10 Best Opening Scenes From Movie Sequels

Taking the unorthodox approach of gifting us a heart-stopping scene which actually takes place mid-way through the story, here we have the pulsating opening to the franchise-revitalising Mission: Impossible III.

As a black screen invaded theatres all around the world, with only the voice of Phillip Seymour Hoffman's Owen Davian and the sound of Ethan Hunt being zapped to guide us through the darkness, fans instantly knew they were in for a tense introduction here.

A truly chilling performance from Hoffman, coupled with a convincingly desperate Tom Cruise as Hunt, makes for an exchange you simply cannot take your eyes off. Davian then coldly explains that Hunt has until the count of 10 to tell him where the Rabbit's Foot is or his fiancée Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan) dies.

Not knowing at this point what in the hell is going on, fans are left wondering whether Hunt is keeping this information from Davian on purpose, or genuinely has no clue where the item is. Either way, Davian isn't satisfied with the IMF agent's responses, leading to Julia seemingly being blasted in the head as his count dramatically hits 10.

Queue jaws bouncing off popcorn buckets the world over.