29 Outstanding Cameos In Films That Practically Stole The Show

This is sure to make ripples and shake things up on the big screen for viewers.

Maryjane

• Published in Film & TV
• May 18, 2022

There are just so many great moments in movie history, from pretty funny improvised dialogue to mind-blowing twists and turns that you never envisaged coming. But when a famous actor, athlete, musician, media influencer, or even a politician appears out of nowhere — especially when they're the last personality you expected to see — it's sure to make ripples, shaking things up on the big screen for the fans and viewers.

Sometimes, these surprising celeb cameos are like secret Easter gems, which makes finding them all the more fun. However, dropping in for just one scene in a movie, and leaving a lasting impression becomes a very difficult task.

Movie directors are showing more interest in a practice known as "boarding," in which producers bring in major names for short, focused shooting intervals, giving their work a megaton above-the-credits name while not needing to pay them their full fee. It's a scheme designed to increase visibility for both the movie and the actors, and it has the potential to add a new twist to an already thrilling and entertaining drama.

We've compiled a list of 29 movie cameos that were so good they were worth the price the producers paid. This list also included cameos from some big-time A-list celebs.

1. Matt Damon, Sam Neill, and Luke Hemsworth acting as Loki, Odin, and Thor in Thor: Ragnarok

"They were the actors in the bad play being performed on Asgard."

—leoness13

2. Bill Murray acting as Ice Pick in Dumb and Dumber To

"Bill Murray as Jeff Daniels' drug-making roommate. Just amazing!"

—sparksfly89

3. Holly Robinson Peete, Peter DeLuise, and Johnny Depp in the original TV series in 21 Jump Street

"It's fun that they got the original cast members to be in the movie remake!"

—ktk8895

4. Anna Faris acting as herself in Keanu

“I loved you in House Bunny.” LOL

—helenec4c3c96254

5. Keith Richards acting as Jack Sparrow's father in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

"Keith Richards was Johnny Depp's literal inspiration for his character, Jack Sparrow!"

—michywoo11

6. Oscar Isaac acting as Miguel O'Hara/Spider-Man in the movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Oscar's post-credits cameo as Spider-Man 2099 suggests the character may be part of a Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel or spinoff.

—Mike Spohr

7. Peter Jackson acting as Albert Dreary in the movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

"Peter Jackson aggressively biting a carrot."

—keyland

8. Stephen Colbert acting in the extended edition of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

"This was super cute considering how he's publicly loved LOTR for so long."

—1megan1

9. Adam Lambert acting in the Bohemian Rhapsody

Lambert's appearance is apropos considering he is Queen's current lead singer. Original member Brian May also makes an appearance, obscured by a newspaper.

—ebonyruffles

10. Selena Gomez acting as herself in The Big Short movie

11. Stan Lee in the movie Ralph Breaks the Internet

"He passed away just a week before the film's release, so seeing him as a user avatar made me want to smile and shed a tear at the same time."

—silencesilence

12. Dan Aykroyd playing Ray Stantz character in Casper

Aykroyd comes charging out of the haunted home and says, "Who you gonna call? Someone else."

"I love the Ghostbusters cameo in Casper!"

—jenniferv49cff7c76

13. Thomas Brodie-Sangster acting as a First Order Petty Officer in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

14. Billy Dee Williams and Carrie Fisher in the movie, Fanboys

"This movie was about a group of Star Wars fans who wanted to get a personal viewing of Episode I before its official release date because one of them was diagnosed with a terminal cancer and would likely die before opening day. It was a hilarious movie, and a few of the saga's original stars made cameo appearances. Billy Dee Williams was a judge, Carrie Fisher was a doctor, and Ray Park was a security guard."

—sabrecliff28

15. Kurt Vonnegut acting as himself in Back to School

16. Burt Bacharach acting as himself in all the Austin Powers films

"Ha — ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Burt Bacharach."

—emmakgoldstein

17. Brandon Crane acting as a board member of Hanscom Architecture in It Chapter Two

"Brandon Crane played the young Ben in the 1990 It TV miniseries."

—1488

18. Will Ferrell portraying as Chazz Reinhold in Wedding Crashers

19. Daniel Craig acting as a stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

"He was the stormtrooper Rey uses the force on. He was there because James Bond was filming next door. 😂"

—emilylouisedarlow

20. Mindy Kaling acting as herself in This Is the End

21. Here are James McAvoy as Professor X, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Evan Peters as Quicksilver, Tye Sheridan as Cyclops, Alexandra Shipp as Storm, and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Nightcrawler in Deadpool 2 movie

"I loved all of the X-Men hiding in the mansion!"

—vegancookiedough

22. Keanu Reeves in the movie, Always Be My Maybe

23. Taylor Swift acting as herself in Hannah Montana: The Movie

24. Meryl Streep acting as herself in a musical version of Bonnie and Clyde in Stuck on You

"She literally just dances the whole time, but it’s so much fun!"

—evasofie

25. Chuck Norris portraying dodgeball judge character in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

26. Glenn Close acting as a pirate in Hook

"Glenn Close as the (male and bearded) pirate!"

—thats_my_purse

27. Richard Branson acting as an air traveller in Casino Royale

"Richard Branson being checked by security in Miami's airport during Casino Royale."

—yeah_yeah_waaaa

28. Huey Lewis acting as a Battle of the Bands judge in Back to the Future

29. R.L. Stine acting as Mr. Black in Goosebumps

"R.L. Stine (whose books the film is based on) has a cameo as a teacher referred to as 'Mr. Black,' because Jack Black plays R.L. Stine in that movie."

—alfiemaclaughlin

Because there are so many cameo appearances, it would be hard to list them all, and everybody will inevitably point out those that were missed or forgotten. However, the ones selected fit our criterion within this category.

Which other movie cameos do you think we can add to this list? Let us know in the comments section.

Maryjane