50 Greatest Movie Entrances Of All Time

Shredder Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

The Entrance: Shredder puts the ‘grand’ into ‘grandiose’, appearing first as a stretching shadow, then slinking across a stone floor in regal attire.

Slowly he edges round to reveal that glinting silver mask as the soundtrack trembles and pounds.

Why So Awesome: It’s all about those leftover ‘80s shoulder pads…

Noah The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)

The Entrance: How do you make a monster?

That question’s given a bracingly violent answer in The Boondock Saints II , as Noah (Matt Lemche) witnesses the murder of his boss and turns into a cold-blooded killer as a result.

Why So Awesome : Noah’s transformation from wide-eyed youngster to merciless killer is chilling – that look in his eyes when he simultaneously slits a guy’s throat while shooting another will give you nightmares.

Quiz Kid Donnie Smith Magnolia (1999)

The Entrance: ‘Quiz Kid’ Donnie Smith (William H. Macy) introduces himself in the most explosive way possible – by crashing his car right into a window.

Sheesh.

Why So Awesome:
He crashes his car into a window!

Now that’s style.

The Goblin King Labyrinth (1986)

The Entrance: Sarah’s (Jennifer Connelly) baby brother has been kidnapped, but she soon discovers by who when the Goblin King (David Bowie) makes his grand entrance in her parents’ bedroom.

First appearing as a bird, then materializing out of floating material, he’s like a rock star with even cooler hair…

Why So Awesome:
Uh, it’s David Bowie.

The Human Spider - Spider-Man (2002)

The Entrance: Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) enters a wrestling tournament after acquiring his new spidey powers, only he can’t come up with a good enough name.

“The Human Spider? That's it?” gurns the Ring Announcer. “That's the best you've got? Oh that sucks.” As does Parker’s first attempt at a Spidey costume.

His first match, on the other hand…

Why So Awesome: Raimi isn’t afraid to spin his origin story with a little humour, and this is the perfect example of that.

Also, it features Bruce Campbell, which automatically elevates it to ‘awesome’ status.

Dr Frank N Furter Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

The Entrance: Wallflower couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) stumble upon a castle in the rain.

Once inside, they’re treated to a show by tap-dancing transvestite Dr Frank N Furter (Tim Curry), who we first see emerging from a lift tapping his bespangled platform shoes.

Why So Awesome: It’s completely insane, and completely riveting. ‘Time Warp’ indeed.

Lisa Weird Science (1985)

The Entrance: Backed by a hazy hot pink glow, so-called ‘perfect woman’ Lisa – as created by Gary Wallace (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt Donnelly (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) – emerges from the latter’s bathroom looking a million bucks.

“So…” she says. “What would you little maniacs like to do first?”

Why So Awesome: It’s not only every teenage boy’s dream made flesh, it’s also Kelly LeBrock.

Things don’t get much better than that.

Johnny Boy Mean Streets (1973)

The Entrance: A man comes round the corner of the street and drops something into a mail box.

Striding off, he checks his sideburns then ducks into a doorway just as the mail box explodes into smithereens.

Why So Awesome: Johnny even gets his own name credit on screen, just so you know who this trickster is.

Garland Greene Con Air (1997)

The Entrance: Serial killer Garland Greene (Steve Buscemi) makes his debut as he’s led to the Jailbird – the plane transporting prisoners across America.

Masked and strapped into a straitjacket, his escorts aren’t even allowed to touch him, instead manoeuvring him using arm-length sticks.

Why So Awesome: “What the fuck is that?” croaks an observer.

What indeed. Even Hannibal Lecter wasn’t treated like this.

John Preston Equilibrium (2002)

The Entrance: John Preston (Christian Bale) introduces himself as one heck of a badass when he charges at a door and bursts through it, riding it like a surfer board into a pitch black room.

The lack of light doesn’t put him off the fight, though – he still hits every target.

Why So Awesome: The voices whispering in the dark is a lovely touch.

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.