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Cold opens are a storytelling technique widely used in both movies and TV shows, designed to plunge viewers straight into the heart of the narrative. Many television programs, such as Saturday Night Live and other comedy series, have perfected this approach, often using it to deliver humor right from the start. In cinema, a well-crafted cold open can set the tone, build suspense, or even mislead the audience.
However, not all cold opens achieve their intended impact. Some fail to resonate with viewers, while others fade into obscurity. The following ten examples stand out as the most exceptional cold opens in cinematic history, each skillfully introducing the story, characters, and atmosphere, often before the title even appears on screen.
10. Scream (1996)
Horror films frequently use cold opens to introduce the antagonist, but Scream took a unique approach. Wes Craven’s brilliant direction brought Ghost Face to life in a way that remains unmatched in the genre. The opening scene’s impact was amplified by Drew Barrymore’s prominent role, especially since she was a central figure in the movie’s marketing.
Barrymore’s star power drew audiences eagerly anticipating her performance. However, in a shocking twist, her character meets a gruesome end in the opening scene, leaving viewers stunned and showcasing Craven’s ability to subvert expectations by eliminating the presumed protagonist.
The cold open of Scream is not only a standout moment in cinema and horror but also a brilliant marketing tactic that drew crowds to theaters. By parodying horror tropes, the opening scene sets the tone for the film, making it clear that no one, not even Barrymore, is safe from the killer’s grasp.
9. Raising Arizona (1987)
Raising Arizona follows H.I. McDunnough (Nicolas Cage), a small-time criminal who falls for a prison officer. After marrying, they struggle to conceive and decide to kidnap one of Nathan Arizona’s quintuplets, believing the family has more than they need.
While this might sound like the film’s main plot, it’s all encapsulated in the 11-minute cold open. This opening sequence is a masterful example of storytelling, condensing the essence of the narrative into a concise, narrated introduction that sets the stage for the entire movie.
The cold open of Raising Arizona not only distinguishes itself from others but also unfolds entirely before the title appears. This pre-title sequence seamlessly transitions into the story, making it one of the most brilliantly crafted openings in film history.
8. Inglorious Basterds (2009)
Quentin Tarantino’s storytelling prowess shines in every film, with each featuring gripping cold opens, often presented nonlinearly. Inglorious Basterds breaks this pattern by introducing two pivotal characters through a tense dialogue between Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) and Perrier LaPadite (Denis Ménochet), a dairy farmer sheltering a Jewish family.
While LaPadite isn’t the central figure, Ménochet delivers a powerful performance as a Frenchman under Nazi rule. The 19-minute scene is brimming with tension as the farmer tries to protect his hidden guests. Landa’s unsettling charm juxtaposed with his sinister intentions creates an atmosphere of dread and unpredictability.
The scene concludes with Landa’s soldiers killing the hidden family, except for Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), who escapes. This moment sets up a recurring dynamic between Landa and Shosanna. Waltz’s Oscar-winning performance as Landa is anchored by this masterfully tense exchange.
7. Iron Man (2008)
When Iron Man premiered in 2008, audiences were unsure of what to anticipate. The film modernized the origin story, setting its cold open in Afghanistan. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is introduced as a wealthy, Scotch-drinking celebrity traveling with soldiers in the desert. After an ambush, Stark is the sole survivor, narrowly escaping death when a missile bearing his name explodes nearby.
The opening scene lays the foundation for Stark’s transformation into Iron Man, showing his capture by the Ten Rings terrorist group. In under four minutes, it effectively conveys Stark’s identity, his capture, and the catalyst for his evolution from a weapons manufacturer to a superhero.
Beyond introducing Tony Stark and Iron Man, the cold open also marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While director Jon Favreau and his team couldn’t have predicted the MCU’s massive success, this film and its impactful opening scene were crucial in launching the blockbuster franchise.
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
When Steven Spielberg and George Lucas collaborate, something extraordinary is bound to happen, and in 1981, they delivered Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film launched a legendary franchise, with its cold open playing a key role in its lasting impact. The opening sequence has been parodied and celebrated countless times since its release, and its brilliance is undeniable.
The cold open introduces Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) as a daring archaeologist armed with a whip and a gun, determined to retrieve a golden idol. He overcomes traps and dangers, only to miscalculate the idol’s weight, setting off the temple’s collapse. A massive boulder then chases him as he flees through the narrow passageway.
