I love movies that immediately grab your attention. I already shared the best opening scenes in movies. Now, I would like to talk about the opening title sequences.
Some of these happen right as the movie begins, but some come after a cold open. The cold open is the opening scene of a movie before the title sequence, a technique used by many TV shows.
A good title sequence must have great music and action, or it runs the risk of boring the audience. We already know that the end credits come after the movie, so we don’t want to experience that same routine beforehand. We may already lose interest.
Here are the best opening title sequences in film, in chronological order:
Vertigo (1958)
I did not enjoy this film – it’s even on my list of overrated movies. I found the story too complex and hard to believe, which was difficult for me, as a huge Hitchcock fan. However, the movie begins with a terrific title sequence designed by the legendary Saul Bass, and a great score by Bernard Herrmann.
Even if you didn’t know anything about this film when you sat down to watch it, the title sequence clearly shows that it’s a psychological thriller. We see close-ups of a woman before the camera zooms into one of her eyes. Then, we see animated sequences before it dissolves into a shot of her eye again. The animation represents disturbance and unease, a clear indication of vertigo.
Here’s the sequence:
Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock, Saul Bass, and Bernard Herrmann team up again for another fantastic sequence. The first notes to Herrmann’s score almost always make me jump. To this day, I’ve never seen a title sequence quite like this, except in 1998 when the dismal shot-for-shot remake was released.
This title sequence is a perfect representation of a scary movie. The sharp strings coming from Herrmann’s score and the frenetic style of the sequence designed by Bass always makes my hairs stand up. You can’t go wrong with the opening of such a classic, iconic film.
Here’s the sequence:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
One of the funniest films of all time has something rare: a title sequence that is hilarious by itself. You could almost show it as a standalone short film! I especially love how it credits all that contributed to the film in the beginning. That helps make up for the abrupt ending of the movie.
The credits seem to start normally until we see some random Swedish subtitles. Then, the subtitles begin to get away from themselves by suggesting taking a holiday in Sweden and seeing all the furry animals there, especially the moose. The moose bit the subtitle writer’s sister, and the bite was very nasty—
Okay, cut! Cue the credits without subtitles, yet the credits show different roles filled by a moose or an associate thereof. Now, cue the credits done in an extremely different fashion with blinding, blinking colors and now crediting roles performed by llamas.
In case you didn’t know, Monty Python is notorious for their random style of humor. After all, this film takes place in 932 A.D. with a modern-day police department actively searching for the Knights of the Round Table.
Here’s the sequence:
Batman (1989)
Danny Elfman’s brilliant score underlines this sequence, which has a rather dark, mysterious unfolding. We really can’t see much of what’s happening until the very end, when we are taken around a dark Batman logo under a dark blue sky. I think this sequence is truly original and very memorable. It profoundly introduces Tim Burton’s take on Batman.
Here’s the sequence:
Pulp Fiction (1994)
I am still blown away by how this movie begins. The title sequence starts after a memorable and quotable scene involving the lead-up to a robbery. When the robbery begins, the soundtrack cuts to “Misirlou” by Dick Dale and His Del-Tones.
The sequence isn’t particularly unique visually, with the exception of Quentin Tarantino’s signature font. However, it’s the soundtrack that nails this great sequence of a great film.
Here’s the sequence:
Dumb and Dumber (1994)
This is also one of the funniest films of all time, especially because of how this movie begins. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels drive around town with the opening credits clearly misspelled. For example, Mary Zophres is the “Costoom Designer.”
On top of that, Apache Indian’s “Boom Shak a Lak” plays during the sequence. This is a weird, wacky, and enjoyable song that fits this type of film.
Here’s the sequence:
Se7en (1995)
I read that director Davis Fincher wanted the opening credits to this film to look like it was written in a serial killer’s diary. In between the credits, we see brief shots of someone’s fingers doing some very unusual things, like sewing pieces of paper together.
The movie itself is disturbing but effective. I think this opening sequence establishes the killer that Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman’s characters look for. You also can’t count out the eerie remix of Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” playing in the background.
Here’s the sequence. Note – this may be disturbing to some viewers:
Mission: Impossible (1996)
If you’ve watched the original television show, you knew that every episode begins with the iconic theme by Lalo Schifrin. You also know that each segment has clips that foreshadow the episode you’re about to watch. The first Mission: Impossible film does that, too.
The opening sequence introduces the IMF (Impossible Mission Force) teams with brief images almost in sync with the music. This is another truly effective and fun way to introduce a movie. It also helps that it follows one of the best opening scenes in all of cinema.
Here’s the sequence:
Fight Club (1999)
David Fincher directs another wonderfully original film starring Brad Pitt. The opening sequence shows the view being pulled away from blackness, with what appears to be molecules surrounding it. There is also a great techno mix from The Dust Brothers playing. If that doesn’t get your attention right away, I don’t know what will.
These images fade into an image of sweat pouring down someone’s skin. From there, we ride along the barrel of a gun to reveal the first image in clear focus: Edward Norton sweating profusely with the gun in his mouth. This is an original way to open a film!
Here’s the sequence:
Watchmen (2009)
This is a decent, yet lengthy film about comic book heroes past their prime. However, the opening sequence shows them in their prime. They also appear to have been involved in many historic American events. So many, in fact, that Forrest Gump may only be slightly ahead of them!
The first image is of a hero knocking out what appears to be Joe Chill when he is about to kill Bruce Wayne’s parents. I guess who needs Batman when you have the Watchmen? Next, we see them securing the United States’ victory in World War II. Then we see the Cold War kicking off and Dr. Manhattan on the moon with Neil Armstrong.
I am also a history buff, and it’s always fun to see these alternate versions of actual events. I especially loved how the sequence includes Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” Very well done!
Here’s the sequence:
Happy watching!
