The first few minutes of a film are the most important, so it’s not a wonder why the best opening scenes in movies are so famous. Like the best series and anime openings, they must present the story quickly. However, there are a lot of factors that go into the best opening scene in a movie. From the rhythm to the theme, the beginning of the movie can either worsen or improve the finished product.
It’s not a wonder why some of the best movies also have the most memorable opening scene. Since the films get watched a single time and rarely rewatched, the first scenes must capture the viewer as quickly as possible. For example, the opening of Inglourious Basterds, one of the most famous movie scenes, sets the tension for the rest of the story. After watching those first minutes, you see how brutal the villain is.
When it comes to the most iconic movie scenes that set the tone for the next hour or two, there are a few of them. An online user ah-screw-it raised a question on AskReddit that we all were asking — “What movie has the greatest opening of all time?” Upvote the openings that you think are brilliant. On the other hand, if you have your own favorite, share it in the comments below.
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#1 Up
ling-gwuh-fahyl said:
"Up.
"Up.
If you've seen it, you know it's true."
Otherwise_Ad233 replied:
"Those 10 minutes are an award-winning film in itself. I've watched it dozens of times and still break down crying."
"Those 10 minutes are an award-winning film in itself. I've watched it dozens of times and still break down crying."
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54points
#2 The Matrix
Wilma_Tonguefit said:
"Screenwriter guy: We're gonna start the movie with some cops trying to arrest this lady Trinity and she's gonna kick all their butts.
"Screenwriter guy: We're gonna start the movie with some cops trying to arrest this lady Trinity and she's gonna kick all their butts.
Producer guy: How is she gonna do that?
Screenwriter guy: In such a way that movies are gonna try to imitate for a full decade."
Somebodys replied:
"For as much credit as The Matrix gets for being a great film, I don't think it gets nearly enough credit for how much it completely revolutionized cinema."
"For as much credit as The Matrix gets for being a great film, I don't think it gets nearly enough credit for how much it completely revolutionized cinema."
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36points
#3 Scream
RavenGirls said:
"Scream 1996 - I was startled."
"Scream 1996 - I was startled."
Cheese_booger replied:
"What really sold the opening at the time was the fact they really played up Drew Barrymore as starting in the film. So much so that she’s the main draw on the poster. The entire theater was shocked."
"What really sold the opening at the time was the fact they really played up Drew Barrymore as starting in the film. So much so that she’s the main draw on the poster. The entire theater was shocked."
OstentatiousSock replied:
"Seriously, killing Drew Barrymore right at the start was so jarring. Really set the thrilling, terrifying mood."
"Seriously, killing Drew Barrymore right at the start was so jarring. Really set the thrilling, terrifying mood."
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33points
#4 Kung Fu Panda
ValBravora048 said:
"Kung Fu Panda.
"Kung Fu Panda.
Legend tells of a legendary warrior whose kung-fu skills were the stuff of legend...
Years later and that still cracks me up. The first time I saw it I knew it was going to be a great movie. Beautifully animated and scored as well."
Inner-Nothing7779 replied:
"Jack Black did a fantastic job. All of them did. But his brand of humor just clinched it all together. The whole series is fantastic."
"Jack Black did a fantastic job. All of them did. But his brand of humor just clinched it all together. The whole series is fantastic."
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31points
#5 Shrek
Kbell025 said:
"Classic intro."
"Classic intro."
Valleygirl1981 replied:
"Set the tone for the whole movie. They had me again at the eggs in the nest, "Uhg, here we go again.." BAM! Frying Pan!"
"Set the tone for the whole movie. They had me again at the eggs in the nest, "Uhg, here we go again.." BAM! Frying Pan!"
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30points
#7 Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark
canadianleroy said:
"Raiders of the Lost Ark!!
"Raiders of the Lost Ark!!
No contest. It’s movie magic defined."
114631 replied:
"And with such a young Alfred Molina!"
"And with such a young Alfred Molina!"
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25points
#8 Wall-E
OhiobornCAraised said:
"Wall-E.
"Wall-E.
The opening scene of Semi-Pro always leaves me laughing."
anna_or_elsa replied:
"The whole 1st half of Wall-E was lyrical dare I say magical.
"The whole 1st half of Wall-E was lyrical dare I say magical.
The 2nd half (on Axiom) felt like it was made by someone else. Still good but lost some of the"heart" the first half had.
Note; looking at the Wikipedia article (I wasn't to see if anything accounted for that) I came across "Production designer Ralph Eggleston wanted the lighting of the first act on Earth to be romantic, and that of the second act on the Axiom to be cold and sterile". So that and a lot more dialog."
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25points
#9 Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Spongedanfozpants said:
"The transition from cartoon to the real-world cartoon kitchen was so well done."
"The transition from cartoon to the real-world cartoon kitchen was so well done."
robin_888 replied:
"As a kid, I thought this was a legit cartoon.
"As a kid, I thought this was a legit cartoon.
I wondered why I never saw any other episode."
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24points
#10 Monty Python And The Holy Grail
Sinistrina said:
"Yeah, that movie still holds the title of the funniest opening credits for me. Well, either that or Deadpool, but I think this one beats it."
"Yeah, that movie still holds the title of the funniest opening credits for me. Well, either that or Deadpool, but I think this one beats it."
