The Wilhelm Scream ("Aaagh!") is a scream sound effect which was introduced in the 1951 western Distant Drums, a Warner Bros. film. It is often used as an audio in-joke in various works, including many animated films produced by Disney as well as several Lucasfilm productions prior to Disney's acquisition of the company.
History
The scream was originally recorded as "Man Getting Bitten By Alligator" for the 1951 Warner Bros. Western Distant Drums for a scene where a soldier, played by Sheb Wooley, was eaten by an alligator. Six takes were recorded (the original recording session was found in 2023), and the fifth take was used for the scene, but the other takes were still used in the film for a scene where Indians were shot in a fortress battle. This scream, particularly the fourth take, was used in multiple films throughtout the 1950s and 60s, especially in Warner Bros. Westerns. The scream was popularised by sound designer Ben Burtt for a scene in Star Wars (1977), and he re-named the scream the "Wilhelm Scream" after a character from The Charge At Feather River. Since then, it has been used by multiple filmmakers as both a tribute and a joke in over 433 movies.
Films and shorts
Disney
- Beauty and the Beast (1991) & Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022)- Heard during the battle between the villagers and the enchanted servants in the Castle shortly after Chip saves Maurice and Belle.
- Aladdin (1992) - Heard when Genie raises the Sultan's palace while being controlled by Jafar.
- Runaway Brain (1995) - During Mickey's video game when Dopey is defeated by the Witch boss.
- A Goofy Movie (1995) - Heard twice; first, during "On the Open Road" when Goofy drives into a construction site. Later, it is heard again during the Powerline concert when the floor director is thrown into the giant viewscreen while chasing after Max Goof.
- Hercules (1997) - Heard when the Cyclops arrives at Thebes.
- The Kid (2000) - While Russ is talking to Amy, it is heard in a movie playing on the TV.
- The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000) - Heard twice; first, when Morgana lands on Cloak and Dagger, and later, one of the sailors screams when a giant iceberg falls onto Prince Eric's sailing ship.
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) - Heard in a low volume at the beginning.
- Pirates of the Caribbean - Heard in every film.
- Enchanted (2007) - Heard from a man falling backwards when Narissa transforms into a dragon (A Goofy holler can be heard at the same time.).
- Bolt (2008) - Heard offscreen on an A-Team episode involving BA Barcus while Rhino is flipping through channels.
- Princess Protection Program (2009)
- Tron: Legacy (2010) - Heard in the End of Line club and the Rectifier.
- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) - Heard when Clara and her army are running away from the Mouse King and one of them is dragged into the ground.
- Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) - Heard from a stormtrooper when he gets dragged away by a buggy that transports to BuzzTube.
- Kim Possible (2019) - Heard when Kim throws a henchman over the railings onto Professor Dementor.
- Aladdin (2019) - Heard when someone screams off-screen after Aladdin's first Prince Ali outfit is revealed.
- Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020) - Heard from an alien when the gang is driving Buford’s canoe around the baseball field.
Pixar
- Toy Story (1995) - When Buzz Lightyear gets pushed out the window by a lamp.
- A Bug's Life - Heard in a low volume from a worker ant during the Grasshoppers' arrival, and invasion of the Ant Colony.
- Cars (2006) - When a car gets zapped by a laser during Lightning McQueen's daydream of being sponsored by Dinoco. (Low pitched.)
- Your Friend the Rat (2007) - When an astronaut gets frightened by a rat during the song "Plan B".
- Lifted (2007) - When Ernie falls off the crater after the credits.
- Up (2009) - When the dogs are falling off a cliff while attempting to chase Carl Fredricksen and Russell with Kevin.
- George and A.J. (2009) - Heard when one of the houses burrows down.
- Day & Night (2010) - During the movie scene when the cowboy shoots a man off-screen.
- Toy Story 3 (2010) - During the opening scene, while Andy and his toys are watching a "scary movie" during the "You've Got a Friend in Me" sequence.
- Cars 2 (2011) - When the cars in the Ye Left Turn Inn beat Grem and Acer up.
