A title drop can draw attention to a specific moment in a movie, but these have to be handled delicately, or else they will come across as clunky and forced. The moment that a character says the title of a movie is usually memorable, and it can be a subtle signal to the audience to pay close attention.
A title drop can often reveal what a movie is really about on a deeper thematic level. Not all movies have this opportunity, since so many of them are named after the main characters or key locations. However, when a title drop is used intelligently, it become one of the most important quotes in the film.
10
“He’s A Silent Guardian. A Watchful Protector. A Dark Knight.”
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight
10/10
- Release Date
-
July 16, 2008
- Runtime
-
152 minutes
- Producers
-
Benjamin Melniker, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Kevin De La Noy, Michael Uslan
It falls on Commissioner Gordon to deliver the closing monologue to Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, and the speech perfectly sums up the evolution of Batman and the struggle that he has endured with the Joker. Batman’s pristine code of ethics has been forced to bend, but his unwavering duty to protect Gotham never breaks.
Nolan uses a title drop as a way of adding extra gravitas to Gordon’s speech.
The Dark Knight is one of Christopher Nolan’s best movies, so naturally, it has a memorable ending. Inception, Oppenheimer and The Prestige also deliver powerful moments right at the end. In this case, Nolan uses a title drop as a way of adding extra gravitas to Gordon’s speech, ending an action-packed crime thriller on a poignant note.
9
“That’s Why Every Magic Trick Has A Third Act, The Hardest Part, The Part We Call The Prestige.”
The Prestige (2006)
The Prestige
9/10
- Release Date
-
October 20, 2006
- Runtime
-
130 minutes
As much as Christopher Nolan understands the importance of endings, his movies also tend to have memorable beginnings. The Prestige opens with Michael Caine’s character talking about how a good magic trick works, and the audience is often complicit in being fooled.
The Prestige‘s ending reveals Nolan’s trick with a series of shocking twists. The title drop is already a highlight, but the ending lends added importance to what Cutter says about the structure of a magic trick. Ultimately, Nolan’s audience enjoys being taken for a ride, just like an audience witnessing a magic trick.
8
“Welcome… To Jurassic Park.”
Jurassic Park (1993)
Jurassic Park
10/10
- Release Date
-
June 11, 1993
- Runtime
-
127 minutes
- Writers
-
Michael Crichton, David Koepp
- Producers
-
Gerald R. Molen
Steven Spielberg has always been able to summon great swells of wonder and emotion in his best movies, underlining his status as a director who deeply believes in the power of cinema. Jurassic Park could be his most jaw-dropping spectacle of all, and the title drop moment is a perfect example.
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As John Williams’ score rises to a crescendo and Spielberg’s camera sweeps over a grand vista filled with dinosaurs, John Hammond’s words ring out as a direct message to the audience, preparing them for a unique cinematic experience. Jurassic World Rebirth is set to continue the franchise this summer, but it will take something special to recapture the magic of moments like these in the original movie.
7
“Get Out.”
Get Out (2017)
Get Out
7/10
- Release Date
-
February 24, 2017
- Runtime
-
1 hour, 44 minutes
The ominous title of Get Out forewarns the audience that Chris is stumbling into a nest of vipers, but the protagonist doesn’t get the message until it’s screamed directly into his face. LaKeith Stanfield delivers a memorable performance with his limited screen time. The moment that Andre rises to the surface for long enough to warn Chris captures Stanfield’s surprising intensity.
The title drop is one scene in which the pervasive dread of Get Out spills over into sheer terror, as all is not what it seems in the Armitage household. Nope also has a memorable title drop. Although not much is known about Jordan Peele’s next movie, including the title, moments like these could become one of the director’s calling cards.
6
“It’s A Sin To Kill A Mockingbird.”
To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
To Kill A Mockingbird
- Release Date
-
December 25, 1962
- Runtime
-
129 minutes
- Director
-
Robert Mulligan
- Writers
-
Harper Lee, Horton Foote
Based on Harper Lee’s seminal novel of the same name, To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming-of-age story and a tale of racial inequality in the American south all at once. The speech that the book gets its title from is one moment that brings these two themes together into one concept.