Jones’s intelligence and resourcefulness help him survive and escape, only to face a confrontation with the villain. This nearly ten-minute sequence stands as one of the most iconic character introductions in film history. Within the first ten minutes, viewers learn everything they need to know about Indiana Jones, showcasing the film’s storytelling brilliance.
5. The Dark Knight (2008)
Batman Begins concludes with Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) handing Batman (Christian Bale) a Joker playing card, hinting at the villain’s arrival in the sequel. Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning portrayal of the Joker begins with The Dark Knight’s cold open, which introduces the character through a chaotic, stylish, and violent bank heist.
The Dark Knight opens with a man donning a clown mask and entering a vehicle while his accomplices descend onto a bank’s roof. The gang, all wearing clown masks, executes a precise heist, with each member eliminating the next until only the Joker remains, claiming the spoils for himself.
The bank robbery is a chaotic yet meticulously orchestrated sequence. As each clown accomplice is killed off, the Joker emerges as the sole survivor. This introduction brilliantly captures the essence of the Joker—not through an origin story, but by showcasing his chaotic nature and his role as a consequence of Batman’s existence.
4. Up (2009)
Few viewers expected the emotional depth of Up’s cold open. The prologue reveals Carl’s life story, explaining why he eventually ties thousands of balloons to his house. This five-minute sequence is one of the most heart-wrenching moments in cinema.
The opening of Up unfolds without a single word of dialogue. Over five minutes, the audience witnesses Carl’s life with Ellie—their marriage, their dreams of children, and their shared joys and sorrows as they grow old together.
The montage concludes with Ellie’s passing, leaving Carl alone and heartbroken. Determined to honor her memory, he embarks on a journey to fulfill her dream of visiting Paradise Falls by flying his house away with balloons. Up’s cold open is a masterpiece of animated storytelling, cementing its place as one of the most impactful sequences in animation history.
3. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
War films often feature powerful cold opens, and Saving Private Ryan stands out as the best. The movie begins with the harrowing D-Day invasion of Omaha Beach, showing soldiers on a Higgins boat preparing to storm the shore. Some vomit, others pray, and many display sheer terror as they brace for the chaos ahead.
As the boat lands, soldiers are immediately gunned down, and the intensity escalates rapidly. The realism of the D-Day sequence was so profound that the Veteran’s Association set up a hotline for veterans, as the scene triggered traumatic flashbacks for some.
The cold open is filled with gruesome and visceral details, including dismembered bodies and relentless gunfire. For those unfamiliar with the invasion or World War II, the scene immerses them in the brutal reality of war. Lasting nearly ten minutes with minimal respite, the sequence has been hailed by Esquire as “the most brutal depiction of war in cinema.”
2. Goodfellas (1990)
If you entered the theater to watch Goodfellas with no prior knowledge, the cold open quickly sets the tone. The film starts with three men driving at night on a dark road. Hearing a noise from the trunk, they stop to investigate and discover the man inside is still alive. Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) ensures his death by repeatedly stabbing him.
Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) then fires five shots into the body, followed by Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) declaring, “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster,” as he closes the trunk. This line, paired with the opening violence, immediately establishes the film as a gritty mafia story, giving viewers a glimpse into Hill’s life as a mobster.
Director Martin Scorsese could have begun with Henry’s childhood, but instead, he chose to open with a pivotal moment from his adult life. This decision resulted in one of the shortest yet most impactful cold opens in the genre.
1. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Upon its release, Star Wars introduced audiences to a fresh yet inspired cinematic universe. With entirely new characters, concepts, and settings, director George Lucas needed to expertly immerse viewers into his sci-fi world. The film begins with a grand text crawl, setting the stage before plunging into an action-packed cold open.
One of the most iconic opening shots in film history shows a massive spaceship attacking a smaller vessel above a planet. The scene then shifts inside the smaller ship, where Rebel forces battle Imperial Stormtroopers, leading to the dramatic entrance of Darth Vader. This sequence introduces key characters like Princess Leia, C-3PO, and R2D2 while establishing the stakes of the story.
The cold open unfolds swiftly, delivering crucial details without delay. Viewers instantly grasp the stakes as the action unfolds, making Star Wars’ opening one of the most concise and impactful introductions in sci-fi history. It captivates the audience from the very first moment and maintains their engagement throughout.
