The Top 10 Disney Opening Scenes

Nobody opens a movie quite like Disney, eh?

When it comes to films, a good opening can set a good first impression and can help keep your audiences hooked from the moment it starts. Disney is especially good at this. A lot of the most memorable moments in Disney history are opening scenes and those moments often told us we were in for something special.

Some scenes open up quietly, some open up in an epic fashion, some open up in a magical way, but most importantly, they open up in a way that leaves an impact on the viewer. And that's what I'm here to countdown today. This list is strictly opinion based, this is not what I find to be objectively the Top 10 Disney Opening scenes, these are just my choices and how I rank them. The Number 1 choice however, I do think is objectively the best, but we'll get to that.

Let's sit back and watch the magic happen as I dive into the Top 10 Disney Opening Scenes...

Number 10: Robin Hood

This scene might come off as a weird choice since there's nothing particularly that grand, epic or awesome about it. But I really enjoy the way Disney's version of Britain's famous folklore legend opens up.

It starts off with a book opening up and giving some details about Robin Hood himself, and then we see the film's version of Alan-a-Dale, who is depicted as a rooster. Already, that tells us what kind of movie we're in, that this is Robin Hood but with animals. Then he tells us "We folks at the animal kingdom have our own version" and we transition into the insanely memorable Whistle Stop song. As the song plays, we get clips of various characters and, what is rare for a Disney film at the time, we actually get credits as to who their voice actors are. Disney usually wouldn't credit actors in the past to try and pass off the illusion that these characters were real and all, so this was pretty special.

Then after Whistle Stop ends, we get another song as Alan-a-Dale sings/narrates to us about Robin Hood and Little John as they walk through the forest, enjoy some fun times together and run away from the Sheriff of Nottingham. The song itself is really catchy and fun to sing along to, helped a lot by Roger Miller's smooth vocals that really make the song a fun earworm.

While not the most epic opening to a Disney film ever, Robin Hood still deserves credit for a good opening regardless. It opens up with some catchy songs, a fun way to credit the actors and show off the characters and also introduce us to the story. This opening will have many a Disney fan singing "Ooh-da-lally golly what a day" by the time it's over...

Number 9: Lilo & Stitch

This movie has quite a long opening. If we count the prologue with the aliens as part of the opening, Lilo & Stitch doesn't actually reach the opening credits until about 10 minutes in. And boy does a LOT happen in those ten minutes!

The movie opens up with, of all things, a trial in some intergalactic courtroom with all kinds of aliens on display here. Already this is an effective opener as we see all the different aliens that inhabit this universe and the fact it's a trial is also a great way to hook viewers. First scene and already we're like "What's all this about? Let's find out!". The trial introduces us to one half of the titular duo, in this case Stitch, and we find out right from the word "go" that he's a genetic experiment who's meant to destroy everything he touches. The aliens place his creator under arrest and banish Stitch to exile. However, Stitch escapes his prison and what follows is a chase through space as the alien police force pursue him. They damage his cruiser, but that doesn't stop Stitch as he activates the hyperdrive and shoots off into the unknown. Naturally, he ends up crashing on Earth and the aliens plot to go there in order to get Stitch back. I love how this opening establishes very quickly that this isn't your average alien invasion story for the aliens aren't even the villains of this story, they just want to get an escaped convict back. And all this is in the first ten minutes of the movie! Talk about starting big!

And then when the credits actually begin to roll, we get a Hawaiian song in the background, "He Mele No Lilo", as we see establishing shots of Hawaii and the people living there. We get scenes of hula dancers and scenes of the second half of our titular duo, Lilo, swimming in the ocean and then making her way to the hula dance. This is yet another effective way to set up the movie for we not only get authentic Hawaiian music and culture proudly on display, but we also see some traits of Lilo's character before she even says a single line of dialogue. We see her in the ocean, which is later explained as her giving a fish she named Pudge a peanut butter sandwich (we even see said fish with the sandwich in its mouth just before the title appears), we see her photographing a fat guy which suggests she has a thing for photography and we also see she likes to hula dance, but also has a propensity for being late as she hurries to the dance. This movie does a lot in a short amount of time just to introduce us to the titular duo and show some aspects of their characters right from the moment they're introduced.

