30 Unforgettable Movie Opening Sequences
We all know that first impressions are important, right? Well, the same goes for film. The opening title sequence of a film is that film’s opportunity to make a good first impression on you, the viewer. A well-crafted title sequence introduces the audience to the tone and theme of the film as well as the cast and crew.
Mind you, not all films have the luxury of a great title sequence. Some have budgetary constraints, limiting them to a simple, yet classic, white text on black background. Hey, it’s a style that has served Woody Allen very well for many years. Others prefer to take the minimalist road and omit the titles altogether, taking us straight to the action.
In tribute to all of the wonderful title sequences in film, Smashing Magazine has collected 30 Unforgettable Title Sequences for your enjoyment and inspiration. We have chosen some of our favorite selections from all eras and genres. Of course, there are too many brilliant examples to list them all here. What are your favorites? What is missing in the list? Let us know in the comments!
You may want to take a look at the following related articles:
- 60 Beautiful Music Videos
- 29 Brilliant Music Videos
- Typography in Motion Videos
- Funny and Creative Animated Movies
30 Unforgettable Title Sequences
Lord of War
The visually pleasing “life of a bullet” sequence is a perfect opening for a film about an arms dealer. 720p HD version.
Catch Me If You Can
The retro animated intro to Catch Me If You Can perfectly sets the scene and time period.
Se7en
A wonderfully creepy title sequence that perfectly sets the mood for the film you’re about to watch.
Superbad
It’s amazing how much personality can be expressed in a simple silhouette.
Charade
There were a lot of animated opening title sequences in the 60′s – this one is my personal favorite.
Casino Royale (2006)
In an effort to re-invent the franchise the infamous James Bond title sequence was overhauled. The result was a visually pleasing intro that still pays its respects to the original.
Sweeney Todd
A lot of Tim Burton’s films sport fantastic title sequences but Sweeney Todd’s is especially great. The creepy atmosphere and music combined with the dark imagery sets the tone very nicely. 720p HD version,
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Vibrant colors, great animation and an amazing score. This title sequence has it all.
Fight Club
One amazing sequence starts at a microscopic level and continues to expand outward until we are looking down the barrel of a gun. Unfortunately, the embedding of the opening sequence in this post was disabled by request. You need to watch the video on YouTube.
The Pink Panther (1963)
We would be remiss not to include the original Pink Panther in this list. Definitely a favorite.
Thank You For Smoking
A very clever title sequence with the credits written on vintage cigarette packaging.
Fahrenheit 451
In a world where the simple act of reading has been outlawed it only makes sense to have the titles read to you.
Delicatessen
Just beautiful in all respects. A wonderful use of practical effects – they don’t make ‘em like this anymore.
Alien
A very slow paced, minimalist title sequence. The result is nothing but haunting.
Bunny Lake Is Missing
The concept is fairly simple but it’s so well done and the final result works beautifully.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Another great example of a contemporary film featuring an old school animated introduction.
Vertigo
Vertigo features a masterfully crafted and almost hypnotic title sequence. A perfect opening to the film.
Panic Room
This is the third David Fincher movie to make this list, it seems the man can appreciate a great title sequence. This is a very basic concept yet it’s brilliantly executed.
Dr. Strangelove
Wonderful imagery combined with the hand written text makes for a very unique and memorably title sequence.
Eurotrip
Say what you will about the movie, this is one creative and well-executed title sequence.
Pi
This is a great example of an amazing and original title sequence done on a shoe string budget.
North By Northwest
A series of intersecting lines form into a skyscraper. Very cool effect, especially for the time.
American Splendor
It only makes sense for a film about a comic book creator to have the credits in a comic book fashion.
Reservoir Dogs
To this day every time I walk down the street in a suit and sunglasses “little green bag” inevitably pops into my head.
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
A very funny animated sequence to kick off this comedy classic.
Halloween
A very simple yet ominous title sequence.
Live and Let Die
The James Bond franchise really understood the beauty of a great title sequence. Though we only included one classic in this list, the rest are here in spirit.
American Psycho
The credits for American Psycho play as many mind games on you as the film itself. Great attention to typography.Warning: Course Language!
Psycho (1960)
This brilliantly crafted title sequence has a lot of fun with typography and presentation.
