A great opening credits scene sets the tone for everything that follows, and some have changed film history in the process. While older films used simple text to list cast and crew, filmmakers soon realized credits could be a creative opportunity to establish mood, foreshadow themes, and give a movie a distinctive idenтιтy before the story even begins.

When paired with iconic movie themes and memorable imagery, opening credit scenes can leave a lasting mark on film history and become integral parts of mainstream pop culture. From classic works by great directors like Alfred Hitchcock to ongoing franchises that remain popular to this day, all of these credit scenes have had a lasting impact on the industry.

Monty Python’s Life Of Brian (1979)

Unlike most opening credits, which merely deliver basic information, Monty Python used Life of Brian’s first minutes to convey style and humor. With a jazzy theme song and deliberately cheesy animation that parodied James Bond–style grandeur, the sequence transformed a biblical setting into an absurd spectacle, serving as a perfect showcase of the troupe’s trademark wit.

With Terry Gilliam’s signature animation and a Shirley Bᴀssey-style belter sung by sixteen-year-old Sonia Jones, “Brian Song” satirized the unextraordinary nature of Brian as she sang, “He had arms and legs and hands and feet, this boy whose name was Brian.” Both ridiculous and hilarious, Life of Brian helped influence later comedy opening sequences throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and beyond.

The Pink Panther (1963)

Few film theme songs are more instantly recognizable than The Pink Panther, whose animated opening credit scene helped turn the character into a cultural icon. While Peter Sellers gave an all-time great performance as Inspector Jacques Clouseau, this тιтle sequence was so effective it was later spun off into its own cartoon series.

With an animated panther actually interacting with the credits themselves, The Pink Panther highlighted just how playful filmmakers could be with тιтle sequences and that they could be integral to providing a film with a unique sense of idenтιтy. The genius of the sequence was elevated by Henry Mancini’s timeless, jazzy music, which remains one of cinema’s most enduring scores.

Halloween (1978)

Halloween director John Carpenter composed the music for this influential slasher himself and immediately set the tone with his eerie and foreboding theme tune that played over the opening credits. With an ominous atmosphere and scary imagery, including a flickering Jack-o’-Lantern, viewers were left with no doubt that a horrifying narrative was about to unfold.

Carpenter didn’t waste any time getting audiences into a frightening mood, and the mix of music and simple graphics would influence later horror films, proving that less can often be more. Not only did this opening credit set the scene for the film that was to follow, but it gave the Halloween franchise an idenтιтy that endures to this day.

Se7en (1995)

The тιтle sequence of David Fincher’s classic thriller Se7en was a landmark in visual storytelling and set the standard for everything that came after it. Often, тιтle sequences can feel separate from the movie itself, but graphic designer Kyle Cooper managed to create something that felt like an extension of Fincher’s unsettling cinematic world, elevating the film in the process.

Filled with quick flash imagery, Se7en’s opening credits hinted at the darkness that was to come and foreshadowed the intense and troubled philosophy of the serial killer known simply as John Doe. Cooper’s work on Se7en would make him a sought-after artist in Hollywood, and he went on to design sequences for everything from Mission: Impossible to Iron Man.

Vertigo (1958)

One director who understood the impact of good opening credits scenes was Alfred Hitchcock, who used these moments to set the tone for his films. A prime example of this was Vertigo, whose dreamlike score and revolving visuals perfectly represented the haphazard psychological games that were about to unfold.

Graphic designer Saul Bᴀss was the man behind the opening credits of Vertigo, and what’s impressive is the way he utilized abstract art to lay the foundations of the film’s mood. Although swirling and spiraling shapes on screen don’t convey any narrative info, they still symbolize the confusion, obsession, and dizziness of the film itself.

Superman: The Movie (1978)

Nowadays, audiences take superhero movies for granted, but back when Superman was released in 1978, it was a true oddity and most viewers’ first exposure to the genre. This was an exciting moment because Superman got everything right, and it was a fun-filled experience, right down to its influential opening credits sequence.

This featured an iconic theme tune from John Williams, the recognizable imagery of the Superman logo, and text presented in a 3D style. Superman’s opening credits helped lay the foundations for the introduction of superheroes on the big screen, and its influence can be seen in later movies starring DC and Marvel heroes.

The Naked Gun: From the Files Of Police Squad! (1988)

After a hilarious opening scene that saw Leslie Nielsen’s Lt. Frank Drebin take out a group of international terrorists, The Naked Gun set its tone with a credits sequence that spoofed the seriousness of dramatic cop movies. With a loud siren, slapstick energy, and plenty of sight gags, even the credits featured laugh-a-second jokes throughout.

The Naked Gun’s opening credits were hugely influential for comedy, as it highlighted that credit sequences didn’t have to be needlessly formal and could instead become a part of the movie’s idenтιтy. By keeping things light and humorous, this told viewers what to expect from The Naked Gun series.

Psycho (1960)

The development of modern horror movie opening credits scenes can be traced back to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Through the incredible pairing of its iconic score from Bernard Herrmann and Saul Bᴀss’s exceptional graphics, this is truly a masterclass in creating a sense of unease and using typography to foreshadow suspense.

Psycho is one of those rare films where everything about it just works perfectly, and this sequence influenced a whole generation of filmmakers to see credits as an opportunity to enhance a movie’s impact. Regarded as one of the most important credit sequences in all of cinema, it redefined how to set the audience’s expectations for a movie.

Star Wars (1977)

It might look simple by today’s standards, but the scroll text of Star Wars’ opening sequence paired with John Williams’ beloved theme tune helped entrench this sci-fi saga into mainstream pop culture. As a simple storytelling device that provided audiences with all the necessary information to be immersed in this unique space opera, Star Wars remains iconic.

As an immediately immersive storytelling device, the opening credits of Star Wars invite audiences to enter a new world and be swept away by the galaxy-traversing experiences of Luke Skywalker as he discovers his destiny. Having been utilized in every subsequent installment, the credits have been a hallmark of the franchise.

Dr. No (1962)

Nobody could have imagined back in 1962 that the cinematic visual language established in Dr. No would have ripple effects for the James Bond franchise that continue to this very day. This gun barrel sequence, which features Bond walking in from the right side of the screen and shooting directly at the camera, has been endlessly parodied.

With blood rushing down the screen accompanied by Monty Norman’s iconic theme song, Dr. No wrote the blueprint for the beginning of every subsequent Bond movie and is one of the most immediately recognized symbols of the franchise. While the sequences have evolved over the decades, it’s impressive how well they have endured since 1962.