20 Movies Fans Knew Would Be Awesome After The Opening Scene

While sometimes it’s hard to tell if a movie is going to be great, the opening scene can be a great indicator for what is to come. An opening scene should act as a blueprint, guiding the tone and themes for the entire film. It sets the stage for what the movie is about and establishes the overall mood. An impactful opening scene can shock audiences and grab attention right away, promises an enjoyable viewing experience. Whether it’s an explosive action sequence, a terrifying murder, or a tear jerking montage, the most memorable movies unveil their vision from the very first frame.

As the opening unfolds, it reveals the movie’s energy, style and central ideas that will carry through to the end. After an electrifying start, audiences get invested in the story and anxiously anticipate how it will develop. Strong openings clue the viewer in on what they can expect for the next two hours, and there are films that promise an abundance of greatness through nuanced worldbuilding, emotional resonance, or haunting imagery woven throughout the runtime. Though the specifics may differ, the thread is consistent. With a clear scene laid out upfront, the best films then construct a compelling journey that takes audiences on a ride they won’t soon forget.

20 Scream (1996)

An opening scene of suspense and horror surpassed any expectations about the movie’s direction.

This classic horror movie opens by featuring Drew Barrymore, the film’s biggest star. The marketing centered around her, leading audiences to expect that her character would be the main character. However, the opening phone call quickly takes a shocking turn as Barrymore steals the movie with less than 10 minutes of screentime. By abruptly killing off the assumed protagonist, the opening scene upends any expectations and assumptions about what is to come, promising an amazing movie. Barrymore’s extremely limited screen time signals that no character is safe. This immediate tone of unpredictability and tension redefines the trajectory of the film.

19 The Matrix (1999)

Sets the tone for a bold, innovative experience.

The Matrix has a strong theme of superhuman abilities, and the opening scene thrusts audiences into action as a woman named Trinity immediately demonstrates these qualities, narrowly escaping danger. By showcasing these uncanny powers before the protagonist is even introduced, this impactful scene from The Matrix establishes the film’s intriguing sci-fi premise of enhanced humans bending the rules of reality. When Trinity vanishes after answering a mysterious phone call, more questions arise about the secrets of this unfamiliar world. With stimulating visuals and a fast-paced first sequence indicating that something extraordinary is at play, the opening scene captured a tone of thrilling possibilities.

18 Jaws (1975)

Defies expectations and instantly establishes an unsettling tone of terror.

Viewers get a glance at the awesomeness to come when Jaws abruptly opens with a late night beach swim taking a horrific turn. When a young woman is violently attacked by an unseen creature in the water, the movie jumps directly into a gruesome first kill within minutes and without introducing the main characters. No background or context to buffer the brutal shark attack is given, luring the audience directly into an intense state of suspense and foreboding for what is to come.

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17 The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

An opening that compellingly sets up the stakes.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring wastes no time pulling viewers into its intricate fantasy world with an opening prologue that efficiently encapsulates its expansive mythology, while simultaneously foreshadowing the conflict at the story’s core. It begins by using impactful visuals and somber music to establish a serious tone as the history of the One Ring unfolds. In just four riveting minutes, it provides the background context needed to appreciate the rich universe without excessive exposition.

16 The Dark Knight (2008)

Sets an exhilarating pace that raises the stakes.

The Dark Knight announces itself as an electrifying new kind of superhero film with its opening bank heist sequence. Making striking use of IMAX technology, the scene throws audiences directly into the chaotic action as the Joker orchestrates a robbery. However, in an interesting twist, the Joker coldly eliminates his own henchmen one-by-one until only the unhinged mastermind remains, escaping with all the money. By immediately establishing the Joker as the unpredictable, commanding force driving the story rather than Batman himself, the provocative opening signals that this will be a fiercely captivating cat-and-mouse conflict.

15 Star Wars (1977)

Signals this will be a thrilling journey

The first Star Wars film pulls viewers directly into its sprawling galaxy with an opening sequence that swiftly establishes the essence of the beloved sci-fi story. After the trademark descriptive scroll setting the stage, audiences meet two droids that exemplify the film’s unique style of high-tech paired with a quirky personality. As C-3PO and R2-D2 land on an enemy ship amid explosions and laser fire, the fast-paced, creative visuals and memorable new characters interacting in this dangerous, unfamiliar world allow the opening scenes to encapsulate the adventurous spirit that runs through the franchise.