Spiderman 2
An amazing title sequence that pays its respects to the original source; the comic book.
Honorable Mentions
There were so many titles we wanted to include in this list but didn’t quite make the cut for one reason or another — in most cases because we just couldn’t find a video sequence in the Web or because the quality of the video was not good enough.
- Amelie
- The Third Man
- Anatomy Of A Murder
- Juno
- Napoleon Dynamite
- Casino
- Do The Right Thing
- Superman: The Movie
- Funny Games
- Star Wars (though technically not a title sequence)
- Stranger Than Fiction
Readers’ Suggestions
2001: A Space Odyssey
A very simple, yet powerful opening that perfectly sets the atmosphere for the film.
To Kill A Mocking Bird (1962)
Further Reading
- Art Of The Title Sequence
A growing collection of high-quality movie opening sequences (HD). - Forget The Film: Watch The Titles
A site with growing catalogue of movie title sequences. - 7 Beautiful Credit Sequence Designs
- Wikipedia’s ‘Title Sequence’ entry
- Inspiration Series: Movie Credits
- 12 Greatest Opening Credits
Related Posts
You may want to take a look at the following related articles:
bacante
December 22nd, 2008 12:51 amYou may also take a look to http://www.artofthetitle.com/
benny
December 22nd, 2008 2:22 amThe title screen to Florent Emilio Siri’s Hostage should also get a mention. but great list, thanks.
Mo
December 22nd, 2008 2:44 amIrreversible is missing…
Crush T
December 22nd, 2008 3:08 ammissing the Matrix as a typographic intro.
will
December 22nd, 2008 5:17 amThe Panic room title reminds me of the floating text used in Fringe (tv series).
As soon as I saw the title to this article though I thought, I bet they have included Eurotrip, even though the film sucks. Someone should be pretty proud of themselves for making a title sequence better than the movie itself.
I would also mention The Incredibles ending credits. Very nice animation and style.
@jurica:
Upgrade to FF3. That’s a known FF2 bug that never got fixed.
Dani Korrea
December 22nd, 2008 5:25 amThanks Smashing Magazine.. i’m a sucker for these movie openings.
Oh! Next post should be TV Shows Opening Sequences and Dexter should be at the top of the list!
rob
December 22nd, 2008 5:40 amwhat no Grease?
Gis
December 22nd, 2008 7:54 amey you guys, I reposted this in spanish in case you want know :D at http://www.tallerdm.com.ar/archives/203
Shawn Robinsoin
December 22nd, 2008 9:30 amCharade does not only have a great opening sequence. It is one of the greatest movies of all time!
Scentsy Wickless Candles
Sonny Parlin
December 22nd, 2008 3:47 pmI guess you guys have never seen Narc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTWACLTZBYA
Nenomus
December 22nd, 2008 8:55 pmmy fav is of the “Dark Knight”. :)
Robonoob
December 22nd, 2008 9:58 pmForest Gump is my favorite. A wonderfully title sequence that perfectly sets the mood for the film, also with a beautiful theme song. (although the ending of the theme is a little bit overdone)
shylu
December 22nd, 2008 9:59 pmgreat intros
Rakesh.S
December 23rd, 2008 12:21 amI enjoyed this listing
D-fran
December 23rd, 2008 2:28 amAlot of them are saul bass influenced
shuji
December 23rd, 2008 4:01 am3 David Fincher <3 <3 <3 :D
Jesse
December 23rd, 2008 7:44 amA couple things, first, it’s kind of freaking me out that someone with the same name said the same thing I was going to. NIN for Se7en’s intro was a perfect combination. It’s a remix of Closer if anyone was curious. It’s on “Closer To God” which is Halo 9. S
Second, I agree you should do tv series intros and that Dexter should be at the very top. The only problem with that one is he shaves, and then has a scruffy beard upon exiting his apartment. I can forgive this due to the hours of viewing enjoyment that show has brought me.
