The Wilhelm Scream is one of the most iconic sound effects in film and television history, recognized for its distinct high-pitched yell. This stock sound effect has been used in hundreds of movies, television shows, video games, and other media since its creation, becoming a beloved inside joke among filmmakers and sound designers.
The Wilhelm Scream was first recorded in 1951 for the Warner Bros. film Distant Drums. The scene involved a soldier being bitten by an alligator while wading through a swamp. Although the scream was recorded for this film, it wasn’t widely recognized until a few years later. The scream got its name from the 1953 film The Charge at Feather River, where a character named Private Wilhelm is shot with an arrow and lets out the now-famous scream. The sound was later cataloged as a stock sound effect,
known as “Man being eaten by alligator,” in the Warner Bros. archives. The scream remained relatively obscure until the late 1970s when sound designer Ben Burtt, who was working on Star Wars: A New Hope, rediscovered the sound effect. Burtt named it the “Wilhelm Scream” after Private Wilhelm and began using it as an in-joke in the Star Wars series. Burtt also used it in other films he worked on, including Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
From there, the Wilhelm Scream gained cult status among sound designers and filmmakers, who began to incorporate it into their projects as a nod to their predecessors. The exact identity of the voice actor who recorded the Wilhelm Scream was unknown for many years, adding to its mystique. However, it was eventually discovered that the scream was most likely performed by actor and singer Sheb Wooley. Wooley was a prolific actor and musician, best known for his hit novelty song “Purple People Eater.”
He also appeared in several Westerns and other films during the 1950s and 1960s, including High Noon and The Outlaw Josey Wales. His versatile voice and willingness to perform unusual tasks on set made him the most likely candidate to have recorded the scream. Since its rediscovery, the Wilhelm Scream has been used in over 400 films, becoming a hallmark of both mainstream and genre cinema.
Its use is often a wink to the audience or a tribute to the sound designers who came before. The scream is often heard during action scenes, particularly when characters are shot, fall from great heights, or experience some other sudden mishap. Some of the most notable films featuring the Wilhelm Scream include Star Wars (1977), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Toy Story (1995), and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002).
The scream has also appeared in animated films, where it is often used for comic effect. For example, in Aladdin (1992), the scream is heard when one of the palace guards is thrown by the Genie. This versatility and humor in its usage have cemented the Wilhelm Scream as a beloved Easter egg for film aficionados. The Wilhelm Scream has also found its way into television, video games, and other forms of media. In TV shows, it has been used in everything from Doctor Who to Family Guy.
Its inclusion is often a playful nod to its cinematic origins, with some shows using it repeatedly as part of their signature sound design. For example, the animated series The Clone Wars features the scream in many of its action scenes, furthering its association with the Star Wars universe.
In video games, the Wilhelm Scream has been used in titles like Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto, where its appearance is usually reserved for humorous or chaotic moments. Its use in these mediums continues the tradition of the Wilhelm Scream as a piece of auditory lore, shared and enjoyed by fans across different platforms.
