History Main / KnuckleCracking

* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':

* Once they were able to do non-{{machinima}} sequences in ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', Tex normally enters fights with a knuckle crack and neck pop.

* Spoofed in ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged''. Piccolo cracks his neck with a very satisfying sound which inspires Krillin to do the same. The result is a meaty crunch and him screaming in pain. And adding another notch on the [[RunningGag Krillin Owned]] counter.

* In ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureBattleTendency'', the first thing the Pillar Man Wamuu does after freeing himself is to casually crack his neck as he observes the Nazi soldiers investigating the Pillar Men, clearly unimpressed.

* Spoofed on ''Series/FamilyMatters''. When Urkel uses a machine to turn himself into Bruce Lee, he starts out an fight with an extended series of cracking, the noises of which barely even match up with the motions that are supposed to be making them. Then it goes UpToEleven and OverlyLongGag when Urkel, Richie ''and'' 3J all become literal BruceLeeClone and begin cracking and whining noises.

* Taken UpToEleven in the ''WesternAnimation/EdEddnEddy'' episode "Shoo Ed" by Jonny 2x4, who not only cracks his knuckles to annoy everyone, but cracks all the other joints in his body during the last segment of the episode.

* ''Film/ResidentEvil''. After she succumbs to the T-virus infection and turns into a zombie, [[spoiler:Rain Ocampo]] does the neck cracking variant just before she attacks.

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* In episode 4 of ''Anime/KillLaKill'', Ryuko gives this along with a DeathGlare to Maiko Ogure after she tried to steal Senketsu from her, but couldn’t activate it.
* ''Anime/TokyoGhoul'': Kaneki Ken develops a habit of cracking his index finger with his thumb before diving into a fight, something he probably picked up from Jason
* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'':
** In his introduction story in the anime, Ryōga crushes several walnuts to dust with his fist, vowing to make Ranma pay for something or other. In the manga, he crushes a single walnut... ''between index and thumb.'' Effortlessly. Since Ryōga constantly does things like [[SuperStrength lifting immense boulders]] and smashing walls by [[DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength banging his head against them in frustration]], this isn't surprising
** Ranma is pretty fond of the "cracking knuckles and popping joints to show he's getting serious" version, and much like Inu-Yasha he favors the "cracking fingerjoints with an open fist" method. Also, in at least the anime version of Hinako's arrival, he effortlessly bends a yen coin completely in half after taking it from her. Between ''thumb'' and ''forefinger''.

* In ''Manga/RealBoutHighSchool'', Midori gets cracking when she gets [[TheCracker cracking]].
* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': The main character does it all the time. Repeatedly on the same hand, making the same cracking noise as he does it five times in succession.
* Luffy of ''Manga/OnePiece'' always cracks his knuckles menacingly during LetsGetDangerous moments.
* Lina Inverse of ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'' does it too, on occasion. (''"Did you say flatchested?"'')
* ''Manga/{{Inuyasha}}'': The protagonist does it with his hand open while showing off his claws.

* While there's not that much obvious noise, when Blue or [[BewareTheNiceOnes Toboe]] from Anime/WolfsRain start clenching shaking fists, somebody's in for an asskicking.
* Dr. Stein from ''Manga/SoulEater'' cracks the joints in his neck at one point. This is tension leaving his body as he stops holding back his insanity.
* ''Manga/SgtFrog''. This is practically Natsumi Hinata's go to move. When you hear cracking knuckles, a certain green house guest is fixing to get a beating.
* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'': Arc-Gurren Lagann cracks its neck shortly after its first transformation, and immediately before wiping out a swathe of Mugann. That's right, a ''[[RuleOfCool city-sized mecha cracks its neck]].''
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': In anime episode #201, Kenpachi Zaraki does a neck crack during his fight with Nnoitra Gilga in Aizen's fortress of Las Noches in Hueco Mundo.

** In ''ComicBook/{{Bizarrogirl}}'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} cracks her knuckles -and makes her eyes glow to reinforce the effect- when she warns a monster that it can choose between spitting its victim out voluntarily or getting him cut out of its insides.

* Before their bot fight in ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'', Yama cracks his neck with his hands. Hiro tries to imitate him, making a cracking sound effect vocally.

* Cobra Bubbles, the badass social worker in ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'', cracks his neck in his second appearance.

