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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Wilhelm Scream” is a rare card of the Memes World series 76, number 22723 of the collection, and the 91st best-known meme of its 298 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Wilhelm Scream” meme mean?
It expresses physical pain or terror from a character wounded by an arrow or weapon. Editors use it as a recognizable sonic signature, sometimes to create humorous nods between different works. It lacks specific narrative meaning but serves as a cultural marker in cinematic audio editing.
Where does the “Wilhelm Scream” meme come from?
Recorded for the Western *Distant Drums* (Warner Bros., 1951), this scream accompanies a soldier attacked by an alligator. Its massive usage began with *The Charge at Feather River* (1953), illustrating Private Wilhelm’s wound. Sound designer Ben Burtt named it after reusing it in *Star Wars*. Often linked to actor Sheb Wooley, though unconfirmed officially. Found in USC archives in 2023, it appears in over 400 productions per the National Science and Media Museum.
- 1951Initial recording for the film Distant Drums.
- 1953First notable usage under the name Private Wilhelm in The Charge at Feather River.
- 2023Discovery of the original recording in USC School of Cinematic Arts archives.
How to use the “Wilhelm Scream” meme
- Insert this sound effect during a comedic fall in a YouTube video to highlight the absurdity of the situation.
- Use this audio cue in a video edit to create an ironic link between scenes from different movies.
- Reference this audio Easter egg in a movie comment to demonstrate knowledge of behind-the-scenes editing.
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The “Wilhelm Scream” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 22723 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | Memes World series 76 |
| Fame | 50/100 · #91 of 298 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
| Suggested by | @tyel |
How to get the “Wilhelm Scream” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Wilhelm Scream comes out of the Memes World series 76 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Wilhelm Scream”
More cards of the Memes World series 76
Frequently asked questions
Who screamed the Wilhelm Scream?
The voice is generally attributed to Sheb Wooley, an actor in Distant Drums, but no official documentation confirms this identity with certainty.
Why is it called the Wilhelm Scream?
The name comes from Private Wilhelm in The Charge at Feather River (1953). Ben Burtt popularized this term by reusing the sound in Star Wars.
How many movies use the Wilhelm Scream?
According to the National Science and Media Museum, this sound effect appears in over 400 different film and television productions.
Where can I find the original recording?
The original recording was reportedly found in 2023 in a collection of sound effects tapes donated to the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
How do I get the Wilhelm Scream meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Wilhelm Scream” is a rare card of the Memes World series 76. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Wilhelm Scream card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Wilhelm scream - Wikipedia · The Wilhelm Scream: Hollywood's most iconic sound effect · The Wilhelm scream: The origin of cinema's decades-old ... · checked on October 25, 2026.
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