How to pick titles for movies
Choosing the right title for a movie is a powerful step—it’s your film’s first impression, emotional hook, and marketing tool all in one. Here's how to do it thoughtfully:
🎬 1. Know the Soul of Your Story
Ask yourself:
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What’s the central theme or emotion?
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What makes the story unique?
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Who or what is the focus?
✅ Examples:
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Her → minimalist, emotional, character-driven
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Get Out → urgency, escape, double meaning
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Moonlight → poetic, visual, metaphorical
🧠 2. Use Evocative Words
A good title should trigger curiosity, emotion, or visual imagery.
Types of evocative titles:
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✨ Poetic: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
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💣 Provocative: No Country for Old Men
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🌪 Mysterious: The Sixth Sense, Inception
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👤 Character-based: Amélie, Forrest Gump, John Wick
🔁 3. Think in Layers (Double Meanings or Symbolism)
A great title may mean one thing at first—and something else after you watch the movie.
Examples:
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Parasite → about class, power, survival, and dependence
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Black Swan → literal role in the ballet, metaphor for transformation
🧩 4. Keep It Memorable & Easy to Say
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Shorter is usually better (1–4 words is ideal).
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Avoid long, hard-to-pronounce, or generic titles.
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Test it out loud—does it sound like a movie?
🌎 5. Check for Originality & Conflicts
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Google your title: Is it already used? Is it a famous song, book, or trademark?
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If you want to stand out, avoid common titles like Love Story, The Journey, or The Chase unless they’re deeply redefined.
🧪 6. Test the Title
Ask people:
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“What do you think this movie is about from the title alone?”
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“Would this title catch your eye on a streaming platform?”
If the answers feel off or underwhelming, revise.
🎭 Optional Techniques
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Use a line of dialogue or a quote: Call Me By Your Name, Do the Right Thing
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Name a place: Manchester by the Sea, Babel
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Use irony or contradiction: Funny Games, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
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Take from a central object or metaphor: The Piano, The Whale, The Matrix
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