The Most Memorable Opening Lines In Movie History
Ever found yourself on the edge of your seat right from the get-go while watching a movie? That's the magic of a killer opening line. It's like a cinematic handshake that either pulls you in for the adventure or leaves you hanging. We all remember those flicks with iconic intros—whether it's a punchy one-liner or a scene that makes you go, "Wait, what just happened?"
Grab your popcorn as we take a laid-back tour through some of the best opening lines in movies!
Goodfellas (1990)
The opening line of this film is truly iconic. It sets the stage for the character, world, and film perfectly.
We are immediately immersed in Ray Liotta's portrayal of Henry Hill, surrounded by violence and chaos. And then, we hear his first line of voiceover: "As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a gangster." It's a powerful statement that resonates.
Fight Club (1999)
David Fincher's Fight Club opens with Edward Norton's intriguing first line, "People are always asking me if I know Tyler Durden."
This iconic line effectively sets the stage for the movie and leaves audiences with numerous questions right off the bat.
Spider-Man (2002)
Despite being the first Spider-Man movie, most audience members were already familiar with the character when Peter Parker asked, "Who am I? You sure you wanna know?"
This line serves as a captivating hook and effectively introduces the superhero narrative.
The Sound of Music (1964)
The Sound of Music is not only a musical, but it also begins with its title song. The film starts with the iconic line, "The hills are alive with the sound of music."
What a bold and exciting way to capture the audience's attention right from the get-go!
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
In the opening monologue of The Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel says, "The world has changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air."
This simple statement effectively captivates the audience and sets the stage for one of the most successful film trilogies ever created.
The Prestige (2006)
The opening line of The Prestige is a thought-provoking one. Christian Bale's character asks, "Are you watching closely?" Although he does not directly address the audience, it feels like he could be. In a sense, he represents director Christopher Nolan's perspective.
The film delves into the world of magicians, revenge, and obsession, revealing that appearances can be deceiving. It is a story that demands close attention.
Rounders (1998)
Rounders has experienced a shift in reputation over the years, transitioning from being underrated to overrated and eventually becoming an artifact of poker's heyday, which it accurately predicted. Despite this, one line from the movie has remained memorable. In the opening scene, Matt Damon's character, Mike McDermott, imparts valuable advice through his narration.
He starts by saying, "Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in your first half-hour at the table, then you are the sucker."
Tangled (2010)
Disney's Tangled had a tumultuous production, causing concerns about its potential failure and financial disappointment. However, it defied expectations and became a major success, even inspiring the creation of several TV shows!
The movie starts with Flynn Rider's voiceover, opening with the intriguing line, "This is the story of how I died."
The Haunting (1963)
Many old horror movies often start with lengthy monologues, but The Haunting is not one of them. Directed by the esteemed filmmaker Robert Wise, this film can be considered by some to be "elevated horror."
It's a literary adaptation, which may explain its captivating opening line: "An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored."
Risky Business (1983)
Risky Business emerged as one of his initial breakthrough films in the early stages of Tom Cruise's career. In this movie, Cruise portrays a character, Joel Goodson, who is characterized as sleazy, sketchy, and generally unlikable.
The film begins with Joel stating, "The dream is always the same," which can be interpreted in various ways, adding to its powerful impact.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Francis Ford Coppola's war epic is brimming with unforgettable scenes and renowned dialogue, which is probably comforting to leading man Martin Sheen, given that the film nearly killed him when he had a heart attack on set!
In the opening scene of the film, Sheen's Captain Willard, in distress, reflects, "Saigon. I'm still only in Saigon."
Rebecca (1940)
Rebecca, a timeless novel, was adapted into a renowned film, which remains the sole Best Picture winner directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The iconic opening line has been parodied, imitated, and alluded to countless times.
The nameless character known only as the second Mrs. de Winter hauntingly utters, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again," emphasizing the overwhelming presence of the first Mrs. de Winter, the mysterious Rebecca.
Lawrence of Arabia (1961)
At the beginning of a movie, when a character introduces the main character as the most extraordinary person they have ever known, it immediately piques our curiosity. Of course, the audience is then compelled to learn more about the character.
The line "he was the most extraordinary man I ever knew" raised expectations for Lawrence of Arabia, a remarkable epic that went on to win the Best Picture award.
Patton (1970)
George C. Scott's refusal of an Oscar nomination for Patton, which also won Best Picture, may have been surprising, but why he was nominated is easy to see. The movie begins with a renowned monologue delivered in front of a massive American flag.
This monologue contains impactful lines, starting with Patton addressing his soldiers with, "Now I want you to remember that no [man] ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb [man] die for his country."
The Godfather (1971)
The filmmaking of Coppola on The Godfather is truly remarkable, as evidenced by the iconic opening line spoken by a character who plays a minor role in the story.
Amerigo Bonasara, a man seeking a favor from Vito Corleone on his daughter's wedding day, represents only a small part of this timeless film. However, his line, "I believe in America. America has made my fortune," carries significant thematic resonance.
Stand By Me (1986)
Stephen King's writing style is often described as neither short or particularly sweet, but this has not hindered his success as a highly adapted novelist. In fact, his work occasionally serves as perfect material for films, providing captivating opening lines.
For instance, Stand by Me opens with the line, "I was 12 going on 13 the first time I saw a dead human being."
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas has always had a niche following and has become a true cult classic.
It captivates viewers from the very beginning with its opening line, which clearly declares: "We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold."
Citizen Kane (1941)
The line is undeniably iconic, despite its mystery. When the first audiences initially watched Citizen Kane, they were left pondering the significance of a man named Charles Foster Kane and a single word: "Rosebud."
Today, we contemplate the enduring legacy of this cinematic masterpiece, crafted by the talented Orson Welles. The tale unfolds with the introduction of "Rosebud," providing just the right amount of intrigue.
Funny Girl (1968)
The American Film Institute compiled a list of the top 100 movie quotes of all time, and at No. 81, they included the iconic line "Hello, gorgeous." This line stands out as one of the few opening lines on the list.
Barbra Streisand, who won an Oscar for her role in Funny Girl, famously used this line in her acceptance speech. Even if you haven't seen the movie, you are likely familiar with the memorable phrase "Hello, gorgeous."
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee's unforgettable film starts with a radio DJ addressing his listeners, but ultimately, reaching out to the audience. He passionately urges, "Wake up!" and repeats it several times. This serves as a rallying cry, a plea to be alert and engaged.
It is particularly impactful as the DJ's voice belongs to the renowned Samuel L. Jackson.
