That opening shot in Contact still blows me away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWwhQB3TKXA
It's been surpassed but at the time, wow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWwhQB3TKXA
It's been surpassed but at the time, wow.
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Best opening sequences in films
- Thread starter Lightning_Roller
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Dr.Horrible
Member
Just realized Super Troopers hasn't been mentioned yet.
spookyfish
Gold Member
Yep. The Two Towers is my pick. It jumps right in the movie with no set-up.
As far as openings, I also like Revenge of the Sith. It just puts you in the middle of this huge battle, in one (CG, I know) shot until the dialogue starts.
Hippopuncher12
Member
Good choice..and that opening song...got damn it's fantastic.
Heebie Jeebies
Banned
Heat. Sets the tone for the entire film.
Sicario for the same reason.
Sicario for the same reason.
Puck Beaverton
Banned
Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
:') The best.
Count Dookkake
Member
Flash Gordon's is pretty great, establishing that the only reason for any of the following movie is that some evil being is bored.
NekoFever
Member
Well, the opening sequence of that movie is an old guy in a cemetery, which isn't very impressive.
Its not what you think it is. Unless you mean an old man at a graveyard.
My vote goes to Apocalypse Now, my favourite song blended in a brilliant opening,
iRAWRasaurus
Banned
Secret Fawful
Member
It's this, followed by Vertigo.
Human Resources
Member
facetheslayer92
Member
The Rock had a good one, you gotta admit.
Saving Private Ryan : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtsnToMAaPk
The_Hitcher89
Member
Was gonna say Assassination of Jesse James then remembered that it starts with the dialogue before the train robbery, rather than the other way round 
keltickennedy
Member
Just watched it so it's fresh on my mind, but I really liked It Follows' opening. When you first see it it raises so many questions about what the hell is happening, but after you get into the actual meat of the film you realize the opening scene sets up the entire premise of the movie in about 5 minutes. Loved the movie (though I thought the ending pieces could have used a bit more attention).
shnurgleton
Member
La La Land.
Pacific Rim's opening had so much worldbuilding that it was one of the best parts of the movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGbU_20InKM
(Technically, the opening goes on to include the entire Gypsy Danger vs Knifehead battle in Alaska, before the title of the film actually appears. But even if you don't count that, the above clip is great enough)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGbU_20InKM
(Technically, the opening goes on to include the entire Gypsy Danger vs Knifehead battle in Alaska, before the title of the film actually appears. But even if you don't count that, the above clip is great enough)
Razgriz-Specter
Member
This also.
RiderKairuu
Member
I really love the opening to Child's Play 3, despite it being silly and the movie not being that good.
The blood rave from Blade is not only the best opening scene of any movie, it's the best scene printed to film ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHBhKbF2xMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHBhKbF2xMA
Hissing Sid
Member
Pekinpah's Cross of Iron. Hands down my favourite film intro ever.
The children singing "Hänschen klein", interspersed with martial music as the black and white war footage rolls and the colour gradually seeps through until we are introduced to Coburn and his crew is just magnificent.
The actual film itself has some issues but the intro will never been beaten imo.
The children singing "Hänschen klein", interspersed with martial music as the black and white war footage rolls and the colour gradually seeps through until we are introduced to Coburn and his crew is just magnificent.
The actual film itself has some issues but the intro will never been beaten imo.
Dr. Zoidberg
Member
Superman (1978) - The black and white intro, the narration, and John Williams' music. I love it. Gives me goosebumps
sankt-Antonio
Banned
The cinematography is this intro is just so damn nice.
Feels like the use of overlaying sequences has all but died in major releases.
Auron_Kale
Member
Recently, it's La La Land.
If that happened while stuck in traffic, I wouldn't bat an eye at it.
If that happened while stuck in traffic, I wouldn't bat an eye at it.
mcz117chief
Member
Lion King and Lord of War are still probably my favourite
TheLostBigBoss
Banned
Children of Men
The guy playing Superman getting third billing always makes me laugh
Adam_Vania
Banned
seeing ACO in the theater is quite an experience. the instant the synth soundtrack starts and you are hit with this massive screen of blood red while the title appears is so effective. then ofc that famous zoom-out in the crazy milk bar. it really broadcasts that this movie will be a mind-fuck
TheDinoman
Member
gutter_trash
Banned
plentyofmilhouse
Member
Just rewatched this I really like it too. Takes me right back to being a kid, half terrified and half elated to be refueling my nightmare tank with another Chucky movie.
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I really dig the Spider-man 2 opening. Elfman's theme is fantastic and the way the credits are spliced with illustrations recapping the first movie is great.
The opening to Dead Or Alive (NSFW)
The opening to The Killer
The intro and opening to Hard Boiled
The opening scene of Midnight Run
Right there with you my good man. I love Peckinpah and that's a great intro, Cross Of Iron is one of my favourite films too
Along with the incredibly underrated Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia. Love the ending to Cross Of Iron as well.
The opening to The Killer
The intro and opening to Hard Boiled
The opening scene of Midnight Run
Right there with you my good man. I love Peckinpah and that's a great intro, Cross Of Iron is one of my favourite films too
Along with the incredibly underrated Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia. Love the ending to Cross Of Iron as well.MidnightMania
Member
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