First impressions matter in cinema, and the opening shot is the first image that imprints on the audience's mind. Whether visually stunning, symbolically rich, or cleverly mirroring the final shot, the greatest opening shots of the 20th century prove how powerful a starting visual can be. Here are the 10 best, ranked.
10. 'The Lion King' (1994)
Disney's animated masterpiece opens with a slow sunrise over the African savanna, paired with the iconic Zulu chant of 'Circle of Life.' It's a simple but jaw-dropping 10-second shot that sets the stage for one of the most beloved animated films ever. For more on Disney's musical triumphs, check out The 10 Greatest Animated Movie Musicals Ever, Ranked.
9. 'Memento' (2000)
Christopher Nolan's sophomore feature opens with a close-up of a Polaroid photo fading back into the camera, introducing the film's reverse-chronological structure. It's a brilliant subversion of the neo-noir opening that keeps viewers wondering how we got there.
8. 'Rear Window' (1954)
Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece begins with a slow oner traversing a courtyard, introducing the theme of voyeurism and the neighbors we'll watch throughout the film. It's a stunning sequence for its time and one of Hitchcock's best.
7. 'The Searchers' (1956)
John Wayne's Ethan Edwards approaches from the desert as Martha Edwards opens her door, perfectly mirroring the film's final shot. This opening sets up the contrast between civilization and wilderness, making it the best opening shot in Western history.
6. 'Halloween' (1978)
John Carpenter's horror classic opens from Michael Myers' point of view in a chilling four-minute oner that ends with his first kill. It's an unforgettable introduction to one of cinema's greatest masked killers.
5. 'Apocalypse Now' (1979)
Francis Ford Coppola's war epic opens with a stunning visual of napalm burning a jungle, set to The Doors' 'The End.' It's a haunting, surreal start to one of the most acclaimed war movies ever.
4. 'Touch of Evil' (1958)
Orson Welles' film noir opens with a legendary three-minute tracking shot that follows a car through a border town, ending with a bomb explosion. It's a technical marvel that sets the tone for the entire film.
3. 'The Godfather' (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola's mafia epic begins with a close-up of Bonasera's face as he asks for justice, slowly pulling back to reveal the Godfather's office. It's a masterclass in visual storytelling that introduces the film's themes of power and family.
2. '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968)
Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece opens with a black screen and the sun rising over the Earth, set to Richard Strauss' 'Also sprach Zarathustra.' It's a transcendent, awe-inspiring start that sets the stage for a journey through human evolution.
1. 'Citizen Kane' (1941)
Orson Welles' debut opens with a series of dissolves showing Xanadu, the mysterious castle of Charles Foster Kane, ending with his dying word 'Rosebud.' It's the most iconic opening shot in cinema history, setting up the film's central mystery and themes of wealth and loss.
These opening shots prove that the first image can be as powerful as the last. For more on great cinematic endings, see The Best Final Movie Shots of the 21st Century, Ranked.
