Our team compiled the movies with best opening credits and here is what they came up with
Movies with the best opening credits have become an important part of the movie-watching experience. Opening credits have a chance to set the tone for the rest of the movie, as well as to set up the stakes and introduce characters. They can also be a source of visual delight, giving viewers a taste of the film’s style. Here are 32 movies with the best opening credits, along with a detailed movie summary, MPAA rating, box office collections, year of release and why the movie was appreciated.
Here are the 30 movies with best opening credits to check out on the streaming service.
1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
This classic prison drama tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker wrongfully convicted of murder who must adjust to life in the harsh and violent Shawshank Prison. The opening credits feature a haunting rendition of “The Hanging Tree”, setting up the film’s major themes of hope and justice. Rated R, The Shawshank Redemption earned $28.3 million at the box office and was widely praised for its powerful story, strong performances and emotional depth.
2. The Social Network (2010)
This drama tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), the founder of Facebook, and the lawsuits he faced after the website’s launch. The opening credits show a series of animated computer screens, emphasizing the film’s themes of technology and online communication. Rated PG-13, The Social Network earned $224 million at the box office and was praised for its sharp writing, clever direction and strong performances.
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
This comedy-drama tells the story of Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), a legendary concierge of the titular hotel, and his adventures with his lobby boy, Zero (Tony Revolori). The opening credits feature a whimsical montage of stop-motion animation and whimsical music, setting the stage for the film’s offbeat story. Rated R, The Grand Budapest Hotel earned $175.8 million at the box office and was praised for its inventive visual style, witty writing and strong performances.
4. The Matrix (1999)
This sci-fi action classic tells the story of Neo (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker who learns the truth about the simulated reality of the Matrix and joins a rebellion to free humanity. The opening credits feature a series of abstract images and a pulsing electronic soundtrack, setting the tone for the film’s science-fiction action. Rated R, The Matrix earned $463.5 million at the box office and was praised for its groundbreaking visuals, imaginative action scenes and philosophical themes.
5. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
This crime drama tells the story of a group of criminals who plan and execute a jewelry store heist that goes wrong. The opening credits feature a series of black and white still images accompanied by a jazzy soundtrack, setting up the film’s gritty atmosphere. Rated R, Reservoir Dogs earned $2.8 million at the box office and was praised for its intense violence, sharp dialogue and innovative storytelling.
6. The Incredibles (2004)
This animated adventure tells the story of a family of superheroes who must balance their lives as ordinary citizens with their secret crime-fighting activities. The opening credits feature a series of fast-paced images backed by an upbeat score, setting up the film’s exciting action and characters. Rated PG, The Incredibles earned $633.4 million at the box office and was praised for its witty writing, strong characters and visual style.
7. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
This dark comedy tells the story of a group of military and political leaders who try to prevent a nuclear war. The opening credits feature a series of animated images set to a jazzy score, emphasizing the film’s satirical tone. Rated PG, Dr. Strangelove earned $7.5 million at the box office and was praised for its sharp wit, political satire and performances.
8. The Lion King (1994)
This animated musical tells the story of Simba (voiced by Matthew Broderick), a young lion who must accept his destiny as the king of the Pride Lands. The opening credits feature a series of colorful images backed by a grand musical score, setting up the film’s dramatic story and characters. Rated G, The Lion King earned $968.5 million at the box office and was praised for its emotional depth, memorable songs and stunning visuals.
9. Titanic (1997)
This epic romance tells the story of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet), two star-crossed lovers on the ill-fated RMS Titanic. The opening credits feature a series of black and white images backed by a stirring musical score, setting up the film’s romantic and tragic story. Rated PG-13, Titanic earned $2.2 billion at the box office and was praised for its epic scope, impressive visuals and heartbreaking love story.
10. The Godfather (1972)
This crime classic tells the story of the Corleone family, a powerful New York mafia dynasty. The opening credits feature a series of black and white images set to a haunting musical score, setting up the film’s themes of loyalty, power and revenge. Rated R, The Godfather earned $134.9 million at the box office and was praised for its strong performances, emotionally powerful story and iconic imagery.
11. The Dark Knight (2008)
This crime thriller tells the story of Batman (Christian Bale) and his battle against the Joker (Heath Ledger). The opening credits feature a series of abstract images backed by a powerful score, emphasizing the film’s dark atmosphere and themes. Rated PG-13, The Dark Knight earned $1 billion at the box office and was praised for its thrilling action scenes, strong performances and thought-provoking themes.
12. Pulp Fiction (1994)
This crime classic tells the story of a group of criminals who become involved in a series of violent events. The opening credits feature a series of black and white images backed by a jazzy soundtrack, setting up the film’s offbeat story. Rated R, Pulp Fiction earned $213.9 million at the box office and was praised for its sharp dialogue, strong performances and unconventional narrative structure.
13. Fight Club (1999)
This dark comedy tells the story of an unnamed narrator (Edward Norton) who joins a secret fight club led by mysterious Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). The opening credits feature a series of abstract images set to a pulsing rock score, emphasizing the film’s themes of violence and rebellion. Rated R, Fight Club earned $37 million at the box office and was praised for its witty dialogue, strong performances and thought-provoking themes.
14. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
This action-adventure tells the story of Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), an archaeologist who must locate the Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the hands of the Nazis. The opening credits feature a series of images backed by a rousing score, setting up the film’s swashbuckling adventure. Rated PG, Raiders of the Lost Ark earned $389.9 million at the box office and was praised for its thrilling action scenes, witty dialogue and charismatic performances.
15. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
This psychological thriller tells the story of Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), a young FBI agent who must enlist the help of the imprisoned Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to catch a serial killer. The opening credits feature a series of abstract images set to a haunting score, emphasizing the film’s dark atmosphere. Rated R, The Silence of the Lambs earned $272.7 million at the box office and was praised for its strong performances, tense atmosphere and compelling story.
16. Star Wars (1977)
This sci-fi classic tells the story of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a young farm boy who must join forces with a group of rebels to save the galaxy from the evil Empire. The opening credits feature a series of star-filled images set to a rousing score, setting up the film’s epic story. Rated PG, Star Wars earned $775.4 million at the box office and was praised for its groundbreaking visuals, intense action scenes and memorable characters.
17. The Shining (1980)
This horror classic tells the story of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a writer who takes a job as a caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. The opening credits feature a series of abstract images set to a haunting score, emphasizing the film’s dark atmosphere. Rated R, The Shining earned $44.3 million at the box office and was praised for its psychological depth, strong performances and unforgettable imagery.
18. Jaws (1975)
This classic thriller tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes a small island community. The opening credits feature a series of images set to a pounding score, emphasizing the film’s suspenseful story. Rated PG, Jaws earned $470.7 million at the box office and was praised for its intense action scenes, suspenseful direction and iconic score.
19. Gravity (2013)
This sci-fi drama tells the story of Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), an astronaut who must find a way to survive in outer space after her spacecraft is destroyed. The opening credits feature a series of 3D images set to a stirring score, setting up the film’s gripping story. Rated PG-13, Gravity earned $723.2 million at the box office and was praised for its breathtaking visuals, strong performances and emotional story.
20. The Big Lebowski (1998)
This cult comedy tells the story of Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a slacker who gets caught up in a complicated kidnapping scheme. The opening credits feature a series of cartoon images set to a jazzy score, emphasizing the film’s offbeat tone. Rated R, The Big Lebowski earned $17.5 million at the box office and was praised for its witty dialogue, strong performances and unique style.
21. Boogie Nights (1997)
This drama tells the story of Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), an aspiring porn star in the 1970s. The opening credits feature a series of images set to a pulsing disco soundtrack, setting up the film’s nostalgic story. Rated R, Boogie Nights earned $26.4 million at the box office and was praised for its strong performances, stylish direction and emotional depth.
22. Gone with the Wind (1939)
This classic romantic drama tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh), a Southern belle who must adjust to life after the Civil War. The opening credits feature a series of images backed by a sweeping score, setting up the film’s epic story. Rated G, Gone with the Wind earned $198.7 million at the box office and was praised for its strong performances, sweeping visuals and iconic characters.
23. The Godfather Part II (1974)
This crime classic tells the story of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), the son of the original Godfather, as he expands the family’s criminal empire. The opening credits feature a series of black and white images set to a haunting score, emphasizing the film’s themes of loyalty and betrayal. Rated R, The Godfather Part II earned $57.3 million at the box office and was praised for its strong performances, emotionally powerful story and iconic imagery.
24. Psycho (1960)
This horror classic tells the story of Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), a hotel owner with a dark secret. The opening credits feature a series of black and white images set to a tense score, setting up the film’s suspenseful story. Rated R, Psycho earned $32.3 million at the box office and was praised for its intense atmosphere, iconic score and groundbreaking visuals.
25. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
This classic musical tells the story of Dorothy (Judy Garland), a young girl who is transported to the magical Land of Oz. The opening credits feature a series of animated images backed by a cheerful score, setting up the film’s whimsical story. Rated G, The Wizard of Oz earned $102.2 million at the box office and was praised for its memorable songs, strong performances and iconic visuals.
26. The Terminator (1984)
This sci-fi action classic tells the story of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), a woman who must protect her son from a cyborg assassin from the future. The opening credits feature a series of images backed by a pulsing electronic score, setting up the film’s thrilling action. Rated R, The Terminator earned $78.4 million at the box office and was praised for its intense action scenes, strong performances and groundbreaking visual effects.
27. Alien (1979)
This sci-fi horror classic tells the story of a group of astronauts who must battle a terrifying alien creature. The opening credits feature a series of abstract images set to a pulsing score, emphasizing the film’s intense atmosphere. Rated R, Alien earned $104.9 million at the box office and was praised for its groundbreaking visuals, suspenseful direction and strong performances.
28. Amélie (2001)
This romantic comedy tells the story of Amélie (Audrey Tautou), a young woman who embarks on a series of adventures in Paris. The opening credits feature a series of whimsical images set to a jazzy score, setting up the film’s offbeat story. Rated R, Amélie earned $33.2 million at the box office and was praised for its charming characters, whimsical visuals and romantic story.
29. Seven (1995)
This crime thriller tells the story of two detectives (Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt) who must track down a serial killer. The opening credits feature a series of abstract images set to a tense score, emphasizing the film’s dark atmosphere. Rated R, Seven earned $327.3 million at the box office and was praised for its strong performances, intense atmosphere and thought-provoking story.
30. Goodfellas (1990)
This crime classic tells the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a mob associate who attempts to climb the ranks of the criminal underworld. The opening credits feature a series of black and white images set to a jazzy score, setting up the film’s gritty story. Rated R, Goodfellas earned $46.8 million at the box office and was praised for its strong performances, sharp dialogue and stylish direction.