cold open

noun

variants or less commonly cold opening

plural cold opens also cold openings

: a scene of a film or television episode that precedes the title sequence or opening credits and that typically takes place in the middle of the narrative or plot

Cold opens are a bold move in any medium. When a movie or TV show drops the audience into its world without so much as a "here's the title," it speaks to a confidence that whatever's about to happen on screen is sufficient enough to immerse, intrigue, and otherwise hook them.

—Alexis Nedd

For fans of NBC's "The Office," the cold open from season five's "Casual Friday"—where Kevin spills his famous chili—is one of the show's most beloved scenes.

—Addy Bink

The film lost me right from the overacted cold opening …

—Alexa Chipman

Examples of cold open in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That episode’s cold open dived into McKay’s background, which meant the hour’s emotional core was with him; but in the moment of his humiliation, the camera held fast on Cassie, pornographically posed on all fours. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026

But the opening sequence was a rip-roaring cold open in which Mando and Grogu are infiltrating a base to take down an empire loyalist. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026

In an administration full of SNL cold opens waiting to happen, Pete Hegseth really outdid himself this week — and Colin Jost wasn’t even in the room. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026

This week’s cold open touched on the ongoing war in Iran. —Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cold open

• reopen