Face it—there’s nothing that brightens up a cinema quicker than a completely surprise celebrity cameo. One minute you’re tracking the storyline, and the next, you’re doing double takes, muttering, “Wait… was that who I think it was? ” From rock legends in catastrophe zones to film idols spoofing themselves, these brief cameos have a knack for stealing the entire scene. Here’s a countdown of the top 15 biggest surprises, funniest, and most memorable film and television cameos, os because it’s nice to leave the best for last.
15. Jimmy Buffett – Jurassic World (2015)
Dinosaurs? Yeah. Margaritas? Not so much… until Jimmy Buffett comes around. Amidst prehistoric pandemonium, he’s seen racing through the throng—preciously clutching two margaritas like they are the most valuable things in the world. It’s quick, it’s absurd, and it’s all Buffett.
14. Chris Evans – Free Guy (2021)
When Ryan Reynolds’ character pulls out Captain America’s shield, the movie cuts to Chris Evans in a coffee shop, almost spitting out his beverage. The entire bit takes seconds, but to Marvel enthusiasts, it’s an ideal, meta inside joke.
13. Brad Pitt – Deadpool 2 (2018)
Brad Pitt doesn’t only cameo as an invisible character—he literally only appears when his character gets shocked. Two seconds of screen tithe me, highest comedic reward.
12. David Bowie – Zoolander (2001)
Who else but David Bowie can preside over a walk-off of high style? He shows up, speaks barely a word, and yet continues to make the ridiculous become an instant genre.
11. Michael Jackson – Men in Black II (2002)
Michael Jackson requested to appear in the sequel, and the result is him as “Agent M,” reading lines in a black suit from head to toe. It’s brief, bizarre, and exactly the sort of cameo only MJ could manage.
10. Mike Tyson – The Hangover (2009)
Tiger swiping. Knockout punch. Air-drumming to Phil Collins. Tyson’s cameo in The Hangover is random, funny, and immediately memorable.
9. Neil Patrick Harris – Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Before he became Ted Mosby, Neil Patrick Harris torpedoed his wholesome reputation by appearing as a wild, pill-popping version of himself. It wasn’t just funny—it revived his career.
8. Matt Damon – EuroTrip (2004)
Bald, tatted, and yelling a punk song about stealing a girlfriend, Matt Damon shocked everyone. The kicker? He did it solely because he was in town seeing buddies.
7. Bill Murray – Zombieland (2009)
Bill Murray makes it through the apocalypse by faking being a zombie. A prank turned wrong kills him, delivering one of the most hilarious death scenes in film history.
6. Johnny Depp – 21 Jump Street (2012)
People questioned whether or not Depp would appear in the reboot—and he did, playing an undercover DEA agent. The surprise is amusing enough, but his character’s abrupt death makes it so much more memorable.
5. Tom Cruise – Tropic Thunder (2008)
Disguised beneath prosthetics and a bald cap, Cruise is a foul-mouthed, dance-crazed producer. Some didn’t even catch on that it was him until the end credits.
4. Keith Richards – Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
As Depp had based Jack Sparrow on Keith Richards, having Richards play Sparrow’s father was pure brilliance. He blended in with the mayhem.
3. Eminem – The Interview (2014)
In an imaginary interview, Eminem nonchalantly “comes out” as gay, and everyone—audience included—is left looking on in shock. Spoken in a complete deadpan, it immediately became a meme.
2. Gene Hackman – Young Frankenstein (1974)
A serious actor, Hackman surprised everyone playing a clueless blind hermit who inadvertently torments Frankenstein’s monster. Pure comedy gold.
1. Glenn Close – Hook (1991)
Yes, that’s Glenn Close with a beard, playing a man pirate tossed into a chest filled with scorpions. So good at disguising herself, most people didn’t realize until years afterward.
These cameos are a testament to the fact that sometimes, the smallest appearances make the biggest impact. They can turn an entire scene upside down, provide a laugh that you never anticipated, or simply leave you questioning whether you imagined it. And yeah—you’re likely already lining up a rewatch to see the ones you missed.