Another vote for Touch of Evil. Of Welles’ released films, this is my favorite. The opening scene is not topped by any other in film, yet you would why it was special without someone pointing out that it was a complex single crane shot. That the credits were over it was an afterthought, I prefer it w/o the credits.
I thought the opening credits for Seven were perfect for preparing us for the movie: something obsessive and psychotic. I was already a little freaked out before the first scene.
The first and second episodes of the TV miniseries of Stephen King’s The Stand had really great opening credits, playing out as little music videos to “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, fading across scenes that give backstory for the episode.
The best things about the series, as far as I was concerned.
I have always liked the opening from Where Eagles Dare A tri-motor Junkers aircraft in winter camouflage flying over the Alps mountains to great music while the credits rolled.
I don’t know if I’d say it’s the best, but the semi-animated (I don’t know what you’d really call it) opening for “Juno” is pretty cool.
The opening sequence of L.A. Story is dreamy and quirky; sets the mood just right for the rest of the movie.
I always thought Grease had a great opening. It’s a cartoony thing while the theme song (IIRC written for the movie, and not taken from the original show) plays over it. It just puts you in the right mood for the movie. By the time it’s over, you’re feeling so chipper that you don’t even care that Rizzo is 35.
If I want to see who was in the movie I’ll watch the credits. If I don’t, I don’t like it being imposed upon me. Only the egotistical wankers who work in the movie industry would think it acceptable to jam themselves in front of my face in a way that detracts from their own work.
I’m happy with switch flipping. It just means that I am into the movie and out of the ads that much quicker.