First impressions are everything, especially in action movies. A great opening can set the tone, introduce the stakes, and make you forget you're just watching a screen. Some films use jaw-dropping set pieces, others rely on tension and atmosphere, but the best ones make those first ten minutes unforgettable.
From the gritty realism of 1917 to the stylish chaos of John Wick: Chapter 4, these openers are masterclasses in hooking an audience. They don't just tease the action—they promise a ride you won't forget.
The Shadow Strays (2024)
Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, The Shadow Strays is a hidden gem on Netflix. The opening drops us into Japan, where we meet the assassin known only as 13 (Aurora Ribero). What seems like a routine hit goes sideways when she's bested by a bodyguard, and though she completes her mission, she's suspended and sent back for retraining.
The sequence is sleek and stylish, moving from a traditional Japanese house to a snow-covered garden. Tjahjanto, who brought us The Night Comes For Us, wastes no time showing off his brutal vision. The action is crisp, the choreography is sharp, and the promise is clear: this is only the beginning. It's a perfect introduction to 13's character and a taste of the bone-crunching fights to come.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
The cold open of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is literally cold—set aboard a Russian submarine called the Sevastopol. Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt is nowhere to be seen, but the crew faces a threat that's both mysterious and terrifying. A phantom submarine appears on radar, they fire a torpedo, and it turns back to destroy them. The AI known as the Entity is introduced, and the key to it sinks into the ocean.
It's a bold move to open without your star, but it works. Marcin Dorociński, who plays the captain, anchors the scene with a quiet intensity. The claustrophobic setting builds tension without a single punch thrown. It's a smart way to establish the villain for two movies, giving the Entity a manipulative, dangerous presence that feels truly menacing.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
John Wick: Chapter 4 doesn't waste a second. Keanu Reeves' legendary hitman is back, riding through the desert on horseback to find the Elder. After taking out a few henchmen, he meets the new Elder, but negotiations fail, and John kills him. That single act sets the stage for his final showdown with the High Table.
The film keeps the franchise's signature style—wide shots, striking locations, and deliberate movement—making it feel operatic and grounded at once. By killing the Elder, John declares he's done running. The action that follows is big, brutal, and unrelenting. It's arguably the best chapter in the series, and the opening is a big reason why.
One Battle After Another (2025)
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another throws you straight into the chaos. We meet the French 75, a group of radical activists led by Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor). They're planning a daring operation to free detained immigrants near the US-Mexico border. During the raid, Perfidia takes down Captain Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), leaving him oddly fascinated.
It's an unconventional opening, but it's incredibly effective. Taylor's Perfidia is magnetic—confident, aggressive, and unpredictable. Her encounter with Lockjaw adds a personal, unsettling layer to the conflict. Jonny Greenwood's score adds to the tension. It's a powerful start to one of the most acclaimed films of the decade.
Thief (1981)
Michael Mann's Thief opens with Frank (James Caan), a professional safecracker, pulling off an elaborate nighttime heist. With his partner Barry (Jim Belushi), Frank breaks into a high-security vault, methodically working through its complex locking system. The job done, he takes his cut and walks away.
Instead of a frantic, improvised robbery, Mann lets us watch every detail—the tools, the movements, the precision. It's a slow burn that builds tension through procedure. This opening sets the tone for a neo-noir classic, showing us exactly who Frank is: a man who knows his craft and trusts no one.
These films prove that the first ten minutes can make or break an action movie. Whether it's the relentless pace of John Wick or the atmospheric dread of Mission: Impossible, they all know how to grab you and never let go. For more great openers, check out Prime Video's best thrillers that grab you in the first five minutes or dive into 21st century's greatest action movies. And if you're in the mood for something different, the most anticipated action anime of 2027 might be worth a look.
