23 TV Intros You Never Skip

TV introductions are crucial for making a strong first impression and setting the atmosphere for a show. The best ones use memorable music and visuals to create something artistic and stand out on their own. These openings often become as well-known as the show itself, and people rarely skip them. A truly excellent title sequence draws viewers into the show’s world even before any characters speak. The following examples showcase openings that are masters of capturing audience attention.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Ramin Djawadi created the iconic theme music featuring the cello, which plays alongside the animated map of Westeros and Essos. The map changes every episode to show where the story is taking place, with moving gears and castles appearing to represent the changing power dynamics. This opening sequence became a beloved part of the show for fans around the world.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

The opening scene of the show features Tony Soprano driving home to New Jersey from the Lincoln Tunnel, smoking a cigar. A driving beat from the song “Woke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3 immediately creates a tough and realistic mood. We see quick shots of factories and quiet suburbs, showing the world Tony lives in. This sequence quickly establishes the central conflict of the series: Tony is both a devoted family man and a dangerous mob boss.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

The music for the show, composed by Nicholas Britell, combines elegant piano melodies with modern hip-hop rhythms, mirroring the wealth and tensions within the Roy family. The show uses a mix of shaky, personal home videos alongside grand views of New York City, emphasizing the characters’ early experiences with both loneliness and privilege. This combination powerfully illustrates the lasting impact of family history and the ruthless world of corporate power.

‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present)

The iconic opening to The Simpsons features a lively and playful theme song by Danny Elfman. Each episode begins with a unique chalkboard gag and a constantly changing couch gag. We see Homer driving home from work at the nuclear power plant, often with Marge and Maggie, and this opening has remained recognizable for many years despite some changes over time.

‘Mad Men’ (2007–2015)

The opening credits show a businessman falling past tall buildings covered in old-fashioned ads. The music, a track called “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2, creates a feeling of both style and unrest, fitting the 1960s setting. The visuals hint at a life falling apart within the busy and overwhelming world of advertising. The sequence is designed to look like the graphic design work from that time period.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present)

The show’s logo appears as glowing red letters gradually assemble on a textured black screen. A synth-driven soundtrack by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein creates a mood reminiscent of 1980s horror and science fiction films. This simple design uses text and music to build suspense and instantly takes viewers back to the time of classic synthesizers and Stephen King stories.

‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (1990–1996)

The theme song features Will Smith rapping about how his character ended up in Bel-Air. Its bright, graffiti-style visuals and lively performance perfectly capture the energy of 1990s hip-hop. The song includes a funny retelling of the schoolyard fight that caused him to leave West Philadelphia, and it’s become one of the most famous theme songs ever written.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

The catchy theme song, “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, plays as the cast dances in a fountain. Quick scenes from the show are mixed with shots of the six friends having fun together. The song’s clapping rhythm became a well-known part of the show that viewers everywhere joined in on. The intro perfectly captures the sitcom’s friendly and funny spirit.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

The show’s memorable theme music, composed by Mark Snow, is known for its eerie whistling. Throughout the opening credits, quick cuts of UFOs and strange events create a sense of unease. The sequence introduces the idea that agents are searching for hidden truths. This combination of music and visuals set the spooky, mysterious mood that made the series so popular.

‘Twin Peaks’ (1990–1991)

Angelo Badalamenti’s music creates a dreamy, sad feeling as we see scenes of the Pacific Northwest. Images of a bird and a sawmill highlight the town’s blend of natural beauty and industry. The slow rhythm and fading visuals create a mesmerizing effect before the story even starts. This opening establishes the strange and mysterious tone of the series created by David Lynch and Mark Frost.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Dave Porter composed the distinctive slide guitar music that plays with the periodic table visuals in the show’s opening. Green smoke and chemical formulas appear on screen, representing Walter White’s transformation. The opening sequence is brief and impactful, quickly moving the story forward. It successfully establishes the show’s unique look and its recurring themes of chemistry.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

As a huge movie buff, I was immediately drawn into the latest trailer. Ramin Djawadi’s score is incredible – it starts with a simple piano melody that slowly swells as you see these lifelike ‘hosts’ being built. It’s a really striking visual: this white liquid flowing over robotic frames, almost like watching muscles and tendons form, creating something that looks alive. And there’s this amazing detail – a player piano working all by itself, which really hints at how programmed and controlled these hosts are. The whole thing is a beautiful but unsettling mix of the human form and cold, hard technology. It’s visually stunning and really makes you think.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

