Opening credits aren't mandatory.  Some films forego them altogether and get straight to the action.  Sometimes they're a little delayed by an introduction.  But if they do hit, some directors choose to land a wake-up call to the brain by designing unforgettable title sequences.  Yes, they're a collection of names but they're also a great way of setting the tone of a film.  I can't imagine "Fight Club" without it's brain-map open or "North by Northwest's" beautiful transition from intersecting lines to the side of a skyscraper, reflecting the outside world.

The folks at Smashing Magazine have collected what they believe to be the Top 30 of all time and what I like most about the list is that it contains films not made in the last twenty-five years.  Seriously, next time you read any list of movie qualities (all of which are link-bait in the extremeus but more power to 'em, I guess), see if there's anything earlier than "Star Wars".  If not, the list ain't worth much. 

Click here to check out a worthy list and if you want to check out a site devoted purely to opening title sequences, head on over to Art of the Title.