20 Best Opening Scenes in Superhero Movies

Regardless of whether it’s a comical skewering of opening credits sequences, a violent look into the deteriorated psyche of a lead character, or a pulsating attack on an enemy compound by our favorite gang of superheroes, the opening scene of a movie has to do plenty of heavy lifting. It needs to grab the audience’s attention, introduce the tone of the story, and showcase the lead character(s) in a way that makes us care about them.

Given the saturated and highly competitive market of superhero films, making a memorable first impression is more essential than it ever has been before. Whether these films did it by making us laugh out loud, forging a deep connection between character and audience, or simply overwhelming us with a visual spectacle right off the bat, these opening scenes stand among the best the superhero genre has ever produced.

20 ‘X2’ (2003)

Directed by Bryan Singer

An opening that immediately indicated X2 had every intention of leveling up on its impressive predecessor, a brainwashed Nightcrawler’s (Alan Cumming) assault on the White House, is still a visually astonishing spectacle today. A majestic blending of live-action fight choreography and CGI splendor, the sequence follows the teleporting mutant as he uses his powers and combat skills to carve through secret agents to carry out an attack on the U.S. President.

Despite the fact that Nightcrawler’s actions are not his own in the sequence, the tense opening still lays the platform for the film’s story, which sees William Stryker (Brian Cox) trying to pass the registration act against the mutants. The film itself is a wonderful gem of superhero cinema in the days before the MCU, and its brilliance is signposted by an extraordinary opening scene that still stands as a highlight of contained superhero action.

19 ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ (2017)

Directed by James Gunn

Given that Guardians of the Galaxy was a remarkably refreshing installment of the MCU, the much-anticipated sequel hit the ground running by doubling down on its predecessor’s fun-loving and freewheeling effervescence. Making exceptional use of the first film’s knack for physical comedy, vibrant action, and brilliant music choices, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 opens with one of the most enjoyable scenes in the entirety of the MCU.

While it features the titular band of heroes battling a giant, tentacled monster, it keeps its focus firmly on baby Groot (Vin Diesel) as he bops around to the tune of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky”, inadvertently dodging the carnage that transpires around him. Not only is the sequence rife with hilarity, but it also stands as some of the best, most eye-popping CGI the Marvel movies have ever featured. While the film itself was largely a middling entry for the franchise, its opening scene perfectly encapsulates the tone of the film and the clunky synergy that defines the Guardians of the Galaxy as a group.

18 ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ (2014)

Directed by Marc Webb

People can say what they want about The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but it is difficult to deny that the opening sequence is one that perfectly represents the character, both as Spider-Man and as Peter Parker. Opening with the divine shot of Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) web-slinging around the high rises of New York City, it soon becomes an action set piece as the friendly neighborhood hero intervenes in the hijacking of a truck carrying plutonium.

The action is exactly what one would expect from a Spider-Man story, it’s fun and lively, infused with comedy, and sharply executed even with CGI playing a significant part in the sequence. Of course, Spider-Man emerges victorious, with the sequence then switching to a hurried Peter Parker scrambling to make it to his own graduation on time. The sequence is engaging, accessible, and fun, all while efficiently showcasing the full scope of the responsibilities Parker must juggle in his double life.

17 ‘The Wolverine’ (2013)

Directed by James Mangold

While it is well known that the Wolverine / Logan (Hugh Jackman) flaunts immediate healing as one of his most prominent superpowers, the full extent of this ability was not fully realized on screen until the opening sequence of 2013’s The Wolverine. Flashing back to Nagasaki in 1945, the film starts with Logan imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp when the city is struck by the atomic bomb.

The sequence is realized with brilliant depth, a harrowing effectiveness, even as it splits its focus between Logan and the young Ichirō Yashadi (Ken Yamamura), a Japanese guard. The ignition of the bomb is a moment that flaunts a genuine sense of dread, while Logan’s rescue of Ichirō, and the severe burns he sustains in the process, portray just how effective his healing powers are. The flashback is informative and phenomenally grueling, signaling that The Wolverine would be a pivot towards a much darker realization of the X-Men world than previous films in the franchise had offered.

16 ‘Batman’ (1989)

Directed by Tim Burton

For decades, Batman has been the most cinematic superhero there is, arguably surpassing the likes of Superman and The Avengers. While there have been plenty of takes on the Caped Crusader in recent times, none have introduced him with quite the same impact as Tim Burton did in 1989’s Batman.

Amid this extremely gothic yet delightfully campy version of Gotham City, two thugs hold up a woman in an alley and make away with her purse. As they try to divvy up their loot, Batman (Michael Keaton) descends into the background behind them. It’s not an exaggeration to say the tone of superhero films forever changed when he held the criminal over the side of the building. And who could forget the perfect delivery of that now famous line, “I’m Batman”?

