Movies: Best Opening Scene Far Superior To The Rest of the Film

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Saw this topic recently on X and while I'm sure there are dozens of great ideas, this one has always stuck out as one of my favorites. Just an absolute classic, from a movie not that heralded. Belushi and Lowe are just awesome. If you don't know it, take 4 minutes to watch and then add your own favorite

 

[Spaulding!No!]

As far back as I can remember

 

[BleedGopher]

Fun topic. Hard not to include this all time classic:


Go Gophers!!

 

[BleedGopher]

I will put this scene setting opening up against any movie...I can't think of a better opener in the aspect that it sets the scene for the entire movie, the music, the location, the love of basketball, etc. Brilliant.


Go Hickory!!

 

[GopherPoke]

I will put this scene setting opening up against any movie...I can't think of a better opener in the aspect that it sets the scene for the entire movie, the music, the location, the love of basketball, etc. Brilliant.


Go Hickory!!

I'd argue this one does the same, but you definitely are not wrong.

 

[upnorthkid]

Are we arguing like discrepancy? Aka the opening is awesome and the rest so so? Or just the opening is amazing and sets the tone for a really good film?

 

[GophersInIowa]

While this doesn't really qualify because the whole movie is great, I do really like the opening of Office Space. Sets the tone for the movie.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Are we arguing like discrepancy? Aka the opening is awesome and the rest so so? Or just the opening is amazing and sets the tone for a really good film?

While I love all the submittals so far, yes, the original thought was that the opening scene was far better than the rest of the movie. All are welcome, for sure!

 

[upnorthkid]

While I love all the submittals so far, yes, the original thought was that the opening scene was far better than the rest of the movie. All are welcome, for sure!

Hard as I like all these movies, but openers are “better” than the rest of the movie

inglorious bastards is up there to me as opener that is Oscar worthy in terms of acting

Up makes me cry every time if you want to count the whole married life part

Memento is a great scene setter

 

[Slim Tubby]

From the Horror genre, I'd nominate Dawn of the Dead (2004), Ghost Ship (2002), The Empty Man (2020) and every Final Destination movie ever made.

Jaws and Saving Private Ryan are two (2) of my favorite opening scenes but there was never even a whiff of disappointment throughout those films.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

I got it now. Ice age. The scrat beginnings are clever and after that it is not so good.

 

[coolhandgopher]

So, I love the whole movie, but I have friends that complain about it devolving from a comedy of debauchery to a rom-com, which I can see the argument. But the opening 10-15 minutes of Wedding Crashers is gold.

 

[upnorthkid]

From the Horror genre, I'd nominate Dawn of the Dead (2004), Ghost Ship (2002), The Empty Man (2020) and every Final Destination movie ever made.

Jaws and Saving Private Ryan are two (2) of my favorite opening scenes but there was never even a whiff of disappointment throughout those films.

Do you count walking in the cemetery or the beach scene as your opener?

Thought about Saving Private Ryan but counted it as the cemetery but if it’s the beach, yep one of the best scenes in film though the whole movie is awesome