Most of Bill Murray’s best movies are all about subtlety and timing, making him one of the most distinctive actors in film history. Judging by his repertoire, the actor shines by playing flawed, often cynical people who seem like they’re just barely holding it together. However, Murray somehow adds just enough charm to them to make them lovable. His ability to balance sarcasm, wit, and genuine sincerity brought classics like Groundhog Day and Lost in Translation to life.
Interestingly, Murray’s comedy isn’t about trying too hard; it’s about finding humor in the mundane and turning every line into something memorable. He doesn’t just deliver punchlines, but the star fully embodies humor through his expressions, pauses, and the sheer unpredictability of his performance. This skill has allowed Murray to effortlessly play a wide range of roles over the years, all while maintaining the comedic essence that defines his legacy and delivering some of the funniest movie scenes of all time.
10
Graduation Drill Scene
Stripes (1981)
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Stripes
R
ComedyActionWar
Stripes centers on John Winger, a 30-something who enlists in the U.S. Army after a streak of personal failures. Released in 1981, this film follows Winger’s comedic journey through basic training, as he navigates military life with a group of misfit recruits.
Release Date
June 25, 1981
Runtime
106 minutes
Cast
Bill Murray
, Harold Ramis
, Warren Oates
, P.J. Soles
, Sean Young
, John Candy
Director
Ivan Reitman
Main Genre
Comedy
Writers
Len Blum
, Daniel Goldberg
, Harold Ramis
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The graduation drill scene in Stripes is one of Bill Murray’s most memorable moments in the movie, and a great example of the actor’s ability to carry a scene with pure charisma and humor. Instead of a typical military drill, Murray’s character, John Winger, leads his group in a goofy, choreographed routine that feels more like a dance sequence than a serious exercise. With twirls, sloppy salutes, and silly moves, the segment turns a serious event into a playful take on military tradition.
Despite Stripes scoring a mediocre 6.8-star rating on IMDb, the graduation drill scene showcased Murray’s comedic style at its finest. Irreverent, confident, and magnetic, he solidified his place as a comedic lead. As one of the funniest scenes of ’80s comedy, the charmingly entertaining razzle-dazzle remains a highlight of Murray’s acting career.
9
Ernie McCracken’s Bowling
Kingpin (1996)
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Kingpin
PG-13
ComedySport
Kingpin is a 1996 sports comedy film directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly. The movie stars Woody Harrelson as Roy Munson, a former bowling prodigy who teams up with an Amish bowler, portrayed by Randy Quaid, to compete in a high-stakes tournament. Bill Murray plays Ernie McCracken, a rival bowler with a colorful past. The film chronicles their comical journey as they navigate challenges within the bowling circuit.
Release Date
July 4, 1996
Runtime
113 minutes
Cast
Woody Harrelson
, Randy Quaid
, Vanessa Angel
, Bill Murray
, Chris Elliott
, William Jordan
Director
Bobby Farrelly
, Peter Farrelly
Main Genre
Comedy
Writers
Barry Fanaro
, Mort Nathan
Studio(s)
Rysher Entertainment
Distributor(s)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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Kingpin might be one of the most underrated comedies from the 1990s, but the quirky sports film featured some of Bill Murray’s funniest scenes. Even though it did not become one of the actor’s top-rated movies, earning 6.9 stars from IMDb users, Kingpin managed to showcase Murray’s ability to make something ridiculously funny while maintaining complete commitment to the character.
As Ernie McCracken, a larger-than-life bowler with a huge ego, Murray delivers a hilarious performance throughout the movie. However, when Ernie bowls for the championship, he’s not just playing the game; he’s putting on a show. He’s flexing, striking dramatic poses, and acting like the world depends on him rolling what appears to be an oversized marble. It’s all ridiculously over-the-top, showing just how full Ernie is of himself. The absurdity of the moment, paired with Murray’s deadpan delivery, makes the scene both hilarious and unforgettable.
8
The Night The Reindeer Died
Scrooged (1988)
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Scrooged
PG-13
ComedyHoliday
Scrooged is a Christmas comedy film by director Richard Donner, released in 1988. In this modernized take on Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray stars as a narcissistic and selfish television executive named Frank Cross, who looks to put on a big-budget Christmas show for his network while trampling anyone in his way. However, his plans are interrupted when three ghosts of Christmas visit him to coax him to change his ways.