15 ‘Blade’ (1998)

Directed by Stephen Norrington

For younger audiences, it may be impossible to fathom, but there was a time when superheroes and Marvel characters were shunned by audiences. For a while, Blade was the only powerful entity from Marvel Comics to experience success in its live-action adaptation, and it owes a lot to its phenomenal opening scene.

Pulling no punches, a man is lured into a vampire nightclub where the entrancing horror begins. Sprinklers start spurting blood, the vamps bare their fangs, and all hope looks lost for the sorry chump until Blade (Wesley Snipes) arrives in the nick of time. Disposing of every vampire in sight in the coolest ways possible, the film’s opening still offers an exciting change of pace for the superhero genre.

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14 ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017)

Directed by Taika Waititi

There’s always a risk attached to shaking up established characters, and turning the God of Thunder into a comical presence in a campy action movie takes some serious guts. Taika Waititi pulls it off though, with the gloriously fun opening of Thor: Ragnarok completely re-imaging Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in a way that was both refreshing and exciting.

Waititi’s trademark quirkiness matched with the titular character flawlessly, giving him an instant awkwardness that made him appeal to fans in a way other MCU heroes can’t. The fact that he was tied up and at the mercy of an enormous, fiery bad guy gave the scene an energy that helped a potentially jarring shift. It was the perfect opening to a new style in the MCU.

13 ‘Kick-Ass’ (2010)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

A ridiculous blend of superhero parody, crude humor, and Tarantino-esque ultra-violence, Kick-Ass was ahead of its time as skewering send-up of superhero blockbusters. The tone of the film could hardly have been introduced any better than what was conveyed in the opening scene.

With Dave Lizewski’s (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) satirizing monologue running over the top, the funny satirical superhero film opens with a costumed vigilante standing atop a skyscraper, readying himself to fly as a growing crowd of adoring spectators gather. The stunt doesn’t go quite so well for the aspiring superhero, with the violently abrupt comedy an appropriately inappropriate and suitably shocking introduction to the movie.

12 ‘The Incredibles’ (2004)

Directed by Brad Bird

While plenty of superhero films glamorize their crime fighters and bring glory to their achievements in the opening scene, The Incredibles did something different. Instead of wowing us with their awe-inspiring abilities, director Brad Bird opted to humanize them by showcasing just how normal they are.

Shown in a documentary style, the opening features clips from interviews with the superheroes 15 years prior when they were in their prime. From Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) fiddling with his microphone, to Elastigirl’s (Holly Hunter) staunch defiance towards settling down, it presents characters who audiences can relate to instantly despite their superhuman abilities, and it makes it all the more effective when we see what they’ve become soon after.

11 ‘Spider-Man 2’ (2004)

Directed by Sam Raimi

In addition to boasting a fantastic opening credits sequence, Spider-Man 2 got off to a hot start thanks to an opening that was both exhilarating fun and charmingly quaint. Late for work, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is tasked with making a seemingly impossible pizza delivery in mere minutes and resorts to using his superhero alias and swinging through New York City to arrive on time.

Coupled with a magnificent, pulsating score, it immediately immersed viewers into the fun-loving thrills the film would offer. Sam Raimi’s spellbinding sequel only got better from there too, going on to become one of the best Marvel movies ever made in the eyes of many.

10 ‘Unbreakable’ (2000)

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

M. Night Shyamalan’s somber spin on superhero movies opted to tone down the action and intrigue audiences with grounded characters and a grittier narrative. A harrowing prologue, Unbreakable opens on the birth of Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), a superhero comic fanatic who lives with a brittle bone disease.

Flawlessly dictating to audiences what the mood of the film will be, it is ripe with high drama and a profound sense of suspense as a paramedic checks on the health of the distressed newborn. The acting from all involved is exceptional, making for a powerful introduction that immediately re-calibrated audience expectations of the superhero narrative.

9 ‘The Batman’ (2022)

Directed by Matt Reeves

With the weight of expectation heavy upon him, director Matt Reeves handled the opening scene of The Batman with composed confidence in the strength of his vision. Going against what most other Batman movies have done, it starts with an eerie build-up which, like much of the film itself, feels more like an intense and grueling crime thriller than a traditional superhero action flick.

A technical masterclass from the second it transports us inside the mayor’s house, the Riddler’s (Paul Dano) first assassination informed us that this would be a superhero movie unlike any other. The tension rises as Reeves expertly navigates us through the slow, heart-pounding tempo of those opening minutes, boldly showcasing what this Batman tale looks like.

8 ‘Deadpool’ (2016)

Directed by An Overpaid Tool (actually

Self-referential, self-deprecating, goofy, crude, and poking fun at other superhero films and, indeed, film in general, the very first scene of Deadpool delivered exactly what eager fans were hoping for. We glide through the scene of a car mid-crash, which bombards the audience with visual gags, from delightful jabs at Ryan Reynolds — a fan-casting dream come true — to the hilarity of the credits themselves.

