RESEARCH - What Are the 4 Different Types of Film Openings?

Good question.

1. Titles over black
White titles over a black background for the starkest contrast. Cheap and easy, not exactly visually interesting. Historically, it's the most common.

2. Titles on still images
These represented a move past the simple title cards and allowed for each movie to set the tone more uniquely. Film Studios were beginning to see the value of the title sequence.

3. Titles over moving images
This type of title sequence generally doesn't contain any dialogue, but it contains a whole lot of other elements. This combines music, moving images, and sound effects to sell the tone of the movie.

4. Titles using Animation and/or Motion
The titles become a part of the image itself. This requires a lot of digital technology and stylised editing, but the effect can really set the tone. The shapes, colours, character design/drawings all contribute to establishing the genre in a way that no other method could.

PICKING FAVOURITES

By far, my favourite type of title sequence is the fourth variety - titles encorporating the use of animation and motion. Here's a great one:
 

Mad Men Title Sequence from Caleb Woods on Vimeo.

The Mad Men title sequence is so great because it tells you everything you need to know about what this show's deal is, without ever outright telling you anything. We know our setting - 50s/60s. We know the type of world we're dealing with - advertising. We know about the themes the show might tackle - The American Dream and idealism. We know about our main character and his ability to always land with his feet underneath him, and how he projects himself - with suave confidence.

And it looks real pretty.

Shoutout
This isn't the show's common title sequence, but the homage to the Spaghetti Westerns by Community is great.