This opening is effective in setting up its story and characters and also hooking us in by showing us it ain't going to be the kind of alien story we thought it would be. Definitely an opening that told us we were in for something special with this one...

Number 8: Pocahontas

This is another long intro as well and also starts in a pretty big way.

Pocahontas opens up with a 17th century drawing that then transitions into a scene at the docks as we see the Susan Constant and everyone boarding the ship ready for the voyage to the New World. All the while, we have the catchy and joyful sounding "Virginia Company" song in the background. The song fits the mood of the scene for it's basically about the crew singing how they're in for a load of riches and adventure as they set off to the New World. Then after the song concludes, the scene suddenly becomes intense as the crew have to deal with a heavy rainstorm at sea that sees one of them, Thomas, nearly end up on a trip to Davy Jones's locker. Talk about Mood Whiplash! We also get to establish John Smith's character as an adventurer with a heart of gold and boundless courage as he dives into the water in order to save Thomas, and he succeeds too. Nothing like a thrilling rescue scene to get one suckered into a movie, am I right? The animators pulled it off so beautifully by making the scene feel like a thrill ride and that the crew's lives really are at stake here.

Then we settle down from the excitement as we transition to the opening credits and an establishing shot of the New World. This scene is also accompanied by a song, "Steady As The Beating Drum", which fits the Native American setting we find ourselves in. We also get to see some of Native American life on display as we see the men on guard duty and blowing horns to let everyone know the warriors are returning and the women and children rush to greet them with some carrying corn that they've been picking from the fields. We even get some sweet moments of romance in the scene as the warriors return and their wives practically throw themselves in their arms. One even pounces on her husband so hard that they both fall over, which is pretty funny. XD

This opening is great for setting up both the English and the Native Americans and establishing what the goals for the English are and what the lives of the Native Americans are currently like before the English will eventually come in and disrupt them. The fact we get two catchy songs back-to-back to liven up the scenes also helps too. Say what you will about Pocahontas, we can all agree that it opened quite strongly...

Number 7: Beauty and the Beast

Fun fact: this opening prologue was the late Howard Ashman's idea. And a good one it was too, for it was a great way to open up the movie.

Beauty and the Beast essentially opens up with a prologue that's narrated to us by the late David Ogden Stiers, who also voiced Cogsworth in the movie so that's pretty appropriate. Said prologue is told to us almost entirely through stained glass window style paintings like you see here, which makes it look as if the window itself is telling us a story. It's also fitting what with this being a fairy-tale, so why not have a fairy-tale style opening with illustrations and everything? No Disney movie before or since has ever opened like this, so already Beauty and the Beast gets points for originality. It also helps that the artwork of the images we see that illustrate the story we're being told are absolutely beautiful to look at and are rich with colour, just like real stained glass window paintings. Can you imagine how long it took to draw and colour all that in? I can't imagine it was a breezy process by any means...

The prologue isn't all stained glass paintings though. We do open up with an establishing shot of the forest (with a quick cameo from Bambi's mum no less) and a slow camera pan through the forest up to the castle in which we then get the paintings, and after they're over we get a shot of the Beast, who is shrouded in shadows, clawing a portrait of himself back when he was human. That shot tells us right away that the Beast is in despair over his current situation and clearly can't bear to look at the man he used to be anymore. We also get an explanation of the enchanted rose and its role in the curse and also what the magic mirror does, which sets up the story going forward and the roles they play in it later. And all of this in a neatly told and beautifully illustrated prologue.

Beauty and the Beast really did give us an opening we wouldn't soon forget and to this day, it's still considered a beautiful opening. It's a good thing Howard Ashman came up with the idea for it gave us one of Disney's most beautiful openings yet...

Number 6: The Rescuers Down Under

Boy, did this opening really get us hyped up for the movie ahead!

