Our team compiled the movies with best opening scenes and here is what they came up with
Movies with great opening scenes have been around since the dawn of cinema. From the silent era to modern blockbusters, many filmmakers take the opening scene as an opportunity to make a great first impression. Not only do they set the tone for the rest of the movie, but they also often become iconic moments that live on in pop culture. Here are 29 movies with some of the best opening scenes of all time.
Here are the 29 movies with best opening scenes to check out on the streaming service.
1. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel by Mario Puzo, tells the story of the Corleone mafia family. The opening scene, which shows Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) conducting a business transaction at his daughter’s wedding, is iconic and one of the most famous scenes in cinema. The movie was rated R, made $245 million at the box office, and was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning three.
2. Jurassic Park (1993)
Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg, is based on the novel by Michael Crichton. The opening scene is a tour of the park, showing visitors the majestic dinosaurs that inhabit it. Jurassic Park became the highest grossing film of all time at the time of its release, making over $1 billion at the box office. It was rated PG-13 and won 3 Academy Awards.
3. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: A New Hope, directed by George Lucas, is the fourth film in the Star Wars franchise. The opening scene is iconic, showing a spaceship flying past the camera before being pursued by an Imperial Star Destroyer. The movie was rated PG and made over $775 million at the box office. It won six Academy Awards.
4. The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman franchise. The opening scene is a bank heist that introduces the Joker, one of Batman’s most famous villains. The movie was rated PG-13 and made over $1 billion at the box office. It won two Academy Awards.
5. Jaws (1975)
Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, is based on the novel by Peter Benchley. The opening scene is an iconic sequence that shows a woman swimming alone in the ocean before being attacked by a great white shark. The movie was rated PG and made over $470 million at the box office. It won three Academy Awards.
6. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz, directed by Victor Fleming, is based on the novel by L. Frank Baum. The opening scene is a sepia-toned sequence that introduces Dorothy as she dreams of a magical place called Oz. The movie was rated G and made over $3 million at the box office. It won two Academy Awards.
7. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg, is the first installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. The opening scene is an iconic sequence that shows Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) escaping a booby-trapped temple. The movie was rated PG and made over $389 million at the box office. It won four Academy Awards.
8. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont, is based on the novel by Stephen King. The opening scene is a powerful sequence that introduces Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) as he is wrongly convicted of murder and sent to prison. The movie was rated R and made over $58 million at the box office. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
9. Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, is based on the play by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical nightclub owner in Casablanca. The movie was rated PG and made over $3 million at the box office. It won three Academy Awards.
10. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, is a science fiction action film. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Neo (Keanu Reeves) as he discovers the truth about the Matrix. The movie was rated R and made over $463 million at the box office. It won four Academy Awards.
11. Psycho (1960)
Psycho, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is based on the novel by Robert Bloch. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) as she flees with stolen money. The movie was rated R and made over $32 million at the box office. It was nominated for four Academy Awards.
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson, is based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The opening scene is a powerful sequence that introduces Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) as he is given the One Ring by his uncle. The movie was rated PG-13 and made over $871 million at the box office. It won four Academy Awards.
13. The Terminator (1984)
The Terminator, directed by James Cameron, is a science fiction action film. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) as he arrives in the present day to track down Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). The movie was rated R and made over $78 million at the box office. It was nominated for four Academy Awards.
14. Toy Story (1995)
Toy Story, directed by John Lasseter, is Pixar’s first feature film. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) as they are about to be owned by Andy. The movie was rated G and made over $373 million at the box office. It won three Academy Awards.
15. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs, directed by Jonathan Demme, is based on the novel by Thomas Harris. The opening scene is a powerful sequence that introduces Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she interviews Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The movie was rated R and made over $272 million at the box office. It won five Academy Awards.
16. Up (2009)
Up, directed by Pete Docter, is Pixar’s tenth feature film. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) as he is about to embark on an adventure. The movie was rated PG and made over $731 million at the box office. It won two Academy Awards.
17. The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King, directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, is based on the play by William Shakespeare. The opening scene is a powerful sequence that introduces Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) as he is born and presented to the animals of the Pride Lands. The movie was rated G and made over $968 million at the box office. It won two Academy Awards.
18. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Steven Spielberg, is a science fiction family film. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Elliott (Henry Thomas) as he discovers a stranded alien in his backyard. The movie was rated PG and made over $792 million at the box office. It won four Academy Awards.
19. The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Big Lebowski, directed by the Coen Brothers, is a comedy film. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) as he is about to embark on an adventure. The movie was rated R and made over $46 million at the box office. It was nominated for two Academy Awards.
20. Gone with the Wind (1939)
Gone with the Wind, directed by Victor Fleming, is based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell. The opening scene is a powerful sequence that introduces Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) as she is about to be married. The movie was rated G and made over $400 million at the box office. It won eight Academy Awards.
21. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Reservoir Dogs, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is a crime thriller. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces the characters as they discuss their plan to rob a jewelry store. The movie was rated R and made over $2 million at the box office. It was nominated for one Academy Award.
22. The Social Network (2010)
The Social Network, directed by David Fincher, is based on the book by Ben Mezrich. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) as he is about to launch Facebook. The movie was rated PG-13 and made over $224 million at the box office. It won three Academy Awards.
23. The Graduate (1967)
The Graduate, directed by Mike Nichols, is based on the novel by Charles Webb. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) as he returns home from college. The movie was rated PG and made over $104 million at the box office. It won one Academy Award.
24. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is based on the novel by Joseph Conrad. The opening scene is a powerful sequence that introduces the character of Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) as he is about to embark on a dangerous mission. The movie was rated R and made over $88 million at the box office. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards.
25. Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese, is based on the novel by Nicholas Pileggi. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) as he is about to become part of the mafia. The movie was rated R and made over $46 million at the box office. It was nominated for six Academy Awards.
26. The Shining (1980)
The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is based on the novel by Stephen King. The opening scene is a powerful sequence that introduces Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) as he is about to take a job as the caretaker of a remote hotel. The movie was rated R and made over $44 million at the box office. It was nominated for three Academy Awards.
27. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Empire Strikes Back, directed by Irvin Kershner, is the second installment in the Star Wars franchise. The opening scene is an iconic sequence that shows Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) training with Yoda on Dagobah. The movie was rated PG and made over $534 million at the box office. It was nominated for three Academy Awards.
28. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s a Wonderful Life, directed by Frank Capra, is based on the story by Philip Van Doren Stern. The opening scene is a memorable sequence that introduces George Bailey (James Stewart) as he is about to embark on an adventure. The movie was rated PG and made over $55 million at the box office. It was nominated for five Academy Awards.
29. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Singin’ in the Rain, directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, is based on the musical by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The opening scene is an iconic sequence that shows Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) singing and dancing in the rain. The movie was rated G and made over $3 million at the box office. It was nominated for two Academy Awards.
These 29 movies are some of the best examples of films with great opening scenes. From iconic moments to powerful introductions, these scenes set the tone for the rest of the movie and often become iconic in pop culture. Whether you’re a fan of action, comedy, drama, or sci-fi, these movies are sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.