9 horror movie intros so good, you couldn't look away
In the horror genre, few things are as critical as a killer opening.
While every movie benefits from a strong start, horror films demand it. From jolting jump scares to unforgettable bloodbaths, the first few minutes are often what convinces viewers to stay, or sends them scrambling for the remote.
Some of the most legendary scenes in horror history are found right at the beginning, setting the tone, building dread, and in many cases, launching the story with a bang. These nine unforgettable intros prove that when horror films start strong, they can hook audiences instantly — sometimes for life.
1. Halloween (1978)
Few horror intros have shaped a franchise as profoundly as Michael Myers' first kill. Seen from the perspective of a child, John Carpenter shows young Michael watching his sister and her boyfriend before grabbing a steak knife, slipping on a clown mask, and murdering her in cold blood. 'Somehow, the creepiest part is when Michael runs downstairs after the fact, panting into his mask, only to be met by his confused parents, who rip it off to find he still hasn't left his bizarre fugue state.'
2. Jaws (1975)
On land, humans may rule the food chain — but in the sea, we're helpless. The opening scene of Jaws taps into this primal fear perfectly. As Chrissy takes a solo swim, she's brutally attacked by a shark in a sequence that mirrors the film's iconic poster. The scene's infamous score and Spielberg's use of POV shots force viewers into the predator's eyes, creating what would become the first modern blockbuster's unforgettable beginning.
3. Midsommar (2019)
Some horror films begin with a tragedy so bleak, it stains every scene that follows. Midsommar opens on the aftermath of Dani's sister's murder-suicide, which also takes the lives of their parents via carbon monoxide poisoning. Cut to her boyfriend Christian walking through snowy silence to try comforting her. 'The sheer level of dread Ari Aster is able to conjure with this uncomfortably long glimpse into a disaster is hard to describe.'
4. Scream (1996)
Arguably the most legendary horror opening ever, Scream introduces us to Drew Barrymore's Casey Becker as she flirts with a mysterious caller. That flirty chat turns nightmarish when Ghostface begins quizzing her on horror movie trivia — then kills her with a dagger. 'The fact that Scream was willing to cast a starlet like Drew Barrymore only to callously murder her was a shock to audiences in 1996, playing with standard slasher movie conventions.'
5. It Follows (2014)
A girl flees an unseen pursuer in a panicked sprint, running barefoot and crying into the night. What follows is the eerie image of her broken body on a beach. This is It Follows, using ambiguity and dread to maximum effect. 'This scene only makes complete sense after watching the entire film, cleverly foreshadowing how the curse of It Follows works.'
6. A Quiet Place (2018)
In a world ruled by sound-hunting monsters, A Quiet Place opens with a near-silent stroll through a ruined town. A child's toy makes a noise — and in seconds, he's gone. 'This scene is a great way to wordlessly explain how the monsters of A Quiet Place work, shown barreling across fast distances like a freight train to annihilate anything that makes noise above a certain decibel level.'
7. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Tim Burton's gothic slasher kicks off with a grim encounter between Peter Van Garrett and the infamous Headless Horseman. After his carriage driver is decapitated, Peter tries to flee but is hunted down and beheaded. 'This scene instantly conveys the very real danger of the Horseman's myth.'
8. IT: Chapter One (2017)
A paper boat, a storm drain, and a child named Georgie set the stage for IT's most infamous moment. When he meets Pennywise the Clown, the audience can only watch in horror as he's lured with talk of 'popcorn and balloons.' 'The creep factor turns to sudden shock when Pennywise finally snaps at his prey, taking off the young boy's entire arm and dragging him into the depths beneath the street to be devoured.'
