⟩ Movies & TV ⟩ Movie Opening Scenes ⟩ Scream (1996) vs. Saving Private Ryan

Greatest Movie Opening Scenes of All Time - Saving Private Ryan or Scream (1996)

Pick Your Favorite

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

SCREAM (1996)

Your GOAT List

Why This Battle Matters

Can the chilling phone call that kicks off 'Scream' truly stand up to the harrowing D-Day invasion in 'Saving Private Ryan'? Here we have two cinematic giants clashing not just in genre but in their approach to drawing audiences into their narratives. Wes Craven's 'Scream' redefined horror with a meta-textual opening that teased genre norms, while Spielberg's 'Saving Private Ryan' offered a visceral, unflinching portrayal of war's chaos right from the start. The stakes? A shot at defining which style holds the crown in our collective memory. Will fans favor the thrill of adrenaline or the weight of authenticity?

🔥 Fan Takes

Can we talk about Scream? That phone call? Changed horror movies forever. Period.

lol why r we even comparing these?? scream opening is iconic, but SPR is like a whole other level of intense, fr.

bro, saving private ryan tho, that scene hits you in the feels 🥺💥 history lesson + movie magic = unmatched.

How Fans Are Voting

In this battle:

Fans currently prefer Saving Private Ryan over Scream (1996) when it comes to the greatest Movie Opening Scenes of all time. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick Saving Private Ryan 66.7% of the time over Scream (1996).

Across all battles:

Saving Private Ryan win rate: 63.9%

Scream (1996) win rate: 47.9%

Fan FAQs

How does this matchup between Scream and Saving Private Ryan become such a talked-about face-off?

This face-off sparks debates because it's a clash of genres: horror versus war. Both films redefined their genres with their openings, pulling in devoted fans who passionately argue which style of intensity—psychological or historical—packs a bigger punch.

What makes the opening of Scream so iconic to fans?

Fans love the opening of Scream for its clever subversion of horror tropes and the intense, unexpected turns. The eerie vibe paired with Drew Barrymore's memorable performance hooks viewers right from the start.

Why is Saving Private Ryan crushing Scream in the Greatest Movie Opening Scenes league?

Saving Private Ryan is taking the lead because its opening scene hits hard—its realistic depiction of the D-Day invasion leaves a lasting impact. Fans often point out how this intense and emotional start sets a powerful tone for the entire film.