Remember what you see first...

The intro segment to a movie or television show can often become an afterthought of a viewer’s experience. It’s easy to understand why—it does happen first after all. But title cards, often overlooked or under-noticed, can perform many roles as it accompanies an episode of television or a feature-length movie. It can be a foreshadowing tool, outlining certain elements of the story in fragmented, cryptic ways. Ozark. Dexter. Every true crime documentary Netflix has ever released. Sometimes it's a guide to a bigger world—offering a map that helps viewers bring fantasy landscapes to life in their imaginations. Game of Thrones. Or maybe it’s all about the typeface the project’s graphic designers utilize to evoke a specific mood from the audience. We’re looking at you, Stranger Things. 

Title cards can even attract cult-like attention and earn standalone acclaim from graphic designers, producers, directors and other post production professionals who look to classic films and TV content for their inspiration. Here, we’re going to keep things on the lighter side and showcase some of the most entertaining animated title sequences ever released to the public. 

Catch Me If You Can — Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Deygas

Saul Bass earned his keep in Hollywood in the 1950s and 1960s with a post-modern, Matisse-like cutout style. In 2002, Steven Speilberg’s Catch Me If You Can offered a playful homage to Bass’ iconic designs as its own title sequence. In an interview with Art of the Title, the designers reveal that the entire sequence was created with real, custom-cut stamps and ink to animate the cat-and-mouse narrative that plays out, foreshadowing the movie’s plot.  

Monsters Inc. — Geefwee Boedoe

In the opening moments of the Pixar classic Monsters Inc. there are a series of firsts that often go unnoticed: not only was it the first time the company used 2D animation in a title sequence, it was also the first time Pixar artists used off-the-shelf Adobe products like After Effects during production. Who woulda thunk it? So, with these new bits of trivial knowledge in-mind, take a glimpse at the entertainment unfolding in front of you. When the main story involves monsters, but you’re captivated by doors in the opening scene—there’s something to be said about that. 

Stranger Things — Imaginary Forces

There’s not much to this one—just eerie, mood-setting music and a perfectly timed slow reveal of the show’s main title. And it just works. Although there were likely hours and days (and likely months) of discussions about the styling of the show’s typeface, we have to give a nod to the composers behind the theme song, too. Pairing the instantly recognizable font with the thumping, rolling bassline and 80s-style synths provides that edge-of-your-seat feeling everyone loves at the start of a television show. We just hope you don’t fall into the Upside Down… 

The Pink Panther — Ken Harris and Corny Cole

One of the most well-known animated movies of all time, The Pink Panther (1963), gets its first moments of mojo from a nearly four-minute-long intro sequence. Here, we witness the clever cat’s personality coming to life before the movie even begins, a sly combination of storytelling and animation that jump started the Pink Panther franchise into becoming a hit television series. 

Superbad — The Yard VFX

Superbad is a cult-classic from the modern era—and it begins with one of the funkiest, feel-good intros you’ll ever find at the movies. Once again, simple designs and a spot-on song choice set the tone for the coming-of-age comedy tale. Featuring colorful, silhouetted graphics designed by The Yard and “Too Hot To Stop” by The Bar-Kays playing over the speakers, when this title sequence starts to roll, you know you’re in for a good time and a few hearty laughs.