9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
The film's documentary-style intro is nausea-inducing and unforgettable. 'Over a black screen, a narrator explains the horror that's about to unfold… ending on a disturbing effigy of corpses piled on a tombstone like some sort of twisted monument.' It warns you exactly what kind of carnage is coming. 'Not only is this sequence powerful enough to induce medical distress, but it makes it clear in no uncertain terms that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre will not be for the squeamish.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Long Island shark hunter may have inspired 'Jaws' character, whitewashing claims surface as film turns 50
As Jaws marks its 50th anniversary, attention is turning to Long Island's own Frank Mundus—the man many believe inspired the iconic character of Capt. Quint. Mundus, a larger-than-life shark hunter from Montauk, is said to have heavily influenced the role portrayed by Robert Shaw in the 1975 classic. 'Anybody who knows anything about fishing knows that it's based on him,' said Pat Mundus, Frank's daughter to New York Post, adding that locals long recognised his impact on the story that reshaped shark lore forever. Photo: NYP Known for hunting massive sharks and branding himself a 'monster fisherman,' Mundus often performed stunts to draw attention—including staging the discovery of a 'sea monster' in a waterproof casket. Though Spielberg's Jaws is set in the fictional Amity Island, it was Peter Benchley's encounter with Mundus aboard his boat, Cricket, that many credit as the source of the character's creation. However, Mundus was never officially recognised, which his family views as erasure. 'He crafted his image over decades, and then someone just used it without credit,' Pat said. Frank Mundus passed away in 2008, but his legacy endures. His 1986 capture of a 3,427-pound great white shark with Donnie Braddick remains legendary. A replica still draws crowds at Sam's Star Island Marina. Photo: NYP
Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Netflix drops ‘The Waterfront', inspired by creator's real-life family drug ties
Netflix's new drama The Waterfront, which premiered on June 19, takes viewers deep into a coastal town torn apart by secrets, legacy, and survival—and it's rooted in real life. The eight-episode series comes from Kevin Williamson, the mind behind Scream, Dawson's Creek, and The Vampire Diaries. This time, Williamson delivers a raw, personal story inspired by his own father's descent into drug smuggling in the 1980s. The series stars Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, and Jake Weary as members of the Buckley family, who were once-respected figures in the fictional town of Havenport, North Carolina. Once dominant in the local fishing industry, the Buckleys are now unraveling amid addiction, financial hardship, and long-buried betrayals. Behind the family's polished public image is a messy tangle of secrets and a willingness to do whatever it takes to maintain control—even if it means turning on one another. While the Buckleys are fictional, the emotional core of the story is deeply personal to Williamson. In recent interviews, the showrunner shared that his father, a fisherman by trade, began smuggling drugs during hard times to support the family. The consequences of that decision left a mark on Williamson's childhood and have stayed with him since. 'This is the story I've been circling for decades,' he said, referencing how the themes of loss, identity, and buried secrets have been present throughout his career—from slasher films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer to coming-of-age dramas. The Waterfront offers a gritty, emotionally charged look at the cost of survival and legacy—with Williamson finally confronting a story he's been carrying most of his life.
Express Tribune
10-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Watch: trailer released for Ari Aster's Cannes-acclaimed Eddington film
A24 has released the full trailer for Eddington, a new film by Ari Aster, best known for Hereditary and Midsommar. Slated for release on July 18, the film is set during the tumultuous summer of 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the politically charged atmosphere following the murder of George Floyd. The movie follows a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and the town's mayor (Pedro Pascal), with tensions escalating in the wake of a contentious mayoral race. The trailer reveals a blend of social distancing, protests, and conspiracy theories, along with explosive action scenes, gunfights, and a mysterious corporate plane looming over the desert. Eddington draws inspiration from contemporary America's struggles, offering a satirical look at the complex and volatile period, and features a strong ensemble cast including Austin Butler, Emma Stone, Luke Grimes, and Deirdre O'Connell. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a nearly seven-minute standing ovation. Critics have praised Aster for his willingness to tackle the challenges of modern-day America, calling the film a provocative reflection on recent history. Despite its divisive reception, the film continues to draw attention for its bold exploration of social and political issues. Eddington is Aster's fourth feature, following Beau Is Afraid (2023). The film is produced by A24, with Aster and Lars Knudsen serving as producers under their Square Peg Banner. The film hits theaters on July 18.
