50 Opening Scenes In Movies That People Believe Are, In Fact, The Greatest Ever Filmed

Only the strongest starts allowed.

Over the course of the year, we asked our BuzzFeed Community, "What is the greatest opening scene in any film ever?" and their incredible responses inspired even more great examples!

New Line Cinema

So — with that in mind and presented in no particular order — here are the most popular responses we've received, all in one place for easy, accessible, Oscar-worthy fun! Ready? Okay, here we go:

1. The Lion King (1994)

Walt Disney Pictures

"No character has even spoken yet, and the audience can already tell what the story will be about. Plus, it opens with one of the greatest songs ever written, and it's matched with great cinematography that literally brings me to tears each time I watch it."

—whoissmg

2. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Weinstein Company

"That opening scene with Christoph Waltz is the best opening scene in any movie. Waltz does an amazing job capturing that friendly, disturbingly nice sort of evil."

—extremepita

3. Jaws (1975)

Universal Pictures

"That's one hell of an opening scene right there. Iconic."

—kitcait30

4. Scream (1996)

Dimension Films

"I watched this for the first time when I was 14, and it absolutely terrified me. The way Ghostface taunts Drew Barrymore while she’s locked inside of her house, only to have her boyfriend gutted in front of her before being slaughtered herself, all while her parents are listening to her last breaths through the phone, unable to help her. There's a reason it’s considered a horror classic."

—reddragon7

5. The Dark Knight (2008)

Warner Bros.

"The first five minutes of this movie are some of the best ever filmed. It's such a perfect setup for the Joker."

—awesomeamanda523

6. La La Land (2016)

Lionsgate

"The opening dance number on the cars was amazing!"

—dayliteparadise

7. It Chapter One (2017)

Warner Bros.

"It was pretty decent!"

—Ross Davies, Facebook

8. The Sound of Music (1965)

20th Century Fox

"When Maria is up in the mountains, singing as the camera zooms in on the beautiful scenery...I love it so much! It's iconic."

—shaymj3133

9. The Social Network (2010)

Sony Pictures Releasing

"It's Aaron Freakin' Sorkin and it's one of the best opening scenes in movie history. A single scene, and it has established your protagonist. I listen to this every other day and it still gives me the chills."

—rahulcp88

10. Blade (1998)

New Line Cinema

"That rave scene is just...wow."

—mikaoooo

11. West Side Story (1961)

20th Century Studios

"The snapping sequence where the Jets and the Sharks are fight-dancing while the music is getting louder and louder for five minutes straight is just plain awesome."

—hawkingpeggy

12. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Marvel Studios

"When Peter Quill is on the abandoned planet and sings 'Come And Get Your Love' while kicking aliens and using them as microphones...you learn everything you need to know about the main character's personality with zero dialogue."

—pipermurreyj

13. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Paramount Vantage

"No dialogue, but powerful enough to give a foundation to this incredibly strong character and a peek into why he is so fierce."

—edupreec

14. The Prestige (2006)

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"That monologue — the build up, the tension, the feeling of being a kid again through the eyes of the kid being let in on the secret? *shivers*"

—hof

15. Star Trek (2009)

Paramount Pictures

"The opening sequence with Chris Hemsworth sacrificing himself for the rest of the ship totally grabs you and sets up the young James T. Kirk character perfectly."

—Rebecca Muir, Facebook

16. The Big Lebowski (1998)

Universal Pictures

"The tumbleweed, Los Angeles, traffic zooming by, and then a regular old Ralph’s and the Dude in his robe looking for half-and-half to make a White Russian. IT'S FLAWLESS."

—kminfl

17. Friday the 13th (2009)

Warner Bros. Pictures

"Y'all missed a very important one. The opening scene of the remake lasted over 30 minutes. It was so good that everyone in the packed theater where I saw it had forgotten the title sequence hadn't even happened yet!"

—t4c32152d0

18. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Paramount Pictures

"It's the definition of 'iconic.'"

—jeniene

19. Apocalypse Now (1971)

United Artists

"The sounds of the Doors performing 'The End' and the napalming of the village leading into Martin Sheen's hotel scene...it perfectly sets the tone."

—bill63

20. Heathers (1988)

New World Pictures

"The croquet scene perfectly sets up the Heathers, their hierarchy, and the tone of the movie — especially the shot of Veronica's head sticking out of the ground."

—jackdog

21. Drive (2011)

FilmDistrict

"I love the way it goes right into the opening credits."

—Alison Wicks Bartnek, Facebook

22. Lord of War (2005)

Lionsgate Films

—kellyj17

23. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Miramax

"Amazing dialogue, and it sets the tone of the movie up so well!"

—Robin BP, Facebook

24. My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

TriStar Pictures

"It's a little random, but my favorite has always been the opening credits to this movie. The bride and bridal party singing in their gowns and fixing their hair? It’s cute and sets a lighthearted vibe of the film. My sister and I would sing it word for word, it's definitely our favorite!"

—chancedoyourdance

25. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Dreamworks

"No matter your opinion on the film as a whole, the beginning of it is incredibly memorable and definitely pulls you in."

—mkatherinekelly

26. Inception (2010)

Warner Bros. Pictures

"100%. The awe and excitement I felt as it became clear what was going on was unmatchable. When they pushed Cobb into the water and the water started coming into the building in the dream within a dream? Incredible. Every time I show it to someone who's never seen it before, I'm a little jealous that I can never see it for the first time again, but at least I can relive it a little."