Wrathwilde replied:
"I think Holy Grail held the title of funniest opening credits for decades, but I think, ultimately, Deadpool knocked it off its perch and currently holds the top spot."
"I think Holy Grail held the title of funniest opening credits for decades, but I think, ultimately, Deadpool knocked it off its perch and currently holds the top spot."
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22points
#11 The Dark Knight
feralgrandma said: "No no no I kill the bus driver. Bus driver? What bus driver?!" RandomTask100 replied: "My favorite of favorites! It's the perfect exposition for the "new" Joker: a daytime bank heist, he kills his entire crew, no cheesy background story, no super abilities, he's got a nasal voice, and Batman's sleeping at home... They coulda left Batman out of the movie and it still would've rocked with just Joker vs The Mafia."
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21points
#12 The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
Balerion77said:
"This part lives rent-free in my head.
It immediately shows you what level these elves are on. Just shooting right past each other's heads without even flinching."
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21points
#13 Monty Python's Life Of Brian
dismayhurta said:
"He’s not the Messiah. He’s a very naughty boy!!"
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21points
#14 The Prince Of Egypt
mentalillnessismagic said:
"I still listen to that soundtrack to this day. Gives me chills every time."
"I still listen to that soundtrack to this day. Gives me chills every time."
ialwaysplayhealer replied:
"Vastly underrated film. Don't ditch it just because you think it's religious - watch this movie."
"Vastly underrated film. Don't ditch it just because you think it's religious - watch this movie."
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20points
#15 Baby Driver
cortesoft said:
"When the second scene started, I remember thinking “oh my god, is the whole thing going to be set to music like this?!”
"When the second scene started, I remember thinking “oh my god, is the whole thing going to be set to music like this?!”
That would have been pretty cool."
gregd303 replied:
"Probably one of the best film sequences ever synched to music... And an awesome track."
"Probably one of the best film sequences ever synched to music... And an awesome track."
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19points
#16 The Silence Of The Lambs
Bafklant said:
"The Silence of the Lambs. It may not be a super engaging scene compared to some of the others listed here, but it conveys so much information and it does it subtly. You see Clarice running through the course completely alone and when she goes into the elevator, it’s clear she is an oddity in the otherwise completely male-dominated FBI. You also hear birds cawing at the beginning which goes along with Clarice’s last name (Starling). We get to see the news clippings of Buffalo Bill which introduces us to our antagonist without immediately showing him. The same can be said for Hannibal Lecter, who the characters extensively talk about before the audience is introduced to him. The transition from the talk with Jack Crawford to Frederick Chilton is also brilliant."
"The Silence of the Lambs. It may not be a super engaging scene compared to some of the others listed here, but it conveys so much information and it does it subtly. You see Clarice running through the course completely alone and when she goes into the elevator, it’s clear she is an oddity in the otherwise completely male-dominated FBI. You also hear birds cawing at the beginning which goes along with Clarice’s last name (Starling). We get to see the news clippings of Buffalo Bill which introduces us to our antagonist without immediately showing him. The same can be said for Hannibal Lecter, who the characters extensively talk about before the audience is introduced to him. The transition from the talk with Jack Crawford to Frederick Chilton is also brilliant."
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19points
#17 The Lion King
QuarantineTitans said:
"Using that opening as the movie's official trailer was absolutely brilliant. When that trailer dropped, it was an event. Every kid was counting down the days until when it came out, we all knew that movie was going to be life-changing."
"Using that opening as the movie's official trailer was absolutely brilliant. When that trailer dropped, it was an event. Every kid was counting down the days until when it came out, we all knew that movie was going to be life-changing."
Puzzleheaded_Pie_978 replied:
"I can hear it now and I haven’t watched it in a decade."
"I can hear it now and I haven’t watched it in a decade."
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18points
#18 The Godfather
REAIMY said:
"The Godfather. That opening scene with Brando, the cat, and the music. Just perfection!"
"The Godfather. That opening scene with Brando, the cat, and the music. Just perfection!"
Lallner replied:
"'I believe in America' - gives me chills every time I see it. That scene looks like an oil painting by the old masters. Did you know that cat was a stray that wandered onto the set and Brando took a liking to it? Also, Brando studied the Silver Back gorilla at the zoo to get the alpha male mannerisms. That's where he got the brushing his chin with the back of his hand."
"'I believe in America' - gives me chills every time I see it. That scene looks like an oil painting by the old masters. Did you know that cat was a stray that wandered onto the set and Brando took a liking to it? Also, Brando studied the Silver Back gorilla at the zoo to get the alpha male mannerisms. That's where he got the brushing his chin with the back of his hand."
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18points
#19 Spaceballs
ThePhoenixBird2022 said:
"Spaceballs. Have to be old enough to get some of the references though."
"Spaceballs. Have to be old enough to get some of the references though."
m1v5s6c38 replied:
"I don’t know what to do! I can’t make decisions! I’m the president!"
"I don’t know what to do! I can’t make decisions! I’m the president!"
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18points
#20 Jaws
SuperstitiousPigeon5 said:
"JAWS.
"JAWS.
When Crissy is pulled under the water, she wasn't prepared for how violent it was going to be, her screams are real and fear-based."
amerkanische_Frosch replied:
"Thai is an urban legend, I believe.
"Thai is an urban legend, I believe.
Like all films, the screams were added post-production and I believe the actress herself has debunked the story countless times."
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18points