Scenes That Break The Fourth Wall Supercut

Leigh Singer has created two supercuts of characters breaking the fourth wall and acknowledging or directly talking to the audience. Some of the best filmmakers use this to dramatic and often comedic effect. The upcoming Deadpool movie likely to break the fourth wall continually, just like he does in the comics.

A compilation of scenes and moments from films that all "break the fourth wall" - that is, acknowledge (usually directly to the camera, and therefore the audience) that they're part of a movie. The term comes from the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play. The montage includes 54 different films (some used more than once) from perhaps the very first example of breaking the fourth wall right up to today. There were so many other great examples I couldn't find room for (sadly, The Dude and The Big Lebowski's narrator don't abide here), I'd love to hear which 4th wall breakers you'd also include. Email me on leigh@singer-leisinger.com, or @Leigh_Singer on Twitter. Look forward to hearing your comments! The list of 54 films featured, in order: The Player (1992), Blazing Saddles (1974), The Great Train Robbery (1902), Persona (1966), Alfie (1966), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Richard III (1995), Richard III (1955), Sunset Blvd. (1950), Fight Club (1999), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Le Mepris (1963), High Fidelity (2000), Spaceballs (1987), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010), The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Horse Feathers (1932), Annie Hall (1977), A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Amelie (2001), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), Death Proof (2007), Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), The Meaning of Life (1983), Road to Bali (1952), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Animal House (1978), The Omen (1976), The Devil’s Advocate (1997), Psycho (1960), Orlando (1992), Young Frankenstein (1974), Do the Right Thing (1989), Gangster No.1 (2000), A Bout de Souffle (1960), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Top Secret! (1984), Family Plot (1976), Superman – The Movie (1978), Bronson (2008), Airplane! (1980), Funny Games (1997), Funny Games (2007), The Great Dictator (1940), Lord of War (2005), JFK (1991), Goodfellas (1990), Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001), The Nutty Professor (1996), Tom Jones (1963), Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975), The Holy Mountain (1973), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).

The sequel to 2013's Breaking the 4th Wall video, featuring another selection of 69 different films that alert viewers in various ways to the fact that they're watching a movie. With the first video, I asked people to flag up their other favourite examples of 4th Wall breakers. It was very gratifying to receive so many inspired responses and, where I've used these suggestions, I've included people's names next to the title of the film in the credits. Several of these clips I was already aware of, but there were some fantastic revelations too. Please check out the video to see the full list of contributors. Films featured in order of appearance: Hellzapoppin' (1941) Tampopo (1985) Whatever Works (2009) 24 Hour Party People (2002) Pierrot Le Fou (1965) Rubber (2011) Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957) The Great Gatsby (2013) The Simpsons Movie (2007) La Ronde (1950) Stories We Tell (2012) High Anxiety (1977) Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990) Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) Wanted (2008) Filth (2013) Harold and Maude (1971) The Libertine (2004) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) An American Werewolf in London (1981) JCVD (2008) Love and Death (1975) Smokey and the Bandit (1977) Alfie (2004) Submarine (2010) Los Olvidados (1950) Home Alone (1990) Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010) Scary Movie (2000) Way Out West (1937) The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle (2000) George of the Jungle (1997) Hot Shots Part Deux (1993) A Shot in the Dark (1964) Coming to America (1988) Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) The Emperor's New Groove (2000) Ship of Fools (1965) Pulp Fiction (1994) Crank (2006) National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (1993) Kuffs (1992) A Hard Day's Night (1964) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) School Daze (1988) The Muppet Movie (1979) They Came Together (2014) Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988) Wayne's World (1992) The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (1991) Death Race (2008) Octopussy (1983) Never Say Never Again (1983) The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) Make Way For Tomorrow (1937) The Nutty Professor (1963) Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) The Big Lebowski (1998) Moulin Rouge! (2001) 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days (2007) The Nights of Cabiria (1957) Magnolia (1999) This is England (2006) Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) The Great Muppet Caper (1981) Trading Places (1983) Spice World (1997) Dodgeball (2004) This video has been made under the protection of Fair Use, utilizing copyrighted material for educational purposes. As always, I welcome any feedback, contact me via Twitter @Leigh_Singer. Or you can email me through my new website www.leighsinger.com. And thanks for taking the time to watch and read this.

H/T: Laughing Squid