10 Most Harrowing Opening Scenes In Horror Movies
The shocking, disturbing, and upsetting horror movie opening scenes that viewers won't forget.
Like the first sentence of a novel, the opening scene of a film is vital.
Audiences only get one first impression, and the opening moments of any film is the filmmaker's chance to impress. The opening scene is their chance to establish the mood, introduce key characters and themes, or simply to flex their creative muscles. The best opening scenes do all of these and more, but it's the horror genre where audiences must turn to find some of the most provocative and powerful movie openers in existence.
Whether it's because the content is disturbing, upsetting, or shocking, these downright harrowing scenes are the ultimate statement of intent. They let viewers know that they're in for a serious horror experience that not everyone will be able to handle. To some, they're a warning to turn back before the worst happens; but to others these scenes are a sign that they're about to see something truly memorable, if more than a little mentally scarring.
These are the harrowing horror openers that will stay with viewers forever.
Beware of minor spoilers ahead for the following and be warned that none of the scenes discussed are particularly pleasant.
10. Final Destination (2000)
If the Final Destination series has accomplished anything, it's making audiences intensely paranoid about dying in comically elaborate and horrific accidents.
For all these new anxieties, we can thank the opening scene from the first film.
Alex (Devon Sawa) and his high school classmates are about to leave New York for a trip to Paris on flight 180. On the plane, however, Alex has a premonition that the aircraft will explode in mid-air, killing everyone aboard.
What starts as turbulence after take-off quickly escalates into catastrophe. The aircraft begins to shake violently before a hole is blown in its side and screaming passengers still fastened to their seats are jettisoned out. Those lucky enough not to plummet to their deaths have the luxury of being engulfed in a fireball when the plane finally explodes.
Though a tad on the overdramatic side (it is a horror from 2000, after all) this scene nevertheless reinforced how precarious air travel can be.