Top 10 First Scenes In Movies That Were The Best Scenes

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the films that hit their peak early on. We’re looking at movies that were both positively and negatively received — as long as its introductory scene is the movie’s highlight, then we’re considering it! Which movie do you find kicks things off just right? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!

#10: “Ghost Ship” (2002)

Believe us, this is the most obscure movie on our list. The relative obscurity of this campy horror flick — produced by Oscar winner Robert Zemeckis, better known for directing “Back to the Future” and “Forrest Gump” — probably owes to the fact that, well, it’s not particularly well-liked. In fact, its Rotten Tomatoes consensus reads: “With a plot as creaky as the boat, Ghost Ship fails to deliver the scares.” That said, if “Ghost Ship” had managed to sustain the cheesy chills of its first scene, it might have stood a fighting chance as a cult classic. We won’t ruin the surprise, but we can promise that you will not be able to predict where it’s headed.

#9: “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009)

The opening entry into a trilogy that vastly improved with each successive installment, the first standalone “Wolverine” film gets off to an encouraging start. While previous “X-Men” films had hinted at Logan’s dark, painful past, “Origins” takes the franchise’s best lessons in introducing its central character. The first “X-Men” began in a concentration camp, “X2” opened with a jaw-dropping White House-set action sequence, and this film expertly depicts the tragic origin story of Hugh Jackman’s iconic Canadian mutant. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie fails to live up to its first scene, becoming a critical and commercial flop; later on, it made for an easy target for Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool.

#8: “The Empty Man” (2020)

The only movie on our list to have taken a serious hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, David Prior’s “The Empty Man” was released to relatively little fanfare in October of 2020. And that’s a shame, as its literally chilling first scene almost works as a horror short film in itself. Set in 1995 and preceding the rest of the events of the film by over 20 years, the scene depicts a mountaineering trip to Bhutan that goes, like, as wrong as it possibly can. A chance encounter with an ancient shrine unleashes a mysterious, terrifying curse on the unsuspecting hikers. While it takes a hot minute for the scene to hit a narrative payoff, it’s definitely worth the wait.

#7: “Miami Vice” (2006)

Director Michael Mann had previously produced the TV show of the same name, and upon being encouraged by star Jamie Foxx, revived the quintessentially ‘80s cop drama as a feature film. While the new “Miami Vice” was critically derided at the time of its release, it has since been positively reevaluated, becoming a modern-day cult classic in the process. “Vice” follows in its predecessor’s tradition of being a pleasure for the senses — Mann’s use of digital cameras offers the film a visceral, immediate vibe that almost makes the viewer feel like they’re in the midst of the action. The whole film certainly has its moments, but it’s strongest before being weighed down by a clunky, somewhat convoluted plot.

#6: “Drive” (2011)

This artsy, meditative action thriller is chock-full of stuff to love: one of Oscar Isaac’s first major screen roles, a beautifully brooding lead performance from Ryan Gosling, and shockingly violent elevator fight scenes. Sorry — we can’t really show you that last one. In any case, the first scene of Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn’s American filmmaking debut stylishly sets the tone. A badass Gosling instantly commands the viewer’s attention as the film’s unnamed protagonist, a highly principled career criminal who’s very, very good at what he does. Drawing from the films of Michael Mann, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Schrader, Refn immediately let audiences know that this wasn’t quite “Fast & Furious.”

#5: “Purple Rain” (1984)

Look, we’re not saying that the rest of “Purple Rain” isn’t deserving of heaps of praise. It’s just that its first scene is a blast of energy that perfectly captures Prince’s spirit as a pioneering force of pop culture. Even if, for some reason, you’re not a fan of the Purple One, you can’t help but marvel at the sheer showmanship on display. Director Craig Brewer, helmer of such films as 2011’s “Footloose” remake and the Eddie Murphy vehicle “Dolemite Is My Name” has sung the praises of “Purple Rain,” particularly highlighting then-recent film school grad Albert Magnoli’s direction, calling him “a hands-on editor with a bold vision.”

#4: “Trainspotting” (1996)

Audiences’ introduction to Ewan McGregor and future Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle’s mainstream breakthrough immediately told them everything they’d need to know. “Trainspotting” is quite literally off to a running start, memorably and electrically soundtracked by punk legend Iggy Pop’s late-‘70s anthem “Lust for Life.” McGregor’s breakneck internal monologue outlines his and his fellow addicts’ apathetic, nihilistic mindset, illustrating their inability to conform to even the most basic societal expectations. We get a clear, intuitive sense of our leads, as well as of Boyle’s characteristic, kinetic filmmaking style — if nothing else, you’re assured that you’re in for a wild ride.

#3: “Scream” (1996)

Arguably director Wes Craven’s magnum opus, is it fair to say that “Scream” boasts possibly the best horror movie intro of all time? While the jury’s still out on that one, there’s no denying that it was immediately iconic. Following Casey Becker, one of the Ghostface Killer’s first victims, the scene expediently sets up Ghostface’s modus operandi, as well as Craven’s goal of skewering the slasher genre, which he felt had gone stale. “Scream” screenwriter Kevin Williamson has since stated that this scene was inspired by Janet Leigh’s Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” That is to say, casting a major star — in this case, Drew Barrymore — and killing her off early to throw audiences for a loop.

#2: “Top Gun: Maverick” (2021)

Even the most cynical movie lover would find themselves at the edge of their seat from the outset of this long-delayed legacy sequel. True to his character, Tom Cruise’s infamous Pete “Maverick” Mitchell reminds audiences of just what made him such a bad boy to begin with. Maverick’s initial mission is to prove that the fictional “Darkjet” planes meet expectations; clearly, it doesn’t end there. Against the odds (and the wishes of his superiors), Cruise’s character manages to take the vehicle to Mach 10. When this scene is on, you already know that Maverick will come out on top — you just want to know how he’s going to get there.

#1: “Jaws” (1975)

With the help of a legendary, instantly recognizable score, an abundance of filmmaking prowess from a young Steven Spielberg, and captivating performances, “Jaws” is a stone-cold classic that begins in only the way a stone-cold classic can. Spielberg uses cinematic language to its full potential, proving that he not only had the goods that define a master of the art, but a long, bright future ahead of him. This iconic introduction would work even without dialogue: you could show it to folks who don’t speak English and they’d likely have an idea as to what’s going on. “Jaws” is the rare blockbuster that starts strong — and then keeps that momentum going.