The definition of “entrance” is is an appearance of a character in a movie that has an immediate impact, and it is the first time you see the character. Examples-
Rita Hayworth in Gilda. The first time you see her is a close-up with her throwing back her hair. Orson Wells in The Third Man, appearing out of the shadows.
In the Peter O’Toole thread, which lead to this, What Exit mentioned these-
*On the Gilda scale I would include Honeychile Rider in Dr. No, Jinx (Halle Berry) in Die Another Day and Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Willy Wonka and his tumble has to make the list as does Quint and his finger nails in Jaws.*
And re Peter O’Toole, in the Stunt Man, in the opening scene on the bridge when the helicopter comes down.
Not O’Toole’s entrance, but Omar Sharif’s first appearance in Lawrence of Arabia is one of the most suspenseful in movie history. It takes several minutes.
This site tends to be SF-heavy, so I tried to think of a non-SF reference to say before Darth Vader, but I’m not thinking of it quickly, so Darth Vader.
I’ve always loved Kenneth Branagh’s entrance as Henry V. Great use of light and shadow, that very tall door, the way all the proud and powerful English lords and nobles bow their heads as the King walks past, and of course the wonderful Patrick Doyle score.
Indiana Jones in Raiders. No dialogue. You see him from behind and in profile, but don’t see his face until he uses his bullwhip and then steps into the light.
Whelp, glad I previewed before posting. Darren Garrison said Darth Vader already, and it was quickly disallowed.
What about animated characters? Say for instance the introductory scene of Taarna the Taarakian in Heavy Metal(human, parallel universe)