Here’s a list of 50 movies that have used the Wilhelm Scream sound effect:
- Distant Drums (1951)
- The Charge at Feather River (1953)
- Them! (1954)
- The Green Berets (1968)
- Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Poltergeist (1982)
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
- Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Gremlins (1984)
- Howard the Duck (1986)
- Spaceballs (1987)
- Batman Returns (1992)
- Reservoir Dogs (1992)
- Aladdin (1992)
- A Goofy Movie (1995)
- Toy Story (1995)
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- Troy (2004)
- Sin City (2005)
- Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- Madagascar (2005)
- War of the Worlds (2005)
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
- Jurassic World (2015)
- The Hateful Eight (2015)
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
- The Avengers (2012)
- Suicide Squad (2016)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Wonder Woman (2017)
- The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Aquaman (2018)
- Toy Story 4 (2019)
- The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Here’s a list of 50 TV shows that have used the Wilhelm Scream sound effect:
- The X-Files (1993–2018)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
- Doctor Who (1963–1989; 2005–present)
- The Simpsons (1989–present)
- Family Guy (1999–present)
- South Park (1997–present)
- Supernatural (2005–2020)
- The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)
- The Flash (2014–2023)
- Arrow (2012–2020)
- The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
- Lost (2004–2010)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018)
- The Mandalorian (2019–present)
- Futurama (1999–2013; 2023–present)
- Rick and Morty (2013–present)
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)
- Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006)
- Adventure Time (2010–2018)
- Regular Show (2010–2017)
- Gravity Falls (2012–2016)
- The Office (U.S.) (2005–2013)
- Scrubs (2001–2010)
- Community (2009–2015)
- Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
- Stranger Things (2016–present)
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021)
- Teen Titans Go! (2013–present)
- Robot Chicken (2005–present)
- American Dad! (2005–present)
- The Venture Bros. (2003–2018)
- Young Justice (2010–present)
- Phineas and Ferb (2007–2015)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999)
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001)
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020)
- Once Upon a Time (2011–2018)
- Gotham (2014–2019)
- Westworld (2016–2022)
- Castle (2009–2016)
- The 100 (2014–2020)
- MythBusters (2003–2016)
- NCIS (2003–present)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015)
- Fringe (2008–2013)
- Smallville (2001–2011)
- Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)
- Heroes (2006–2010)
Here’s a list of video games that have used the Wilhelm Scream sound effect:
- Red Dead Redemption (2010)
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008)
- Star Wars: Battlefront (2004)
- Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005)
- Star Wars: Battlefront (EA) (2015)
- Star Wars: Battlefront II (EA) (2017)
- LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game (2005)
- LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (2006)
- LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (2007)
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (2011)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords (2004)
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
- Battlefield 1 (2016)
- Battlefield V (2018)
- Team Fortress 2 (2007)
- Half-Life: Opposing Force (1999)
- World of Warcraft (2004)
- Fortnite (2017)
- Minecraft (2011)
- Destiny (2014)
- Destiny 2 (2017)
- Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (2007)
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009)
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (2011)
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016)
- Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
- Mass Effect (2007)
- Mass Effect 2 (2010)
- Mass Effect 3 (2012)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
- Far Cry 3 (2012)
- Far Cry 4 (2014)
- Borderlands (2009)
- Borderlands 2 (2012)
- Borderlands 3 (2019)
- Mortal Kombat X (2015)
- Mortal Kombat 11 (2019)
- Overwatch (2016)
- Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
- Halo 2 (2004)
- Halo 3 (2007)
- Halo: Reach (2010)
- Halo 4 (2012)
- Resident Evil 4 (2005)
- Dead Space (2008)
The Wilhelm Scream has become a piece of Hollywood history, recognized by both industry professionals and audiences alike. It serves as a reminder of the creativity and resourcefulness of sound designers, as well as the collaborative spirit of filmmaking.
Its enduring popularity ensures that it will continue to be used and appreciated for years to come, as new generations of filmmakers and fans discover and celebrate this unique sound. The scream has also been a topic of discussion in various film studies and pop culture analyses, where it is often cited as an example of the shared language of cinema. By including the Wilhelm Scream in their projects, filmmakers pay homage to the history of their craft and contribute to a longstanding tradition of inside jokes and Easter eggs.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “Wilhelm Scream” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_scream
- Backstage “The Wilhelm Scream: The History of Film’s Most Popular Sound Effect” https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/wilhelm-scream-explained-75982/
- Studio Binder “What is the Wilhelm Scream – Origins and Iconic Examples” https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-the-wilhelm-scream-sound-effect/
- Videomaker “The Wilhelm scream: The origin of cinema’s decades-old inside joke” https://www.videomaker.com/how-to/audio-how-to/audio-recording/the-wilhelm-scream-the-origin-of-cinemas-decades-old-inside-joke/
- Kotaku “The Original Take Of The ‘Wilhelm Scream’ Has Been Found” https://kotaku.com/wilhelm-scream-star-wars-video-games-movies-sound-1850321598
