23 Of The Best Movie Opening Scenes That Had People Glued To Their Seats

The first few minutes of a film are perhaps its most crucial moment. Why?

That's the part that hooks the audience. It's what keeps us in our seats, wanting more, because we all know that despite filmmakers giving us trailers, short story descriptions, or teasers, we still rely on those first few minutes to see if a movie is really worth watching or not.

Additionally, it's been proven that people nowadays have short attention spans, so if filmmakers can't capture and retain our attention within the first few minutes, they risk us missing important pieces of their film that might affect its overall impact on us. That's why they really have to make it count.

We all know that this is not an easy job, of course. It might even be the hardest part to conceive, aside from the ending or the climax.

If they do succeed, however, they create openings that become almost iconic and stay in our minds forever, perhaps even more than the entire film. With that, here are some of the best examples of films that have captured audiences from the get-go and have had them glued to their seats from there on.

Keep scrolling and enjoy!

1. Up

Pixar

This entire opening sequence was a whole story in and of itself, and it made many of us sob even before the real plot of the movie began.

2. Finding Nemo

Pixar

This opening was so devastating, and it explained why Marlin was so protective right away.

3. Scream

Dimension Films

These first five minutes were amazing because of how they immediately killed off Drew Barrymore's character, even though she was a household name actress.

4. Jaws

Universal Pictures

Chrissie Watkins' figure getting thrashed around by the unseen shark while she was still screaming for help was one of the most haunting scenes we've seen.

5. Mamma Mia!

Universal Pictures

This is the moment she sends that letter that upturns the entire lives of three busy men.

6. The Prince of Egypt

DreamWorks Pictures

Just hearing Ofra Haza's voice singing "Deliver Us" in this scene gives us chills.

7. The Lion King

Disney

Until today, this remains one of the most beautiful and iconic animation openings out there.

8. Booksmart

United Artists Releasing

The affirmation, the dancing—how can anyone not love those in this scene?

9. In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the dance fight between Wenwu and Jiang Li was absolutely mesmerizing.

Marvel

10. Birds of Prey

Warner Bros. Pictures

The opening scene really proved that the filmmaker knew Harley well with how Harley it all was.

11. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

New Line Cinema

That narration at the start was so powerful and got us hooked.

12. Avengers: Infinity War

Marvel

When Loki and Heimdall were killed off in the first few minutes, we knew it was going to be a rollercoaster of a film.

13. The Social Network

Sony Pictures Releasing

That banter scene between Jesse Eisenberg and Rooney Mara trumps all preconceptions anyone might have had about this film.

14. That first scene in Inglourious Basterds built up the tension beautifully.

The Weinstein Co.

15. Black Widow

Marvel

It's technically not the first scene, but the opening credits gave us chills and were so dark, really embodying Black Widow's history.

16. The Departed

Warner Bros. Pictures

By those first few moments, we already knew we were going to love this film.

17. Crazy Rich Asians

Warner Bros. Pictures

We wish we were as powerful as Eleanor Young when she put the hotel worker in his place just like that in this opening scene.

18. X-Men

20th Century Fox

Magneto isn't everyone's favorite mutant, but the way his younger self carried that opening scene still gives us shivers.

19. The Dark Knight

Warner Bros. Pictures

The entire Joker heist was executed so well.

20. The Other Guys

Sony Pictures Releasing

This was an epic car chase that we didn't know we needed.

21. Deadpool

20th Century Fox

That opening scene immediately shows you what you're in for.

22. Goodfellas

Warner Bros. Pictures

This scene and that little line at the end before the real start of the film is just *chef's kiss*.

23. Drive

FilmDistrict

There are hardly any words spoken, but it perfectly builds up the suspense of the film.

These films are perfect examples of the best movie openings of all time. They prove that you don't really need flashy openings or big reveals right at the start.

You just need the right elements to set the tone, the story, and what the audience should expect, and you've got people hooked. Which one was your favorite opening?