We have all experienced the all consuming shame that accompanies those moments in life when you just wish the earth would swallow you whole. These instances filled with embarrassing glory leave deep emotional scars that in time become hilarious anecdotes. No matter the cause, I think we can all agree that embarrassment is hilarious as long it’s not happening to us.

As Mel Brooks once noted, “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die.”

Thanks to comedians such as Ben Stiller, Ricky Gervais, Steve Carell and Will Ferrell, embarrassment has become a rich source of comedy. Their awkward shenanigans have become the most popular form of humour in recent times managing to both entertain, amuse and make audiences slightly uncomfortable.

We have compiled our top ten list of the most embarrassing moments on film. We laugh at these scenes because they are funny, but we also rejoice at the fact they did not happen to us.

10. Swingers (1996)
Mike (Jon Favreau) decides to embark on the slippery slope that is the drunken call. After meeting a prospective conquest he decides to call and leave a staggering six voice messages in the same evening. Eagerness, as is the case with this scene, usually leads to embarrassment. Consider this a life lesson learnt.




9. Sixteen Candles (1984)
Samantha’s (Molly Ringwald) grandparents are so proud of her developing pubescent bosom they decided that a grope is the only suitable form of appreciation.




8. Bananas (1971)
Fielding (Woody Allen) and partner consummate their marriage in a televised event. The embarrassment factor is incredibly high as he has to justify his subpar performance in a post match television interview.




7. Old School (2003)
Will Ferrell perfectly portrays the moment he realises that streaking might not be suitable in his early thirties.




6. Billy Madison (1995)
Best put down ever.




5. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)
For most people an unfortunate underwear choice is perhaps the most common source of embarrassment.




4. Meet the Parents (2000)
Ben Stiller has made a career out of embarrassment thanks to scenes like this one.



3. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
What is supposed to be a special time in every boy’s life ended up with an unfortunate toe sucking incident. So shameful he remained a virgin for almost two decades. Still probably this was not as embarrassing as having to confess this to his lothario workmates.




2. American Pie (1999)
It’s tough being a horny teenager... so tough.




1. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
So traumatic that it has made a generation of males think twice when zipping up their pants.