First impressions matter, especially in movies. While opening scenes are crucial, the very first shot—the image that greets you after the logos fade—can make or break a film's start. Some are long, sweeping takes; others last mere seconds. But all of them grab your attention and refuse to let go. Here are the greatest opening shots in cinema history, ranked.
10. 'The Godfather' (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece begins with a close-up on Amerigo Bonasera, a minor character pleading for justice from Vito Corleone. The shot lingers as Bonasera delivers his monologue, setting the tone for the entire trilogy. It's a quiet, intimate start that instantly immerses you in the world of organized crime.
9. 'Stop Making Sense' (1984)
David Byrne walks onto a bare stage, and all we see are his shoes. He carries a cassette player and a guitar, says, "Hi. I've got a tape I want to play," and launches into "Psycho Killer." This quirky, minimalist opening defied concert film conventions and remains unforgettable.
8. 'The Shining' (1980)
Stanley Kubrick's horror classic opens with an aerial shot of a mountain lake, accompanied by eerie music. It's a simple landscape, but the unsettling score and slow pace immediately signal that something is wrong. This shot perfectly establishes the film's ominous mood.
7. 'One Cut of the Dead' (2017)
This Japanese zombie comedy opens with a single, unbroken shot that lasts nearly half the movie. It follows a film crew shooting a zombie movie when real zombies attack. The gimmick is impressive, but the genius lies in how the rest of the film recontextualizes that opening.
6. 'The Lion King' (1994)
An animated sunrise over the African savanna, paired with the opening notes of "Circle of Life," is all it takes. This 11-second shot is simple but powerful, instantly transporting viewers to the Pride Lands. It's a masterclass in setting a scene with minimal visuals and maximal emotion.
5. 'Apocalypse Now' (1979)
Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam War epic opens with a jungle engulfed in flames, the sound of helicopters, and Jim Morrison's "The End." The image is chaotic and hypnotic, mirroring the madness of war. It's a bold, unforgettable start to a film that never lets up.
4. 'Touch of Evil' (1958)
Orson Welles' noir thriller features a legendary three-minute tracking shot that follows a car through a border town. The camera glides over rooftops and through streets, introducing characters and tension in real time. It's a technical marvel that still impresses today.
3. 'Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope' (1977)
George Lucas' space opera begins with a starfield and the iconic text crawl, but the first shot after that is a tiny ship being pursued by a massive Star Destroyer. The scale is instantly established, and the sense of adventure is palpable. It's a perfect hook for a galaxy far, far away.
2. '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968)
Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi epic opens with a black screen and Richard Strauss' "Also sprach Zarathustra." Then, the sun rises over a desolate prehistoric landscape. It's a cosmic, philosophical start that sets the stage for humanity's evolution. The shot is both beautiful and profound.
1. 'Citizen Kane' (1941)
Orson Welles' debut opens with a series of dissolves: a "No Trespassing" sign, a gate, and finally Xanadu, Kane's decaying mansion. The camera pushes through the fence, and we hear Kane's dying word: "Rosebud." It's a haunting, mysterious shot that immediately raises questions and sets the film's themes of power and loss.
These opening shots prove that a film's first image can be as powerful as its final one. Whether through technical brilliance, emotional resonance, or sheer audacity, they set the stage for cinematic greatness. For more on iconic movie moments, check out our ranking of Batman Movie Villains Ranked by Intelligence or explore The Most Entertaining Movies of the 2010s.
