A good opening credits sequence always captures the attention of the audience setting up the mood for the main feature. The selection of font, music and song matters let alone the choice of imagery that can be (in theory) related to the story. Several films opt out for striking visuals (e.g., every James Bond entry, David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (2011)), others blend style with an opening sequence that will eventually become the catalyst of the story while a few go straight to the point (e.g., “Star Wars” (1977-2019)). We present the top ten best opening credits sequences of all time based on their novelty, visual appeal and soundtrack ranked by their year of release.

10. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Director: John Badham

Genre: Dance drama

Featuring one of the most famous movie tracks of all time (Bee Gees’ “Stayin Alive”), “Saturday Night Fever” catapulted John Travolta into superstardom. The opening credits lushing over a confident Tony Manero who above else holds in high regard his looks, style and moves, strutting (like a rooster) the 70s Brooklyn troubled streets have become iconic in their own right. In this uncertain era of societal turmoil, Manero finds a way out by donning his superb costumes to become The Man, a woman’s ultimate fantasy on the disco floor escaping the harsh reality which engulfs him. While there is no particular directional novelty involved here, it captured (and even someone might argue defined) nonetheless the existing zeitgeist of a generation.

9. The Warriors (1979)

Director: Walter Hill

Genre: Action thriller

Two years later (and at the height of disco fever), Walter Hill’s “The Warriors” is a typical example of how to set up a story with the minimum of exposition and dialogue. “Show, don’t tell” works wonders here with Hill’s camera demonstrating the prevalence of gangs in New York during a time where high homicide rates were a daily routine. With Barry De Vorzon’s funky sounds being the ideal companions for a seemingly endless supply of dodgy (but albeit cool) gangs (props to the costume department) that still … have to use the subway (subtle hint of irony) to attend the biggest gathering of unlawful individuals in the greatest city in the world, how can you do not dig it?

8. The Shining (1980)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Genre: Psychological horror

What is there to say to one of the greatest openings of all time? Bearing Kubrick level of detail, “The Shining” begins with THAT massive tracking shot stalking the main lead’s car representing the upcoming eerie atmosphere for the spooky proceedings. This bird’s eye point of view is phenomenal in its staging and (as it is to be expected) execution and despite its distance from the protagonistic trio, it offers a sense of intimacy emphasizing simultaneously their dreary isolation from the rest of the world all within 2 minutes and 48 seconds.

7. Raging Bull (1980)

Director: Martin Scorsese

Genre: Biographical sports drama

Under frankly, the mesmerizing cinematography of Michael Chapman, the so called raging bull Jake LaMotta is being seen shadow boxing in a ring, a king inside an empty arena and the only place where his capacity for inflicting violence is permitted and monitored. Yet, this moment bears interesting psychological layers: LaMotta is alone, darkness representing the void in his soul; no matter his professional success, his explosive personality gains the upper hand and destroys his relationships one by one resorting to the only thing he knows: violence. Scorsese’s camera seeks to capture his relentless (and confident) movements in glorious slow motion making the inevitable fall from grace even more sad to witness.

6. Batman Returns (1992)

Director: Tim Burton

Genre: Superhero

A master visual storyteller, Tim Burton’s return to the world of the Dark Knight eclipsed the first film in every department. Its credits under Dadanny Elfman’s grandiose theme reigning supreme complement pitch perfect the proceedings with appropriately dark German Expressionist sets and gorgeous cinematography to tell the birth (and evolution) of Penguin into Gotham’s next big bad. Fully practical with long takes and infused with a unexpected melancholic tone (after all a baby was thrown into the sewers to die), it still remains the best opening to a Batman film.

5. Mortal Kombat (1995)

Director: Paul WS Anderson

Genre: Martial arts fantasy action

Paul WS Anderson’s Hollywood debut literally opens with a bang: “Mortal Kombat” is echoed through the speakers and then bam! The Immortals’ theme song plays throughout an orgy of fire, amazing sound design and surprisingly short credits only to reveal the famous dragon logo and font. This was the first use of techno music in a mainstream opening with the producers working really hard to keep their creative choice intact due to a reluctant studio which since then made cinematic history. Sometimes, the simplicity of roughly 50 seconds with some music and fire images can capture the attention and imagination of every 13 year old child around the world. A work of genius.

4. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Director: Zack Snyder

Genre: Action horror

It is undeniable that Zack Snyder’s “Dawn of the Dead” opening credits set the mood for the upcoming zombie mayhem. Starting quite moody and traditionally, it switches gears with Johnny Cash’s “The Man Comes Around”. What starts with news reports of providing limiting exposition to the audience quickly descents into a chaotic collage of videos which highlights the fall of (at least) the US society. The use of real blood (!) for the fonts is also a nice touch. By the time you hear “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts; And I looked and behold, a pale horse; And his name that sat on him was Death; And Hell followed with him” you know you are in for a wild ride.

3. Lord of War (2005)

Director: Andrew Niccol

Genre: Crime drama

By far one of the most inventive opening segments of all time not only because we get a beautifully designed sequence but also we are offered a sharp commentary on the nature of firearm trade without a line dialogue too. Buffalo Springfield’s song “For What It’s Worth” seems an appropriate choice to showcase POV wise the birth and subsequent journey of a machine gun bullet from its humble and indifferent factory origins to an Odyssey across continents and several hang changes only for it to land in the skull of a young boy soldier in Africa. Bearing strong traits of satire, it is the harsh reality of Niccol’s credits that makes it ten times better.

2. Zombieland (2009)

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Genre: Post apocalyptic zombie comedy

Although quite forgotten now, “Zombieland” was the film that launched back Woody Harrelson into mainstream appreciation and one of the last novel zombie entries mainly due to tongue in cheek approach and slight rule bending. Its credits are absolutely bonkers and one could argue are on the opposite side of Snyder’s own work above. An instrumental version of Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” accompanies shots of zombie mayhem and carnage in glorious slo mo with a dose of black humor. It’s hilarious, effective and a perfect opener for a not so serious movie. Just ask Bill Murray.

1. Resident Evil Retribution (2012)

Director: Paul WS Anderson

Genre: Action horror

A visual director first and foremost, Paul WS Anderson continued to hone his skills with rather extraordinary opening moments. This time though he brought something extra to his “Resident Evil” (2002-2016) saga. By far in the most stylized entry, a submerged into water Alice reverts back to Acadia, the shipping boat from the finale of “Afterlife”. We then realize that we are at the end and not at the beginning. Deploying slow motion, a backwards battle is played out between Alice, Gill and the Umbrella henchmen while Tomandandy composes a heroic theme for the on screen action. It might be gimmicky and for a B-movie but it is novel, catchy and unique.