Release Date
November 23, 1988
Runtime
100 Minutes
Cast
Bill Murray
, Carol Kane
, Karen Allen
, Alfre Woodard
, Bobcat Goldthwait
, Robert Mitchum
, Michael J. Pollard
, John Forsythe
, John Glover
, David Johansen
Director
Richard Donner
Writers
Mitch Glazer
, Michael O’Donoghue
Studio(s)
Mirage Productions
Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
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Scrooged is a Bill Murray holiday classic; it’s a dark, satirical take on A Christmas Carol, with the actor’s sharp humor and mocking tone driving much of the comedy. In the 1988 film, which holds a 6.9 rating on IMDb, “The Night the Reindeer Died” is a wildly over-the-top holiday special that Frank Cross (Murray) is producing. In this outrageous TV segment, Santa is shot by terrorists, and the reindeer fight back in a bloody, action-packed showdown.
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When Frank watches the segment, he doesn’t seem shocked. Instead, he reacts as if this kind of absurdity is exactly what he expects, which makes the excessive violence even more out of place. Murray’s combination of deadpan delivery and scathing sarcasm is what made the scene work so perfectly, making it one of the most memorable and funniest moments in Scrooged.
7
Bob Wiley’s Sailing Scene
What About Bob? (1991)
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What About Bob?
PG
Comedy
Release Date
May 17, 1991
Runtime
99 minutes
Cast
Bill Murray
, Richard Dreyfuss
, Julie Hagerty
, Charlie Korsmo
, Kathryn Erbe
, Tom Aldredge
Director
Frank Oz
Main Genre
Comedy
Writers
Alvin Sargent
, Laura Ziskin
, Tom Schulman
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One of Bill Murray’s funniest movie scenes comes from the 1991 title What About Bob?, which scored 7 out of 10 stars on IMDb. In the film, Murray is Bob Wiley, a highly anxious character trying to overcome his fears, one of which is stepping onto a boat and leaving the dock.
Richard Dreyfuss, who plays Bob Wiley’s therapist, did not get along with Bill Murray during filming of What About Bob?, making their characters’ on-screen animosity all the more authentic.
In this particular scene, Bob finally manages to overcome his fear of sailing, but not in the way anyone would expect. Instead of casually enjoying the boat ride like everyone else, Bob is hilariously tied to the ship with a questionable amount of ropes. However, that does not stop him from shouting, “I’m sailing!” and later declaring himself a sailor. The scene showcases Murray’s impeccable comedic timing and his ability to turn a simple, everyday situation into pure comedy gold, making it one of his funniest.
6
The Shark Encounter
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
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The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
R
AdventureComedyAction
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, directed by Wes Anderson, follows oceanographer Steve Zissou, played by Bill Murray, on a mission to track down a mythical shark that killed his partner. Supported by a quirky crew, including characters portrayed by Cate Blanchett and Owen Wilson, Zissou navigates personal and professional challenges aboard the research vessel Belafonte. The film combines comedy, adventure, and a unique visual style.
Release Date
December 25, 2004
Runtime
119 Minutes
Cast
Bill Murray
, Owen Wilson
, Cate Blanchett
, Anjelica Huston
, Willem Dafoe
, Jeff Goldblum
Director
Wes Anderson
Main Genre
Adventure
Writers
Wes Anderson
, Noah Baumbach
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Bill Murray’s Steve Zissou stands out as one of Wes Anderson’s funniest characters, and for good reason. The star’s flawless comedic delivery in Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is central to the movie’s narrative, bringing to life a quirky yet serious figure we can’t forget.
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Zissou emerging from the water to alert everyone that his friend, Esteban, was eaten by a jaguar shark remains one of the most memorable scenes in the 2004 movie. Murray delivered an impeccable deadpan and deeply emotional moment that is somehow tragic and oddly funny at the same time. As he explains the murderous shark in a very scientific way, instead of getting out of the blood-filled water, Zissou famously states, “Esteban was eaten,” prompting a moment of confusion from Willem Dafoe’s Klaus. Their exchange proceeds to be both formal and hilarious, marking another fabulous example of Murray’s comedic genius.