14 The Godfather (1972)

A restrained yet loaded character introduction sets the tone for a classic crime saga.

The Godfather wastes no time establishing itself as an instant classic with an opening scene that introduces the man at the center of it all without needing to show his face. For nearly 3 dialogue-free minutes, Marlon Brando commands the screen as Don Vito Corleone, wordlessly demonstrating his power through subtle actions and interactions. When a desperate man finally inquires about vengeance, Don Corleone schools him with wise quotes, proving his authority lies not in violence, but wisdom and leverage. Though showing uncommon mercy, the favor he now holds over the man reveals his capacity for ruthlessness.

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13 Inglourious Basterds (2009)

A nerve-wracking scene that carries through the film.

Inglourious Basterds grippingly announces itself as a unique war epic with an opening interrogation set piece full of tension. Christoph Waltz makes a terrifying first impression as the cunning Col. Hans Landa, a Nazi hunting Jewish refugees on a French farm. When the camera quietly reveals their hidden presence under the floorboards, their fate feels precariously sealed. Landa toys with the protective farmer, asking invasive questions in an unbearably drawn-out battle of wills. The masterfully constructed scene utilizes well-paced suspense, indicating that the rest of the movie will be filled with it.

12 The Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)

Packed with action instead of exposition.

Raiders of the Lost Ark throws viewers straight into a jungle adventure within minutes through Indiana Jones’ death-defying attempt to secure a valuable artifact. His narrow escape from boobytraps immediately establishes a resourceful character that is capable of accomplishing tasks under pressure. The sequence efficiently introduces his wits, athleticism and determination, foreshadowing more conflicts ahead.

11 Up (2009)

A thoughtful story about loss and rediscovering purpose.

Up single-handedly changed animated movie conventions by opening not with a colorful action spectacle, but an emotional gut-punch. The scene is a wordless montage chronicling the highs and lows of Carl and Ellie’s life together. By quickly establishing the couple’s hopeful youth, deeply loving marriage, crushed dreams and ultimate separation through death, the sequence grounds the classic Pixar movie in raw human connection.

10 No Country For Old Men (2007)

Evil is established as the primary driving force of the movie.

Establishing its vicious tone by introducing Anton Chigurh’s calm, ruthless violence in its opening minutes, No Country for Old Men promises to show one of the Coen Brothers’ most dangerous villians. After a foreboding monologue from Sheriff Bell grappling with unprecedented corruption, Chigurh is arrested, then systematically kills a deputy behind closed doors. The strangling happens quietly off-screen, almost casually. However, the eruption of chaos once Chigurh escapes, contrasted by his disciplined exit, summarizes the threat he will be throughout the film.

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9 Baby Driver (2017)

A promise of action and an amazing soundtrack.

An electrifying opening car chase precisely choreographed to a rocking soundtrack is the perfect opening for a movie like Baby Driver. As expert getaway driver, Baby blasts music through his ears, his moves synchronize perfectly to each song beat in a uniquely musical display of precision driving. When a bank heist goes awry, Baby maintains focus while chaos erupts around him, escaping police pursuit with adrenaline-fueled style. This action-packed sequence promises to deliver a film with stylish flair by combining catchy tunes and impressive stunt work. By establishing Baby’s unique poise against such dynamic backdrops, the scene sets expectations for a joyride fueled by great music and adrenaline.

8 La La Land (2016)

The scene sets the stage for a movie about magical optimism.

La La Land makes a splash with an opening musical number that immerses the viewer in the romantic fantasy of following your dreams, while grounding it in modern realism. Vibrant costumes pop against a drab highway backdrop as dancers joyfully sing and dance during a traffic jam, recreating the cherished technicolor energy found in classic musicals. Quick cuts between the playful choreography and annoyed motorists showcase a signature blend of old-Hollywood nostalgia and contemporary grit. The sequence neatly summarizes the film’s premise of aspiring artists pursuing big hopes in the face of repetitive reality.

7 A Clockwork Orange (1971)

A disturbing journey that is guaranteed within minutes.

