Doors in Cinema
Written by FilmProbe
Doors in film & television are sometimes as simple as it seems but doors can often be used as a portal or gateway to another world. Doors are an everyday object, we all walk through doors in our daily lives but I wanted to showcase some of the most memorable and recognisable doors.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
When Scott and Ramona go on their first date, freezing in the snow the pair stumble upon a door. They float through it and wake on the other side, this door is the beginning of their whirlwind romance.
2. Coraline (2009)
The little door in which Coraline crawls through to discover her other mother and her world of wonders. Coraline is a fascinating animated feature that sees Coraline torn between two worlds, one being reality and the other where all of her dreams can come true... or can they?
3. Beetlejuice (1988)
When Adam and Barbara finally realise they're dead, they turn to the book of the recently deceased which instructs when to draw a door and knock three times. They decide to test this method by drawing a door in chalk in the attic, to their surprise the wall opens to reveal a neon green glow leading them to the afterlife.
4. Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
Once Harry is told who he really is, Hagrid takes him to Gringotts bank to claim what is rightfully his, all of the fortune his parents left after their passing. This door is a particular favourite of mine as the goblin who leads them to the door recites the line, "Key Please".
5. Friends
Arguably one of the most recognisable doors in television history is Monica's purple door with the golden frame. Do I need to say more?
6. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
The whimsical story of Alice who falls down the rabbit hole also features Alice navigating her way through wonderland. When she first arrives she is met with a series of doors, as she opens one the one behind it gets smaller and smaller and smaller. Once she makes her way through Alice is met with a talking door!
7. The Hobbit (2012)
As Gandalf knocks on Bilbo's recognisable green door, we all dream of one day living in a house with such a magnificent circle door.
8. Shrek (2001)
As the film begins we see Shrek bursting out of his outhouse, ready to take on the day. Shrek's outhouse has one of the most recognisable doors in cinema, its simplicity of the small cut out moon and rough wood markings make it infamous to Shrek fans.
9. Sherlock Holmes
221B Baker Street. A simple door which holds the secrets to Sherlock Holmes' home, behind this infamous door is Sherlock's most prized possessions and some of his biggest discoveries.
10. Labyrinth (1986)
As Sarah navigates her way through Jareth's trickster maze, she is met with two doors with tow distinct door knockers. One that cannot hear her and the other cannot speak, Sarah must come to a decision on which door to choose. Will she pick the right one?
11. Monsters, inc. (2001)
A film filled with distinct doors, banishment doors and door chases! But easily the most memorable door from Disney's Monsters, Inc is Boo's door. A simple white door with pink and purple flowers painted on it, just looking at this door makes me tear up a little.
12. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Lucy discovers the world of Narnia lives behind a wardrobe door...
13. Matilda (1996)
When Matilda's father Harry Wormwood sells her terrifying principal Miss Trunchbull a faulty car, she tortures Matilda by locking her inside the chokey! A dark and dingy closet with nails hammered through the door!
14. The Incredibles (2004)
Helen attempts to save her husband Bob, she sneaks around the secret lair trying desperately not to get caught but as she moves through the corridor a door slides shut on her leg. Being Elastigirl she stretches to the next door which then closes on her waist, and the next closes on her arm.
15. Notting Hill (1999)
The iconic blue door which has become a popular fan site to take photographs with in London, the heartwarming love story of Anna Scott and William Thacker. Quirky roommate Spike takes a step out of the doorway to be met with floods of paparazzi, this scene is definitely the most memorable in front of the blue door.
16. Home Alone (1990)
When Harry and Marv attempt to rob Kevin's home, he takes it upon himself to protect his house. Harry tries the front door but when he goes to turn the door knob his hand his burnt to a crisp! He jumps off the porch into the snow, only to discover the families initial has been branded onto his palm, M for McCallister.
17. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Dorothy and her new found friends finally make it to the Emerald City, they ring the bell on the large green door and enter to meet the infamous wizard.
18. Being John Malkovich (1999)
Surrealist movie that see anyone who enters this strange small door will jump into the mind of actor John Malkovich...
19. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Shaun and Ed are continuously reminded to shut the front door, when the zombie apocalypse takes over the world and the pair are peacefully watching television a zombie politely lets himself in through the unlocked door...
20. The Shining (1980)
Jack Torrance slowly descents into madness, his wife Wendy and son Danny have locked themselves in the bathroom to escape his terror. Jack makes his way to the bathroom door and begins to break it down with an axe, one of the most iconic lines in cinema history follows, "Here's Johnny!"
21. Doctor Who
The famous Tardis doors that take the Doctor and his assistances on never ending journeys through space and time.
22. The Big Bang Theory
Knock knock knock Penny...
23. The Nightmare before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington is questioning his life, questioning Halloween as he stumbles upon a forrest of trees. Each tree in his forrest beholds an oddly shaped door which represents a different holiday. One for Thanksgiving, one for Easter but the one that dazzling his the most is the one for Christmas.
24. The Truman Show
Truman Burbank has discovered the truth behind his existence, the answers to all of his questions, as he walks up the staircase he pushes against the 'sky' to discover a door. Truman says his goodbyes to the world who watched him grow up and walks through the door to start a new life.
Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed this film list please be sure to check out my instagram page @filmprobe to see the video version of his list!
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