#1
Trunk business ("As far back as I could remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.")
From Goodfellas (1990)
◄ IMDb Polls
Poll: Best Opening Scene In A Movie
These films captured our attention right from the get go. Their opening scene set the tone for the rest of the movie and ensured we would want to learn more shortly thereafter. Since this list looks at the introductory segments of a film, scenes like the Omaha Beach scene from Saving Private Ryan (1998), which is technically the second scene in the movie, will not qualify.
In your opinion, which film had the most memorable, generally awesome opening scene for a movie?
After voting, you may discuss the poll here.
(Please note: If you didn't see an opening scene you think should have been on this list, be sure to check out Part 2 of "Best Opening Scene In A Movie")
Make Your Choice
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Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Just one of those near fatal days -
Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight (2008)
Never Trust A Joker (The Elaborate Bank Robbery Heist) -
Robert Guillaume in The Lion King (1994)
The Circle of LifeFrom The Lion King (1994)
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Marlon Brando and Salvatore Corsitto in The Godfather (1972)
"The Day My Daughter Is To Be Married"From The Godfather (1972)
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Orson Welles in Citizen Kane (1941)
"Rosebud..."From Citizen Kane (1941)
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Jurassic Park (1993)
"SHOOT HER!"From Jurassic Park (1993)
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Susan Backlinie in Jaws (1975)
Chrissie's Last DipFrom Jaws (1975)
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Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Me and My Droogs -
Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity
Just one little girlFrom The Matrix (1999)
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Denis Ménochet in Inglourious Basterds (2009)
"They call you 'The Jew Hunter'." -
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
A Tribe of Man Apes -
Guy Pearce in Memento (2000)
Backwards Is The BestFrom Memento (2000)
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Steve Buscemi, Quentin Tarantino, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Edward Bunker, and Lawrence Tierney in Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Like A Virgin Over Breakfast -
#15
The Bungee Jump PlungeFrom GoldenEye (1995)
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Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer in Heat (1995)
The Armored Car HeistFrom Heat (1995)
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#17
Pumpkin and Honey BunnyFrom Pulp Fiction (1994)
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Drew Barrymore in Scream (1996)
"What's Your Favorite Scary Movie?"From Scream (1996)
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Ewen Bremner in Trainspotting (1996)
"Choose your future, Choose life"From Trainspotting (1996)
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Jack Nicholson in The Departed (2006)
Nice To Meet You Frank CostelloFrom The Departed (2006)
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Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Meeting Charles Bronson -
Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and Monty Python in Life of Brian (1979)
The Three Wise Men and Baby JesusFrom Life of Brian (1979)
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Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network (2010)
Zuckerberg Gets Dumped -
Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita (1960)
Jesus Flies Over RomeFrom La Dolce Vita (1960)
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F. Murray Abraham in Amadeus (1984)
Salieri Attempts SuicideFrom Amadeus (1984)
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Kyle MacLachlan in Blue Velvet (1986)
Jeffrey Finds Something SpecialFrom Blue Velvet (1986)
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Klaus Kinski in Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)
The Trek Through The Forest -
Jake Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko (2001)
Bike Ride Through The MountainsFrom Donnie Darko (2001)
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Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley in Schindler's List (1993)
The Candle -
Charles Chaplin, Austen Jewell, and Robert Parrish in City Lights (1931)
A Monumental SnoozeFrom City Lights (1931)
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Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis in Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Picks The FeatherFrom Forrest Gump (1994)