The unsettling tone of A Clockwork Orange is cemented immediately through its bizarre opening at the Korova Milkbar. Strange images like an eyeball adorned by cartoonish eyelashes and white-clad men drinking milk quickly establish an off-kilter reality. The haunting voiceover and the camera’s glide over sexualized mannequins introduce a chilling, voyeuristic sensation. By the time the film reveals its young gang members speaking a bizarre dialect and preparing for more “ultra-violence,” their evening of horrific mayhem feels inevitable.

6 Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)

A Western with gritty minimalism and impactful bursts of action.

Sergio Leone’s acclaimed Western grabs viewers’ attention in its nearly silent, 10-minute opening at an isolated train station. Three hired guns await the arrival of “Harmonica,” oozing malicious intent without a word. The minimal dialog, enigmatic stares and ominously creaking windmill set a scene bursting with foreboding. Harmonica’s appearance escalates the standoff as Ennio Morricone’s score provides one of Western movies best scores. With zero exposition, the strangers’ true motivations remain unclear. The masterful slow burn suggests a hard-edged frontier world where death always looms. By creating wordless tension before bullets begin to fly, the riveting opener creates the perfect atmosphere.

5 Touch Of Evil (1958)

An opening scene that leaves no doubt about the dark thriller that’s about to unfold.

The film noir Touch of Evil pulls the audience into its seedy world from the very first shot with an audacious 3-minute tracking sequence following a car with a ticking time bomb inside. As the vehicle crosses the US/Mexico border, the camera moves seamlessly between close-ups and aerial views while the relentless audible ticking builds nerve-shredding suspense. With Orson Welles cranking up the tension to an almost unbearable point, the explosion itself feels strangely secondary. The opener’s sustained tension and ominous style set the tone for the master director’s signature bold aesthetic, while introducing the literal and ethical border crossings ahead.

4 Goodfellas (1990)

The incredible opening kicks off Scorsese’s masterpiece.

Goodfellas pulls viewers straight into the mob world with its provocative opening scene. The film starts mid-crisis as Henry Hill, Jimmy, and Tommy find that their mob victim is still alive in their car trunk. This explosive opening reveals their gruesome clean-up job is a ruthless reality of life in the mafia. When Henry breaks the fourth wall to express that gangster aspirations drive him, his self-awareness contrasts chillingly with his actions. Martin Scorsese then compounds the tension by ironically playing Tony Bennett’s “Rags to Riches” during their scramble to finish the dirty work.

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3 The Lion King (1994)

A memorable moment that establishes a great movie.

The opening scene of The Lion King is a strong testament to the film’s overall greatness. The animated masterpiece wastes no time setting up its narrative world, starting with the awe-inspiring “Circle of Life” sequence. This incredible cinematic moment, accompanied by an epic score, introduces the majestic realm of Pride Rock and the reveal of young Simba. The emotional impact of the soundtrack, coupled with the excellence in the visuals, immediately establishes the film’s high artistic standards. Without a single spoken word, the scene perfectly conveys the essence of the narrative, setting the stage for an emotionally resonant and visually stunning journey.

2 Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Cinematic perfection that starts right from the beginning.

Quentin Tarantino’s debut feature, Reservoir Dogs, kicks off with a scene that undeniably sets the stage for the film’s brilliance. In a diner, the gang engages in a seemingly mundane conversation about “Like A Virgin” and tipping, seemingly unrelated to the impending heist. Lasting for 7 minutes, this dialogue-driven opening focuses on character dynamics, offering glimpses into each individual’s personality. The brilliance lies in Tarantino’s ability to use seemingly inconsequential banter to foreshadow significant events, establishing a foundation for the intricate character development and complexity that unfolds later in the film.

1 Children Of Men (2006)

A meticulously crafted opening that establishes an amazing movie.

Children of Men operates as a cinematic masterpiece, and the opening scene encapsulates this energy in a mere two minutes. The scene navigates a dystopian world dealing with global infertility, the death of the youngest person, and the impending extinction of humanity. Clive Owen’s introduction as the lead, coupled with a horrific event, propels the narrative into an epic exploration of survival. Notably, the scene’s memorable one take scene serves as a visual marvel, efficiently conveying the protagonist’s detachment, the bleak future setting, and the dangerous societal balance.