Memorable opening scenes of movies really stand out in our minds. They have a way of pulling the audience into the world of the characters quickly. Here are the top 10 Disney movies with the best opening scenes.

"10. Toy Story 3"

The opening is Andy playing with his famous toys. But, instead of actually see him playing like the last two movies, you see what the story looks like from his head. From the very beginning of the scene, you know that it’s all make believe from Andy. But, the scene is very much fun to watch and you can tell that both the toys and their voice actors are having a blast with the scene with the over-the-top scenarios and the acting. It also has great jokes. For example, Woody and Jessie have to rescue the orphans from crashing and the “orphans” are actually “Trollz” dolls. Also, Hamm the Piggybank plays the main villain and he arrives on a spaceship, very similar to a spaceship in “Star Wars.” With great humor and an imaginative story, the opening lightens the mood for a very serious movie.

9. "Brother Bear"

“Brother Bear” is sadly lesser known in the public eye, mostly because it was released in a time where Disney was crashing in the early 2000’s. The public is missing such wonderful things, like the opening scene. The opening scene is very much like “Moana’s.” It introduces us to the Native American/early Canadian culture, which consists of a tiny village and what they do in the village. Instead of picking up coconuts (the what?) and dancing with the waves, they are canoeing and painting on the cave walls. Like “Lion King,” the visuals are beautiful with sunset colors over waterfalls, mountains, and canyons.

The song that plays over it, “Great Spirits” explains the culture’s love for spirits. It also foreshadows the main character, Kenai’s journey as a bear after his deceased brother’s spirit turns him into one.

8. "Tarzan"

The opening excels at the music and the story-telling. The scene explains how Tarzan ends up in Africa and how Kala the ape adopts Tarzan. The beginning is very suspenseful with a shipwreck. Baby Tarzan and his mother escapes on a life boat and as the ship loses itself to the fire, Tarzan’s father escapes. It is a big moment of “Will they survive?” Shipwrecked, the family finds themselves in Africa and successfully builds a tree house to stay in. Meanwhile, Kala and Kerchak have a baby, who sadly gets killed by Sabor the leopard (who mauls Tarzan’s parents). Hearing baby Tarzan soon after, she runs to him.

The story is clear and easy to follow while keep exciting moments, such as the death of the baby ape and the ship wreck, and sweet moments with the two mothers and the babies.

“Two Worlds,” sung by Phil Collins, is a great choice for the opening. The rock and roll pulls you in, but it explains how two worlds are the same, no matter what and how they come together.

7. "Moana"

“Moana’s” 10-minute opening is beautiful for the sight and the ears. First, the beginning of the opening tells the story of the sidekick character, Maui. It isn’t done as powerfully as other Disney openings except for the first 30 seconds. During that time, the opening narrative that explains the creation of Earth is hand-drawn. The background is a tapa cloth as the animations are very stylized and the animated characters, such as Te Fiti the Earth Goddess and the voyagers, look just like paper and it’s beautiful.

The next thing that stands out is Baby Moana, meeting the ocean. You can already see a part of the scene on YouTube. If you have seen it, you know how beautiful it is. The ocean is so clear and the sea life looks beautiful with the turtles, fishes, and the kelp. It is basically comparable to an aquarium. The beautiful song, “An Innocent Warrior” makes the scene more enchanting.

Then, it leads to the real opening number, “Where You Are.” “Where You Are” tells the audience about Moana’s little island of Motunui and what the villagers do on the island, and how Moana will lead them someday. I loved the song immediately when it began. The music is hugely influenced by Polynesian culture and it has a great beat.

6. "Up"

I thankfully just remembered this opening as I was wrapping this up. How can this not be on the list? With the beautiful and recognizable theme song, Pixar tells us a love story without any dialogue. “Up” shows the whole love story of Carl and Ellie Fredricksen without any dialogue. It is done strongly with the animation by the looks on the faces and the activities. You feel sorry for Carl and Ellie when they lose their baby, but feel sweet and happy when they’re dancing at their old age. Their love is so obvious and strong that when it ends with Ellie’s death, you feel heartbroken. It is common to cry in movies, but the storytelling is so strong that you can’t help it.

