There are many examples of superhero movies in the MCU, the DCU, and beyond which start with a truly incredible opening scene. Even before the movies of the MCU helped establish the genre as the biggest in modern cinema, superhero movies offered some of the best escapism in Hollywood. Telling an action-packed story of good versus evil requires grabbing the attention of the audience, and the simplest way to do so is with an incredibly opening scene.

From the MCU’s movie timeline to the movies that predate any shared movie universe, an unforgettable opening is a surefire way to cement a film as a standout title in the history of the genre. Starting with a scene or sequence that perfectly sets up the story to follow isn’t always a simple task, but when it’s executed correctly, it’s a sight to behold. With that in mind, here are the 10 best opening scenes in superhero movies ever.

10. Old Logan Fights

Logan (2017)

Though the ending of Logan is often cited as the movie’s best and most emotional moment, the 2017 film also starts with an incredible scene. James Mangold’s adaption of Marvel Comics’ Old Man Logan storyline introduces its older Wolverine in emphatic fashion, beginning the movie on an especially brutal note. The scene sees a drunken Logan awakening to confront criminals attempting to strip the tires of his car. When they shoot him, Logan slowly heals before fighting the men.

As he gets off to a painfully slow start, the scene establishes that Logan’s version of the hero is far from his prime. The visceral nature of its action also sets the tone for the film in the best possible way, with the neon-lit backdrop stained with blood by a disheveled and exhausted Wolverine. It’s a scene that embodies everything set to follow, distancing Logan from other X-Men movies while also showcasing the brutal potential of Jackman’s Wolverine.

9. The Comedian’s Murder & Contextual Montage

Watchmen (2009)

Released in 2009, Zack Snyder’s Watchmen adapted the beloved comic book series of the same name into live-action in a way that few considered possible. The movie opens with a scene in which Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Comedian sits reclining in his apartment, only to be attacked by an unknown assailant, thrown from the window, and killed. The scene leads straight into an opening montage which outlines the events of Watchmen’s alternate history, all set to Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’”.

The violence of the introductory moments immediately establishes just how different Watchmen is from other comic book movies. The movie justified its R rating within seconds, firmly asserting that it doesn’t follow the established formula for superhero movies, with Zack Snyder’s unique approach to visual storytelling then put on display. It’s a perfect opening to a noir superhero epic, expertly capturing the spirit of the movie.

8. The Avengers Attacking Strucker’s Base

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Though 2012’s The Avengers established the titular team within the MCU, the chemistry between its heroes and their balanced team dynamic wasn’t truly formed until the movie’s end. They were then absent as a team for three years, before reappearing in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. The movie opens with a scene that conceptually picks things up where The Avengers left off, making it an especially incredible beginning.

The scene delivers each of the six members of the Avengers in equal measure, establishing their roles within the team via a thrilling action sequence against Hydra’s forces. The visual spectacle of Age of Ultron’s opening scene is impressive, but it takes a back seat to the carefully written humor that plays the heroes off one another even as they employ flawless teamwork. The scene does more than just set up the events of the movie, as it asserts that the chemistry between the team in The Avengers was more than a fluke, and that the MCU would continue to pursue that level of quality.

7. The Riddler’s Brutal Attack

The Batman (2022)

The cast of The Batman featured many characters from the Dark Knight’s world, most of which were reimagined for Matt Reeves’ Gotham City. Few were as comprehensively overhauled as Paul Dano’s Riddler, who was rewritten as a serial killer obsessed with exposing the corruption at the heart of Gotham’s society. The movie opens with a scene following the villain, offering no immediate context for his actions.

Seeing through the Riddler’s eyes as he stalks Mayor Mitchell, then following him as he creeps into his home and brutally bludgeons him to death, serves as a tense and atmospheric opening. It’s an appropriately dark and violent scene for The Batman, setting the tone for the movie while also establishing just how dangerous the Riddler can be. It’s a shocking opening scene in many ways, but it’s also perfectly crafted to introduce The Batman’s villain ahead of its hero.

6. Introducing Mega-City One

Dredd (2012)

2012’s Dredd more than earned its cult classic status, affording a brilliantly realized and gritty look at the titular 2000 AD character in live-action. In spite of its modest budget, Dredd opens with a scene introducing the sprawling future metropolis of Mega-City One. Narration from the titular character succinctly explains the events that led to Mega-City One’s creation, subtly setting the tone for his character and for the movie itself.

