The 8 Greatest Cold Opens in TV History

Breaking Bad – “Face Off” (Season 4, Episode 13)

It’s rare that a television moment manages to be both wordless and unforgettable, but Breaking Bad’s “Face Off” delivers exactly that. The cold open begins with an unsettling, slow zoom on a tiny bell in a quiet nursing home room, and the air practically crackles with dread. There’s almost no dialogue—just the humming tension of a plan set in motion, and the audience is in on the secret. When the explosion erupts and Gus Fring calmly steps out, straightening his tie as half his face is blown away, it’s a shocking spectacle that sears itself into memory. Director Vince Gilligan uses silence and pacing to full effect, creating a suspenseful mood that explodes (literally) into chaos. This opening is not just about the shock value—it’s about the payoff of meticulous plotting that kept viewers glued for four seasons. The scene has since become a cultural touchstone, referenced and parodied as the ultimate example of the unexpected in TV storytelling. The moment is proof that sometimes, the quietest scenes pack the deadliest punch.

The Office (US) – “Stress Relief: Part 1” (Season 5, Episode 14)

Few shows have ever achieved the level of chaos and hilarity as The Office did in the opening of “Stress Relief: Part 1.” Dwight Schrute’s fake fire drill sets off a chain reaction that’s pure comedic gold. Alarms blare, papers fly, and in a moment that’s become meme legend, Oscar crawls up into the ceiling while Angela frantically throws her cat, Bandit, up after him—only for Bandit to fall straight back down. Stanley’s heart attack, while shocking, is played for uproarious laughs, balancing slapstick with genuine concern for the characters. This scene is a perfect storm of physical comedy and character-driven absurdity, showing how quickly the mundane can turn into madness. The cold open became so popular that it’s still cited as one of the funniest moments in sitcom history, even years after it first aired. What makes it work is the careful choreography—every character’s reaction is pitch-perfect, and no detail is wasted. It’s a masterclass in ensemble comedy, setting the bar for what a sitcom cold open can achieve.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine – “Johnny and Dora” (Season 2, Episode 23)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s cold opens are legendary for their absurdity, but none hold a candle to the “I Want It That Way” lineup. Detective Jake Peralta lines up five suspects and, in an unexpected twist, has them each sing a line from the Backstreet Boys’ classic to help a witness identify a killer. What starts as a procedural moment quickly devolves into a full-blown, hilarious sing-along, with Jake caught up in the nostalgia and forgetting there’s a murder to solve. The scene is both ridiculous and oddly touching, capturing the quirky spirit of the show. It’s a testament to the writers’ willingness to let humor take center stage while still serving the narrative. Fans and critics alike have ranked this as one of the best cold opens in comedy, with social media exploding in the days after it aired. This opening perfectly encapsulates the heart and humor of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, proving that even a police procedural can have a boy band moment.

Saturday Night Live – “Saturday Night Live with Dave Chappelle” (Post-2020 Election)

In the wake of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the nation was on edge, and Saturday Night Live knew it had to deliver something powerful. Enter Dave Chappelle, whose monologue cold open was more than just stand-up—it was a razor-sharp, searing reflection on America’s state of mind. Chappelle’s ability to mix gut-busting jokes with biting social commentary gave the moment a gravity rare for late-night comedy. He tackled issues like racial injustice, political division, and pandemic fatigue with a raw honesty that left audiences laughing and reflecting. The monologue quickly became a viral sensation, with millions tuning in for Chappelle’s take on the country’s future. Critics praised it as one of SNL’s most important openings, proving that comedy can be a force for both healing and provoking thought. The cold open set a new standard for how sketch shows can respond to real-world events, blending humor and truth in a way that sticks with viewers long after the laughter fades.

Lost – “Pilot” (Season 1, Episode 1)

The very first moments of Lost are cinematic, mysterious, and absolutely riveting. A single eye opens in the jungle—the audience knows nothing, and neither does the man waking up. The camera follows as he stumbles through the trees, only to burst onto a beach filled with the burning wreckage of Oceanic Flight 815. The chaos is relentless: people scream, engines explode, and the sense of confusion is palpable. This cold open does not explain; it simply throws viewers headfirst into disaster, setting up a series that would become famous for its unanswered questions and relentless tension. The scale and ambition of this opening shocked TV audiences used to slower starts, and it’s credited with raising the bar for what network television could achieve. The pilot’s opening remains one of the most expensive and watched ever, reportedly costing over $10 million and drawing more than 18 million viewers at its debut. It’s a perfect blend of spectacle and intrigue that hooks you instantly.

Better Call Saul – “Smoke” (Season 4, Episode 1)

Better Call Saul’s cold opens are exercises in tension and subtlety, and “Smoke” is perhaps the best of them all. Presented in black and white, the scene follows Jimmy McGill—now living as Gene, a Cinnabon manager in Nebraska—navigating the crushing monotony and constant fear of being discovered. There’s barely any dialogue, yet every glance and nervous tick tells a story. The anxiety is suffocating, heightened when Gene is nearly recognized by a cab driver. This is storytelling at its most restrained, relying on mood and performance rather than plot twists or explosions. Fans of Breaking Bad appreciate these glimpses into Saul’s future, but even new viewers can feel the weight of regret and paranoia hanging over Gene. The cold open’s mastery lies in what it doesn’t show, letting silence and shadow do the heavy lifting. It’s a slow burn that lingers, drawing viewers into the lonely world of a man on the run from his own past.

The Simpsons – “Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment” (Season 2, Episode 13)

There are few sitcoms as adept at blending the ridiculous with the profound as The Simpsons, and the opening of “Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment” is a pitch-perfect example. Homer, ever the schemer, justifies stealing cable TV to his morally upright daughter, Lisa. The scene is hilarious in its honesty—Homer’s logic is childlike and flawed, yet somehow relatable. Lisa’s exasperation gives the moment heart, highlighting the show’s knack for balancing comedy and ethics. This cold open doesn’t just set up the episode’s plot; it captures the generational divide, the temptation of easy shortcuts, and the challenge of sticking to your principles. Fans continue to reference this scene as a classic example of The Simpsons’ ability to turn everyday situations into biting social commentary. Over the decades, the episode has been cited by critics as a turning point for the series, proving that even animated sitcoms can tackle serious questions with a wink and a smile.

Game of Thrones – “The Winds of Winter” (Season 6, Episode 10)

Game of Thrones is known for its epic battles and shocking twists, but the opening of “The Winds of Winter” is something else entirely. The camera glides through the quiet halls of King’s Landing as Cersei prepares her final, devastating move. The haunting piano music—rare for the series—builds unbearable tension, and the careful editing between the characters’ preparations gives the sequence a cinematic feel. As the wildfire ignites and the Sept of Baelor explodes in green flame, the silence is shattered. The cold open is widely regarded as one of the show’s finest moments, blending suspense, spectacle, and tragedy into a single, unforgettable sequence. Critics and fans alike have praised the use of music and editing, noting that it feels more like a feature film than a TV episode. In the aftermath, viewers were left stunned by the audacity of Cersei’s act, and the opening became an instant classic in the world of prestige television.