* ''Film/KungFuHustle'' uses it as a parody of/homage to (it's hard to tell which with Stephen Chow) Bruce Lee, when the Landlady menaces Brother Sum with knuckle-cracking to warn him away from Pig Sty Alley.
* ''Film/MyDemonLover'', a film where Nick from ''Series/FamilyTies'' turns into TheDevil whenever he gets an erection, has the, er... "hero" going nuts over a misplaced pack of Fritos followed by some gut-wrenching knuckle cracking.
* In the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'', it appears a side effect of mutant healing factors is mutant joint-cracking, with Wolverine and Lady Deathstrike really going at this trope for all it's worth. Deathstrike really crunches those fingers of hers. Of course, they don't have to worry about arthritis. Justified in Deathstrike's case, since her claws are inside her fingers. They need to be kept loose, and are probably sore quite often. Bonus points for adding a metal clanking noise when they crack their knuckles, hinting at their adamantium skeletons.
* In ''Film/{{Snatch}}'', "One-Punch" Mickey stretches and cracks his knuckles to warm up for a fight ''while'' his opponent his pounding on him.
* Random Task in ''Film/AustinPowersInternationalManOfMystery'' does this. Largely as a parody of Odd Job from ''Film/{{Goldfinger}}'', the ultimate [[TheStoic Stoic]].

* In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', when the Joker is captured, and taunting the cop assigned to watch him, he finally gets a rise out of the guard, who tells him "[[TooKinkyToTorture I know you're gonna enjoy this]]. I'm just gonna have to enjoy it even more." The Joker's only response is to stoically crack his neck.
* In ''Film/PacificRim'', Raleigh and Mako have Gypsy do this before a major fight. Presumably, the pilots themselves are limbering up for the fight and the jaeger is merely matching their movements. Moments like these help remind the viewer of the humanity living within the giant mecha.
* ''Film/MenInBlack''. After the Bug kills Edgar, dons his new Edgar suit and climbs out of the hole made by his crashing starship, he cracks his neck.

* ''Film/ResidentEvil''. After she succumbs to the T-virus infection and turns into a zombie, [[spoiler:Rain Ocampo]] does the neck cracking variant just before she attacks.
* At the end of ''Film/KickAss'', [[BadassAdorable 11 year old]] Mindy [=McCready=] aka Hit Girl is going to school for the first time, when two older kids try to shake her down for her lunch money. Cue Hit Girl cracking her knuckles with an evil smile, then the camera pans away as we hear the bullies screaming in pain.

* ''Film/BladeII'': After drinking his fill of blood and rejuvenating, Blade gives his neck and knuckles a nice crack while limbering up to tear through a small army of FacelessGoons.

* Variation in ''TitusGroan'', in which Flay is constantly followed around by a {{leitmotif}} of joint-cracking, and his LetsGetDangerous scene involves him wrapping his knees in bandages to allow him to sneak up on his enemy without his skeleton betraying him.
* Uncle Andrew does this in ''Literature/TheMagiciansNephew'', when he's cornered the children in his attic room. Interestingly, he doesn't show any inclination to start a (physical) fight; the cracking seems to have been designed to make him more intimidating (and generally creepy).

* Spoofed on an ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' episode. [=McGee=] tries to act tough by doing this, while Tony (falsely) points out that doing so is a warning sign for the early stages of arthritis.

* The henshin devices in ''Series/JukenSentaiGekiranger'' require the users to perform knuckle-cracking movements to activate.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. In "Hush" when demons steal the voices of everyone in Sunnydale, Giles cracks his knuckles before undertaking the task of... [[MundaneMadeAwesome changing the overhead transparencies]] in order to deliver his usual exposition.
* In ''Series/DinosaurRevolution'', the rival UsefulNotes/TyrannosaurusRex often cracks his neck before going in for the kill.

* ''Series/TheFlash2014''. Subverted when Felicity Smoak tries this while bragging about her HollywoodHacking skills.
-->'''Felicity:''' When it comes to hacking, I'm the fastest woman alive. ''(does interlaced finger version and winces in pain)'' Arrgh! That was not as badass as I pictured...

* In one skit of ''VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny2'', Loni Dunamis starts mentioning on how no guy will be attracted with Nanaly Fletch, because... [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon she's a tomboy]]. Then cue to Nanaly cracking her knuckles (with sound effects), which scared Loni shitless and the rest, she starts cracking his bones.
* Wesker does this in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' at the beginning of your fight with him and [[spoiler:Jill]] assuming you don't shoot them first.

* A deleted scene from ''VideoGame/SpiderManTheMovie: The Game'' has Shocker doing this. With no sound, oddly.
* The character select screen in ''VideoGame/WarhammerOnline'' has the Chaos Chosen flex his fingers and clench his fist in a soundless example of the trope, but the Orc Choppa simply grabs his own head and noisily cracks his neck.