- The Legend of Mor'du (2012) - When Mor'du throws down soldiers from a rock.
- Monsters University (2013) - When Mike unknowingly runs over a student with the floor waxer.
- The Radiator Springs 500½ (2014) - When the Baja pros fall down a cliff while chasing McQueen.
- Toy Story 4 (2019) - Heard once in the pinball machine.
- Lightyear (2022) - Heard when a rookie Space Ranger gets attacked by a tentacled creature on an uncharted planet.
Star Wars
The Wilhelm scream is played at least once or more times in every Star Wars movie, both before and after the Walt Disney Company's acquisition of the franchise.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) - Heard during Finn and Poe Dameron's escape from the First Order. So far, this is the last Star Wars movie to have the sound effect.
Indiana Jones
The Wilhelm scream is played at least once or more times in every Indiana Jones movie.
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny - Heard in a pow pitch.
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Other
- Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! (2011) - Heard during the paintball war.
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) - Heard during the Bike chase between Steve Rogers,a nd Hydra Soldiers.
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - Heard when Iron Man blows Ebony Maw out of an opened gap, albeit at low volume.
- Prey (2022) - Heard when Ania gets thrown by the Feral Predator.
TV series
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 - 2020) - Heard in seven episodes.
- Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil (2010-2012) - Heard in the episodes "Battle For the 'Snax", "Kyle Be Back" "Rank of Awesome, "Faceplant!", "Kick or Treat", "Pinch Sitter", and "Bad Car-ma".
- Fish Hooks (2010-2014) Heard in the beginning in two episodes, "Queen Bea" and "Dances with Wolf Fish".
- Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (2012-2015) - Used in several episodes, such as "Gossip Boy" and "Pranks for Nothing".
- Wander Over Yonder (2013) - Heard when Lord Hater's army faces off against Emperor Awesome's army in "The Picnic", "The Brainstorm", and "The Heebie Jeebies", coming from a bird that was referred to as a Wilhelm warbler.
- Sofia the First (2013- 2018) - Heard in the episode "New Genie on the Block" when Sofia runs into people on the police carpet while chasing Kazeem.
- Star Wars Rebels (2014) - Screamed during the pilot episode by a Stormtrooper.
- Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero (2015-2017) - Heard once in almost every episode.
- Future-Worm! (2016) - Heard in the episode "Future Danny and the Ghost Pirates of Tau Ceti".
- Puppy Dog Pals (2017) - Heard for a split-second in the theme song before Rolly lands on a crab.
- Tangled: The Series (2017-2020) - Heard in the short episode "Make Me Smile" when a guard slips on a banana peel .
- DuckTales (2017) - Heard in the episode "The Beagle Birthday Massacre!" when the Beagle Boys start a brawl.
- Amphibia (2019) - Heard in the episodes "Prison Break" when the herons are attacking Toad Tower, "A Caravan Named Desire" as an actor falls off the stage when Renee attempts to escape via the caravan, "True Colors" when a toad screams after being attacked by General Yunan and Frobo, "Commander Anne" when One-Eyed Wally is eaten by a giant snake and "The Beginning of the End" during the fight between the resistance and King Andrias' army.
- Star Wars: Visions (2021) - Heard in the episode "Tatooine Rhapsody" during a fight that breaks up Star Waver's Performance.
- The Book of Boba Fett (2021) - Heard in "Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor", when a Pyke was thrown by the Rancor.
- The Santa Clauses (2022) - Heard in the episode "Chapter Three: Into the Wobbly Woods".
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2023) - Heard in the episode "Puff Daddy" when Oscar throws Felix and Papi Boulevardez out of the house.
- Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (2023) - Heard in "Nash's Race Day", when one of the boat racers crashes.
Other
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue - Heard when a Scout Trooper crashes into a branch on his speeder bike.
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - Heard when a Stormtrooper is shot.
- Avengers: Quantum Encounter - Heard when one of the Ultron Sentries were knocked off the cruise ship by Ms. Marvel.
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