5
Cinderella Story
Caddyshack (1980)
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Caddyshack
R
ComedySport
Caddyshack is a 1980 comedy from director Harold Ramis. The movie centers on a fancy golf club that is turned into chaos when an eccentric new member joins, and a crazed dancing gopher starts destroying the golf courses. The film stars comedy legends Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield.
Release Date
July 25, 1980
Runtime
98 minutes
Cast
Chevy Chase
, Rodney Dangerfield
, Ted Knight
, Michael O’Keefe
, Bill Murray
, Sarah Holcomb
Director
Harold Ramis
Writers
Brian Doyle-Murray
, Harold Ramis
, Douglas Kenney
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
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If we remember anything from Caddyshack, it was Bill Murray’s character, Carl Spackler, practicing his golf swing. Unfortunately, the eccentric Carl decides to use flowers as golf balls, which wasn’t even the funniest part of the scene. Murray’s deadpan humor and perfect comedic timing flawlessly worked together to create one of Caddyshack’s best quotes that will have you laughing.
“Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion,” Carl says as he clumsily swings his golf club. Arguably, the segment would be just as funny without his odd monologue because of how seriously Carl takes his completely ridiculous actions. His major focus on a totally pointless routine, along with the random comments to himself, makes the scene a great mix of absurdity and dry humor, resulting in one of the funniest scenes in Murray’s portfolio.
4
Bill Murray Cameo
Zombieland (2009)
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8.6/10
Zombieland
R
HorrorAdventureComedy
After a zombie virus wipes out modern society, those left to navigate the wasteland must live by a certain set of rules. Zombieland follows Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) as he meets Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), and they join forces to survive the apocalypse. They soon team up with sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), and the group embark on a cross-country trip in search of refuge from the zombie horde.
Release Date
October 2, 2009
Runtime
88 minutes
Cast
Emma Stone
, Jesse Eisenberg
, Woody Harrelson
, Abigail Breslin
Director
Ruben Fleischer
Writers
Paul Wernick
, Rhett Reese
Studio(s)
Sony
Distributor(s)
Sony
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Bill Murray playing himself in the 2009 horror-comedy Zombieland was one of the actor’s most entertaining roles. In the film, Murray is casually living in a zombie-infested apocalyptic world, playing it cool as if everything is totally normal. The movie scored a 7.5-star rating from IMDb audiences, and while Murray’s entire performance is a treat, it’s his death scene that really stands out comedy-wise.
As the fictional Murray gets shot by Jesse Eisenberg’s character, Columbus, when he mistakes the actor for an actual zombie, real-life Murray’s straight-faced reaction and the chaos that follows make the scene hilarious. Throughout his cameo, Murray appears to be surprisingly unfazed by the zombie apocalypse. His calm, almost indifferent attitude while everything else is falling apart, including himself as he dies, is what ultimately adds an extra layer of absurdity to his final moments.
3
Suntory Time Commercial
Lost In Translation (2003)
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9/10
Lost in Translation
R
DramaComedy
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation is a romantic comedy starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as fading movie star Bob Harris and Yale college graduate Charlotte, who build an unlikely relationship while traveling in Tokyo.
Release Date
October 3, 2003
Runtime
102 minutes
Cast
Fumihiro Hayashi
, Bill Murray
, Anna Faris
, Giovanni Ribisi
, Scarlett Johansson
, Catherine Lambert
Director
Sofia Coppola
Writers
Sofia Coppola
Studio(s)
Focus Features
Distributor(s)
Focus Features
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Even though Bill Murray’s role in Lost in Translation was one of the best dramatic performances by a comedic actor of all time, the star managed to wedge in one of his funniest movie scenes. While the segment itself did not have its typical comedic setup, Murray’s deadpan performance and his character’s genuine confusion are what sold it.
Murray plays Bob Harris, a washed-up American actor who is in Tokyo to shoot a commercial for a Japanese whiskey brand. As he gives it his best to follow the director’s instructions despite a language barrier, Bob fails to deliver what was asked of him. His confusion, combined with his obvious disinterest and exhaustion, makes the whole situation inherently funny. Murray’s ability to react to absurd circumstances with such seriousness cemented the comedic value of the scene, adding to his character’s bewilderment.
