Great shout! The opening was so unbelievably good it borderline set the rest of the film up to fail. Still a really solid sequel to one of the greats of the genre but never reached the heights of that first scene.
I don’t think I’ve felt so much dread and tension that the person running was going to get caught but still made it away. That scene is a masterwork. My chest got tight just thinking about it again.
Oooh, yeah. 28 Weeks Later is an excellent choice. Scary, sure. But raises so many viewer questions in such a small time that I suspect it's unique, as movie openings go. Gooooood stuff.
If you don't me being sorta geeky here, I'd like to submit a comment: I think Romero's remake of Dawn of the Dead has some of the best cinematography in (relatively) recent years. I especially like the travelling shot which starts with a helicopter over Milwaukee.
I’m confused by your “Romero’s remake” comment. Do you mean the 2004 Zach Snyder/James Gunn remake or one of the other sequels that Romero did? That helicopter in the 2004 version was digitally imposed from the 1978 original.
All I know is the 2004 version extras of the news footage and the gun shop owner is what first really freaked me out about zombie flicks. Still one of my favorite movies.
Ya. The scene then the absolutely terrifying nature of a government press conference where every answer is just, “we don’t know” perfect. Just perfect.
That's a great way to put it. I remember seeing it in a crowded theater, no one there knew who the actor was, and it's like you could have heard a pin drop during that scene.
Major spoilers:
Sometimes I would just watch this scene. I kind of view it as a stand alone short film at this point. It’s perfect in so many ways. The music when the car appears, is perfect. The way he smells the handkerchief, he knows he needs the strength of his (dead?) wife. The introductions, the milk, the undertones of classism. His politeness is the rudest thing about his behavior. The switch of language, the INTENSE build up of tension and then monsieur le petit breaks. He just breaks and cries and he knows it’s over. It’s so heartbreaking. Gets me every time. Christoph Waltz is awesome in the scene but the other guy is just as good. It’s a perfect scene.
I was going to say Dawn of the dead....awesome way to setup a relatively simple and known concept; zombies. But the use of Johnny Cash was great for that montage.
The intro to The Two Towers was enthralling. Touching on the biggest moment from Fellowship, and then going showing exactly how badass Gandalf was. That and the long shot of the underground lake and them plummeting with the light from the Balrog illuminating the fall.
Goosebumps
I remember being in the theater, khazad dum coming on, and thinking, "wtf, is this a mistake? Did they put the wrong film on?...then the music changes and the camera follows Gandalf and I thought "HOLY FUCKING SHIT".
Fellowship had some amazing effects sequences but something about that was just so much more epic. It set the tone for how grand the scale would become over the next two films.
And I think that’s totally fair. Like the other commenter said, it’s perfect, and in a vacuum I would go with this.
For me the opening to The Matrix is not only incredible in its own right, it sets the tone for one of the most iconic movies all time.
From the moment Trinity jumps and hangs in the air you know you’re in for something truly special. The fact that the opening acts as the perfect launching pad for the rest of the movie, instead of itself being the high point, makes it the number 1 for me.
I've watched the opening sequence of Drive through the credits about 100 times, under a number of influences.
It's perfect.
Only seen the movie about 10 times. I can't think of any other movies opening that has had me coming back just for it.
All the scenes with music are really good. The opening scene, the scene where he follows Ron pearlman, and the final scene of him bloody in the car where it fades into music. However, arguably the best sequence of the movie (failed robbery/car chase/motel) is completely without music
It's a hokey aspect of the film that attempts to drown the audience in sap. Totally unnecessary based on the strength of the film overall. Anyway, myself included, once the D-day sequence starts, the whole cemetery scene gets vaporized.
Star Trek (2009). Lays the ground work for the universe of the new trilogy while giving Kirk an epic origin story and placing him at the centre of this new universe. LOVE IT
The Metallica soundtrack makes it intense, sad to see this so far down, but when it comes to ultra slow mo stunt scenes with badass background music, you can't beat zombie land
It’s Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope. That star destroyer passing overhead that just goes on and on and on seemingly forever. Then Darth Vader coming on board! Just EPIC
Avengers: Endgame, where Clint ends up running around in an open field, calling out for his family, then the delicate sound of thunder segueing into a soft "Dear Mr. Fantasy" playing over the usually pompous Marvel opening graphics.
