Listology # 21: Top 5 Best Opening Credits Sequences

Opening credits are often the most overlooked portion of a film especially at this day and age when many films have their main credits at the END of the movie. But lots of films have very creative opening credit sequences that are an art form in and of itself. You can have a list made up entirely of James Bond movies, for instance (though this is not one of them). Opening credits not only lets you know the stars and the crew of the film but also whets your appetite as to what's to come. Here are my five personal favorites in alphabetical order. Enjoy!

Anatomy of a Murder (1960)

With a fantastic jazz score by Duke Ellington, Saul Bass' already iconic credit designs kicks off Otto Preminger's fantastic courtroom thriller like no other film could.

Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned the Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

The film's satirical anti-war tone is ingeniously incorporated into the opening credits by Pablo Ferro with weird printed writing and setting a romantic ballad over phallic-looking planes. Yes, it's basically a sex scene with jet planes.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

This is one of the longest opening credits in mainstream cinema. Sergio Leone's classic spaghetti begins with a long quiet sequence where you can cut the tension with a knife.

Psycho (1960)

Another classic Saul Bass designed-opening credits which kicks off Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller. Man, the 1960's seems to be my favorite decade for opening credits! LOL.

Superman (1978)

Lots of superhero/sci-fi/fantasy movies have showy, spectacular opening (or closing credits) but I think the best would still be the original 1978 Superman opening. It's so great, Bryan Singer copied its style for Superman Returns.