What makes a movie great? For sure, the plot, the cinematography, and the acting all play critical roles in ensuring the success of any movie. However, we cannot discount the fact that movie titles have something to do with the degree of success of a film as well. The title of a movie, just like the title of any written work, may very well determine whether or not a person will want to watch it.
Let’s take a look at 20 great movie titles. Whether or not a lot of thought was put into them, they certainly turned out great!
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – Michel Gondry, 2004
Can a title be more beautiful than that? Even when I hadn’t watched the movie yet, merely reading those words put together made me feel something inside. I suppose putting ‘eternal’ and ‘sunshine’ together does that to people.
2. No Country for Old Men – The Coen Brothers, 2007
There’s another beautiful move title for you. More than that, this movie title makes you feel wistful and sad the moment you read it. You may not have any idea what the movie is about, but old men not having a country to call their own can never be a happy thought.
3. Inglourious Basterds – Quentin Tarantino, 2009
The movie was not that great, although this is a very much debatable point. The title, however, is another story altogether. Spelled that way, how can it not be great?
4. Kill Bill – Quentin Tarantino, 2003
The movie was awesome – it definitely made Tarantino more fans – and the title just as kick butt. Who’s Bill? Why do we want to kill him? Anyone who sees the title, even without any prior knowledge of the movie, will want to see it just to find out the answers to these questions.
5. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Sergio Leone, 1966
There’s nothing like the old movies, purists will always insist on that. I have to agree with this one – half a decade later, people are still familiar with this title, even if they do not have an inkling about the movie. That’s how good it is.
6. Somewhere in Time – Jeannot Szwarc, 1980
Romantics will always fall for this title. Indeed, if not somewhere in time, then where?
7. Requiem for a Dream – Darren Aronofsky, 2000
Definitely one of the most poetic movie titles there is. I haven’t seen it, but from what I hear, the movie pretty much matches the title; and it is worth your while.
8. Dead Man Walking – Tim Robbins, 1995
Who wants to see a dead man walking? Whether you take it literally or figuratively, the movie title says a lot. Fatalism is something that attracts humankind, I suppose.
9. Pulp Fiction – Quentin Tarantino, 1994
And we have Mr. Tarantino again. I watched the movie at a tender age and was shocked. I should have known – with a title such as this, I should have seen the movie at a later age. He does pick catchy titles, doesn’t he?
10. Dirty Harry – Don Siegel, 1971
Who doesn’t know Dirty Harry? The title sums up all there is to see in the movie. I can’t count the number of men (boys) who want to be just like Dirty Harry.
11. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels – Guy Ritchie, 1998
Now if that isn’t a kick butt title, then I don’t know what is. One smoking barrel is not enough, no; you got to have two of them bad boys.
12. Snakes On A Plane – David R. Ellis and Lex Halaby, 2006
Now the movie sucks, we all know that. The title, on the other hand, is something else. How can you go wrong with snakes on a plane (SOAP!)? Come to think of it…everything else went downhill from there.
13. American History X – Tony Kaye, 1998
The Europeans say that there is no such thing as history when it comes to the New World. This movie title can go either way – with that letter added at the end. Great title for a great movie.
14. Texas Chainsaw Massacre – Tobe Hooper, 1974
The mother of all massacre movies, that’s what it is; and the title has stuck to everyone’s minds ever since it came out. More than 30 years later, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre is still the epitome of great horror movie titles.
15. Tears of the Sun – Antoine Fuqua, 2003
The sun doesn’t cry, does it? This movie title tells us otherwise. The plot is pretty moving as well.
16. The World Is Not Enough – Michael Apted, 1999
There has to be a James Bond movie in this list somewhere. While the plot is not exceptional, the title is so expansive that it becomes great.
17. V for Vendetta -James McTeigue , 2005
What’s a better letter than X? V, of course! And, V is for Vendetta. Enough said.
18. Eyes Wide Shut – Stanley Kubrick, 1999
This movie title evokes images of a woman with eyes closed tight and yet somehow seeing everything around her. At least that’s how I see it in my mind. I could be wrong, and you may have your own imagery; that’s the beauty of this title, though.
19. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas -Terry Gilliam, 1998
Las Vegas is supposed to be full of fun and excitement. Fear and loathing shouldn’t have a place here. This movie title is a perfect reflection of the undercurrents in Sin City.
20. Killer Klowns From Outer Space – Stephen Chiodo, 1988
Call me weird, but I think this movie title is great. I have never seen the movie, but with Killer Klowns, how can you go wrong?