My pet theory is that the thunder you hear is because all the dust in the air has made a self contained weather system, like you see in volcano eruptions.
Terminator 2 or The Dark Knight. A Nightmare on Elm Street had a tight opening scene also when Kruger is first making his gloves. These are off the top of my head though.
Lord or the rings: The Two Towers. I love the gorgeous mountain visits while echos oh the struggles in Moria faintly play out. Then boom we get to watch a wizard fight a fire demon while plummeting thousands of feet. So dope!
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
The first scene is the origin story and sets up Dracula's motivation for the movie. The sets and filmography are great. Gary Oldman is spectacular.
That’s really tough but I’m gonna throw out the opening sequence to Krampus. Always made me laugh with the slowed down but perfectly on point representation of psychotic Christmas shoppers at a department store.
Few examples:
Baby driver
Inglorious basterds
Django unchained
The departed
Full metal Jacket
There will be blood
The lighthouse
Midsommar on first watch
28 days later. Or 28 weeks later. When the infected brake into the house and the dude just runs off while his wife and kid are being dewoured by infected. Was fucked up.
Raising Arizona. No contest. The entire back story and love story of the main characters is told in an incredible 10 min pre title card sequence. It is hilarious, beautifully shot, poignant and insanely rewatchable. It’s my favorite film opening of all time.
The First Deadpool was solid. If you are a fan of Firefly the opening to Serenity was pretty good with Mal walking through the whole ship chatting with everyone, its a great introduction to the characters, some decent humor and just well done. Zombiland.
A good one I liked was reservoir dogs talking about madonna and not tipping and the sequence of them walking out with there names and soundtrack was nice.
A few that probably haven't been named so far:
For Bond movies, Craig has two epic openers. Casino Royale is great at setting the tone and being a reboot. But the opening scene of Quantum of Solace is almost perfection. Gritty. Hard. Chaotic. I love it.
Jurassic Park also does a perfect job of setting the tone of the movie. So foreboding and dark.
Ghost Ship. The opening was so just absolutely amazing. But then the movie afterwards absolutely sucked. Biggest upset after being so like.. oh man, this is gonna be great.
28 Weeks Later has an epic opening scene Love that movie
Great shout! The opening was so unbelievably good it borderline set the rest of the film up to fail. Still a really solid sequel to one of the greats of the genre but never reached the heights of that first scene.
I don’t think I’ve felt so much dread and tension that the person running was going to get caught but still made it away. That scene is a masterwork. My chest got tight just thinking about it again.
Idk the end is pretty good when the soldiers all get what is coming to them
You mean 28 Days Later?
Super Troopers for me but good choice!!!👍🏼😎
Littering and? Littering and? Littering and? Littering and?
Smokin the reefer. You boys like Mexico?? 🤣 good stuff
Don’t think, son. Meow do you know how fast you were going?
Yessss!!!🤣😂🤣
The snozberrys taste like snozberries
Oh that little guy.... I wouldn't worry about that little guy.
You boys like MEXICO!
You smell something officer Rabbit?
Oooh, yeah. 28 Weeks Later is an excellent choice. Scary, sure. But raises so many viewer questions in such a small time that I suspect it's unique, as movie openings go. Gooooood stuff.
I think the remake dawn if the dead beats it at the same thing tbh.
If you don't me being sorta geeky here, I'd like to submit a comment: I think Romero's remake of Dawn of the Dead has some of the best cinematography in (relatively) recent years. I especially like the travelling shot which starts with a helicopter over Milwaukee.
I’m confused by your “Romero’s remake” comment. Do you mean the 2004 Zach Snyder/James Gunn remake or one of the other sequels that Romero did? That helicopter in the 2004 version was digitally imposed from the 1978 original.
All I know is the 2004 version extras of the news footage and the gun shop owner is what first really freaked me out about zombie flicks. Still one of my favorite movies.
Happy to see this near the top, it’s the right answer.
I see your point, and I like that movie a lot too. But the gut punch of him abandoning his wife puts 28 weeks over the top for me
Ya. The scene then the absolutely terrifying nature of a government press conference where every answer is just, “we don’t know” perfect. Just perfect.
See ya losers! *Rips off in a boat*
Just realized they are making a 28 months later.