Brent
December 23rd, 2008 9:05 amLemony Snicket could have easily been a top 10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR2rkMPAF90
Humphrey Ngoiya
December 23rd, 2008 9:57 pmwhat about the matrix trilogy :-(
burritosb
December 23rd, 2008 11:49 pmI was so blown away when I saw the intro for the movie Contact. Opens to white noise from the planet earth and then into utter silence in space.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNAUR7NQCLA
Sean
December 24th, 2008 1:09 amInteresting clips. Some great sequences. I’m kind of disappointed that the openning to ‘Seconds wasn’t in there though…
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v-VI6kxyV3w
B14k
December 24th, 2008 4:15 amOuch, most vids are no longer available :-(
Melissa
December 24th, 2008 9:11 amCurly Sue , sould defitnately be on here. – the beginning is reallllyyyy cute (:
MrCarl
December 24th, 2008 11:37 amSome titles that I thought were excelent for openings.
Saving Private ryan
Good Morning Vietnam
A Clockwork Orange
Airplane
Jihad Jimmy, Minister of War Crimes and Chief Defender of the Faith
December 24th, 2008 2:34 pmYou’ll put something crappy like Catch Me If You Can, but no love for Full Metal Jacket?
Cheyenne
December 24th, 2008 2:36 pmI also thought a Clockwork Orange would have been great, its my favorite movie and the opening sequence is amazing.
Billy Bob Tweed
December 24th, 2008 2:40 pmOnce Upon a Time in the West is the greatest title sequence in movie history. For shame, sinner!
Evan
December 24th, 2008 4:38 pmDefinitely include the fairy tale style end credits sequence to RUNNING SCARED (2006) – one of the best I’ve ever seen, and nicely deconstructs the entire film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVU0Pdq3svc
Dylan
December 24th, 2008 4:46 pmRAISING ARIZONA
Jack Kyser
December 24th, 2008 7:06 pmRaging Bull has the finest opening credits of any film I’ve ever seen. I was very sad to not see that film on this list.
brian D. McCarthy
December 25th, 2008 10:18 amAlthough Srgio Leone was represented (the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly), I would submit Once Apon a Time in the West for consideration.
Rafael
December 25th, 2008 8:34 pmCool list.
Its a shame that Lady Vengeance isnt in it.
Organedh
December 26th, 2008 8:51 amVery nice list.
One is missing, though: Le Mépris (The Contempt), JL Godard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVgfYNJFKoo
Unique, breathtaking while minimalistic.
Organedh
December 26th, 2008 8:53 amWith better sound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBo2c98Dzl0&feature=related
Jeff
December 26th, 2008 9:04 amApocalypse Now Great Intro
Jonathan Yarnall
December 26th, 2008 12:30 pmI know that is has already been said, and it wasn’t a super-popular movie, but “The Jackal” should really be on this list. It fits perfectly.
J
December 26th, 2008 4:55 pmUm, Lost in Translation, anyone?
Bobby L
December 27th, 2008 5:15 amdrazn
December 27th, 2008 5:59 amumm…juno, anyone?
John
December 27th, 2008 6:14 amMy two favorites:
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”… from the opening “Anything Goes” to that roller coaster ride on the raft, the first 10 minutes of this movie give you no time to breathe.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” Beautiful mountain vista leading us into the heart of the mountain with the battle between Gandalf and the Balrog as they fall miles and miles through the abyss… breath-taking.”
dignanandmax
December 27th, 2008 5:54 pmEd Wood would have been a good choice. Remember the names on the headstones, etc…?
THEICE
December 28th, 2008 9:08 amKubrick’s The Shining……needs to be somewhere in this list.
Paul
December 29th, 2008 2:30 amSwordfish is still my number 1…!
Nomen
December 29th, 2008 4:49 amMissing Swordfish, or am i the only one find this scene smashing!
robobeau
December 29th, 2008 4:59 amThe Mallrats intro is inexplicably absent from this list! Hehehe…
leo
December 29th, 2008 9:55 amyes, is missing one of the most beautiful ! : Le Mépris, JL Godard (the contempt)
misterJ
December 29th, 2008 2:41 pmhow can superbad make it into that batch?
Todd
December 29th, 2008 6:43 pmSLC Punk should be included on this list. The posters and song fit the film and the punk ethos perfectly.
Les
December 30th, 2008 12:33 pmWow! What a great collection. I was so lucky to stumble on it. The life of a bullet alone is worth millions! Have you looked at the opening of Heavenly Creatures? It’s interesting but I am not sure it is in the same league as these others. Thanks for the efforts!
adam
December 30th, 2008 6:15 pmI’m so glad Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho was in there, it’s more than just a title sequence. There is a lot of meaning that is portrayed by the contrasting black and white to the contrasting and double sided elements of the film.
