Horror film titles and credits examples

‘28 days later’ (2002)

Plot Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.

Titles/ credits: done through intercutting the film with a separate title sequence. This can indicate towards the premise of the film; the titles are separate and so are the survivors. The font and colour also indicates towards the horror genre as it is abstract and erratic.

‘Panic room’ (2002)

Plot: A woman and her teenage daughter become imprisoned in the panic room of their own house by 3 criminals.

Titles/ credits: done throughout the opening sequence by the titles and name of the film written on the side of buildings. This integrated approach may convey aspects of the film, for example the fact that the homeowners are not alone and that the intruders become integrated within their home. The font of the titles are very serious and formed, this shows that the film will follow in the same light.

'What lies beneath' (2000)

Plot: The wife of a university research scientist believes that her lakeside Vermont home is haunted by a ghost - or that she's losing her mind.

Titles/ credits: does not come until the end of the sequence and when it does it’s on a blank screen with simple writing to create suspense.

'Dracula' (1931)

Plot: The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina.

Titles/ credits: The titles are presented over the opening sequence. The titles swoop over the screen and swiftly move onto the next title. The font is made to look like blood dripping and ghostly, this links with the genre of horror.

From this research I will take on board the idea of putting the titles on animate objects, for example under cups or on the side of the sofa. I like this idea as it does not break up the sequence like intercutting, and will help it flow more smoothly. 

Horror sound research

Traditionally in horror films the sound is very eerie, dark and erratic. Sometimes the sound starts very slowly and will build and rise up at the pinnacle moment of the scene; this creates tension and scares the audience to a greater extent. Diegetic sound can be used to create an atmosphere around a scene, for example trees rustling, wind or rain. By having diegetic sound- or non-diegetic sound which is natural creates a sense of realism, and can also been seen as creepy in the horror genre.


In the YouTube video, it shows example of horror sounds. These are mostly non-diegetic, for example the piercing, rising sounds, however some could be diegetic like the screams. I will be using non-diegetic sounds from garage band when I create my sound for my opening sequence. Due to the theme and nature of my opening sequence, I will be using mostly non-diegetic sound, for example the scream and wind. Some of the sound though was recorded at the time of filming, for example the axe chopping and the fire burning and crackling.





In the YouTube video above, it shows the example of Nightmare on Elm Street. The sound in this opening is very effective as it slowly builds up. It begins with slow mid tones which are intercut with dark, menacing drums. It continues with eerie, yet harmonious non-diegetic sound which is heightened mid-way through the extract as it becoming repetitive and gradually louder. The extract hits a peak with scary, dark and dangerous sounds as the sound gradually gets louder and louder. From a visual aspect, this would be where the pinnacle moment would have been. This extract creates tension and builds upon sounds to create the tense atmosphere.

I aim to create the same amount of intensity in my opening sequence as it begins light and friendly, but gradually gets darker and more suspicious.

Order of titles and credits

Name of the production company: The company that made the film, or the name of investment groups that financially contributed to the film. For example Lions Gate or Warner Bros.

Name of producer and director: Written commonly as 'a film by'. For example Quentin Tarantino or John Hughes. 

Staring: The main actors and actresses of the film (sometimes these names will come before the director/producer depending on their contract). For example Jennifer Lawrence or Bradley Cooper in 'Silver Linings Playbook'. 

Films title: This is the name of the film, for example 'Winters Bone'.

Featuring: These are the featured actors and actresses, sometimes known as supporting roles. For example Christoph Waltz in 'Django Unchained'. 

Casting: This is the names of the people who cast the film. 

Music: Also known as 'music composed by' or 'Original score' (composed specifically for the movie) For example, 'Life of Pi' by Mychael Danna or 'Indiana Jones' by John Williams. 

Production design/ designer: This is the person who is responsible for the overall look and set of the film, for example William Cameron Menzies. 

There are many variations of this order, but most stick along these lines. Other common credits include: set design, costumes, make-up artists, sound recordings, visual effects, photography and writers. 

Opening sequence overview

In order to help decide which genre I was going to use for my opening sequence I brainstormed all the possible themes in different genres. From this, I now have a clearly indication of which genre I may pick, for example either horror or action, with the theme of isolated areas and escape/siege.