10 Scariest Opening Horror Movie Scenes Ever

Suspiria’s opening scene is undeniably effective from its synth-heavy soundtrack, as jangling, uncomfortable music interwoven with eerie whispers dominates the frames from the outset and throughout.

Telling the story of a prestigious dance academy with a dark secret student Suzy slowly uncovers, Dario Argento’s influential horror masterpiece isn’t to be messed with - and it makes it clear right from the opening sequences.

After being locked out of the building she’s supposed to stay in after arriving late at night, Suzy sees student Pat burst out and run away as quickly as possible. Fleeing an unknown terror, she makes it to a friend’s apartment - though it isn’t much help. Pat ends up launched through a sunroof after getting stabbed repeatedly in her still-beating heart, and the falling glass from the ceiling all but slices her pal’s face off. Leaving something to the imagination then, this one.

Don’t let the bright red paint blood fool you - this film is the grandaddy of modern horror, and all but inspired the earlier Scream entry at the very least, if you correlate the visuals.