* At the start of the [[BattleInTheRain Ostagar battle]] in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'', an advancing [[EliteMook Hurlock Alpha]] is depicted cracking his neck.
* VideoGame/DukeNukem cracks his knuckles at the beginning of every level in ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D''. [[IdleAnimation He will also do it if you wait around too long]].

* [[VideoGame/Doom2016 Doomguy]] does this before [[TalkToTheFist punching out]] [[ShutUpHannibal Dr. Hayden's speaker]] at the end of his EstablishingCharacterMoment during the first level.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' video "Recall", [[DarkIsEvil Reaper]] cracks his neck before fighting [[GeniusBruiser Winston]] himself.
* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'' Venom Snake can "Knock" by twisting his prosthetic wrist around, causing it to crack loudly and spark, drawing attention towards his location. Diamond Dogs that take over strike missions in Big Boss's place can do the same thing... and it looks like they're cracking their wrists so loudly a soldier could hear.
* In ''Videogame/{{RUINER}}'', cracking your knuckles is one of the prompts given when you're about to get into a boss fight.
* In ''Videogame/SlyCooperThievesInTime'' in the animated short "Timing is Everything" Sly does this before opening a safe.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel'', Rean's idle animation in the field is to crack his knuckles.

* Spoofed in ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged''. Piccolo cracks his neck with a very satisfying sound which inspires Krillin to do the same. The result is a meaty crunch and him screaming in pain. And adding another notch on the [[RunningGag Krillin Owned]] counter.

* ''Webcomic/VanVonHunter'' sort of plays with this trope; the signature move of the Flaming Prince is saying "I will CRUSH you like this [noun]!" while acting this out. Often said object is something he really does not want to crush, due to it being valuable or very painful.

* PlayedForHorror in the WebVideo/GusJohnson sketch "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOdDGRyoN6w Crack]]". Two characters start cracking their knuckles, but they soon start contorting and even dismembering their limbs.
* WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic has [[WebVideo/TheAngryJoeShow Angry Joe]] cracking his knuckles at Zack Snyder in their crossover review for ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice''.

* Mongul in the ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'' episode "ComicBook/ForTheManWhoHasEverything".
* Of all people, ComicBook/RichieRich's mother had this as a habit.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'':
** As for neck cracking, Starfire does one badass neck cracking in "Go", where you really see what an upbringing by a warrior race will do for you when you're scared and in a strange place having just escaped being a war prize and implied sex slave. ''Scary''.
** A more humorous, yet still serious example occurs near the end of "Only Human." This time, it's Cyborg's turn for a double neck crack, but since half of his head is robotic, the second crack is actually a mechanical whine.

* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Xin Fu]] does this before facing off with [[CuteBruiser Toph.]]
* Would you believe that Optimus mimes the knuckle-cracking move in episode 41 of ''Anime/TransformersCybertron'' (or 42, if you follow ''Galaxy Force'')?
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'':
** When [=SpongeBob=] tries cracking his knuckles, [[EpicFail he ends up]] [[{{Fingore}} breaking them instead.]]
** Before "kicking [=SpongeBob=]'s butt", Flatts the Flounder cracks his knuckles normally, then cracks them with a nutcracker [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and then he brushes his teeth.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** Like the [=SpongeBob=] example above, Bart Simpson also hurts his knuckles when he tries this.
--->'''Bart:''' Ow, my bones are so brittle! But I always drink plenty of--... ''[looks at carton]'' Malk?
** Also to temporary mob boss Homer. He then blames his bodyguards for not protecting him.
** In "Homer the Whopper" Comic Book Guy cracks his knuckles, neck ''and ponytail.''

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow'', Roberta gets ready to put a beatdown on some college guys for harassing her and punching out her boyfriend (in "B.M.O.C."). She cracks her neck, then shoulders, then knuckles, then ''[[RuleOfFunny boob knuckles]]''.

** Owen is the last one to jump the 1.000-foot cliff in "[[Recap/TotalDramaNotSoHappyCampersPartTwo Not So Happy Campers - Part 2]]". If he jumps, his team wins, so scared as Owen is he resolves to do it. He prepares a run-up, cracks his knuckles by tightening his hands into fists, screams, and goes for it.

