Top 10 Iconic Movies with Cigar Smoking Scenes

Who can forget that iconic scene in The Good, Bad, Bad, and Ugly where the iconic gunslinger, The Man with No Name, always puffs on a cigar? The final standoff between the three main characters — all puffing on cigars — is the stuff cigars and film history are made of!

Join us on a journey through cinematic history where the good, the bad, and the ugly all light up a cigar. Sometimes, it all goes up in smoke; other times, there’s a happy ending. Above all, there’s a cigar involved. Compiling a list of the top 10 iconic movies with cigar-smoking scenes is almost impossible, but we’re up for it! Sit back, gather your fellow cigar aficionados, and have a cigar and movie night with these iconic flicks.

1. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)

Where to start with this film? The most iconic (and symbolic) scene is when Clint Eastwood shares a cigar with a dying soldier. It is also when he gets his trademark poncho. It is a touching scene, too.

This scene lies at the heart of many more Westerns — it shows the character’s genesis and sets the bar for many Westerns that will follow. What’s more, the cigar is not just a cigar. It becomes part of the scene and a ‘character,’ so to speak. As the two men share a cigar, one dies, and the other will keep living and fighting the good fight. As the soldier passes, we see cigar smoke floating away. Perhaps it was intentional, or it was just pure coincidence. It may even symbolize his spirit leaving his body and passing the cloak. Either way, what a mensch for giving a man a puff on a cigar in his last minutes.

2. Young Frankenstein (1974)

Not all cigar scenes are meant to exud power, grace, or mystery. Sometimes a bit of comedy is also just what the doctor ordered! In Mel Brooks’ famous parody Young Frankenstein the monster is taught how to behave in civil company by a blind hermit. However, instead of the graceful monk in Bride of Frankenstein, the inept hermit (Peter Boyle) in Young Frankenstein causes the poor monster calamaity upon calamity. In the original film the monster is seen puffing on a cigar and exclaims “Good! Good!”, but in Brooks’ version the hermit casually sets his thumb on fire, and the monster storms out of the cabin screaming in agony.

3. Scarface (1983)

Despite the near-constant f-bombs and expletives, Tony Montana (Al Pacino) almost always has a cigar, too. While we’d usually associate a cigar with someone who’s made it, wealth, power, and success, it also becomes an ironic symbol of the character’s rise and downfall.

The most iconic scene is Troy Montana’s philosophical rant while sitting in his sunken, oversized bathtub. But before he becomes Scarface-with-the-cigar, we’re taken through his meteoric rise from refugee to petty criminal and, ultimately, Scarface. When he finally slays his competition and takes the crown, he starts indulging in the finest life has to offer. Luxury watches, cigars, and all other extravagances. The bathtub scene where he carries on about all the issues in his life while puffing on a luxurious cigar.

4. Hellboy

There’s no two ways about it. Hellboy loves lighting up a smoke. In the scene below, he’s trying to light a cigar with either a broken lighter or a sub-standard one. What unfolds in a few seconds is educational and heartwarming:

· Enter the wise older man who advises him to use matches to preserve the flavor

· Hellboy starts puffing, and his cigar is lit correctly

· Warm string music begins to play as he takes his first draft

· Hellboy thanks the wise older man (who, awkwardly, thanks him too. Perhaps for following his advice?)

Here, we need to tip our hats to Hollywood and the creators. They created an educational experience without belittling the character but providing guidance and a reason for the course of action.

5. Wolverine Franchise

Iconic sideburns? Check! Retractable claws? Check? Cigar? Check! A guy who doesn’t take any lousy guy’s nonsence? Check! Well, not Arnold Schwarzenegger (yet), but Logan, better known as Hugh Jackman in real life. Although I’ve never been much of a comic book fan, these crossovers on the silver screen have always captivated me.

Wolverine is considered one of the most successful comic book heroes who’s transitioned to the silver screen. Instead of offering only one clip of Wolverine being the epitome of cool while smoking a cigar, here’s a compilation.

6. Independence Day (1996)

What do you consider to be the best time to celebrate a milestone with a cigar? Your wedding day certainly counts. A promotion at work? Yep! Graduation day? Absolutely. Are you saving the world from an alien invasion? Well, that one is a celebration, and I’m sure anyone would light a cigar!

While we have not encountered putting alien invaders in their place and sending them yelping back to outer space, the former Fresh Prince had the opportunity. After his fighter jet mission went well, he dropped down in the desert to spot a banged-up alien ship. Lo and behold! One of those ugly aliens is still alive, but Will Smith knocks him and says, “Well, that’s what I call a close encounter.” Triumphantly, he sits back, pulls his cigar out of the tube with his teeth, and lights up.

While we will never condone gratuitous violence of any kind, we think we’ll let it slide just this once. After all, he saved Earth and deserves to light up a cigar. Please, don’t go out and pick a fight or join a fight club so that you can light up a cigar after a triumph.

