10 Typefaces From Movies

Discover typefaces used in movie posters, promotional materials, and title sequences

If you’re a fan of typography, you’re sure to love seeing it on the big screen. From being featured in trailers to staring back at us on movie posters, typography captivates our attention and plays a key role in convincing us that we want to see a film.

Here we have put together a list of 10 movies that feature outstanding examples of typography. We share the names of the designers and agencies who worked on them, as well as which fonts they used. It’s important to point out that in some cases the typefaces were slightly modified.

Vertigo (1958)

The legendary designer Saul Bass created the titles for this spectacular film from Alfred Hitchcock. Just like in many of his other creations, the credits are a fine example of creating a perfect harmony between the typeface and footage, which only a genius like Bass can achieve.

These credits laid the foundations for a new school of movie title design. The spiral sequence was created by John Whitney, a pioneer of computer animation, under the direction of Bass.

Main Typefaces: Claredom and News Gothic.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wes Anderson received international acclaim for this film, which stood out for its production design, strongly influenced by typography.

The posters–as well as packages, stamps, passports, newspapers, menus, and many other props–were designed by Annie Atkins.

Main Typeface: Archer.

Other typefaces used in the movie: Beaufort, FF Din, Old English, Münchner Feature, Trajan, Russian and Cheltenham.

Lost In Translation (2003)

In this timeless comedy-drama from Sofia Coppola, Corey Holms used a plain and simple typeface for the poster and promotional material, very much in-tune with the characters’ introspective experience during their stay in Japan.

Main Typeface: Kabel.

The Lobster (2015)

This acclaimed and strange film from Yorgos Lanthimos was promoted with minimalist posters created by Vasilis Marmatakis.

Be sure to visit this promotional website, which tells you which animal you would be.

Main Typeface: Avenir Next.

Inherent Vice (2014)

This film from Paul Thomas Anderson stands out for its promotional posters and title sequence. Instantly the neon colors transport us to Los Angeles in the 70s.

The design was handled by BLT Communications and the designers Tal Goretsky, Darshan Zenith, Darren Haggar, Dustin Stanton, and Steven Chorney.

Main Typefaces: Drescher Grotesk, Rolling Pen, Ne10, Sneaker Script, ITC Serif Gothic.

Julieta (2016)

This heart-rendering film from Pedro Almodóvar was nominated for several international awards. As is often the case in his work, Almodóvar submerges us into a predominantly female universe that presents a fresh take on motherhood.

The posters and credits were designed by the Barfutura agency.

Main Typeface: ITC Grouch.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

This film by the Coen brothers brought us some of the most celebrated characters and quotes in film history.

The movie is also praised for its incredible opening and closing credits, which channel the tone of the film and reference some of the most important sequences. The designers who worked on this film were Big Film Design and Randall Balsmeyer.

Main Typefaces: Magneto, Mesquite, Monoline Script, Berthold Block.

Parasite (2019)

Without a doubt the most talk-about film of 2019, Parasite was written and directed by Bon Joon-ho.

The credits and posters use a modest and classic design style, featuring timeless fonts. The designer is uncredited.

Main Typefaces: Gotham, Garamond, LT Didot.

I’m Still Here (2010)

This mockumentary directed by Casey Affleck, in which Joaquin Phoenix announces he is retiring from acting, fascinated filmgoers.

The poster also made its mark on popular culture, and we saw lots of projects try to recreate the sharp italics. The poster (and the titles) were created by Neil Kellerhouse, Michael Muller, and Erik Buckham.

Main Typeface: HTF Didot.

Jackie Brown (1997)

This film from Quentin Tarantino pays homage to the 70s, which is why the typography also transports you to a funky universe.

Pacific Title and Mirage used fonts that were created in the 70s for the posters, promotional material, and titles.

Main Typefaces: ITC Tiffany, Benguiat Caslon, Goudy Heavy.

Which is your favorite? If you want to know more about typefaces, in film and in other more daily contexts, visit Fonts In Use.

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