Countless film stars have “had us at hello” – and now movie fans can vote for their favourite grand entrance of all time.

Marilyn Monroe’s arrival on the railway platform in Some Like it Hot, Julie Andrews floating down from the sky holding an umbrella in Mary Poppins, and Ursula Andress coming out of the sea in a white bikini as Honey Ryder in the first James Bond movie Dr No have all made it onto the shortlist.

And humans are joined by much bigger creatures, too, including the T Rex in Jurassic Park and the shark in Jaws.

Scene from Mary Poppins
(United Archives/IFTN)

The shortlist of 20 of the best big screen entrances, as chosen by Radio Times film critics, has been revealed in the new issue of the magazine, asking readers to vote for their favourite from the list – or suggest their own.

Andrews appears twice, with her entrance as Maria in The Sound of Music on top of a mountain also making it in.

Others include the xenomorph in Alien and Heath Ledger’s Joker in Batman movie The Dark Knight.

Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger (Yui Mok/PA)

Andrew Collins, Radio Times film editor, said: “There are countless ways to make a grand entrance in films; a sense of expectation is worth building.

“The history of film is jam-packed with actors hoping to snare our attention from the word go, but it’s only once in a while that an Ursula Andress emerges from the sea in a white bikini – singing, you’ll note, and heard before she’s seen – or a character’s imminence is signalled by the simple device of ripples in a glass of water.

“At which point, in Jurassic Park, non-dinosaurs should start to think about making an exit.

“Darth Vader, James Bond, Jessica Rabbit… the list of movie icons who had us at hello is endless, although we’ve honed it down to 20 to inspire you to vote, or suggest your own favourite.”

The poll closes at 11.59pm on Sunday September 6 with the winning entry announced in Radio Times shortly afterwards.

The full short list is below and votes can be made here.

Alien (1979) – The alien: John Hurt has tummy troubles; an embryonic xenomorph explodes from his chest and ruins dinner.

Apocalypse Now (1979) – Col Walter E Kurtz: Marlon Brando appears, shaved noggin first, spouting philosophy in the dark.

The Aristocats (1970) – Thomas O’Malley: the ginger alley-cat saunters into earshot singing his own theme tune by a river.

Bride Of Frankenstein (1935) – The Bride: Elsa Lanchester’s exhumed intended is unveiled in the lab, with bouffant backlit.

The Dark Knight (2008) – The Joker: Heath Ledger’s bank heist ends with a mask-off big reveal and a quotable quote.

Dr No (1962) – James Bond: hands turn over some cards, a cigarette is lit; pan up to Sean Connery: “Bond, James Bond”.

Dr No (1962) – Honey Ryder: Connery’s 007 spies Ursula Andress coming out of the sea at Crab Key in a white bikini.

Jaws (1975) – The shark: Roy Scheider moans about throwing bait into the water to attract the Great White… it’s behind you!

Jurassic Park (1993) – The T Rex: before the carnage, in the Jeep there’s a ripple in a glass of water. Keep very still…

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – Sherif Ali: Omar Sharif starts out as a dot on the horizon, ever so gradually getting larger.

The Magnificent Seven (1960) – Britt: James Coburn is forced from cool repose into a knife-versus-gun draw.

Mary Poppins (1964) – Mary Poppins: Julie Andrews floats down from the London sky, back straight, holding her umbrella.

The Mask (1994) – Tina Carlyle: the camera pans up the legs of Cameron Diaz; she shakes her hair out in slo-mo, to sax music.

Saturday Night Fever (1977) – Tony Manero: John Travolta pimp-rolls through Brooklyn to Stayin’ Alive, swinging a paint can.

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) – Hannibal Lecter: Anthony Hopkins stands to attention in his cell, waiting for Jodie Foster.

Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins starred in Silence Of The Lambs (Francesco Bellini/AP)

Some Like It Hot (1959) – Sugar Kane: Marilyn Monroe totters down a train platform, like “Jello on springs” says Jack Lemmon.

The Sound Of Music (1965) – Maria: Julie Andrews twirls atop an Austrian mountain and bursts into song: “The hills are alive…”

Julie Andrews
Julie Andrews made a memorable entrance in The Sound Of Music (Julie Jacobson/AP)

Star Wars Episode IV (1977) – The star cruiser: after the words scroll past, a ship glides over — we’ve never seen anything like it.

Sunset Blvd (1950) – Joe Gillis: William Holden’s screenwriter narrates as his body, seen from below, floats in a swimming pool.

The Third Man (1949) – Harry Lime: a kitten in a doorway; a zither; Orson Welles emerges from the shadows.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) – Jessica Rabbit: she steps out from behind the curtains at a club… and she’s not a rabbit.

The Woman In Red (1984) – Charlotte: Kelly LeBrock walks over a vent, revealing herself to Gene Wilder.