* In ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'': Kevin Levin sometimes does this.
* The titular character of ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' cracked his knuckles once, however they made no noise. When questioned he said his knuckles are polite.
* In ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'', Yang Jackie tends to do the neck variant before getting into a fight.
* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' features this in "Ferb Latin." The episode focuses on the duo reinventing societal customs. They assign meaning to several gestures including cracking your knuckles.Doing so means that you're hungry.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': Korra is known to do this when she's about to throw down.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'': Lynn Loud does this in the episode "Making the Case" [[https://theloudhouse.wikia.com/wiki/File:S1E02B_Lynn_cracks_her_knuckles.gif]].
* ''WesternAnimation/MiddlemostPost'': Angus cracks his knuckles while preparing to hug Parker for 30 seconds.
* ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'':
** Celery does this in "Castaway Carrot".
** Jet cracks his knuckles in "Treasure Map" as he prepares to make a treasure chest.
** These two moments indicate that Bortronians have bones, even though they are stretchy.

** One of the things Beth has to say about Brady in "[[Recap/TotalDramaMastersOfDisasters Masters of Disasters]]" is that he has a habit of cracking his knuckles. She acknowledges that most people find it gross, but she finds it adorable.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'': Izzy does this in "Hide And Be Sneaky" before she has her fist fight with Chef.

* ''Manga/DragonBall'':

A SubTrope of KineticClicking.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' Korra is known to do this when she's about to throw down.

Subtrope of KineticClicking.

[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' Lynn Loud does this in the episode "Making the Case" [[https://theloudhouse.wikia.com/wiki/File:S1E02B_Lynn_cracks_her_knuckles.gif]].

* ''Film/MortalKombat''
** Subverted with some random mook in the first movie, right before he promptly got owned by Sub-Zero.
** And played straight in the sequel. Perhaps a little ''too'' straight. Shao Kahn must have a really bad neck, because he barely moves his head and it still cracks.

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. In "Hush" when demons steal the voices of everyone in Sunnydale, Giles cracks his knuckles before undertaking the task of... changing the overhead transparencies in order to deliver his usual exposition.

** Super Buu did a LOT of neck-cracking. Which is funny when you think about it, as he [[BlobMonster didn't have bones.]]

* ''Anime/TokyoGhoul''
** Kaneki Ken develops a habit of cracking his index finger with his thumb before diving into a fight, something he probably picked up from Jason

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''. In anime episode #201, Kenpachi Zaraki does a neck crack during his fight with Nnoitra Gilga in Aizen's fortress of Las Noches in Hueco Mundo.

* ''Film/UndercoverBrother''. After killing three guards with his bare hands, Lance does a neck crack.

* In ''Series/DinosaurRevolution'', the rival TyrannosaurusRex often cracks his neck before going in for the kill.

* "Literature/{{Morozko}}": Father Frost cracks his knucles and gnashes his teeth before unleashing waves of extreme cold upon someone.

* The first sign that someone is already dead in ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'' is a cracking noise coming from Kenshiro. Which is only to be expected as he's a BruceLeeClone.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' does it all the time. Repeatedly on the same hand, making the same cracking noise as he does it five times in succession.

* Lina Inverse of ''{{LightNovel/Slayers}}'' does it too, on occasion. (''"Did you say flatchested?"'')
* Manga/InuYasha does it with his hand open while showing off his claws.

* In ''ComicBook/{{Bizarrogirl}}'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} cracks her knuckles -and makes her eyes glow to reinforce the effect- when she warns a monster that it can choose between spitting its victim out voluntarily or getting him cut out of its insides.

* Once they were able to do non-{{machinima}} sequences in Machinima/RedVsBlue, Tex normally enters fights with a knuckle crack and neck pop.

Knuckle Cracking happens when a character cracks their knuckles to show that they are ready to deal out a whuppin' or tackle a challenge. Frequently used as an intimidation tactic in fights, this is a particularly effective way of showing that TheStoic is bothered enough by someone to get serious. Cracking knuckles may also be sign that a character is ready to get to work on a particularly arduous task, especially one that requires a lot of muscle. Comes in two varieties: Type 1, shown to the right, involves raising ones hands and proceeding to use hand A to fold the fingers of hand B in towards hand B's palm, and then immediately using hand B to do the same with hand A. Type 2 involves cracking both hands at once by lacing the fingers together a la FingerTenting and bending them away from the palms, pushing one's hands either down towards the ground, forward away from your chest, or some angle in between, such that one's arms take on a wishbone shape. A less common variant, sometimes seen in martial arts films, involves cracking the knuckles one-handed by slowly and dramatically clenching one's hand into a fist.