A great writer and director.
Adam.
ALEXISTAN
December 30th, 2008 8:04 pmAnybody for “Outbreak”, or, the intense titles of “The Untouchables”?
Farid
December 31st, 2008 12:54 pmFANTASTIC chooses…
Ali Reid
January 1st, 2009 12:11 ami knew dexter would get a lot of comments, it is pure brilliance. but i had not realised before that it was so close to the american psycho sequence!! this doesn’t matter. the execution is ten times better.
thanks smashing.
Justin
January 1st, 2009 11:29 amCan’t believe Grease is not listed…! :O
Diane
October 16th, 2011 5:59 pmGrease? More like ‘Saving Private Ryan’.
avoidz
January 3rd, 2009 7:10 pmGreat list, I really enjoyed watching these :)
Grayson
January 3rd, 2009 10:18 pmVery nice list. The title sequence for Night at the Museum came to mind while I was watching the Panic Room. Great motion tracking shots, and a nice score that goes along perfectly with what is shown.
Miguel Vaca
January 5th, 2009 3:08 pmExcellent article.
It could have been a nice detail enumerate the people involved in development of each title sequence. Not just for the record and the credit by itself but also as information and personal archives.
Brad
January 5th, 2009 7:10 pmI second SWORDFISH !!!
Drew
January 6th, 2009 7:45 pmBeing picky, one 007 in the classic list? – but there are two…
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is one of my faves, but as this is ‘unforgettable’ openings, sad to see Contact not in there, and the opening to Star Wars (IV) is one of the defining moments in film history esp. including the sound.
angela
January 7th, 2009 12:59 pmOlbermann: If Obama had campaigned like McCain…
Laurie
January 8th, 2009 11:59 amI may be dating myself but how about “The Hunger”? Bauhaus, David Bowie & Catherine Deneuve…
Or “Streets of Fire”? Walter Hill’s ode to neon, wet streets and cool cars.
maine.charlie
January 8th, 2009 12:47 pmDid you specifically pick the “Yaphet Kotto” frames for “Live and Let Die” and “Alien”?
Or just coincidence?
NavyVet
January 8th, 2009 5:01 pmMy absolute favorite movie opening sequence is “Brokeback Mountain.” The combination of Wyoming landscape and hauntingly beautiful musical score is perfection!
marchaux
January 9th, 2009 9:11 am“Ruthless People” with Danny DeVito, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, et. al. has an animated title sequence with design style and funny-ness (AND Mick Jagger!). Plus, I agree with Xevi and Dani: when it comes to TV, nothing beats the “Dexter” title sequence! Genius!!
Michel
January 9th, 2009 4:07 pmTHEICE said : “Kubrick’s The Shining……needs to be somewhere in this list.”
+1
Nick
January 11th, 2009 1:26 pmHi,
For the To Kill a Mockingbird opening titles, you used my video, which was my attempt at composing an opening credits score, just as a compositional activity. Could you either replace the video on this page with the real opening credits, or add an explanation as to what the video is? It would be appreciated.
Daan
January 17th, 2009 3:46 pmThe only one missing here is the remake of Dawn of the Dead from 2004.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdPWrAMXGGo
jevous
January 17th, 2009 5:16 pmperfect~~~yeah…world is a fine place and worth fighting for…
D.J.
January 28th, 2009 10:07 pm“Scream” and “Wimbleton” stick out in my mind as great open sequences
Ojasvi
January 30th, 2009 4:13 amA Series of Unfortunate Events, is quality stuff and Wimbledon has one of the smartest opening sequences. Should consider including these.
Ailme:)
February 4th, 2009 12:16 pmWhere’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’? That should be on your list somewhere. Just like to say how useful this website is though…great help for my media work so thanks!!!
thecoopersmith
February 4th, 2009 9:22 pmi am glad to see some old saul bass title sequences make the cut. it would be nice if the designers were listed for each of these… give credit where it is deserved.
marab88
February 8th, 2009 1:26 pm“The World According to Garp” should be included.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1zR5p1xqhE
MovieStudio
February 11th, 2009 2:33 amHi,
Some one really forgot the title sequence of “B13″ / District B13. Where the rat goes into the tunnel and the camera floats thru walls and the vehicles, even thru the cables. Its fantastic.
hypnotiza
February 13th, 2009 9:58 amVacancyhad a great typographic title sequence.
