30 Killer Movie Opening Lines

The first line can make or break a movie.

And some of the best films also boast superb opening gambits that suck you in, make you think, have you laughing or just tease you.

We’ve rounded up some of our favourites – let us know yours in the comments…

Next: Stand By Me, The Seventh Seal & Trainspotting

Next: Sunset Boulevard, The Third Man & Love Story

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Next: Plan 9, Arsenic And Old Lace & Citizen Kane

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Next: Dead Man's Shoes, To Kill A Mockingbird & American Beauty

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Next: Patton, The Godfather & Spider-Man

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Next: Apocalypse Now, Escape From New York & Full Metal Jacket

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Next: LA Confidential, Conan The Barbarian & Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas

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Next: The Jerk, The Big Lebowski & The Departed

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Next: Four Weddings And A Funeral, Fight Club & Mallrats

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James White is a freelance journalist who has been covering film and TV for over two decades. In that time, James has written for a wide variety of publications including Total Film and SFX. He has also worked for BAFTA and on ODEON's in-cinema magazine.