—etconner

27. Evil Dead (2013)

Sony Pictures Releasing

"I know it's a remake, but I thought the opening scene for this one was so good. The twist was so unexpected!"

—diyanahj

28. The Greatest Showman (2017)

20th Century Fox

"I literally got goosebumps during the intro of this movie. So good."

—smakala

29. Casino Royale (2006)

Sony Pictures Releasing

"The opening minutes perfectly set up Daniel Craig’s Bond as we see him get the kills that earned him his 007 status, including the iconic gun barrel shot which leads into the most underrated Bond theme, in my humble opinion."

—gws2019

30. Jurassic Park (1993)

Universal Pictures

"When the raptor eats that guy while they're trying to get them into the enclosure? It really makes it clear how badly thought through the whole park is, in case it wasn't already clear."

—emmfarc

31. Forrest Gump (1994)

Paramount Pictures

"The way the intro tied into the outro was simple, beautiful, and symbolic for the story's message of letting life happen like 'a feather' drifting where the breeze takes it."

—Jenna Mars, Facebook

32. Hercules (1997)

Walt Disney Studios

"With the muses singing and the stunning animation? It's just amazing."

—o4a4b10bdd

33. Deadpool (2016)

20th Century Fox

"It immediately showed the funny and dark side of the main character, and it's a great action opening scene."

—kayleevoss776

34. Baby Driver (2017)

20th Century Fox

"The song, the chase, the action, the way everything just clicks together so beautifully — I never thought a car chase scene could get me so hooked!"

—kendallboj

35. Children of Men (2006)

Universal Pictures

"It sets the stage for the entire film in two minutes. It covers the story of worldwide infertility, the death of the youngest person on the planet, and the potential extinction of human beings. We meet the lead, Clive Owen, and see the horrific event that sets off the film. It's an epic roller coaster about survival from the first moments onward."

—buttonmoon11

36. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Marvel Studios

"The scene on Thor's ship perfectly sets up Thanos, his goals, his strength, and Thor’s understandable drive for vengeance."

—francisq

37. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Paramount Pictures

"The monologue Leonardo DiCaprio gives perfectly presents the movie’s vulgar and hilarious vibe. I’m biased because this is my favorite movie of all time, but everyone who I’ve spoken to about the opening THOROUGHLY agrees with me."

—emmagarnerrr

38. Watchmen (2009)

Warner Bros.

"The detailed explanation of the alternative history done during the opening credits sequence set to Bob Dylan's 'The Times They are A-Changing' is absolutely perfect."

—hollycc

39. Halloween (1978)

Compass International Pictures

"The POV shots fill you with dread as you watch Michael Myers stalk his older sister and her boyfriend. Especially when he grabs the knife — then the horrifying reveal that the killer was actually a 6-year-old is perfect. Even though most people watching today already know this in advance, it must have been such a huge twist to audiences back when it first came out."

—mamiebearbear

40. X2: X-Men United (2003)

20th Century Fox

"The scene when Nightcrawler attacks the Oval Office is one of the greatest openings to a comic book movie ever. You get a clear picture of just how outmatched humans are against a powerful mutant in full attack mode."

—kend4fe281761

41. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Walt Disney Studios

"In the original Disney animated version, when the story is told through the stained glass windows. It's simply stunning."

—mugsyann2007

42. Bring It On (2000)

Universal Pictures

"The dream sequence is absolutely hilarious and completely sets the tone for the whole movie!"

—1988

43. Romeo + Juliet (1996)

20th Century Fox

"LITERALLY AMAZING. BAZ LUHRMANN DOESN'T GET ENOUGH CREDIT!"

—etherealbooklover

44. Goodfellas (1990)

Warner Bros.

"I've always loved the opening for this. It builds up suspense with a bit of humor. It had me immediately hooked the first time I saw it."

—allisonq4df71232a

45. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Miramax Films

"Not only is it one of the best opening scenes EVER, it is also one of the most iconic. The beginning comes back in the end, which is actually the middle. It’s so Tarantino, and really sets the tone for the rest of the film. That film is a true masterpiece."

—brada4d90fe420

46. The Prince of Egypt (1998)

DreamWorks Pictures

"The first five minutes is STUNNING. 'Deliver Us' is such a powerful opening song, and the animation pairs so well with it. I genuinely get chills during the last note when the screen slams to black."

—samiw404c6984a

47. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

youtube.com

"There's so much beautiful imagery, and the sound of the Galadriel’s voice narrating in English and Elfish is so powerful."

—taylors42375c9d6

48. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Paramount Pictures

"Showing my age here, but this is the first opening scene that ever really struck me. That strut through the city to the Bee Gees!"

—Lori Horton, Facebook

49. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)

United Artists

"It starts off with a near perfect introduction to the character of Tuco, and it's so atmospheric."

—jeffa007

50. And finally, of course: Up (2009)

Pixar

"In just a matter of minutes you get a whole love story filled with joy and heartbreak. It never fails to make me sob, but I don’t care. The tears are worth it."

—oliviabeckman80

All right, you've read all of theirs — but now it's YOUR turn! What scene(s) did they miss? What opening scene in a film is so perfect, it deserves an imaginary Academy Award that we totally made up? Share your pick(s) and a little bit about why you love them in the comments below!

Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.