10 Best Movie Opening Titles Sequences

By Shaun Munro /

5. Alien

Richard Greenberg makes it clear that not every titles sequence needs to be outlandish or loud to lodge firmly in our minds; sometimes mimimalism can be just as memorable, and the quiet atmosphere of these credits are an accurate reflection of the slow-burn thrills that Ridley Scott serves up on board the Nostromo. Jerry Goldsmith's fantastically chilling score slowly fades in, getting us acquainted with that unforgettable leitmotif that was even featured in Scott's Prometheus prequel, while Scott gives us a glimpse of the oppressively endless space that surrounds the protagonists. As the credits begin to roll, strange objects begin to take shape on the screen, slowly forming to spell out the title of the film, a reflection of the film's mystique and intrigue, not rushing to reveal the identity of the monster stalking the crew of the Nostromo. It's a sinister, moody sequence, and one that doesn't insist on itself too much all at the same time.