Among some of the great movies of the 1990s, some of them proved their greatness in their unforgettable opening scenes. A decade of notable shifts in Hollywood movie-making, several ’90s films are now considered classics that remain influential and beloved decades later. However, even the best movies of the ’90s didn’t necessarily kick things off with a bang.
There were some ’90s movie twists that solidified a classic in its closing moments. There are also some overlooked ’90s films that went unnoticed in their time. However, there are also some great examples of movies from the decade that delivered in their opening scene, grabbing the audience’s attention and promising something special.
10
Cliffhanger (1993)
Cliffhanger is not always discussed in the same conversation as Sylvester Stallone’s other great action movies, but it should be. Stallone stars as Gabe Walker, a mountain climber who has to tangle with some dangerous thieves searching for their lost fortune on a mountainside. However, the most intense scene comes before the bad guys are even introduced.
The opening scene depicts Gabe’s previous job as a mountain rescue worker and the tragedy that led to his departure from the job. When his friends are stranded on a mountainside, Gabe comes to help them cross to safety, only for the rope to snap and him desperately trying to hold onto his friend, Sarah’s hand.
The entire sequence is an edge-of-your-seat experience, with some expert tension building from director Renny Harlin. The practical locations add to the intensity, and the image of Sarah’s hand slowly slipping from Gabe’s is an impactful way to start this action movie.
9
Jurᴀssic Park (1993)
Fans showed up to Jurᴀssic Park movies wanting to see dinosaurs. While Steven Spielberg certainly delivers on that promise in the original, he uses the first scene of the movie to expertly hint at these creatures and the chaos that comes from suddenly having them share the same world as human beings.
The opening sH๏τ of the jungle and something monstrous making its way through is a clever trick, as it is revealed to not be a dinosaur but a large industrial machine transporting a caged raptor. As the park’s workers proceed to deal with the creature, it breaks loose and kills one of the workers.
The short sequence does so much to set up the story. It establishes the particular danger of the clever raptors, the strangeness of seeing dinosaurs in a modern setting, and most importantly, that the humans are not in control as much as they might think.
8
Blade (1998)
As fans still wait to see if the MCU Blade movie will actually happen, the reboot will certainly face a big challenge in topping the opening scene of the original. While audiences had gotten used to seeing vampire stories as period pieces, Blade does a great job of showing what modern vampires might be like.
The first scene finds a hapless young man being taken to a nightclub by a woman. As the eager clubbers rave on the dance floor, the sprinklers turn on and blood rains down on them all. The young man finds that he’s surrounded by vampires, but just when he seems doomed, a figure in black steps into the club.
The image of the vampires dancing in the blood rain is terrifying and unforgettable. It is a great way to modernize these monsters. It also makes for a terrific introduction for Blade as Wesley Snipes is instantly iconic in the role, smiling as he confronts the club of bloodsuckers.
7
Trainspotting (1996)
Trainspotting is a movie that literally hits the ground running with its first scene, establishing director Danny Boyle’s frenetic style that propels the film while also featuring one of the most memorable opening narrations to any movie.
The movie begins with Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” as Ewan McGregor’s Renton races down the street with the authorities on his tail. As the film continues this mad-dash pace, we are introduced to the main characters of the story, while Renton dismisses all the trappings of “normal life” with the final question, “Who needs reasons when you’ve got heroin?“
It is a bold and in-your-face start to the movie that establishes an atтιтude that feels distinctly from the 90s. The anti-establishment freedom of Renton’s outlook is balanced by the fact that his life also appears to be out of control.
6
Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas is one of the greatest gangster movies of all time. Part of the reason is that no previous gangster movie had ever blended together the danger of this world with the seductive quality of it. Director Martin Scorsese pulls this balance off brilliantly, beginning with the first scene.
The first minutes of the movie find Henry Hill, Tommy DeVito, and Jimmy Conway driving down the highway at night when they hear a rattling in the trunk. When they open it, a bloodied man is revealed to be back there, and they proceed to viciously stab and shoot him.
It is a shockingly violent moment that is quickly juxtaposed with Henry’s first line of narration, “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” It immediately knocks the audience out with the darkly comedic suggestion that there is something deeply alluring about this lifestyle.
5
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is a sci-fi movie that introduces a new reality. The opening moments of the movie give the audience a thrilling look into that reality, with the promise that the rules do not apply here. It also provides the first look at the unique action filmmaking style that The Matrix introduced.
The first moments find the mysterious Trinity surrounded by police, with nowhere to run. However, with some gravity-defying moves, she takes them all out, giving the first hint that things are not what they seem and reality is being bent.
The image of Trinity freezing in midair as the camera pans around her promised audiences that they were seeing something unlike any other action movie out there. While the opening scene leaves a lot of questions about what is going on, it also ensures that the audience is ready to take the ride.
4
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Quentin Tarantino’s filmmaking journey began with this opening scene in his debut movie, Reservoir Dogs. Looking back on the scene, it remains one of the most effective instances of a filmmaker announcing themselves as a new and unique voice in the industry.
This violent crime story opens with a group of criminals sitting together in a diner. Rather than them being a group of tough guys and stone-cold killers, they come off fairly regular, with their conversations about Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and tipping etiquette.
The dialogue is mundane yet captivating, a signature style that Tarantino would continue to perfect. It also feels different from any other crime movie, as it finds the interesting human moments amidst the more pulpy aspects of the story.
3
The Lion King (1994)
The Disney Renaissance was already well underway by the mid-’90s, with the animation studio returning to its former glory with the likes of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. However, The Lion King arguably stands above all those projects as Disney’s most epic film, something promised in the opening moments.
The “Circle of Life” song is enough to make for a memorable sequence, but the image of the sun rising over the plains is a stunning opening. As we see the various animals making their way to Pride Rock, it is clear that Disney has outdone themselves in terms of the animation for this movie.
The beautiful and mesmerizing sequence crescendos with the iconic image of young Simba being lifted and presented to all of the animals of the kingdom. It feels like its own animated short film that packs an impressive punch.
2
Scream (1996)
When it comes to horror movie openings, Scream still makes for an extremely effective kick-off to all the thrills. Even after nearly 30 years, knowing all of the reveals and where the jump scares are, it is a gripping scene of terror that helped make the franchise what it is today.
The scene is a brilliant building of tension as young Casey politely talks to a stranger who presumably called the wrong number. However, their conversations about scary movies take a turn as Casey comes to learn she is inside a real scary movie right now.
The meta dialogue of these characters discussing horror movies within a horror movie might be common now, but it was an inventive decision at the time. Drew Barrymore also deserves special recognition for her great performance, which makes it all the more shocking when she is killed off.
1
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan is considered one of the greatest war movies of all time, and it solidified that reputation in its opening scene. Despite being a celebrated director behind so many beloved films, this opening scene may be the highlight of Steven Spielberg’s legendary career.
The opening moments depict the D-Day invasion of Omaha Beach in World War II, with Tom Hanks’ Captain Miller leading his men. The pulse-pounding boat ride to the beach climaxes with the doors swinging down and chaos immediately ensuing.
The sequences are the most immersive and visceral battle scenes in any movie, showcasing the mayhem of war in a way never seen before. Historians and war veterans have praised the authenticity of Saving Private Ryan‘s opening sequence, while audiences were stunned by the carnage depicted.