The film uses unsettling close-ups of everyday morning activities – like cutting fruit and frying meat – to visually suggest violence. This is paired with music by Rolfe Kent that’s both cheerful and disturbing, highlighting the contrast. The sequence cleverly reveals the protagonist’s hidden nature: they appear to be a normal forensic analyst, but are secretly a serial killer.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)

The anime begins with a thrilling jazz song called “Tank” by The Seatbelts. The opening scene features dynamic character silhouettes set against vibrant, colorful backdrops, reminiscent of a spy film. The fast-paced editing perfectly complements the energetic drumming and brass music, making it one of the most iconic and stylish animated intros ever created.

‘True Detective’ (2014)

The first season features the gothic country song “Far From Any Road” by The Handsome Family. The visuals use double exposure, blending the main characters’ faces with the industrial scenery of Louisiana. Images of fire and tangled roots combine with human shapes to hint at both personal and environmental decline. This creates a gloomy, suffocating mood that reflects the disturbing nature of the case being investigated.

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

The show opens with a bizarre, computer-generated sequence showing a warped version of the main character lost in a dreamlike office. The animation uses shifting and multiplying bodies to illustrate the character’s sense of a broken identity, a result of the severance process. An eerie piano score by Theodore Shapiro enhances the unsettling imagery. This opening effectively sets the tone for the show’s themes of existential anxiety and confusion within a corporate setting.

‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)

Patrick Carney from The Black Keys composed the upbeat music that accompanies the main character as he goes about his day. The scenery rapidly changes to show time passing, but BoJack himself stays still. We see a wild house party happening around him, yet he just stares straight ahead. This scene powerfully captures the show’s ideas about depression and the emptiness often found in Hollywood.

‘Peacemaker’ (2022–Present)

The show’s characters perform a surprisingly funny, perfectly synchronized dance to the energetic glam rock song “Do Ya Wanna Taste It.” They keep straight faces while moving stiffly to the music by Wig Wam. This unexpected musical number establishes a playful and unconventional mood for the superhero series, intentionally contrasting with the often serious and dark tone of other comic book adaptations.

‘Yellowjackets’ (2021–Present)

The show opens with Alanis Morissette’s song “No Return” playing over grainy, old camcorder footage. Quick glimpses of mysterious symbols and high school jackets suggest the story jumps between different time periods. The fast-paced, disorienting editing reflects the emotional turmoil and confusion felt by those who survived the plane crash. This introduction immediately creates a sense of unease and lets the audience know the series will be a psychological thriller.

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

Okay, so the opening of this show immediately throws you into its world with this really charming, upbeat piano and melodica tune playing over these slightly dreary shots of Scranton, Pennsylvania. We see quick glimpses of everyday office life, and what’s really interesting is the cast often looks right at the camera. It’s a clever way to establish the mockumentary feel – you instantly know you’re watching something that feels like a real documentary, but is, of course, designed to be hilarious. It brilliantly sets up this ordinary workplace as the backdrop for some truly extraordinary comedic moments amongst the employees.

‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)

Gary Portnoy’s rendition of “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” plays over nostalgic photos, showing people enjoying old-time bars. These images create a feeling of a long-standing tradition of people coming together for a drink. The song’s comforting tune and message of belonging draw viewers in. This opening sequence is still considered the best example of a sitcom theme focused on community and friendship.

‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992–1995)

Danny Elfman’s powerful music accompanies an opening sequence that feels like a mini-movie. It shows two robbers blasting open a bank vault before Batman appears, emerging from the darkness. The scene’s art deco design and strong use of shadows create a distinctive, film-noir style called Dark Deco. Notably, the sequence relies entirely on visuals – there’s no dialogue or narration, letting the images speak for themselves.

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Apparat’s song “Goodbye” played during the opening scene, which featured swirling, colorful images. The visuals used mirrors to create copies of the characters and the forest, suggesting themes of duality and balance. These effects subtly hinted at the show’s complex time travel and the tangled relationships between family members. This created a moody and intriguing atmosphere, setting the stage for the complicated and serious story to come.

Tell us which television theme song has a permanent spot on your playlist in the comments.

2025-12-01 02:20