Atticus tells his children that it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird, because all they do is make music for people to enjoy. This connects to characters like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, who are ostracized or persecuted by a cruel society. Eventually, it also links to Jem and Scout, who must choose compassion when they learn about the harsh reality of the world around them.
5
“I Think I Have This Thing Where I Need Everyone To Think I’m The Greatest, The Quote-Unquote Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Wes Anderson’s movies have a lot more emotional substance than their picture book aesthetics might suggest at first glance. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a charming tale filled with woodland critters, but Anderson transforms Roald Dahl’s relatively simplistic children’s book into a complex crime caper about a father struggling to burden the responsibilities of having a family.
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From Die Hard to Blade Runner to Field of Dreams, movie adaptations of books often change their title to something snappier and more memorable.
The title drop in Fantastic Mr. Fox is one of many scenes that jar with the tone of Dahl’s book. It comes at a moment when Mr. Fox is ruing his hubris and recklessness. Evoking the whimsy of the book at this time highlights the contrast between a childlike vision of the world and the murkier reality.
4
“Good Morning Vietnam!”
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
Good Morning, Vietnam
- Release Date
-
December 23, 1987
- Runtime
-
121 Minutes
- Director
-
Barry Levinson
- Writers
-
Mitch Markowitz
Robin Williams is at his hilarious best in Good Morning, Vietnam, but he also calls upon his talents as a dramatic actor. His scenes in the radio booth are pure comedy, however, filled with zany improvisation, rapid-fire bits and unique jokes that no other actor could pull off.
When Adrian Cronauer first shows up at the military radio station in Saigon, his irreverent style upsets his superiors. Instead of quiet chatter and smooth jazz, Adrian does anything to entertain his audience, including reading classified news reports and playing rock and roll. He starts every show by yelling his catchphrase, and the first title drop is unforgettable.
3
“We Always Called Each Other Goodfellas. Like You’d Say To Somebody, ‘You’re Gonna Like This Guy, He’s Right. He’s A Goodfella. He’s One Of Us’.”
Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas
10/10
- Release Date
-
September 19, 1990
- Runtime
-
145 minutes
- Producers
-
Barbara De Fina
Goodfellas is filled with great quotes. Due to the rapid pace that Martin Scorsese dictates, the title drop could be brushed over if not for the fact that it stands out. Here, Scorsese knows that using the title of the movie will make audiences think about the importance of the quote a little more.
In Henry Hill’s world of organized crime, someone is described as a “goodfella” based on their loyalty and their belonging to the in-crowd, not based on their actual character traits. This means that violent thugs like Tommy can be described as good in this warped view of morality. Jimmy’s advice to a young Henry sums up what the mob truly values: “Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut.“
2
“I Guess Some LIke It Hot. I Personally Prefer Classical Music.”
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Some Like It Hot
10/10
- Release Date
-
March 15, 1959
- Runtime
-
121 Minutes
- Director
-
Billy Wilder
- Writers
-
Billy Wilder, I. A. L. Diamond
Some Like It Hot is one of the funniest comedies ever made, with a blend of witty quotes and memorable visual gags. One of the best scenes uses a title drop to draw attention to a subtle line that could otherwise be missed, as Joe puts on the persona of “Shell Oil Junior” to try and woo sugar.
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Joe acts coy and uninterested in Sugar at first, putting on a bizarre Cary Grant impression and paying more attention to his newspaper than the women on the beach. As he well knows from his earlier conversations with Sugar, this only makes her want him more. His feigned reluctance mirrors Jerry’s attempts to get Osgood to leave him alone.
1
“Someday We Might Look Back On This And Decide That Saving Private Ryan Was The One Decent Thing We Were Able To Pull Out Of This Whole God-Awful Sh*tty Mess.”
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan is known for its epic recreations of World War II battles, but the action wouldn’t hit quite as hard if not for a stirring script that humanizes the characters trudging through France. Steven Spielberg uses a title drop to highlight the emotional importance of the mission.
Steven Spielberg uses a title drop to highlight the emotional importance of the mission.
The mission to save Private Ryan becomes a crusade for the men to rally around. Although they are sold on the dreams of patriotism and heroism before leaving home, they arrive to find a war of attrition characterized by senseless death and suffering. They need to save Ryan to extract some meaning from a conflict that has them all questioning their purpose.