10 Opening Movie Scenes Which Immediately Stunned Audiences

Long before fans were having their hearts ripped out during the opening montage of Up (2009), Pixar were leaving adults and children alike wondering what the hell they'd just signed up for with the first scene in the underwater adventure that was Finding Nemo (2003).

Straight away we're introduced to a sweet husband and wife clownfish duo, Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Coral (Elizabeth Perkins), who have just moved into their lovely new anemone with an epic ocean view. On top of their new home, we also find out that the pair are about to become parents to hundreds of little baby fish. What a delightful way to start this heart-warming family tale.

Yet, this happily-ever-after opening lasts all of about three minutes. A fearsome barracuda suddenly pierces the atmosphere and darts for Coral as soon as she tries to protect her babies. Marlin is then knocked unconscious and the screen fades to black.

When he wakes up, he realises his wife and all but one of his babies (Nemo) have been killed by the barracuda, and so begins this bouncy animated journey.

In all seriousness, this unanticipated opening was just another example of Pixar tackling difficult issues, such as the loss of a child or spouse, head on and the tragic death of Coral and most of her offspring also made us immediately invest in the characters of Marlin and Nemo (Alexander Gould) before the film's title had even flashed up on screen.

The odd unexpected tear may or may not have left your writer's eye, too.