Today is National Punctuation Day, the most important non-religious nerd holiday that doesn’t involve talking like a pirate. Just think how different our lives would be without the comma, not to mention the semi-colon; we’d be lost without the period. Or the exclamation point! What about the question mark? (Seriously, we’d be screwed: see here.) To celebrate, we’ve assembled a list of our favorite punctuation marks in movie titles. Call them the Punctuaties (pronounced ”Punk-shoe-Ay-shees” [on second thought, don't call them anything]).
Best use of a comma in a bad movie by a great director
White Hunter, Black Heart
Lust, Caution
Best use of a comma in a great movie by a great director
Sex, Lies, and Videotape
One, Two, Three
Best use of a comma in the weirdest movie ever:
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Best use of a possessive apostrophe:
Schindler’s List
Jacob’s LadderAdam’s RibPrizzi’s Honor
Ocean’s 11
Best use of a colon:
Dr. Strangelove: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Best phrase to add after a colon in a movie title:
Tokyo Drift
Worst phrase to add after a colon in a movie title:
At World’s End
Best sincere use of an exclamation point:
I Know Where I’m Going!
I Want To Live!
Best sarcastic use of an exclamation point:
Airplane!
The Informant!
Best use of an exclamation point, period:
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Colons that failed to build a franchise:
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever
I don’t know, but I’m sure the movie will tell me:
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Who’s Afraid of the Virginia Woolf?
2009 loves the ampersand:
Angels & Demons
Julie & Julia
Fast & Furious
Our funny friends, the ellipses:
With a Friend like Harry…
If…
Waiting…
Promising Signs that the Era of the Colon is ending:
Star Trek
The Dark KnightThe Final Destination
Terminator Salvation
Less promising signs that the Era of the Colon is just beginning:
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Is the ”500” silent?
(500) Days of Summer
Best use of a period, non-abbreviation:
I’m Not There.
Best use of a period, abbreviation:
L.I.E.
Spielberg, you already abbreviated it!
E.T. The Extraterrestrial
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Best mathematical use of a slash:
8 1/2
9 1/2 Weeks
Best nonsensical use of a slash:
Face/Off
Three ways to write the worst title ever
Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace
Star Wars – Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
Goodbye, Comma:
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Goodbye, Columbus
Goodbye, Lenin!
Honorable Mention for Creative Use of Asterisks:
M*A*S*H
61*
Make up your own categories in the comments!








I thought we all agreed a while ago that the best phrase to add after the colon of a movie title is “Electric Boogaloo”
It’s a rule I’ve lived by for years.
Giggles and an EPIC SCORE!!!!
I know! Any movie title is improved by adding “Electric Boogaloo” after it.
Adaptation. being omitted deeply upsets me. not really, but still. especially considering I’m Not There. only has a period on the poster
Best use of en dash: Wall-E
yes. hands down.
I think it’s actually a bullet! Wall•E
Oddest use of a question mark: Casual Sex?
Actually the title is: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. You missed the conjunction.
Not to nag, but it’s just “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Not “the Virginia Woolf?”
Exclamation point omission: Moulin Rouge!
And another category:
Best punctuation to end a REALLY long movie title:
Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?
haha, I assume that virginia woolf typo was just an accident, but it’s a hilarious one.
To be fair, there could be some movie out there–completely unknown by anybody–about a pirate ship called The Virginia Woolf and one brave captain who refuses to be cowed.
Mmm…okay, maybe not.
Another glaring omission for the ellipses! When Harry Met Sally…
Yeah I noticed that too.
For an article about punctuation, this one sure has consistency problems… I suppose “Rochelle, Rochelle” doesn’t count?
victor /victoria
Worst use of an exclamation point: Oliver!
How ya fgure? Without it how could we tell the difference between the straight version and the musical version.
Granted, this was only the promotional title until they used proper spelling, but the best use of everything…
The @r!$t*(r@t$
It’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe,” not “Who’s Afraid of the Virginia Woolfe.”
You forgot Moulin Rouge!!
Hello! How could you forget Sophie’s Choice?
Manos: The Hands of Fate
Thank goodness that one didn’t turn into a franchise!