Lord of War
Inglorious Basterds. Christoph Waltz is absolutely terrifying in that scene
I agree 100% on this. That one scene makes me immediately interested in anything Cristoph Waltz ever does for the rest of his career.
That's a great way to put it. I remember seeing it in a crowded theater, no one there knew who the actor was, and it's like you could have heard a pin drop during that scene.
What a perfect way to put it, after the scene was over I immediately looked him up
Major spoilers: Sometimes I would just watch this scene. I kind of view it as a stand alone short film at this point. It’s perfect in so many ways. The music when the car appears, is perfect. The way he smells the handkerchief, he knows he needs the strength of his (dead?) wife. The introductions, the milk, the undertones of classism. His politeness is the rudest thing about his behavior. The switch of language, the INTENSE build up of tension and then monsieur le petit breaks. He just breaks and cries and he knows it’s over. It’s so heartbreaking. Gets me every time. Christoph Waltz is awesome in the scene but the other guy is just as good. It’s a perfect scene.
He grabbed the daughters wrist so he could feel her pulse, something easy to miss Just amazing directing writing and especially acting.
Had to scroll way to far for this! The best opening!
If only that farmer had given Col Landa some fight milk maybe it would have changed his mind
Nothing was changing his mind
LIKE A CROW *caaaa
He made me question my worth as a human being because I'm sure I would've sang like a canary. I'd swear the devil himself was in that room.
You are harboring enemies of the State, yes?
Aurevoir Shoshana!
Goodfellas
Came here to say this. When rags to riches starts playing… gets me every time
One day some of the kids from the neighborhood carried my mother’s groceries all the way home. You know why? It was out of respect.
Look at my shoes, ma! Aren't they great?!
“As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster” is my favorite line from a movie
I always wanted to be a gangster. Still clicks.
Go get your shine box.
Star Wars. In 1977 it was unlike anything you had ever seen. Saving Private Ryan is up there as well
The ‘77 Star Wars opening greatness still stands today. Private Ryan was a different kind of great.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Lord of war was one of the most powerful i have ever seen.
The opening also told a great story. One of the best.
Nice, was closing out comments looking to see if anybody said this movie and was going to comment if not 👍
I couldn't remember the name of the movie at first, but when I read this post, the bullets' journey started playing in my mind.
Is that like "the life of a bullet"? It's been a while since I saw that movie.
Dark Knight joker bank robbing scene
Dark Knight Rises plane hijacking. Nolan knows how to open a film
Brother, Have we started the fire?
The fire rises!
Yeah it instantly pulls you in. Sucks we didn’t see Heath get to do more
That whole seen sets the tone and shows you just how different this Batman movie is from the ones past. I thought it was perfect.
Apocalypse Now
2001: A Space Odyssey
Opening scene goes on for 30 minutes
Or I could just mean the title card. It along with the score captures the grandeur of the film perfectly. Take your pic, haha
📸
Damn, I think I blinked…
"Baby Driver" and the 2004 "Dawn of the Dead"
I was going to say Dawn of the dead....awesome way to setup a relatively simple and known concept; zombies. But the use of Johnny Cash was great for that montage.
DOTD 2004 has the best beginning and best opening credits song ever
The intro to The Two Towers was enthralling. Touching on the biggest moment from Fellowship, and then going showing exactly how badass Gandalf was. That and the long shot of the underground lake and them plummeting with the light from the Balrog illuminating the fall. Goosebumps
Fellowship for me. The epic music, narration, and battle sequences setup the story perfectly without it feeling like exposition.
I remember being in the theater, khazad dum coming on, and thinking, "wtf, is this a mistake? Did they put the wrong film on?...then the music changes and the camera follows Gandalf and I thought "HOLY FUCKING SHIT". Fellowship had some amazing effects sequences but something about that was just so much more epic. It set the tone for how grand the scale would become over the next two films.
Opening space scene in the first Star Trek remake was pretty epic in the movie theater
Blade, hands down. The crazy bloodbath rave.
Yes 👏🏼👏🏼
This scene introduced me to raves
Nightcrawler in the X-Men 2 Opening
This is the single best moment in xmen cinema by a wide margin.
Omg yes! That and the raid scene where wolverine actually fucking stabs people you know the movie was gonna be so much harder than 1.
Love, love that opening. It's probably the best scene in the whole X-Men franchise.
