The opening sequences of movies are like first impressions. It is the window into the cinematic world that you will be introduced to. There is anticipation, excitement, and a lot of expectation. It sets the ground for the movie and you almost immediately know whether the movie is going to make you stick around or switch to the next.
Some of the greatest movies excel with opening scenes that set high stakes and captivate audiences. These scenes often stand out by being visually striking, emotionally compelling, or intriguingly suspenseful.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it. Here are the top 20 greatest opening sequences in movies that have been considered classic over the years. We will also explore how these scenes captivate and hold our attention.
Warning: This article contains major spoilers of the movies in the list. Also, the piece reflects the author's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.
Top 20 greatest opening sequences in movies and why they are so, explored
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
It's no surprise that the opening sequence of Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is considered a classic. It begins with a wide, evolutionary landscape and a meditative atmosphere, featuring only the sounds of wind, crows, and apes scratching the ground, with no dialogue.
The only interaction in the scene is the ape with the bones. As Richard Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra plays, the ape, initially just handling the bones, starts smashing them together, symbolizing the film’s mood without any dialogue.
The best has to be when the scene of the bone up in the sky transitions into the spaceship; well, if this isn’t the best transition ever! Kubrick takes his sweet time to build tension through the visuals and the music. This is pure cinema!
2. Drive (2011)
Well, talk about pure style and you’ve got the opening sequence of Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive. A dimly lit room with the camera spanning from a map to Ryan Gosling to a bag and then to a night view of the buildings that almost looks like a bouquet of fireflies, all while we hear Ryan’s mood-setting monologue in the background.
The scene starts quietly, building suspense with the rising beats as Ryan approaches Chevy Impala. Instead of a car chase, the tempo leads to a quiet, methodical, and captivating moment.
The way "Driver" (Ryan Gosling) maneuvers through the streets, avoiding cops while listening to a radio scanner, you know everything you need to know about him. He is calm, precise, and always in control. The scene brilliantly avoids the use of speed, replacing it with tension to keep you on edge. What makes it even cooler? The pulsating music. You are sure to feel an irresistible pull from the get-go.
3. The Dark Knight (2008)
Christopher Nolan, the master storyteller, knows exactly how to introduce someone, while creating an environment filled with anticipation and excitement, without even showing the character’s face right away. That’s what he does in the opening sequence of The Dark Knight.
A thrilling bank heist by masked men following orders to kill each other sets the pace of the movie. In this tense environment, you wouldn't expect to be introduced to the Joker with his unforgettable smile. The opening sequence perfectly suits a character-driven film and leaves you eager to see more of the unpredictable character.
4. Baby Driver (2017)
From the beginning of the movie, you are informed that this is going to be a ride full of music and speed. Baby (Ansel Elgort), the getaway driver, synchronizes every move of his with the meticulously selected tunes.
With the groovy Bellbottoms by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, the opening sequence expertly pulls you into a brilliantly choreographed car chase. Every turn, drift, and glance is set to the rhythm of the music. If you are looking for a fun, speedy, wild yet stylish ride that gives you a boost of energy, this is going to be your thing.
5. The Prestige (2006)
When it comes to magic tricks, the setup is a vital aspect of it. This is exactly how The Prestige begins. The opening sequence introduces us to the three parts of a magic trick - the pledge, the turn, and the prestige, while we witness the rivalry between two magicians. The voiceover from Michael Caine is enough to immediately pull you in, setting a mysterious and dramatic tone.
You sense something unfolding but don’t fully understand it yet, which hooks you in. Nolan's persuasive storytelling keeps you glued by planting clues that only make sense as the story progresses. This trickery keeps you intrigued, almost as if under a spell.
6. Watchmen (2009)
Well, who knew Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin’ would be so apt for a superhero movie! The opening sequence features snapshots of masked heroes changing the course of events in the world. Zack Snyder gives us some iconic moments, from protests to assassinations and space exploration, all with a superhero angle to it.
The visually stunning and emotionally heavy scenes make you believe that time is irrelevant in telling a captivating story.
7. Casino Royale (2006)
Casino Royale is one of the best Bond reboots, offering a raw, gritty version of Daniel Craig’s Bond. The opening sequence re-establishes Bond’s 00 status with his first two kills, presenting a realistic, authentic, and brutal portrayal, far from the typical glamorous, action-packed scenes. If you prefer Bond a bit rough around the edges, you’re in the right place.
8. Children of Men (2006)
If you want an opening sequence that immerses you in the action, Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men delivers. The film opens with a single, continuous shot, setting the tone for a bleak, dystopian world on the brink of extinction.
As people mourn the death of the youngest person in the world, the chaos feels palpable. Just as you’re grasping it, a bomb explodes in the street. Despite the shock, the single-take format keeps you immersed, making it a unique experience that only deepens as the story unfolds.
9. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Not many movies pull off what Kingsman does. With an opening explosion and a rescue mission gone wrong, it introduces a world of secret agents and cool gadgets. The slick, fast-paced action and humor make it stylish and cheeky, offering fun, glamour, and unapologetic wildness from the start.
10. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather doesn’t need an explosive start or flashy stunts to captivate; its class is unparalleled. The opening scene, with a man pleading for justice from Don Vito Corleone, is deliberately slow and calm, contrasting the man’s desperation with Corleone’s chillingly calm, calculating demeanor.