Both Rescuers movies have pretty solid openings, but if I had to pick one for the list, it had to be this one easily. It's one of those Disney openings they'll sometimes do where it starts off quiet at first and then suddenly kicks into high gear and amps up the excitement. This opening is one of the best examples of that. The movie opens with a close-up shot of some Australian wildlife and the opening credits appearing over them. The mood is quiet with mostly the sounds of the wildlife being heard and very little music at first. We zoom slowly through some leaves and grass, passing by several bugs along the way. Then the camera slides up to a stick that a small ladybird crawls up to the top. It then opens its wing case, takes flight and that's when the movie suddenly shifts gears and we end up on the ride of a life time.

The title appears and we suddenly get this epic camera pan over this enormous field of flowers as we rush towards Cody's house. It's almost like we're on a ride, like some kind of virtual ride at Walt Disney World Florida or something. And all the while, Bruce Broughton's incredible score is roaring in the background, making this somewhat grand moment suddenly seem epic. Needless to say, Bruce really "Broughton" his best work to this movie. XD It just shows what a difference the addition of a soundtrack makes to a movie for this scene would've looked pretty boring without the music in the background. With the addition of the score, it suddenly seems huger than it really is and gets us ready to see the movie ahead. I sometimes play this scene just to hear the music, it's THAT awesome!

While I personally think The Rescuers Down Under is a pretty flawed movie and isn't as good as The Rescuers because of its weak storytelling that suffers from padding and scenes that go nowhere, this scene is one of my favourite things about it. It's a kickass opening that really hypes you up for what lies ahead. Who knew running through a field could look so cool...

Number 5: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

I doubt anyone's surprised to see this on the list. I'm sure many people have cited this as among the greatest opening scenes of any Disney movie, and I'm inclined to agree. Fun fact: this opening was originally going to be spoken, but the creators felt it looked too duel as it was, so they added a song number to spice things up a bit, this being "The Bells of Notre Dame" number as we know it.

The movie begins with a distant shot of Notre Dame cathedral itself just visible above the clouds as an epic choir chants in the background, said chant being a recurring theme that we hear throughout the movie's soundtrack. Then the camera pans down below the clouds and introduces us to an ancient Parisian village as Clopin sings/narrates to us about life in Paris and how it operates along with the bells of Notre Dame. The fact the opening musical number places so much importance on this one cathedral is an effective way to open up this movie that takes place primarily in said cathedral. Then Clopin continues the song as we flash back to where it all began. What follows is a prologue that sees gypsies sneaking into Paris, getting caught by the guards and then the villain of the movie himself, Judge Claude Frollo, shows up to pass judgement. The fact his very presence brings fear to the faces of the gypsies is a fantastic way to establish the villain of the movie. When the characters are outright reacting with dread in regards to the villain's entrance, you know they're serious business.

Then Frollo and his guards see a woman with what appears to be a bundle in her hands and Frollo, being the prejudiced jerk he is, assumes it's stolen goods and demands they be taken from her. We then get an intense chase scene as the gypsy tries to flee from Frollo and his horse, but he catches up to her, snatches the bundle away and kicks her onto the steps of Notre Dame. Said blow actually kills her too. Damn, we've barely started this movie and already there's a murder! This movie pulls NO punches! Frollo then finds out that the bundle was actually a baby. He takes a look at its face, reacts with horror and then goes over to a well with the intention of drowning the infant. Damn, now we have attempted infanticide too? I bet the audience watching this movie could hardly believe their eyes! They must've been like "THIS is a Disney movie?!" when watching. Luckily, the Archdeacons tops Frollo and guilt-trips him into spearing the baby and becoming a parental figure to it. Clopin then caps off as he reveals the baby is called Quasimodo and we get a grand finale as he concludes the song while Quasimodo rings the bells of Notre Dame while the title appears over them. What an opening scene, am I right?

This scene establishes so quickly that this isn't your average Disney movie. It has a grand score, a song that alternates between whimsical and mysterious to suspenseful and serious, a surprisingly dark tone that sees a truly evil person commit murder and attempt to commit another murder and so much more. Anyone who saw this opening must've been hooked all the way to the end, because this opening told us all that this was no ordinary Disney film. It truly rang the bells of Notre Dame in order to suck us all into this incredible picture...

