Sans the Comic Sans

The style of typography can set the tone even before what the words written in that font is saying. Headlines need to grab your attention, but most newspapers and magazines stick with the same font family; this consistency is "to give the readers a sense of familiarity" (Silverblatt 220).


This is great and all, but since those are static and the article already discussed the mastheads of such publications, I'm going to dive into movie titles and opening/closing credits where it's not just in print and not just a stamped brand, but instead moves and floats in space while introducing or concluding a feature film.

I'll start with a title of one of this year's summer films Ponyo (2009):


It's like summing up the entire theme of the film in not just in the word itself, but the style it has been designed. The custom font is thick with tiny "bowls" (technical term for the hole) in the O and a nice swishy wave at the bottom of the N. The title alone signifies that this is probably a children's movie that might take place underwater, rather than a horror film like Saw, which uses a disgruntled, dirty look.

Here we have the opening credits for Donnie Brasco (1997) starring Johnny Depp which used "surveillance-type photography and kerning fonts...which hinted at the character's obsessions and the story of the Mafia's descent into hell" (221). The font face is fairly simple, but the uneven kerning (space between each letter) ages the look and adds raw texture, similar to the stereotypical typewriter lettering on a police record.

(Click any image to see it larger)

Here we have the opening title of Napoleon Dynamite (2004) with the memorable and awesome food art. The quirkiness and the unpredictability sets the tone of the film and how random it is. All these scenes and name credits are completely new to us.



Written by Diablo Cody, Juno (2007) uses handwritten fonts that complement the illustrations in the opening sequence. The opening credits gives the movie originality (though this drawing style never reappears in the film) and sets it apart from other teenage films.



Here are some more:

From The Usual Suspects (1995), a stern font with no flourishments, give it a metal look.


American Splendor (2003) appropriately uses a handwritten font to mimic the comic book the movie is based on.


300 (2006), also based on the comic book



Casino Royale (2006)


Fight Club (1999), looking hardcore.


Edward Scissorhands (199) uses a custom font that reflects the shape of scissors.


True Blood (2008) has an awesome opening sequence in which the typeface is anything but perfect and clean, which is the way it should be.


You might be thinking that these are obviously appropriate, but that's just taking it for granted. Imagine how dull it would be if we only had Century Gothic or Times New Roman for branding.. yawn. Plus it sets the emotions and adds personality, as Silverblatt says. Anything else out there that sticks in your mind?

Source [all screencap images]- artofthetitle.com