2
A Modern Take On Julius Caesar
Ghostbusters (1984)
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Ghostbusters
PG
ActionComedyFantasy
Ghostbusters is a 1984 fantasy sci-fi movie from director Ivan Reitman. The movie stars Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as Raymond Stantz, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddemore, paranormal investigators who travel New York hunting and capturing ghosts. The movie eventually became one of the most iconic films of the ’80s, spawning a multimedia franchise including a sequel, spinoffs, books, and video games.
Release Date
June 8, 1984
Runtime
105 Minutes
Cast
Bill Murray
, Dan Aykroyd
, Sigourney Weaver
, Harold Ramis
, Ernie Hudson
, Rick Moranis
Director
Ivan Reitman
Writers
Dan Aykroyd
, Harold Ramis
, Rick Moranis
Distributor(s)
Columbia Pictures
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Bill Murray carried a number of the funniest scenes in Ghostbusters, but there is one segment that continues to stand the test of time as a fan favorite. After the team’s first big win as ghost hunters, Murray’s character, Dr. Peter Venkman, misquotes Julius Caesar with the now-iconic, “We came, we saw, we kicked its a**!”
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In classic Bill Murray fashion, Venkman delivers the line with the perfect mix of cocky confidence and nonchalant humor, making it feel improvised and natural. The moment comes after a chaotic ghost-busting sequence where everything goes wrong before the guys finally capture the ghost, serving as the ultimate punchline to all the mayhem. This unique blend of supernatural scares and sarcastic humor perfectly captures what made Ghostbusters such a hit and why this scene still gets laughs nearly five decades later.
1
Phil Connors’ Repeated Encounters With Ned Ryerson
Groundhog Day (1993)
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9/10
Groundhog Day
PG
ComedyDocumentaryDramaFantasyRomance
In Groundhog Day, the arrogant weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) finds himself living the exact same day over and over for what feels like an eternity. To cope with his curse, he learns a variety of skills in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and tries to earn the heart of his colleague Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell) while he adapts to the time loop.
Release Date
February 11, 1993
Runtime
101 minutes
Cast
Bill Murray
, Andie MacDowell
, Chris Elliott
, Stephen Tobolowsky
, Brian Doyle-Murray
, Marita Geraghty
Director
Harold Ramis
Writers
Danny Rubin
, Harold Ramis
Studio(s)
Columbia Pictures
Distributor(s)
Columbia Pictures
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With an 8-star rating on IMDb, Groundhog Day remains Bill Murray’s highest-rated film and a classic in his repertoire. Despite a number of things that didn’t make sense about Groundhog Day, the iconic comedy offered one of Murray’s funniest moments on screen. With very few words, the star managed to deliver a palpable annoyance as his character, Phil Connors, kept running into Ned Ryerson (Stephen Tobolowsky) on the street.
|
Bill Murray’s Top Movies with His Funniest Scenes |
IMDb Score |
|---|---|
|
Groundhog Day |
8/10 |
|
Ghostbusters |
7.8/10 |
|
Lost in Translation |
7.7/10 |
|
Zombieland |
7.5/10 |
|
Caddyshack |
7.2/10 |
|
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou |
7.2/10 |
|
What About Bob? |
7/10 |
|
Scrooged |
6.9/10 |
|
Kingpin |
6.9/10 |
|
Stripes |
6.8/10 |
Since the day keeps repeating, which is the premise of Groundhog Day, Phil is forced to relive the same encounter with Ned every morning. As the days go by, his responses shift wildly, with each segment standing out as a comedic gem in its own right. Murray’s performance delivered everything from spot-on expressions to sarcastic quips Ned kept missing. By going from subtle irritation to full-on absurdity without missing a beat, the scenes brilliantly showcased Bill Murray’s comedic versatility.
Source: IMDb
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Bill Murray
Birthdate
September 21, 1950
Birthplace
Wilmette, Illinois, USA
Notable Projects
Ghostbusters
, Groundhog Day
, Lost in Translation