park (1993)
  • Clock Tower Lightning Strike – Back to the Future (1985)
  • Freedom! – Braveheart (1995)
  • Rain-Soaked Escape – The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
  • Maximus Reveals His Identity – Gladiator (2000)
  • Neo Dodging Bullets – The Matrix (1999)
  • Charge of the Rohirrim – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
  • Footloose Warehouse Dance – Footloose (1984)
  • ‘I love the smell of napalm in the morning’ – Apocalypse Now (1979)
  • The Joker’s Interrogation – The Dark Knight (2008)
  • For Frodo – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
  • The Pig’s Blood Prom Scene – Carrie (1976)
  • Say “What?” Again! – Pulp Fiction (1994)
  • Motorbike Chase – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
  • Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Finale – Ghostbusters (1984)
  • Godzilla vs. Kong – Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)