The Godfather doesn’t need to impress with its opening scene; its subtle tension draws the audience in effortlessly. It is a brilliantly crafted film, justly considered one of the greatest ever made.
11. Inception (2010)
You can’t turn off your brain for Inception. The opening sequence throws you into a world of dreams without guidance. Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is found disoriented on a beach, brought to Mr. Saito in a grand fortress, and then we see him attempting to infiltrate Saito’s subconscious in a dream. The tension is palpable, but the backstory remains unclear.
The opening sequence establishes the film’s core theme of time and perception manipulation through dreams. Its irresistible confusion makes you question reality, drawing you into the plot and leaving you eager to understand the world Nolan has crafted. It’s a puzzle you’re compelled to solve.
12. Deadpool (2016)
Deadpool wastes no time and sets the tone immediately. With Juice Newton’s Angel of the Morning playing over a slow-motion action scene, it establishes the movie’s ridiculously fun vibe, departing from the typical serious superhero film.
Despite the gory, terrifying visuals, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) adds his own twist with jokes and breaks the fourth wall while taking down a car full of bad guys. The opening sequence is both violent and hilarious.
13. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Tarantino is the king of tension, and the opening scene of Inglourious Basterds is a perfect example. Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) or the “Jew Hunter” visits a French farmer, asking him questions in the most polite and terrifying way possible. Landa is there to investigate whether the farmer, Perrier LaPadite (Denis Ménochet) is hiding any Jewish refugees. We know something is off, but Tarantino lets the tension build slowly and gradually.
The scene stretches on, and you are left to squirm in your seat as Landa plays his psychological games. The camera closes up on Landa and the nervous LaPadite towards the end of the scene with the sound of a clock ticking in the background. Tarantino masterfully creates suspense through dialogues alone, and leaves you anxious about what’s to come.
14. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Considered one of the best war movies, Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan opening sequence shows the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach. It is emotional and devastating. It is chaotic, bloody, loud, and absolutely realistic. You will be drawn into it from the first minute.
Spielberg spares no details when it comes to this battle scene. There are bullets being fired, whizzing past soldiers who are falling injured or dead left and right, the water turning red with the blood of the soldiers. There is a scene where one of the soldiers’ loses his arm and is seen picking up the severed arm from the ground. You can feel the fear and the heaviness of the scene. There is no filtering; Spielberg paints a raw picture of war that highlights the horrors of it.
15. Jaws (1975)
This list wouldn't be complete without Jaws. The opening scene builds suspense with slow-rising music, creating one of the scariest moments ever. A young woman swims in the ocean at night, initially with only the sound of waves, until John Williams’ iconic score creeps in and something pulls her underwater.
You don’t know what exactly it is that pulls her, you just know that it is deadly. The actress does an excellent job depicting her panic and fear. She is pulled back and forth in the water and she is helplessly screaming her lungs out. Spielberg does what he does best, playing on our fear of the unknown.
16. The Lion King (1994)
There are hardly a few animated films that have achieved what The Lion King has. Its opening sequence features the sun rising over the African savanna, with animals gazing at Simba, their future king. The spotlight-like rays on Simba make the scene truly majestic and guaranteed to give you goosebumps.
The visuals create a sense of wholeness, but Hans Zimmer’s score paired with Elton John’s "Circle of Life" adds a grandeur that sets this opening sequence apart. It draws you into a majestic, epic world, making the experience truly special.
17. Goodfellas (1990)
Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) and his friends hear noise from their car’s trunk, discover their victim isn’t dead, and finish him off brutally. Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas is a true cult classic.
It opens with Henry, eager to be a gangster, introducing himself, his friends, and family. His first line sets the tone for the film, with the scene moving through the streets and his home. Unique freezes in the background as he speaks highlight the contrast between brutal and cool, signaling an unforgettable experience.
18. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
This iconic opening sequence has made people regret that they were not fortunate enough to witness it in the theaters! Star Wars: A New Hope starts with an adventurous space chase. A small Rebel ship is trying to escape. But, there’s a massive Imperial Star Destroyer right behind it. Stormtroopers invade and ensure chaos inside the Rebel ship.
After that, we witness the dramatic entry of Darth Vader. He does not say a word but we immediately know he is intimidating and equally powerful. This captivating moment instantly signals that an epic space adventure is about to unfold.
19. Apocalypse Now (1979)
This unsettling and dark opening sequence is one of the most unforgettable scenes ever filmed. Apocalypse Now begins with a view of a jungle. It seems as though the camera is placed at one point and there is a surreal montage of helicopters flying through the jungle. Then there is fire and soon our view is clouded with smoke.
The Doors’ The End adds to the haunting scene. As the forest burns, we see Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) losing his mind in a hotel room. He is lying in a bed, completely disconnected from reality. Francis Ford Coppola perfectly juxtaposes the chaos of the scene with the calm yet eerie music. We know that it’s going to be a slow burn. It’s going to be a descent into madness and a memorable one at that.
20. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix plunges us into action with Trinity fleeing from agents. We’re introduced to a world of black-suited men, martial arts, and sci-fi elements. The gravity-defying stunts and sleek, futuristic visuals instantly captivate. You’re left questioning Trinity’s identity and those pursuing her, setting the stage for the film’s world.
In the end, a great opening sequence is one that sticks with you long after the movie is over. No matter how many times you watch it, it still gives you that same kind of excitement. These 20 films achieve all of that and more.
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