What makes an opening scene truly unforgettable?

In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim and Zach count down their Top 10 Opening Scenes in Fantasy & Sci-Fi — across books, movies, and television. These are the moments that hooked us instantly, set the tone for everything that followed, and made us say, “Oh… I’m in.”

We’re talking about opening scenes that:

• Instantly establish tone, stakes, and voice

• Redefine a genre or subgenre

• Still hit just as hard on a rewatch or reread

• Made us trust the storyteller within minutes (or even seconds)

From iconic first lines on the page, to jaw-dropping cinematic prologues, to TV pilots that changed the game, these openings didn’t just start a story — they announced something special.

⚠️ This episode is spoiler-light, focusing on why these openings work rather than ruining what comes next.

👉 Let us know in the comments:

• Which opening scene hooked you the fastest?

• Which one do you think should’ve made the Top 10?

• And which opening still gives you chills every time?

If you love Fantasy & Sci-Fi discussions that dig into why stories work, this one’s for you.

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0:00 - Opening

1:15 - Episode Explanation

3:32 - We Build Our Top 10 List

25:51 - Wrap-up & Conclusion

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