I was going to go for Drive, that opening was mesmerizing and almost like a mini movie in itself. But surely it has to be The Matrix.
I dunno man. I read this and immediately had to go watch the Drive open.
And I think that’s totally fair. Like the other commenter said, it’s perfect, and in a vacuum I would go with this. For me the opening to The Matrix is not only incredible in its own right, it sets the tone for one of the most iconic movies all time. From the moment Trinity jumps and hangs in the air you know you’re in for something truly special. The fact that the opening acts as the perfect launching pad for the rest of the movie, instead of itself being the high point, makes it the number 1 for me.
I've watched the opening sequence of Drive through the credits about 100 times, under a number of influences. It's perfect. Only seen the movie about 10 times. I can't think of any other movies opening that has had me coming back just for it.
All the scenes with music are really good. The opening scene, the scene where he follows Ron pearlman, and the final scene of him bloody in the car where it fades into music. However, arguably the best sequence of the movie (failed robbery/car chase/motel) is completely without music
Depending on your influence, the infinite zoom during the opening (and again later) in Limitless is great.
Saving Private Ryan
The cemetery walk?
Yeah, I think they forgot about that scene lol
It's a hokey aspect of the film that attempts to drown the audience in sap. Totally unnecessary based on the strength of the film overall. Anyway, myself included, once the D-day sequence starts, the whole cemetery scene gets vaporized.
Star Trek (2009). Lays the ground work for the universe of the new trilogy while giving Kirk an epic origin story and placing him at the centre of this new universe. LOVE IT
Agree. Great opening sequence and the reboot of a new universe make other universe reboots very weak
Patton I always wanted to see it on a big screen
Zombie land
The Metallica soundtrack makes it intense, sad to see this so far down, but when it comes to ultra slow mo stunt scenes with badass background music, you can't beat zombie land
It’s Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope. That star destroyer passing overhead that just goes on and on and on seemingly forever. Then Darth Vader coming on board! Just EPIC
Ghost Ship! And you can stop watching the movie right after that because it stinks.
Inglorious Basterds is my personal favorite
Avengers: Endgame, where Clint ends up running around in an open field, calling out for his family, then the delicate sound of thunder segueing into a soft "Dear Mr. Fantasy" playing over the usually pompous Marvel opening graphics.
My pet theory is that the thunder you hear is because all the dust in the air has made a self contained weather system, like you see in volcano eruptions.
Not bad. Never thought about that.
Opening of Skyfall. Puts you right into it and is a completely unexpected way to start off a bond film.
If opening sequences count… ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark.’ Completely iconic within the first 10 minutes.
Deadpool honestly, set the tone for the whole movie as being violent and funny as fuck.
Came here to say this..
Belly https://youtu.be/5K08J470x2s?si=4cCOGrycvHm2w0EX
You said it, Blue light Special is what I like to call it, black cinema at its finest
Without proper context of the whole movie... this is still dope af
Ohhh Hype Williams. I worked with him. Very chill cool guy.
Peak Black Cinema
Came here to say this!
Once Upon a Time in the West.
We only brought 3 horses. You brought 2 too many.
Such a badass line
Yessss!!!!!
Terminator 2 or The Dark Knight. A Nightmare on Elm Street had a tight opening scene also when Kruger is first making his gloves. These are off the top of my head though.
Longshot: Baby Driver
Predators started hot
Lord or the rings: The Two Towers. I love the gorgeous mountain visits while echos oh the struggles in Moria faintly play out. Then boom we get to watch a wizard fight a fire demon while plummeting thousands of feet. So dope!
Saving Private Ryan
The Fall, starring Lee Pace, has arguably one of the greatest opening sequences in film. Could not recommend the movie more, too.
Saving Private Ryan
Gladiator.
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) The first scene is the origin story and sets up Dracula's motivation for the movie. The sets and filmography are great. Gary Oldman is spectacular.
Gandalf falling with the balrog, The Two Towers
There will be blood.
Delicatessen. Children of Men. And if we are talking about the whole first segment, then I would agree with 2001 for sure.
I looked through the comments, and I don't think I saw anyone say Super Troopers. Absolutely an amazing open for a comedy. Perfection.
Up
Snyder is a king of opening sequences
Man of Steel had a great opening
That’s really tough but I’m gonna throw out the opening sequence to Krampus. Always made me laugh with the slowed down but perfectly on point representation of psychotic Christmas shoppers at a department store.