Above all else, though, it showed fans that the ‘Merc with a Mouth’ was finally going to be done right, from the crude comedy to the obscene violence. Juice Newton’s “Angel of the Morning” playing throughout was the perfect icing on the cake, one that helped offer emphatic proof that the project’s eternity in production hell would finally reap rewards for all lovers of superhero cinema and comedy spark.

7 ‘Dredd’ (2012)

Directed by Pete Travis

Based on the 2000 AD comic strip Judge Dredd, director Pete Travis‘ Dredd takes place on the east coast of a dystopian world devastated by nuclear war, where a superstructure known as Mega-City One becomes the site of a violent battle. The film follows the eponymous character and the rookie he’s training as they explore the building after a string of horrible deaths lead to the cruel Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) as the primary suspect.

The Judges have encountered the worst that humanity has to offer as a result of their responsibilities as judge, jury, and executioner – the film’s absorbing opening scene hints at the weight of this role. The camera pans to show an overview of a chaotic city full of derelict buildings, then gives a closer look at the news reports capturing the daily violence its inhabitants have to endure. It’s an effective introduction that sets the tone for the whole movie.

6 ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2014)

Directed by Joss Whedon

While Avengers: Age of Ultron may be regarded as the least spectacular entry of all the Avengers cross-over movies, it does feature one of the scariest moments from the MCU, and its opening scene still stands among the best the franchise has to offer. The pulsating attack on Strucker’s (Thomas Kretschmann) base had audiences glued to their seats as the action extravaganza saw the much-anticipated sequel get off to a frenetic start.

The opening scene gives all six members of the squad ample time to shine and flourishes as a strong creative vision, with a nice balance between awe-inspiring action and good-hearted humor. And, of course, that glorious running take that gets it started still stands as one of the coolest things the MCU has ever done.

5 ‘Watchmen’ (2009)

Directed by Zack Snyder

Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the acclaimed Watchmen graphic novel has its share of critics, but few would deny the opening scene grabs your attention with everything it’s got. A violent and ambitious introduction, it sees retired superhero The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) attacked in his house by an unknown assailant while Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable” plays in the background.

A stunning mixture of style and brutality, the scene also needs to bring audiences up to speed on a lot of alternate world history that is essential to the story, and does so with remarkable efficiency. All of this then effortlessly bleeds into what is one of the best opening credits sequences in film history to make for a truly exceptional opening.

4 ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan’s enduring Batman trilogy has stood the test of time thanks to its imposing characters and its punishing action. Both of those elements were on show in the opening scene of The Dark Knight Rises which introduced Tom Hardy’s Bane to audiences in an unforgettable fashion.

The stunning plane sequence shows Bane and his henchmen turning the tables on their CIA captors as they abduct a nuclear physicist and stage a deadly crash as they launch into their devastating plan for Gotham City. Thrilling and jam-packed with death-defying stunts, it still stands as one of the best cold opens in Christopher Nolan’s entire filmography.

3 ‘Logan’ (2017)

Directed by James Mangold

The art of a great opening scene not only lies in snatching the attention of viewers but also in introducing them to the sort of story they’ll see throughout the rest of the film. That is difficult at the best of times, but when the story is both a complete re-imagination of tone and the final act in a character’s story, that becomes one gargantuan task.

James Mangold had no problems pulling it off with Logan though, immersing audiences into a world that was significantly harsher and more violent than what they’d seen in other X-Men movies. As shocking as it was, it remains a perfect opening, which is a big reason why Logan is considered the best ­X-Men movie.

2 ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

Directed by the Russo Brothers

In Avengers: Infinity War, Thanos is getting ever closer to obtaining all six Infinity Stones, which would allow him to achieve his twisted goal of eradicating half of all life in the cosmos. It’s up to the Avengers to band together and figure out how to defeat him, but things are getting worse by the minute.

Even before the amazing combat scenes in Infinity War, Thanos makes a striking first impression in the movie’s opening scene, which shows him on board the ship transporting Asgardian survivors. The villainous introduction shows Thanos’ brutal interactions with beloved characters Thor, Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and Heimdall (Idris Elba). The entire sequence manages to stand out despite the MCU’s long history of giving viewers powerful intro scenes, as it highlights Thanos’ undeniable strength as an antagonist as well as fan-favorite heroes’ vulnerable positions.

1 ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Few filmmakers can pull off an enticing, meaningful cold open quite like Christopher Nolan, and his opening scene to The Dark Knight is among his very best work. Enrapturing the audience from the first few moments, the heist shows off a Gotham City that has lost none of its ruthlessness since Batman Begins, while also giving Heath Ledger’s Joker a bone-chilling unveiling.

Violent and filled with intrigue as to who exactly this villain is, while also bolstering the Dark Knight saga’s grounded and intense setting, it allowed the rest of Nolan’s superhero masterpiece to flow flawlessly. It also served as a landmark achievement for big-budget movie-making due to its experimentation with IMAX technology, the success of which has paved the way for how modern blockbusters have been filmed ever since.

NEXT: The Best Superhero Movies of All Time, Ranked