Number 4: The Fox and the Hound

This is one of Disney's creepiest and darkest opening scenes to any movie they've made period. Even The Hunchback of Notre Dame is tame compared to this one!

This movie's opening feels like it's for an entirely different movie. Some might say it feels like an opening to a horror movie rather than a Disney movie. How so? Let me describe it to you. First of all, the movie opens up with a misty background and we can't see much of anything, and unlike most Disney movies, there's no epic score to accompany it. No, it opens up in eerie silence! Literally, all we can here when the opening credits begin is just the wind blowing! That's a pretty creepy way to open up a film. After the title appears, we then get slow sweeping shots as we leave the mist behind and enter the forest. As we do so, we begin to hear animal noises, mostly birds, which is appropriate for a forest setting. The accompanying animal noises helps to create a more settled atmosphere at least for now we, the audience, know there is life in the forest and everything seems peaceful...but not for long.

At about 1 minute and 49 seconds into the opening, we suddenly hear distant dog barking. That's already a bad sign since dogs shouldn't be in a forest setting. It's an ordinary sound that still gives a feeling of dread as we can only wonder what this dog barking means. It's also at around the two minute mark when we finally hear music for the first time, and it's REALLY suspenseful! The ominous soundtrack plus the dog barking has us holding our breath, wondering what's about to happen. Then suddenly, a fox enters the scene with a cub in her mouth and the music suddenly gets louder and more intense as the chase is on. We don't even see much of the chase, just a few scenes of Tod's mum running through the forest while dog barking pursues her. We don't even see what's after her, we just hear that dog barking the whole time as she's pursued. This was a really effectively dramatic hook for the opening and once again, like no opening a Disney movie has had before or since. And just like Hunchback up above, we get murder in the opening scene as Tod's mum is shot to death (her body is offscreen when it happens though). Holy. Mother loving. CRAP! Remember when Disney used to be ballsy? I do, it gave us openings like this and all the better for it!

This was a surprisingly suspenseful and creepy opening to a movie that otherwise has a pretty innocent sounding title, but it set the tone straight away for The Fox and the Hound and let us know we're in for an emotional roller coaster. Ominous, suspenseful, nail-biting and ultimately ending in tragedy, this opening was one incredible way to start off this incredible movie...

Number 3: Oliver and Company

I once put this on my Top 10 Most Memorable Disney scenes list back in 2023, so no surprise it makes the countdown here. I won't talk too much about it since I already talked about it there, but I'll still provide some details.

This opening always left an impression on me and stands out as one of the best scenes in the movie, as well as one of Disney's best opening scenes. First of all, we open up in NEW YORK CITY! That's already a big deal since, you know, New York City and all, and it's not something we'd expect from a Disney movie either, especially an animated one. Second of all, the opening is accompanied by an amazing song by Huey Lewis in where he sings about life in New York City and that guys like Oliver are waiting for their time to shine. The song itself is incredible and I love singing along to it every time I watch this opening. This scene wouldn't have worked without it, let me tell you.

This is also an opening that takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride. In this opening alone, we go from being wowed by the New York City scenery to being awed by the cute kittens on offer to feeling sorry for Oliver as he's left alone with no one wanting him to feeling scared for him as he's nearly swept away down a drain and even chased by dogs that likely would've eaten him alive if they'd caught him. That's a lot of feels at once, and this is just the opening scene! And I remind you, this is a movie that's basically Oliver Twist but with a Disney twist, they really didn't need to go so hard on the opening. But they did anyway, and I love this scene all the more for it.

It was always once upon a time in New York City where Disney movies gave us great opening scenes, and this is easily one of them...

Number 2: Tarzan

Once again, this scene got a spot on my Most Memorable Disney scenes list, so of course it gets a spot here.

