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Making a good first impression is important. Whether it’s a job interview or a meeting with the in-laws, the first chance to introduce yourself is irreplaceable and sometimes irreversible. When movies set out to make a good first impression, they do so by creating captivating opening sequences that hook audiences from the very beginning.
Disney animated movies have a glittering legacy in the cinema. From award-winning songs to groundbreaking animation, Disney films have become synonymous with excellence. Part of this distinction includes having memorable opening scenes. Whether it’s a dramatic intro or a poignant prologue, these 10 movies have some of the best beginnings in the industry.
10
‘The Rescuers Down Under’ (1990)
A sequel 13 years in the making, The Rescuers Down Under’s opening is unique in several ways. Firstly, it starts without either of the two main characters from the first film. Instead of the adventurous mice Bernard (Bob Newhart) and Miss Bianca (Eva Gabor), the movie begins by focusing on a human boy named Cody (Adam Ryen). It also has a purely musical intro. No lyrics, no storyline. From zooming in on a small bug to a wide shot, the camera races across the distance, hurling towards large rock formations as thousands of wildflowers zoom by.
Everything about the opening to The Rescuers Down Under is evocative of Australia. It immediately sets the tone and gives the audience insight into the film’s flavor. From the indigenous instruments used in the soundtrack to the large rocks towering above the landscape, reminiscent of Uluru/Ayers Rock. It is a fascinating sequence with exciting, fast-paced animation made possible by a newly purchased computer animation system called CAPS, which would continue to be used in future films like The Lion King.
9
‘Finding Nemo’ (2003)
The penchant for Disney to hit viewers in the feels within the first few frames is legendary. A prime example of this MO for storytelling is the opening for Finding Nemo. From a happy fish couple talking about how nice their new home is and gleefully beaming about soon becoming parents, to death and disaster, all in under five minutes.
The beginning of Finding Nemo is visually gorgeous and gives the audience an instant visual palette to enjoy with the beautiful, three-dimensional animation. The action that takes place in the intro is actually a key component to the story, establishing why Marlin (Albert Brooks) is so concerned about his son’s (Alexander Gould) safety and why he named him Nemo.
8
‘WALL-E’ (2008)
The intro to WALL-E had a big task ahead of it. The beginning of the movie had to establish what had happened to Earth in the dystopian future and why the planet was no longer inhabited. Filmmakers correctly chose to give audiences pieces of information a little at a time instead of trying to do an info dump or flashy montage. This gave viewers time to accept one concept and then another, building the backdrop for a fantastic sci-fi film.
As viewers watch the lone robot WALL-E (Ben Burtt) go about his daily life, clues are given about the condition of the Earth and the fact that humans left because it was covered in garbage and pollution. WALL-E’s first scenes are ideal at introducing audiences to the main character and communicating a complex setting, all the while being highly engaging and charming to watch.
7
‘The Little Mermaid’ (1989)
The movie that launched a whole new era, The Little Mermaid, pulled Disney out of a slump and set it up for excellence. The movie had the studio returning to its fairy-tale roots after several years of box office disappointments. The enchanting and whimsical opening was a clue to viewers that they were about to witness something special, and audiences have been in love with the movie ever since.
From the maritime song “Fathoms Below,” which is reminiscent of sea shanties, the action follows a lucky fish who escapes the ship and swims down into the watery depths. The music transcends from upbeat and practical to ethereal, floating, and flowing. The magical journey builds in anticipation as one mermaid, and then another are shown until we see an entire undersea kingdom. The intro to The Little Mermaid is music cueing at its best, as audiences are brought into a mystical and magical realm lying hidden just beneath the human one. The Little Mermaid won Alan Menken his first Oscar, and it is undoubtedly one of Menken and Disney’s greatest collaborations.
6
‘Up’ (2009)
If Disney intros hadn’t already cemented a legacy of striking devastating emotional blows, then 2009’s Up left no trace of doubt. The intro follows the main character, Carl (Edward Asner), as a young boy. Shy, quiet, and with a heart full of wonder, he is befriended by a young girl named Ellie (Elie Docter) who shares his passion for adventure. The prologue rolls on as Carl and Ellie grow up, get married, and build a life together.
Normally, this would be the start of it, but since it’s Disney, there is bound to be a tragic twist. From infertility to Carl losing Ellie to an unknown illness, the hits come hard and fast as Carl and Ellie’s life flashes before the viewers’ eyes. The intro to Up is one of the saddest ever, even for Disney. According to director Pete Docter, the emotional weight was necessary to have audiences bond with Carl and understand his attachment and emotional connection with the house.
