The 2002 horror film “Ghost Ship,” directed by Steve Beck, has been voted to have the most shocking opening scene in horror cinema history, according to a poll on ranker.com. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the film follows a salvage crew who encounters more than they bargained for aboard a seemingly abandoned cruise ship.
The movie opens on a lively dance floor aboard the ship, where guests are enjoying a night of entertainment. The scene is set with joyous music and dancing, which is abruptly interrupted by a catastrophic accident. A tensioned wire cable snaps and whips across the dance floor, slicing through everything and everyone in its path. This includes decor like flowers and lights, and tragically, the ship’s passengers, bisecting nearly everyone present. The only survivor, a little girl, stands in shock amidst the carnage, the sole witness to the horrifying event.
Despite its gripping start, “Ghost Ship” has not fared well critically, holding a mere 15 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While the opening scene is widely praised for its intensity and shock value, the rest of the film has been criticized for lacking depth and originality. Viewers and critics have noted that after its compelling beginning, the movie devolves into a series of clichéd ghost story elements that fail to deliver genuine scares or a coherent narrative.
The consensus seems to be that while “Ghost Ship” kicks off with a bang, it ultimately doesn’t live up to the initial promise, leaving many viewers disappointed by its subsequent drop in tension and creativity. Despite this, the film’s opening has left a lasting impression on horror fans and remains a topic of discussion for its bold and brutal execution, securing its place in discussions about memorable moments in horror film history.
