Title sequences are an overlooked sector in the motion graphics industry. With entire teams dedicated to them, they offer a great opportunity for motion graphics designers to find inspiration and ideas.
From Westworld to James Bond titles, here you will find the best 9 film title sequences of all time.
From Westworld to James Bond titles, here you will find the best 9 film title sequences of all time.
The best film title sequences
1. Cruella - Elastic
Cruella, a film revolving around the One Hundred and one Dalmations’ villain, talks about the ambition of a young girl, Estella, in the fashion industry.
However, her ambition knows no limits, and her wicked side quickly shows up, creating the character of Cruella.
The titles combine both the sophisticated aesthetics of the fashion world, with the edgy look of the crime scene, creating a very beautiful contrast.
Both the typographies and the halftone patterns, evoke a 70’s vibe that will be constant across the entire film.
However, her ambition knows no limits, and her wicked side quickly shows up, creating the character of Cruella.
The titles combine both the sophisticated aesthetics of the fashion world, with the edgy look of the crime scene, creating a very beautiful contrast.
Both the typographies and the halftone patterns, evoke a 70’s vibe that will be constant across the entire film.
Author's Website:
Elastic
2. Anne with an E - Imaginary Forces
Anne with an E is the movie adaptation of the classic book by L. M. Montgomery.
The title sequence serves as a perfect example of effective composition, blending 2D and 3D elements, and is a perfect example of motion graphics within movies.
The title sequence serves as a perfect example of effective composition, blending 2D and 3D elements, and is a perfect example of motion graphics within movies.
Author's Website:
Tendril Studio
3. Severance - Oliver Latta (Extraweg)
Oliver Latta is a 3D artist that has found great success with his unique instagram posts. He has a bizarre animation style, usually including soft body simulations of humans.
However, for a TV show such as Severance, Latta’s style came in very handy.
The opening title sequence was meant to convey the uncanniness of the whole show.
However, for a TV show such as Severance, Latta’s style came in very handy.
The opening title sequence was meant to convey the uncanniness of the whole show.
Author's Website:
Extraweg
4. James Bond: Skyfall - Daniel Kleinman
Daniel Kleinman, the legendary movie title director, was responsible for the creation of this artwork.
As complex as designing a 007 movie title sequence is, he took the challenge delivering an incredible result.
The sequence comprises a series of underwater fantastic shots, that completely set up the expectations for the rest of the movie.
As complex as designing a 007 movie title sequence is, he took the challenge delivering an incredible result.
The sequence comprises a series of underwater fantastic shots, that completely set up the expectations for the rest of the movie.
Author's Website:
Danile Kleinman (IMDb)
5. The peripheral - Antibody
The peripheral, a series about a girl’s dreams of becoming a professional gamer, has one of the best title sequences made the last year.
With multiple distorted images of different locations, and a sophisticated colour scheme, it creates an ambience of mystery to set up the viewers in the perfect mindset for the upcoming episode.
With multiple distorted images of different locations, and a sophisticated colour scheme, it creates an ambience of mystery to set up the viewers in the perfect mindset for the upcoming episode.
Author's Website:
Antibody
6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - Perception
This title sequence directed by the studio Perception is a wonderful display of great design mixed with state of the art production techniques.
The entire movie title sequence is a water simulation of different scenes and elements of the film.
With a very sophisticated colour palette of blue tones with orange accents, the various scenes of this clip sets the mood perfectly for the movie we’re about to watch.
The entire movie title sequence is a water simulation of different scenes and elements of the film.
With a very sophisticated colour palette of blue tones with orange accents, the various scenes of this clip sets the mood perfectly for the movie we’re about to watch.
Author's Website:
Perception
7. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - Plains of Yonder
Plains of Yonder is a very experienced studio specialising in making title sequences for some of the best TV shows and movies in the world.
For the Lord of the Rings movie, they employed a phygital approach, mixing recorded images, handwritten typographies and digital particle simulations, resulting in one of the best sequences of 2022.
For the Lord of the Rings movie, they employed a phygital approach, mixing recorded images, handwritten typographies and digital particle simulations, resulting in one of the best sequences of 2022.
Author's Website:
Plains of Yonder
8. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - yU + co
This title sequence by yU + co is a great showcase of a fantastic aesthetic, comprising drawings and hand-drawn typographies.
With a very colourful palette, a mediaeval aesthetic and a slow pace, it perfectly sets the mood for the upcoming movie.
With a very colourful palette, a mediaeval aesthetic and a slow pace, it perfectly sets the mood for the upcoming movie.
Author's Website:
Plains of Yonder
Lessons from this title sequence list
Timeless principles
Unlike social media posts that depend on the current trends, movie titles are meant to be timeless, and to be understandable and likeable for generations to come.
For this reason, it’s unlikely to see sequences that incorporate a perishable design aesthetic. Most of them double down in the fundamentals of design, which have never changed in the last 100 years.
For this reason, it’s unlikely to see sequences that incorporate a perishable design aesthetic. Most of them double down in the fundamentals of design, which have never changed in the last 100 years.
Capturing a film’s essence
Show title sequences only have a couple of minutes to capture the entire mood and essence of a movie. That’s why they usually are masterclasses in summarising the key concepts portrayed in the production.
Learn from the best
Only the best motion designers get to participate in Hollywood level movies. For this reason, when watching a visual production, it’s a great idea to take it as a lecture in design and storytelling principles.