The presentation of Mega-City One and the use of news footage to outline the civil unrest in the city is all perfect. From the off, Dredd’s tone is established as one of tension and civil unrest, adding a sense of urgency to its story that pervades throughout. It’s an atmospheric and visually excellent introduction not just to the movie but to the world of Judge Dredd, making it a truly incredible opening scene.

5. Interviews With Supers

The Incredibles (2004)

When discussing superhero movies, The Incredibles doesn’t often enter the conversation, but it remains one of the most engaging and original entries into the genre. Following a super-powered family living in a society that rejects the super-abled, The Incredibles opens with a scene introducing some of its heroes. In the style of old newsreels, the movie starts with Mister Incredible and Elastigirl being interviewed independently, leading up to scenes detailing their heroics and marriage, before jumping to its present-day story.

The Incredibles‘ opening scene does everything perfectly. It’s layered with art-deco nostalgia that evokes the Golden Age of comics, as well as introducing its heroes and explaining why society came to reject them. There is practically no aspect of The Incredibles‘ introductory scene that doesn’t function perfectly, making it stand out as one of the best in the genre.

4. Spider-Man Delivering Pizzas

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Widely considered the best of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies, 2004’s Spider-Man 2 is often cited as one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. It did more than just adapt an iconic Marvel hero to the screen in an epic sequel, but it also helped define the genre for years to come. It also opens with a scene that shows Spider-Man delivering pizzas which is one of the best in any superhero movie.

Despite the mundane nature of his task, the scene expertly captures the essence of its hero. Caught between two worlds, Peter Parker’s life in New York is far from perfect, but his transformation into Spider-Man offers him both escape and purpose. All this is communicated by a simple and deceptively meaningful scene about the hero delivering pizzas, making it an especially excellent opening scene.

3. Comic-Accurate Deadpool’s Debut

Deadpool (2016)

After Deadpool made his incredibly disappointing live-action debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, campaigns for a more comic-accurate version of the character were led by actor Ryan Reynolds. Seven years later, he was afforded the chance to reprise the role, promising a more accurate depiction of Deadpool, complete with an R rating and fourth wall-breaking dialogue. The result, 2016’s Deadpool, opened with a scene that delivered on every single promise in just a few minutes.

The scene introduces Deadpool as he was meant to be, offering up wisecracks while receiving obscenely violent injuries. From dark humor and high-energy action, Deadpool’s opening scene firmly established all the ways that the movie would embrace comic accuracy. This did more than just set it apart from Deadpool’s previous movie appearance; it served as a love letter to the character and an apology to the fans, all in a single scene.

2. The Blood Rave

Blade (1998)

Released in 1998, Blade’s place in the superhero genre is quietly influential. Though it’s often overlooked, Blade actually helped pioneer the genre in many ways, with even its opening scene playing an important role in the formation of superhero movie tropes. Blade begins with a scene in which a man is led to a secret rave in a slaughterhouse, only for the sprinkler system to begin raining blood. Even as he reacts in horror at the vampires surrounding him, Blade arrives, laying waste to countless creatures.

The visuals of Blade’s opening blood rave are among the most memorable in any superhero movie. The scene set up the movie’s bloody and violent story, establishing a dark tone that cemented it as a more mature comic book movie. What’s more, it showed that stylistic filmmaking had a place in the superhero genre, helping set a precedent for a more artistic approach to adapting comic books into live-action.

1. The Joker’s Bank Robbery

The Dark Knight (2008)

When it comes to the best ever opening scenes in superhero movies, there are none better than The Dark Knight‘s. Not only is the movie widely considered the best in the genre, but its opening scene is one of the most entertaining, introducing a key villain in an especially unexpected manner. The scene sees a gang of criminals in clown masks hired by the Joker setting out to rob a bank, only to kill each other off one by one before the lone survivor reveals himself as the Joker himself.

The scene serves as both an introduction to The Dark Knight and to Heath Ledger’s Joker. It sets the film’s antagonist up as a chaotic but brilliant villain, outlining his ability to perfectly execute a daring and unorthodox plan. It’s also a deftly crafted piece of cinema, serving as one of the best bank heists ever committed to the big screen. As such, The Dark Knight’s bank robbery is the best opening scene from the superhero movies of the MCU, the DCU, and beyond.