5
‘Tarzan’ (1999)
An innovative animation sequence that combined hand-drawn images with computer animation was on full display in the intro to Tarzan. With a massive budget of $130 million, it was the most expensive animated film to date. The new technology allowed animators to move through three-dimensional settings in a 2D environment in ways never possible before.
The opening to Tarzan jumps right into the action. The story is immediately established as full of urgency and drama. As a young human family escapes a fiery shipwreck, they build a new life for themselves on a nearby island. Meanwhile, a family of great apes is shown in the jungle nearby. As fate takes poignant turns, Phil Collins’ song “Two Worlds” connects the scenes and reiterates a core theme of the movie with the lyrics “two worlds—one family.”
4
‘Pocahontas’ (1995)
A movie with its fair share of controversy, Pocahontas has come under fire for some of its blatant historical inaccuracies. These errors aside, the film’s opening is one of Disney’s best. The comparison and contrast between England, with the song “The Virginia Company,” and the Native American landscape, with the song “Steady as the Beating Drum,” is genius. It instantly highlights the vast differences not only in culture and location but in each society’s core worldview.
The two Oscars Pocahontas won were for its music. The song “Colors of the Wind” won in its own right, and Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz won for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score. Besides the phenomenal soundtrack, the human elements of Pocahontas’ intro stand out for their ability to capture universal themes. Loved ones embrace each other before or after long journeys, and young men are trying to prove their worth to an influential leader. Though the main storyline gets wildly anachronistic, the opening to the movie is superb.
3
‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)
Narrated by the talented David Ogden Stiers, who also voices Cogsworth in the film, the opening to Beauty and the Beast is a beautiful fairy tale snippet. Using gorgeous stained-glass windows to tell the infamous tale, audiences everywhere were warned not to be deceived by appearances. As the curse of the Beast (Robby Benson) is explained to viewers, the tone of the film is set as serious and broody, with an air of magic twinkling in the background.
From the stunning cinematography of a forest, reminiscent of Sleeping Beauty, to the detailed and ornate castle evoking memories of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast built upon the rich foundation laid by previous triumphs and created its own enchantment. Beauty and the Beast made history as the first full-length animated film to ever be nominated for Best Picture. This accolade is definitive of how excellent a film Beauty and the Beast is, and its powerful opening is a large part of that genius.
2
‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ (1996)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame’s opening is as metal as they come. A young mother flees for her life, clutching her precious infant to her chest while being chased by a cold and unfeeling judge. The Gothic and dramatic music by maestro Alan Menken breathes life into the harrowing opening sequence. As the street jester Clopin (Paul Kandel) narrates the intro in song, the lyrics of “The Bells of Notre Dame” are poignant and profound. Lines like “[…] some say the soul of the city’s the toll of […]the bells of Notre Dame,” and “Judge Claude Frollo longed to purge the world of vice and sin, and he saw corruption everywhere, except within,” are exemplary of the film and the opening’s gravitas.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a paragon in Disney’s canon. It was the last animated movie that dared to tell a compelling story. Murder, mistreatment, racism, lust, greed; they are all there. The powerful opening is one of the many aspects that make The Hunchback of Notre Dame a masterpiece. From the multiple camera angles to the dynamic chase scene on horseback through winding city streets, it is a gem of complex storytelling.
1
‘The Lion King’ (1994)
As tremendous as all of these openings are, nothing beats The Lion King. From the black screen where Foley sounds of bugs and a real lion roaring are heard to the dramatic song opening, The Lion King starts with flair, and its regal and impactful presence makes itself known from the very beginning.
As the bright, yellow sun rises over an African savanna, the song “Circle of Life” begins. The call and response of the soloist and chorale is perfectly befitting the imagery on screen as the sun is signaling to the animals, and they respond. As viewers follow the myriads of creatures to their destination, a new lion cub is presented to the throng. As the sky parts and the sun beams down on the new heir, all of the animals pay homage, acknowledging the leadership and lineage of the royal line. This beginning scene is especially meaningful because the ending of the movie will come full circle in a highly rewarding way.
The Lion King is one of the best films of all time. From its Shakespearean plotline to its Academy Award and Tony Award-winning music, it is a remarkable triumph. From the very beginning of the movie, audiences know they are in for something special, and this fantastic film does not disappoint.
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Lisa Nordin
Almontather Rassoul
