20 movies with iconic opening scenes

What better way to start a movie than with an incredible sequence that cleverly establishes one of the main characters? The Dark Knight’s iconic opening scene features a bank heist coordinated by the Joker, letting everyone know exactly who the villain of the film is. 

If you love horror films, you know how good Scream is. In its opening scene, a character the audience thought would be with them the entire film, or at least most of it, is immediately killed off. It doesn’t get more surprising than that. 

Raiders of the Lost Ark’s opening scene is iconic because it establishes who Indiana Jones is as a character, and it’s a lot of fun to watch. It’s both useful and entertaining. 

The opening scene of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope does exactly what it needs to do by introducing the story and giving a sense of the setting. There’s action, tension, world-building, and more, and it’s incredible to look at. 

Saving Private Ryan is widely regarded as one of the best war films of all time, and for good reason. Its opening scene is famous for its realistic depiction of war, however harrowing it may be. 

The title sequence of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is so iconic that it’s been parodied time and time again. It’s not technically part of the plot, but it serves a purpose and lets audiences know that they’re in for something odd yet spectacular. 

No time was wasted in Jaws. The film begins with a shark attack, letting everyone watching know exactly what they’re in for. 

If you’re writing a story, you’ll probably be advised not to start at the very beginning of the day. But that advice does not apply to The Lion King. The film’s opening is perfect, and it features the film’s best song. 

No one does it quite like Quentin Tarantino. His film Reservoir Dogs begins with a memorable scene that breaks down both the song “Like a Virgin” and a lap dance. It’s unexpected and gives the audience a taste of what’s to come. 

The Shining’s opening scene is a masterclass in juxtaposition. Shots of the beautiful mountainous setting are set to ominous music. The audience is immediately in for an unsettling story. 

Of the films that use their opening scene to establish dynamics between main characters, The Godfather is just about the best, if not the best. Right off the bat, the audience knows who the characters are and why to be invested. 

As far as opening films of a series go, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is one of the greatest. Its haunting opening scene gives the audience so much information in so little time. 

The opening scene in Goodfellas is a bit shocking and quite graphic, but there’s plenty of shock and graphicness throughout the entire film, so the audience knows just what it’s getting into from the jump. 

The opening scene of Iron Man tells the audience exactly who the protagonist is. It also features an action sequence that shouldn’t be surprising but is, getting everyone invested immediately. 

The opening scene should set the tone for the film, and that’s exactly what the opening scene of Pulp Fiction does. Through a conversation between characters, the audience learns about the film's structure and dialogue, all while being intrigued and entertained. 

Action movies are at somewhat of an advantage when it comes to opening scenes, but there are plenty of action films that don’t open well. Skyfall, however, does so thanks to great writing and cinematography. 

The opening scene in Inglourious Basterds isn’t particularly exciting, but it’s still iconic. It features a riveting conversation between a Nazi and a farmer that ends in a major surprise, shocking audiences immediately and perfectly setting the film's tone. 

The opening scene in Finding Nemo is tragic, but it provides all the necessary backstory while setting the tone and somehow making fish relatable. It’s fantastic. 

The opening scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey is so iconic that it’s influenced the opening scenes of dozens of other great films. It’s also got an iconic score that is heard in the opening scene, immediately setting it up as one of the greatest films of all time. 

The opening scene of A Clockwork Orange is a bit unsettling, but the entire movie is, too. There’s no question as to what kind of film you’re about to watch, and that’s why the scene is so famous.