There’s nothing quite like watching a movie or show, only for a celebrity to pop up out of nowhere and make you do a double take. Whether it’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance or a scene-stealing moment that derails the plot (in the best way), these cameos remind us why Hollywood is the land of anything can happen.
Some of these cameos made us laugh uncontrollably, others left us cheering, and a few had us scrambling to IMDb just to confirm that our eyes weren’t playing tricks. Let’s take a look at some of the most memorable surprise appearances that not only stole the show but also made these moments impossible to forget.
1. Brad Pitt – Deadpool 2
Brad Pitt’s cameo as the Vanisher lasted approximately 0.5 seconds, but it was worth every millisecond. When his invisible character got electrocuted, briefly revealing Pitt’s face, fans collectively lost their minds. The absurdity of having one of Hollywood’s biggest stars appear for less time than it takes to blink is peak Deadpool energy. Let’s not forget the backstory: Pitt agreed to the cameo as a favor to director David Leitch, and his only payment? A cup of coffee. Yes, really. A-list actors taking microsecond roles for caffeine? Iconic.
2. Matt Damon – Thor: Ragnarok
If there’s one thing Marvel does well (besides breaking box office records), it’s surprising fans with random cameos. Enter Matt Damon as an actor playing Loki in an Asgardian play. His overly dramatic reenactment of Loki’s “death” had fans howling with laughter and rewinding the scene just to savor the absurdity. The commitment to the bit was so good that Damon even reprised the role in Thor: Love and Thunder. Honestly, someone give this man a Tony Award for his Asgardian theater debut.
3. Ed Sheeran – Game of Thrones
Nothing says “gritty medieval fantasy” quite like Ed Sheeran casually strumming a lute by a campfire. While his cameo in the Season 7 premiere was meant to be a sweet surprise for fans, it became the internet’s favorite roast fest. Sheeran’s appearance as a singing Lannister soldier felt so out of place that fans couldn’t decide whether to cringe or laugh. To Ed’s credit, he seemed to take the backlash in stride. But let’s be honest, Westeros wasn’t ready for “Shape of You.”
4. David Bowie – Zoolander
When the world’s greatest male models face off in a walk-off, who better to judge than the king of cool himself, David Bowie? His cameo as the referee was pure perfection. Bowie didn’t need to say much; his presence alone elevated the ridiculousness of the scene into cinematic gold. Because let’s face it, if Bowie tells you to “do it again, but with feeling,” you’re going to strut your heart out.
5. Keanu Reeves – Always Be My Maybe
Keanu Reeves playing a heightened, hilariously egotistical version of himself was the cameo we didn’t know we needed. His slow-motion entrance to “Sail” by AWOLNATION, complete with a smoldering gaze and a ridiculous air of self-importance, was pure comedic genius. Reeves’ over-the-top dialogue and antics during the dinner scene left fans howling. It’s not every day you see the internet’s favorite wholesome star utter lines like, “I cry during sex because it’s the most honest thing you can do.” Bravo, Keanu. Bravo.
6. Stan Lee – Literally Every Marvel Movie
Stan Lee didn’t just cameo; he turned it into an art form. From being a FedEx delivery guy to a cosmic being chatting with the Watchers, Lee’s appearances were a delightful Easter egg for Marvel fans. Each cameo was a little wink from the man who co-created the universe we all love. His ability to steal the spotlight in just a few seconds reminded us why he was, and always will be, a legend. Excelsior!
7. Bill Murray – Zombieland
Bill Murray pretending to be a zombie to survive the apocalypse? Genius. His surprise cameo in Zombieland was so unexpected and hilarious that it became the film’s most memorable moment. Murray’s comedic timing was flawless, whether he was scaring the group or casually discussing Garfield. Sure, things ended tragically for fake zombie Bill, but his appearance solidified the movie’s place in pop culture history.
8. Stephen Colbert – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
A self-proclaimed Tolkien superfan, Stephen Colbert’s cameo as a sneaky spy in Lake-town was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that had eagle-eyed fans cheering. It’s not every day you see one of the biggest Tolkien nerds living his dream on screen. Honestly, he deserved an entire subplot. Make it happen, Peter Jackson.
9. Tom Cruise – Tropic Thunder
Tom Cruise’s transformation into Les Grossman, the foul-mouthed, hip-hop-loving studio executive, was so out of left field that it became legendary. Between his profanity-laden tirades and his unexpectedly hilarious dance moves, Cruise turned what could have been a forgettable role into a cultural phenomenon. Let’s be real: the movie’s closing credits, featuring Les Grossman busting a move, deserve their own Academy Award.
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10. Prince – New Girl
When Prince guest-starred on New Girl, he didn’t just make a cameo; he turned the episode into a royal event. Playing himself, Prince helped Jess (Zooey Deschanel) navigate her romantic woes while casually delivering life advice and, of course, performing a song. The sheer randomness of his appearance paired with his effortless charm made it one of the show’s most iconic episodes. Long live the Purple One.
These surprise appearances weren’t just entertaining—they were unforgettable moments that reminded us why we love TV and movies. Whether it’s a fleeting glimpse of a megastar or a fully fleshed-out comedic role, celebrity cameos have the power to elevate any scene into something truly special.
Which cameo blew your mind? Let us know in the comments—and if you didn’t mention Brad Pitt’s 0.5-second masterpiece, we’ll be judging you from the shadows.