Like with the previous entry, I won't go into too much detail as I talked about this scene in a previous post, but I'll still give some details here. This opening is one of Disney's most action packed openings to their films period. I mean after the title, the first thing we LITERALLY see is a couple and their baby evacuating a sinking ship that's gone up in flames! I mean holy cow, talk about thrusting us straight into it right from the word "go", eh Disney? After the human family escapes the ship, they go up to shore and build a shelter in the jungles of Africa in order to have a place of sanctuary. At the same time, we see a gorilla family enjoying life in the jungle and playing with their babies. The fact these two families will come to meet one another makes these two scenes with the human and gorilla families especially poignant. The opening also gets really dark real fast when Sabor the Leopard leaps out of the bushes and makes off with Kerchak and Kala's baby. Here you go kids, child murder! That's a lovely way to open up a fun-filled Disney classic for the whole family, am I right? (sarcasm) I kid of course. Moments like this is why ignorant people who think animation is "for kids" need to actually watch an animated film for once in their lives. Classic Disney could get pretty damn ballsy, and this opening's no exception!

And all the while, we have Phil Collins's epic "Two Worlds" accompanying the visuals. The song is a perfect fit for what's going on to the point it's like the visuals were written to fit the lyrics. The song goes perfectly with the theme of how two worlds are coming together, the human and the ape worlds respectively, and they'll come together to make one family as we see in the movie when Tarzan is accepted in the ape family later on. This opening had it all: lots of feels, some intense action, surprisingly dark moments and a great song to go with it. This opening alone is enough to tell anyone watching this that Tarzan was going to be an awesome movie.

Two worlds, one opening. Disney trusted their hearts and let fate decide to guide these lives they sought, and as a result we got one incredible opening scene...

And the Number 1 Disney Opening Scene is...The Lion King

Yeah, trust me to shill my favourite movie for the umpteenth time, but what other movie was going to top this list?

This opening scene was so incredible that they literally used the entire scene AS THE MOVIE'S TEASER TRAILER! That's how epic this scene is! What else can possibly top a scene that was so amazing that it was used as a teaser trailer?

I'm not sure if I should bother describing this opening since everybody knows this scene by heart and everybody knows why it's epic. As is, I'll do it anyway. The movie opens up quietly with the opening credits in red letters against a black background and the only noises we here are some animal noises. Then suddenly, Lebo M wakes us all up with his iconic chant as the sun rises up over the horizon. What follows next is a scene full of animals going through nature and making their way to Pride Rock as they eagerly await to see the new-born Prince Simba, the next of kin and Mufasa's eventual successor to the throne. Every shot in this scene is simply gorgeous to look at and the animals are beautifully animated all throughout. We get a panning shot as Zazu flies over the arriving crowd and heads to Pride Rock, giving the audience a breath-taking view as we see just how massive this crowd is and the towering rock that houses the King of the Pride Lands. This opening not only makes the movie feel epic, but HUGE too.

And that's not getting into the iconic shot of Rafiki holding Simba up high for all to see and the animals all cheer for him. Add all that plus an incredible score and the legendary "Circle of Life" song by Carmen Twillie in the background and you have one of the most gigantic and epic openings ever put to screen. Like some of these other openings, this scene just feels grander just by adding in the song to it. Imagine how dull it would've looked without it? The Lion King was Disney's B project while Pocahontas was their main priority, and yet this B project has the best opening scene of any Disney movie ever created. It's grand, it's epic in scope and size, it immediately pulls in the viewer and tells them they're in for something legendary, it introduces the characters and world without a single line of dialogue and it overall just feels incredible to watch. How many people who saw this back in 1994 knew they were in for something special with this film? I bet a lot of audiences knew they were watching history in the making the moment they saw this opening.

What else needs to be said here, it's The Lion King! Everything that movie does is pure gold, especially this opening scene! Grand, powerful, iconic, memorable, breath-taking, it's easy to see why this is the Number 1 Disney Opening Scene...

And that's it for this post. I hope you enjoyed it and feel free to comment on the list down below. Did you like it? What are your Top 10 Disney Opening Scenes? Do tell me.

Next week, I'll be doing a special post to celebrate three years of running this blog AND also doing a post covering a controversial subject regarding one of the latest episodes of Pokémon Horizons. See you then media fans!