5. "Hercules"

This is definitely the most fun opening number in Disney. The Muses, a literal Greek Chorus, sing a gospel number called "The Gospel Truth" and they sing the story of how the Earth was created and how Zeus defeated the Titans from taking over the Earth. Like “Beauty and the Beast,” the visuals are artistic with Greek pottery as the pottery is animated to the storytelling. The song is upbeat and the visuals are true to the Greek culture.

4. "Beauty and the Beast"

This was my favorite intro as a kid. The beautiful, unique images always keep me fascinated. I loved the reveal of the castle with the waterfall and the roses in the forest as the piano plays. And I still get into that part.

This opening isn't a sung through, but it is a narration that is strongly performed by Cogsworth himself, David Ogden Stiers. The story of the Beast is showed through colorful glass stain windows. Not only is it unique, but the story is so clear on the artwork and the artwork is so gorgeous that you can't help, but suck it in. It comes back at the end of the movie with the window, showing Belle and the humanized Beast's wedding.

“Belle” is a great opening number, describing Belle's "little town" and introducing Belle herself as people look down on her for her love for books.

3. "The Nightmare Before Christmas"

What makes the scene is the fun and extremely memorable song. "This is Halloween" introduces the audience to the familiar concept of Halloween, along with the spooky Halloweentown. The visuals go with it perfectly. For example, the opening notes is a quick entrance to Halloweentown with the wind blowing over scarecrows and signs that point to Halloweentown. The rest of the song is sung by vampires, clowns, witches, and other monsters with perfect voice actors, matching them.

The ending is chilling with the grand entrance of the hero, Jack Skellington rising from the fountains with a choir of “La la la's!” Can't think a more perfect opening to a Halloween movie and I'm hoping to see this scene on the Broadway stage someday.

2. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"

This was a very close race for the No. 1 slot between “Circle of Life” and “Bells of Notre Dame.” “Circle of Life” wins with its breathtaking visuals. But, “Bells of Notre Dame” came close with its magnificent storytelling. Like “Circle of Life,” the scene is an entire musical number. The very first shot is the grand cathedral with a church singing “Ahhhhhhhhh!” The scene introduces Clopin, the King of the Gypsies who tells us the prologue in song form.

The song sets up the serious mood of the movie and Paul Kandel, the voice of Clopin, has a suspenseful tone in his voice that lets you know it's about to go down. The action also makes the scene with the villainous Frollo chasing Quasimodo's caretaker and killing her on the stairs of Notre Dame, and then nearly drowning baby Quasi in the well. The song wonderfully rises with the Archdeacon condemning Frollo and Frollo realizing that the saints on Notre Dame watched him. That is a very powerful emotional feeling as you realize God and the saints watching. The finale of the song is soaring as Quasimodo is revealed through the ringing bells of Notre Dame and a climatic end to the song that ends with gorgeous high voices. The song is a feast to the eyes and the ears.

1. "The Lion King"

This was a given. This is one of Disney's most famous and praised openings and rightfully so. The scene is astonishing from start to finish. The movie starts perfectly with the sunset with a loud “NANTS IGNOYA!!!” Following that is one of the most beautiful animations Disney has contributed. Animals follow the voice to Pride Rock and the animation is amazing from the antelopes leaping in the grass to birds flying over the sparkling waterfall. And of course, we have the famous pose with Rafiki holding the baby Simba to show the animals their new king.

What is just as good is the Broadway production. The direction is literally Tony-winning as the costumed actors ace their movements, going through the audience or on stage. When I saw it in 2011, the audience cheered as the giraffes walked on the stage next to the stylized sun. The whole scene is on YouTube, so see the magic yourself.