Renato
February 22nd, 2009 9:40 pmVery nice. Definitely worthy of watching after the Oscars.
Great for inspiration.
High5
April 15th, 2009 5:41 amRockNRolla?
Brett
August 23rd, 2009 10:22 pmMAGNOLIA.
Juan
August 25th, 2009 5:45 amI don’t know if this was published before Watchmen came out, but it definitely deserves to be near the top of this list… The opening credits with Bob Dylan playing can’t be touched by many….
Emma
September 9th, 2009 4:49 amWow, have any of you ever seen the opening sequence to The Fall (2006). Amazing emotion evoking classical musical and every frame of the sequence is like a beautiful photograph, ultra slow mo black and white. Gave me chills!
samuel insley (01273 672076)
October 14th, 2009 12:28 amim sam io rape kids
samuel insley (01273 672076)
October 14th, 2009 12:28 amphooone me!
nik
October 27th, 2009 7:14 amMy personal favorite are Lord of War and The Fall. :)
ERASERHEAD
January 8th, 2010 4:10 amWell, I guess nobody here has ever seen Paul Voerhoeven’s HOLLOW MAN (2000) … Sure, the movie sucked, but that opening title sequence !!! WOW !!
Dan
July 18th, 2010 5:37 amFor me the Lion King has to have the most powerful opening, and one of the most iconic. It’s a brilliant song, which melts my heart everytime I hear it, andt he meaning behind the song is truely incredible, espeically for a “children’s film”.
Nicole
October 27th, 2010 9:18 pmWHAT ABOUT THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW?
Kristian
January 17th, 2011 6:39 pmHey, FYI, the American Splendor video is not the actual title sequence from the film… I think it is a student project or something … The film uses actual footage of placed in comic containers if I remember correctly, and uses typography that much more closely matches that of the movie posters.
Jess
February 3rd, 2011 8:52 pmI know this is an older post, but Wristcutters: A Love Story is a really good one.
The opening sequence itself isn’t really creative or animated or anything like most others, but it, in my opinion, definitely belongs on this list.
Keith Lumley
March 4th, 2011 4:45 amMaybe I skimmed through the comments too quickly, but shouldn’t Saul Bass’ titles for (especially) “A Walk On The Wild Side” and “Spartacus” get a mention? Also, the animation prologue to Richard Fleischer’s “The Vikings”?
mac
March 27th, 2011 3:04 pmWatchmen .. enough said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14vTrFyHO94
james
April 30th, 2011 12:41 pmgood list , but i think detroit rock city must be in the list.
peace.
Dan
May 3rd, 2011 1:50 amIm sorry but this list, while there are some good ones, is horrible. They are missing the 2 greatest introductions in the history of movies…Top Gun and Footloose.
Utter disappointment
Adrian Alvarez Jr.
June 6th, 2011 9:17 pmWhat about Saving Private Ryan. The first 30 Minutes of this film leave you with no choice on watching the rest of the movie.
michael
September 25th, 2011 11:19 pmHow can you leave out the opening of Belly, which is the best into to any movie
Jios
October 16th, 2011 1:48 amAnd ‘The Rock’ ??
Jenn
October 16th, 2011 5:56 pmI’m left wondering why Saving Private Ryan and the Lion King are not on this list…
Kerry Moriarty
November 10th, 2011 1:52 pmI agree, The Lion King’s was epic.
Renz
December 1st, 2011 6:07 amI kinda understand how The Lion King’s not on there, but COME ON.
It’s The Lion King. Movie openings don’t get more iconic than that.
Mike
December 28th, 2011 2:58 amNo “Contact”? Wow. I mean, just turn in your credentials on the way out, man.
Rod Jones
January 27th, 2012 4:33 pmI can’t believe you felt the opening for “Superman” didn’t quite make the cut… It is considered one of the most epic and memorable opening sequences of all time, and is far more memorable than at least 3/4ths of the movies that DID make the cut. Preposterous.