ScreenHeads' 10 Best Movie Openings

These scenes had no problem in keeping us watching

The first few pages of a script is all it takes for a studio to feel they want to keep on reading. Likewise, it’s the first few minutes of the finished product that makes the audience decide whether or not to keep watching. In the case of the below titles, the opening sequences are sure to having you interested.

Our team have compiled the top movie openings and they are so. Have a read and see what you think!

10. The Dark Knight (2008)

It sets the tone and it gives one of the best/freshest introductions to a comic book villain ever. The Dark Knight makes use of it’s five minutes or so to tell us everything we know about Heather Ledger’s Joker. He’s calculated. He’s twisted. He doesn’t give a sh*t basically!

Incredibly executed and done so simply – it’s a sequence that should be admired for generations to come.

9. Up (2009)

Who’d have thought an animated film could touch us so quickly and effectively? Up’s opening acts as a short film in itself, showing the growing relationship of childhood friends Carl and Ellie as they go on to deal with the ups (no pun intended) and downs of life.

Almost no dialogue and yet we’re learn so much in such a beautiful opening. Who says animated films are just made for kids?

8. Rocketman (2019)

A biopic centred on one of the most talented yet tortured musicians in the world – you should expect an opening scene to show that, and boy does it. We watch Mr Elton John burst into an AA meeting in one of his famous ambitious costumes were he then lays out the facts of his drug addiction etc. and then it all is finished off by a big musical number.

If you want to be caught off guard but extremely intrigued to carry on, the first few minutes of Rocketman are perfect for you.

7. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

You’re instantly thrust into an adventure with Henry Jones Jr. and you get to see all the famous tropes that this film series has come to be known for. Booby traps. Double crossers. The search for a priceless MacGuffin. Plus, you can’t forget that infamous giant boulder moment.

A perfect way to introduce us to the world of an action hero/archeology doctor.

6. Skyfall (2012)

The opening of a James Bond film is a massive part of the franchise’s layout. We meet him mid-mission and watch as he triumphs before entering into the opening titles. However, Skyfall turns everything on it’s head by having Bond shot and pronounced dead.

Obviously, we know he’s not bit the dust but it’s still a big twist to have 007 lose just minutes into the film. It sets us up for a very different Bond outing and Skyfall has gone on to be one of the most successful of the bunch!

5. The Lion King (1994)

The opening of Disney’s animal take on Hamlet is mesmerising from start to finish. The music. The animation. Everything about this opening number tells us that this is definitely not a film just made for kids.

You think of The Lion King, you think of the iconic shot of the sun rising and this late variety of animals making their way to Pride Rock. To imprint that on so many brains effortlessly just shows how amazing this sequence is.

4. Baby Driver (2017)

Ever wondered what the getaway driver gets up to when his pals are robbing a bank? Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver has easily one of the most fun yet simplistic openings to grace our screens. Our driver, Baby (B-A-B-Y, Baby) jams to a song whilst waiting for Jon Bernthal, Eiza González and Jon Hamm to get back with the cash before screeching off out of sight.

A really fun opening to a great film.

3. The Social Network (2010)

Aaron Sorkin’s writing is at full throttle as we enter the world of Mark Zuckerberg just as he is about to take off with his idea of a social networking site.

The back and forth between Jesse Eisenberg and Rooney Mara tells us everything we need to know about the character of Zuckerberg and what kind of self-absorbed person we are going to be following for the next few hours. Incredible dialogue. As much exposition as we need. Like most of the best openings, so simple yet very effective if you’re appreciating what you’re given.

2. Pulp Fiction (1994)

The opening with Pumpkin and Honey Bunny in the diner is definitely seen as unorthodox, surprising, and eventually a revelation. Tarantino’s first few minutes of Pulp Fiction features the pair talking about the risks of being thieves and their way of doing things before deciding to hold up the diner there and then. It’s not until the end of the film that we find the two are up against Vincent and Jules.

Not very often that the opening scene ties up the final section of the film and we don’t even realise it! A stroke of genius.

1. Inglorious Basterds (2009)

A slow burner that grows to have you on the edge of your seat. Another submission for Tarantino and just making the top spot, Inglorious Basterds opens with Christoph Waltz’s Hans Landa – The Jew Hunter – arriving at the countryside home of Perrier LaPadite. From there, their longwinded conversation moves along very paced, that is until it is realised that LaPadite is hiding a Jewish family under his floorboards.

As we watch everything unfold, we discover Landa’s manipulative, villainous nature which results in a mass murdering and a tense moment as one victim manages to escape, almost being shot dead by Landa from a distance.

A really interesting, nail biting opening that makes it clear the rest of the film will be be very similar (thankfully).

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Like our selections? Think there are other films that deserved to be in the line-up? Let us know in the comment section below!

ScreenHeads’ 10 Best Movie Openings