7. Predator (1987)

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a devoted cigar aficionado and a cool guy overall. Cigar Aficionado magazine even featured him on the cover and conducted a one-on-one interview. I love his action hero movies; growing up, he was one of my heroes. I also realized at a young enough age that I’d never be as cool as Arnold, so I carved my path rather than trying to emulate him. But all hope was not lost. He taught me some valuable life lessons along the way. And, to boot, he’s a cigar aficionado of note.

Narrowing down his most iconic scenes where he’s smoking one of his favorite stogies to a single one is impossible, so we won’t even try. The opening scene below epitomizes Arnie’s silver screen presence: cool, calm, collected, confident, and ready to whoop some bad guys into submission. Yeah, we will only ever reach his level of calm after landing in a war zone with a chopper and lighting up a cigar.

8. Die Another Day (2002)

No list would be complete without the iconic super spy, James Bond (played by Pierce Brosnan in the clip). The scene takes place in the birthplace of cigars, Havana, Cuba. Mr Bond walks into a Cuban cigar factory — complete with a lector reading from a newspaper to the torcedores (cigar rollers). He’s looking for delectados sold in real life when the film was released. If you can find some delectados today, grab them while you’ve got the opportunity! Unfortunately, their status is unclear in the wild today. And when you light up one of these, enjoy the moment and keep us in your thoughts because you’re experiencing a piece of cinema history.

9. Darkest Hour (2017)

What would a list of iconic cigar-smoking scenes be without an icon and legend in his own right? Enter Sir Winston Churchill (played by Gary Oldman). Churchill is known for his love of Romeo y Julieta cigars.

The directors have taken some liberties with facts. So, don’t take the film as the gospel truth regarding historical accuracy. However, the situation during the 1940s was as dire as you’ll see in the film. Some facts where the directors took liberties include

· Winston’s journey on the London Underground,

· Shouting matches over peace negotiations, and

· His rousing speeches did not immediately inspire many people of the British public.

Historical inaccuracies aside, Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Sir Winston Churchill is worthy of all the awards it won. And it is amazing to see one of the cigar world’s lovers.

10. A Fistful of Dollars (1964)

Clint Eastwood’s trilogy of spaghetti westerns started with A Fistful of Dollars in 1964. A new kind of hero emerged on the silver screen and enthralled audiences. The Man with no Name was quiet, deadly, and a gunslinger of note.

His performances in the following two films, A Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (our first entry), only propelled him into Hollywood heavyweight stardom. In the scene below, he tells his mule story and explains that while he might have understood the men’s joke, his poor mule’s feelings are hurt. Of course, they break out in raucous laughter. Clearly, they misunderstood the cigar-smoking gunslinger…

Some Thoughts on Smoking in Films

Whether you do or don’t like smoking cigars, there’s something about a character smoking on the screen. It gives them a personality trait and adds an undeniable ‘air’ to their performance. Below, we’ll briefly go into the history of smoking on the silver screen. Remember, this is a brief discussion, not an academic essay or film critic’s topic analysis. We’re here because we enjoy smoking cigars (and pipes and cigarettes).

Early Cinematic Portrayals of Smoking

From the 1920s to 1940s, smoking was associated with sophisticated characters, adding glitz and glamor to their personalities. Sometimes, it was also included to signal strong characters who aren’t willing to follow society’s strict rules about who is and isn’t allowed to smoke. Smoking also reflected the social norms of the time. Think of Marlene Dietrich smoking a cigarette in Dishonored in a leather jacket.

During the middle of the previous century (1950s-1970s), smoking became associated with masculinity, authority, and even sex appeal. Think of Clint Eastwood’s Westerns, where the cigar-smoking hero exudes machoness when he takes down his opponents. Or, the authoritative godfather, Marlon Brando, puffing on a cigar discussing mob business.

Later on, during the 1980s and 1990s, health concerns about smoking grew. Portraying smoking on the screen became less and more nuanced. Smoking had to serve a point but not encourage taking up smoking. While directors hinted at the adverse effects of smoking, it was still used to portray coolness. A prime example we can highlight is Sharon Stone’s performance in Basic Instinct. While the police detectives say they are in control, she’s the one calling the shots while smoking her cigarette. Talk about holding a room in suspense and being calm while doing it. Another example of smoking being associated with coolness is undoubtedly seen in Scarface, which we mentioned earlier.

Present Depictions of Smoking in Films

Increased health warnings about the dangers of smoking have led to a decline in smoking scenes in films. Sometimes, it even swings to negative portrayals. In my opinion, an okay middle finger to the establishment is the film Thank You for Smoking (2005) — the directors and cast openly criticize the tobacco industry in an ironic yet satirical comedy.

An exception to the above is modern films and series where smoking is portrayed on screen for stylistic effect and historical accuracy. A few examples that come to mind are:

· Ratched is set in northern California in 1947, following Mildred Ratched weaseling her way into the Lucia State Hospital. The ladies (Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Paulson, Sharon Stone) are seen smoking cigarettes while looking glamorous, which adds to their on-screen personalities.

· Jessica Lange portrays Elsa Mars in American Horror Story Freakshow, which is set in the 1950s. Some iconic smoking scenes add to her persona, glamor, and enigmatic appearance.