Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Warner Bros Ent./IMDb
Imagine the euphoric feeling when you get to see your favorite actor show up on the screen as a surprise?
Cameos are the ultimate ‘wait, what?!’ moment in movies. You never see them coming, but they stick with you forever.
Over the years, Hollywood has experimented quite a lot in the cameo department. Usually, makers tend to rope in bigger names than the existing cast of the movie, who make it all things iconic with their brief yet important stint.
Whether it’s Stan Lee turning into a hot dog vendor in X-Men, Mike Tyson encountering a tiger in The Hangover, or Michael Jackson’s alienish avatar in Men in Black II, here are 10 best movie cameos that have left fans jaw-dropped.
10 Best Movie Cameos Which Fans Did Not Expect From A Mile Away
Cameos are simply the best hack for a blockbuster, and we definitely can’t argue on this. Deets about these roles are cleverly kept as a secret by the filmmakers till the very last minute, until the fans get to see them on the silver screen itself.
In fact, more recently, while some fans still get a whiff of the actor who’s gonna make a cameo. But the mystery around when and how it would be presented keeps them on their toes.
So without any further ado, here are the 10 best movie cameos that fans still seem to be hooked on even today.
#10. Bruce Willis in Ocean’s Twelve
One of the biggest flexes of movie cameos happens when actors play their own real selves on-screen. Bruce Willis did the same in the 2004 film Ocean’s Twelve.
The scene took to the next level when he was joined by Julia Roberts, who’s also playing herself in the heist drama. Their hilarious interactions remain memorable for all the right reasons!
#9. Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street
Johnny Depp’s surprise cameo in 21 Jump Street left fans shocked, as they had not expected it at all.
The actor left everyone startled as he reprised the popular character of Officer Tom Hanson after almost 20 years since the first installment of the TV show had aired. His presence stirred quite a bit of nostalgia for sure!
#8. Michael Jackson in Men in Black II
King of Pop, Michael Jackson, rocked the world with his acting chops in 2002 with his stint as Agent M in Men in Black II. Trivia suggests that the actor was initially in talks to make a cameo role as an alien.
But the Thriller star did not go ahead with it despite it having a longer on-screen appearance. MJ just wanted to fulfill his dream of wearing a black suit in the iconic role of the agent.
#7. Chris Evans In Free Guy
Unlike an extended cameo, Chris Evans showed up for two seconds — just long enough to spit out his coffee in Free Guy. Playing himself, the actor can be seen watching the film’s protagonist, Guy, enacting the role of Captain America.
Quite the déjà vu moment for sure, Chris spitting out his coffee sums up the hilarity of the moment indeed.
#6. Brad Pitt In Deadpool 2
Adding to our list of memorable cameos is Brad Pitt striking another hit-and-miss moment in Deadpool 2. With only 2 seconds on-screen, he is seen getting electrocuted on a power line after ejecting using a parachute.
As per buzz, the actor agreed to do the role only as he owed a favor to director David Leitch. His return as Vanisher left everyone hooked and how.
#5. Tom Cruise In Tropic Thunder
Care to see Tom Cruise beyond action and stunts? It’s time for you to watch Tropic Thunder ASAP, where the Mission Impossible actor delivered a hilariously memorable cameo role.
Tom was initially offered a full-fledged role as Rick Peck. But the actor brainstormed a wholly new and unique character of studio head, Less Grossman. He looked absolutely unrecognizable, sporting a fat suit, fake hands, and a bald head.
#4. Mike Tyson In The Hangover
Former American professional boxer Mike Tyson fits perfectly with the whimsy nature of The Hangover, where every character seems to do whatever they want.
In a setting marked by confusion, chaos, and an utter whirlwind, the boxer emerged quite literally from nowhere as his real self, making everything interesting. And after all, who would want to miss an epic showdown with Mike and the tiger?
#3. Keith Richards In Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
May 2007 saw not one but two pirates charm the way on-screen with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. While Johnny Depp certainly ruled the high seas with his stint, we’re talking about Keith Richards, who makes an appearance as Jack Sparrow’s father.
Captain Teague’s brief stint reminded fans of the inherent Pirate Code, which had eventually lost meaning and value with the many franchises. Keith’s cameo was picturized instead on a metaphorical level.
#2. Bill Murray In Zombieland
Undoubtedly, one of the epic cameos Hollywood has ever seen was Bill Murray’s stint in Zombieland. Despite playing his real self, the actor made sure to drive fans crazy with laughter.
Coming back to the scene, the actor can be seen dressed as a zombie in a bone-tickling moment, essentially pulling a prank in a world of zombies themselves. Unknown trivia – the actor was finalized as a last-minute entry after the original actor backed out.
#1. Stan Lee In X-Men
Yes, it’s nobody other than Stan Lee who tops our list of best movie cameos. The Marvel creator lived up to his tradition of making special appearances in movies from the MCU.
But this time on, he played the role of a hot vendor selling hot dogs by the beach, where audiences get a fleeting glimpse of him as the camera pans out.
Is there any other actor’s cameo you think deserved a spot in this list? Let us know!