Which horror masterpieces possess the most memorable opening scenes?
American film director, producer, actor, screenwriter, and composer John Carpenter once said that “you can slow things down, lull people into a false sense of security, and then smack them in the face with it,” or “kick it into gear straight away — let’s go!” Many memorable horror movies are built on the backs of their opening scenes and while some favorites are open to public opinion, others are bound to pin to your seats every time that you watch them. So, continue reading to discover Nightmare Toy’s three genre favorites!
Jaws (1975)
Most horror fans have had the opportunity to watch this man vs. nature film, but can you remember the pivotal details of the opening scene and what makes it so great? In our opinion, this sequence sets the tone for the entire cinematic experience! While filmmakers in the ‘70s didn’t have the same technologies as we do today, they were able to create an illusion using an underwater pulley system. Actress and stuntwoman Susan Blacklinie was attached to the pulleys using hooks beneath the water, with drivers that pulled her to and fro to mimic the motions of a real-life great white shark attack. Not only was this scene innovative for its time but director Steven Spielberg employed an effective predator’s-eye view to put film-watchers inside the mind of the hungry shark. As a direct lift from the bestselling book by Peter Benchley, this movie’s opening spectacle leaves fans reaching for their right feet.
Whether your favorite character was Chief Martin Brody or young oceanographer Matt Hooper, there are a variety of horror action figures and collectibles representing the cast of this time-honored film.
Scream (1996)
Since Ghostface has become one of the most popular horror icons of all time, it’s only fair that the first installment gained a rightful place nestled in the library of horror masterpieces. That being said, as a meta-horror ‘90s hit, Scream follows the narrative of a group of teenagers who get plucked off by a mysteriously masked killer, one by one. But, what’s even scarier than Ghostface’s getup is the game of twisted horror trivia that’s orchestrated before each gruesome murder. After all, the nerve-shattering opening scene paves way for an anti-hero storyline, one where the character barely escapes the clutches of her murderer. However, Wes Craven is known for changing things up and who would have thought that the killer would already be inside the house? Now, that was an opening scene that was meant to be re-watched time and time again!
“What’s your favorite scary movie?” Enjoy access to a wide assortment of Ghostface horror action figures and collectibles on our spooktacular website.
IT (2017)
While many aficionados of the horror genre will argue that the new film can’t beat the original, the movie IT grossed over $327 million worldwide, against a production budget of $35 million, making it the highest-grossing horror installment of all time. So, there’s no arguing that the introductory scene where we meet Pennywise in the sewer is both grim and memorable. Since the contemporary version doesn’t mirror the original entirely, its revival merely adds to the hype of the franchise, enabling a higher production of horror action figures that resemble the fearsome, dancing clown.
Which of the above horror masterpieces are you the biggest fan of? Drop a comment in the section below to compare it to other readers.