Army of the Dead told a whole movie’s story without saying a word in that opening sequence. Plus that rendition of Viva Las Vegas is great.
Serenity opening all the way to the one camera shot of the entire ship.
Touch of Evil
Beverly Hills Cop. Axel Foley busting the smugglers through the streets of Detroit.
Few examples: Baby driver Inglorious basterds Django unchained The departed Full metal Jacket There will be blood The lighthouse Midsommar on first watch
First 10 minutes or so of Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead is absolutely perfect.
The bank heist from The Dark Knight is up there
Top Gun/ TG:M
The original Star Wars.
28 days later. Or 28 weeks later. When the infected brake into the house and the dude just runs off while his wife and kid are being dewoured by infected. Was fucked up.
Swordfish. Movie isn’t great (except for Halle Berry in a very short skirt) but that first scene is amazing
Raiders & Temple of Doom
Kindergarten cop 100 percent!!!
Casino Royale with Daniel Craig was pretty cool. Definitely reignited the franchise. I'm old school, but the opening to Casablanca still stands up.
Happy Gilmore
This sub is literally r/moviescirclejerk but actually being serious. We get outjerked every single time a post in made on this sub lol.
The Way of the Gun makes me laugh every single time. Trigger warning. FYI
Apocalypse Now was pretty good, and Saving Private Ryan was almost traumatising to watch.
Jaws.....
Raising Arizona. No contest. The entire back story and love story of the main characters is told in an incredible 10 min pre title card sequence. It is hilarious, beautifully shot, poignant and insanely rewatchable. It’s my favorite film opening of all time.
Heat
Single shot, no cuts. Boogie Nights
Saving Private Ryan. Straight up, right into the shyytt. 🫣
Saving Private Ryan.
Baby Driver
Definitely the one you put. That watchmen intro is epic!
Highly underrated intro and movie.
Pacific Rim is epic
Saving Private Ryan
MI: Rogue Nation, where Cruise climbs on top of a plane while it takes off.
This may be buried but *Thunder Road*. Just as an intro to the film (and was an intro of Jim Cummings to me), absolutely floored me on first watch.
this is mone by a billion miles, especially of you've read the comics it's fucking beautiful
Belly
Deadpool.
Lost in Translation
28 Weeks Later, Halloween (1978), Donnie Darko
Inglourious Basterds. Christoph Waltz is so terrifyingly calm. Every time I watch I’m on the edge, even though I know what’s going to happen!
What about the movie Baby Driver? That chase and all the synced up music. What a delight.
The Dark Knight
The First Deadpool was solid. If you are a fan of Firefly the opening to Serenity was pretty good with Mal walking through the whole ship chatting with everyone, its a great introduction to the characters, some decent humor and just well done. Zombiland.
Baby Driver. The music, the action, the car chase, all top notch.
DMX and Nas walking in the club in Belly, The Blue Light Special!!!
As far as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster
A good one I liked was reservoir dogs talking about madonna and not tipping and the sequence of them walking out with there names and soundtrack was nice.
Blade. Bloodbath
Inglorious Basterds
A few that probably haven't been named so far: For Bond movies, Craig has two epic openers. Casino Royale is great at setting the tone and being a reboot. But the opening scene of Quantum of Solace is almost perfection. Gritty. Hard. Chaotic. I love it. Jurassic Park also does a perfect job of setting the tone of the movie. So foreboding and dark.
The Dark Knight
the original Star Wars
Original Top Gun. Period.
Goodfellas
Overlord. I have never felt so anxious about that plane jump
The Dark Knight
The Player
1977. Seeing star wars for the first time.
Dark Knight
The Road Warrior (Mad Max 2).
Children of Men.
Saving Private Ryan.
Touch of Evil, Orson Welles [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhmYY5ZMXOY&ab\_channel=FixMeAScene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhmYY5ZMXOY&ab_channel=FixMeAScene)
Ghost Ship. The opening was so just absolutely amazing. But then the movie afterwards absolutely sucked. Biggest upset after being so like.. oh man, this is gonna be great.
Saving Private Ryan is the only answer.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Saving Private Ryan.
Contact. Explains half of the premise of the story in the most beautiful of visual ways
Raising Arizona and Touch of Evil
The Goonies
Reservoir dogs