10 More Horror Movie Openings NOBODY Saw Coming
2. The Changeling
In The Changeling, music composer, John Russell (George C. Scott) is driving his wife and daughter through the snowy mountains, his vehicle gets stuck in the ice. After his family fails to shift the car, John uses a nearby phone booth to call for assistance.
While looking at his wife and daughter playing, John notices a car coming around the corner. After spotting a truck driving towards them from the opposite direction, everything goes into slow-motion, as John realises what's about to happen.
Just as he's about to run out of the booth to save his family, the door jams, sealing him inside. Unable to pry it open, John is forced to watch the car slip on the ice, causing the approaching truck to swerve into his family, killing them.
What's so shocking about this scene is how nothing seems out of the ordinary 30 seconds before tragedy strikes. Not only that, it occurs less than three minutes into the running time. Heck, the opening credits hadn't finished yet!
Since this prologue seemed to be building slowly, it was more heartbreaking when it reached its abrupt and devastating conclusion.