The T-800 The Terminator (1984)
The Entrance: The first time we catch a glimpse of this ‘assassin from the future’, the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is butt naked.
Except that somehow doesn’t stop him being really freakin’ scary, not least because the first thing he does is take out a gang of sass-talkin’ yoofs.
Why So Awesome: The line “Your clothes… give them to me. Now.”
Tony Manero Saturday Night Fever (1977)
The Entrance: All it takes is a killer soundtrack and one of the coolest struts ever to grace the big screen.
Hip-grinding dancefloor diva Tony Manero (John Travolta) introduces himself to swooning audiences by simply hoofing it down a sidewalk.
Why So Awesome: It set the blueprint for all ‘cool guy’ movie intros, used ad nauseum in just about every teen comedy you’ve ever seen.
Not only that, it’s simple but massively effective, buoyed by that Bee Gees soundtrack and Travolta’s natty togs.
T-Rex Jurassic Park (1993)
The Entrance: It starts with a quivering cup of water on the dashboard. Then the sound of heavy footfalls.
Finally, Jurassic Park serves up its ace – the goliath T-Rex, which is, let’s say, not particularly happy to discover these odd little human things in its territory.
Why So Awesome: This is the first dinosaur in the film to actually have any teeth, so to speak.
Before the T-Rex’s entrance, we’ve had PG encounters with brachiosaurs and a triceratops. Trust the T-Rex to tear it up…
The Wicked Witch Of The West The Wizard Of Oz (1932)
The Entrance: Quite literally arriving in a puff of smoke, The Wicked Witch of the West makes a grand entrance to terrorise a collection of Munchkins – who just so happen to be celebrating her sister’s recent death.
Why So Awesome: The green skin. The clawed hands. That nose.
We’re instantly terrified of this hunched, fairytale figure – and so we should be.
Begbie Trainspotting (1996)
The Entrance: Teeny moustachioed pool player Begbie (Robert Carlyle) has a perfect shot messed up by a guy sat munching at the bar.
That’s nothing compared to his bar-brawl kick-off, though, in which he purposefully tosses a glass over a balcony in order to muscle in on the ensuing fight.
Why So Awesome: Carlyle + rampant violence = amazing.
RoboCop RoboCop (1987)
The Entrance: It begins in RoboVision as doctors and scientists peer into camera talking about their creation.
Fast forward to a busy police office and the swish-click of robotic legs accompanies a figure glimpsed through rippled glass. Then RoboCop enters the shooting range...
Why So Awesome: Paul Verhoeven cleverly introduces RoboCop without giving us a good look at him, instead letting us see inside his fractured, computerised mind first.
The Alien Queen Aliens (1986)
The Entrance: Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) goes to the rescue of young Newt (Carrie Henn), entering the alien hive.
There, she inadvertently discovers just who’s been laying all those gross eggs - The Alien Queen…
Why So Awesome: Thought the xenomorph was bad? Time to meet mama…
The Apes Planet Of The Apes (1968)
The Entrance: Astronauts Taylor (Charlton Heston), Landon (Robert Gunner), Dodge (Jeff Burton) wander an alien land, then decide to go for a swim.
When their clothes are pinched, they find them shredded. Then gorillas with guns ride up on horseback…
Why So Awesome: Sure, the film’s called Planet Of The Apes , but back in ’68, we doubt audiences expected this .
Equally parts eerie and insane, the sight of gorillas riding horses is almost enough to make you lose your mind.
Norma Bates Psycho (1960)
The Entrance: Lila Crane (Vera Miles) hides from Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) in the cellar of his home, and happens upon a woman sat in a chair with her back to her.
Reaching out, Lila swivels the chair – and stares right into the gaping, empty eye sockets of a grinning corpse. Yes, this is Norman’s shrivelled old mother…
Why So Awesome: It’s gloriously creepy and the last thing you’re expecting.
Gilda Gilda (1946)
The Entrance: With a single hair toss, a cheerleader smile, and then a smouldering, shoulder-shrugging stare, Gilda (Rita Hayworth) has every audience member picking their jaw up off the floor.
“Me? Sure I’m decent,” she purrs.
Why So Awesome: She’s the title character, yet she doesn’t appear until around the 20 minute mark.
When she arrives, boy does she arrive.
