Top 10 Hidden Details in Opening Movie Scenes

“X2: X-Men United” (2003)
The second film in the “X-Men” franchise begins with a bang, or maybe a “bamf,” as a brainwashed Nightcrawler teleports his way through the White House in an attempt to take out the president. However, before things get crazy good, Nightcrawler attempts to blend in as a tourist to get close to his target. While walking through the White House halls, several portraits of former presidents are highlighted, including Abraham Lincoln, J.F.K., and William McKinley. The fact that all of these deceased presidents were assassinated while in office serves as subtle foreshadowing of Nightcrawler’s intentions.

“A Quiet Place” (2018)
This movie does a remarkable job of conveying its story of an isolated family surviving in a world overrun by aliens that react to sounds with almost no spoken words at all. Still, even eagle-eyed viewers may not pick up on some things. The opening scene follows the Abbot family on a trip into town, “shopping” in a deserted store for supplies. Although the place has been thoroughly picked clean of most things, they’re still able to find what they need. However, there’s one product that neither they, nor anyone before them, seem to have touched – chips! Nobody wants a crunchy snack when sound-hunting aliens might kill you just for taking a bite!

“Shutter Island” (2010)
“Shutter Island” is a twisty thriller that features one heck of a reveal! However, what viewers may not pick up on the first, or even the third time watching it, is that certain elements of the reveal that Teddy Daniels is actually Andrew Laeddis, who killed his wife, are foreshadowed in the very first scene. For instance, those familiar with Martin Scorsese’s other work will recognize that the director uses freeze frames at important moments in his protagonists’ lives, making the early frame devoted to Teddy’s wife an early hint at her importance. The first scene also establishes Teddy’s aversion to water, which, we later learn, is due to its connection with his wife’s death.

“Us” (2019)
“Us” is a disturbing film from the new master of horror, Jordan Peele. The movie features uncanny doppelgangers of many characters attempting to kill and usurp them. It’s eventually revealed that they’ve lived in underground bunkers located across the U.S. However, this revelation is actually insinuated to the audience in the very first moments of the film. Sure, there’s the opening caption, but it’s also themed into background details, such as the VHS tapes shown next to a TV, which include “C.H.U.D.” and “The Goonies,” two films that deal with underground areas. Likewise, the boardwalk scene features the young Adelaide’s father playing Whac-a-Mole, which involves hitting moles that pop up from holes on a machine.

“Inglourious Basterds” (2009)
Quentin Tarantino writes amazing dialogue and the opening scene of this WWII flick is no exception. Still, while viewers may be holding their breath as Nazi Colonel Hans Landa interrogates a French farmer he suspects of hiding Jews, they may miss out on a non-verbal detail of the scene. When Landa stops one of the farmer’s daughters from fetching wine and asking for milk instead, he grabs her by the wrist. While this is enough to get our hearts racing, it’s her heart that Landa is checking – he’s taking her pulse to see how nervous she is. Given how skilled a detective he is, it’s probable he already knew the Jews were there, but a little confirmation on his part is an interesting touch.

“Reservoir Dogs” (1992)
Speaking of Tarantino’s work, the first scene of his first film also highlights his skill at dialogue, featuring a round table of colorful criminals having a conversation about everything from the meaning of Madonna songs to ‘70s music. Its most prominent topic, though, is the subject of tipping waitstaff, which one of them, Mr. Pink, objects to after his waitress doesn’t give him as much coffee as he wanted. If you pay attention earlier in the scene, you can see Mr. Pink look around for the waitress and look at his cup in dissatisfaction, setting up his eventual tipping diatribe.

“The Dark Knight” (2008)
The opening scene of “The Dark Knight” is brilliantly tense bank heist, perpetrated by the Joker and several unwitting pawns in clown masks, whom he makes bump each other off after their task is complete. It’s a spectacular scene that draws the audience into the film instantly, yet one of its smaller details can get lost on some viewers. When the robber in charge of cracking the vault drills into it, he’s electrocuted. The scene then cuts away, but when it returns, the man has put his shoes on his hands in case there’s more voltage running through the vault door.

“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)
Like other entries in the “Indiana Jones” franchise, “Last Crusade” begins with a rollicking action scene, although on this occasion it follows a young Indy in the days before he became an archaeologist. Indy’s attempts to stop a group of relic hunters aboard a train carrying circus animals lead to several defining moments for his character, such as his fear of snakes and his acquisition of his signature whip. This latter one leads to young Indiana accidentally whipping himself trying to fend off a lion, leaving a scar which is shared by adult Indiana and actor Harrison Ford, who acquired his in a car accident. If it were us, we’d go with the lion story, even if it is from a movie.

“Pulp Fiction” (1994)
Quentin Tarantino sure likes his little details, doesn’t he? With so many things hidden throughout his nonlinear movies, is it any wonder they’re so rewatchable? The opening of “Pulp Fiction” actually takes place near the middle chronologically and features two thieves robbing a diner. Vincent and Jules, two other criminals whose story we follow throughout the movie, are also present. However, while the duo’s confrontation with Jules and Vincent doesn’t take place until the end of the film, Vincent himself can be seen in the background of the very first scene; linking him to the restaurant for those with eyes sharp enough to pick him out.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Darker Logos, “Harry Potter” franchise (2001-11)
As the Movies Get Darker, So Do the Warner Bros. Logos

Michael Shannon Is the Monster, “The Shape of Water” (2017)
Shannon’s Name Shows Up as the Narration Mentions the Villain

Not-So-Scarface, “Zombieland” (2009)
This Tony Montana Wannabe Is Rhett Reese, the Film’s Co-Writer

Peter Quill’s Alien Tracker, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)
It’s Crafted From an Electronic Football Game Made By Mattel!

The Original Nite Owl Stops a Familiar Mugging, “Watchmen” (2009)
Is That the Wayne Family?!

“Back to the Future” (1985)
For a time travel movie, “Back to the Future” is actually pretty straight forward. However, it’s not without its little secrets. Some of them are hidden right at the start of the movie, which opens on an extended Rube Goldberg machine sequence in Doc Brown’s house. The single long tracking shot sets up a lot that follows afterward, from Doc’s obsession with time, to the fact that he’s going to hang off the clock tower later, to the fact that he stole the plutonium being discussed on the news, and many more little details that pay off later. Such a short sequence manages to prime the audience for the rest of the movie, even if they don’t spot everything the first time around.