A memorable opening TV credits sequencecan hook the viewer within minutes, hint at settings and future plot points, and cause the intro to linger in the minds of viewers for years to come. The opening credits act as the viewer’s first impression of a show, and along with theTV show’s theme song, are typically the first mental association formed with a series. At some point or another, everyone has experienced their favorite show’s theme getting stuck in their head, which is not only due to the music but also the visual sequence.
While the intro is intended to convey important information such as the names of the show’s writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, and actors,it also serves to create visual interest. What makes for amemorable opening TV credits sequenceincludes beautiful cinematography, a catchy opening score, thematic relevance to the show, and some sort of unique gimmick that highlights key elements. Among milestone series are a handful offan-favorite TV shows that have mastered the art of brilliant and unique opening credit sequences.
10Dexter (2006-2013)
A Morning Routine TV Intro
James Manos Jr.‘sDexterfollows the life of Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst with the Miami Metro Police Department. However, things are not as they seem:although he catches criminals by day, Dexter also moonlights as a vigilante serial killer,bringing to justice the predators the Miami PD cannot catch or convict without his special set of skills. The title score of the show (composed by Daniel Licht) uses a Greek instrument known as abouzouki,which sounds similar to a mandolin or Spanish guitar – perfect for the Miami setting.
TheDexterintro may be thematically innocuous on paper – just a man getting ready for work– but its brilliance lies, somewhat surprisingly, at first glance. The creators manage to utilize harmless everyday imagery – a knife slicing through a ham steak, a blood orange being pulped – to create a sense of something ever-so-slightly sinister. This has been achieved with extremely tight shots, sound effects superb enough to rival ASMR, and Michael C. Hall’s vaguely unnerving smirk. Additionally, theDexterspin-off seriesNew Bloodpays homage to this original title sequence.
An Elemental TV Intro
The critically acclaimed Vince Gilligan crime dramaBreaking Badcenters around high schoolchemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston), who is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Concerned for his family’s financial future, Walter calls upon former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), a known junkie and dealer, to become his partner in cooking and dealing crystal meth. The series has spawned a franchise, including anew Bryan CranstonBreaking Badfollow-up now on Netflix.
While perhaps not the most memorable title sequence of all time, the creators ofBreaking Badachieved an interesting intro.The chemical components of the show are highlighted uniquely by using the periodic table of elements to spell out the names of key players(actors, writers, directors, and more). Additionally, the title score (composed by Dave Porter) uses hand drums, bells, and a bluesy resonator (dobro) guitar, nodding to the show’s setting in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Frank Darabont’s hit zombie TV seriesThe Walking Dead, based on the comics of the same name, has enjoyed astounding success following its debut in 2010 and has since branched into several equally well-loved spin-off series. The show follows Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) as he leads a small community of survivors through a zombie apocalypse.
Featuring a haunting orchestral score (composed by Bear McCreary) and cinematography with a warm vintage tone,The Walking Dead’s opening credits sequence has changed a handful of times during the series’ extensive run.The intro to the first six seasons, however, is arguably the best, particularly its shot of a metal door handle turning ominously back and forth. This image is a direct reference to the season 1 scene in which a character who has been turned into a “walker” attempts to open the front door to their house – one last muscle-memory remnant of her humanity.
7Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
A Topographical TV Intro
It is impossible to discuss impactful opening credit sequences without namingGame of Thrones. The David Benioff and D.B. Weiss fantasy drama (based on George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Fire) took the world by storm in 2011 and is still enjoying widespread popularity today with a critically acclaimed prequel series,House of the Dragon. This series boasts an all-star ensemble cast and follows many arcs, but primarily centers around the claim to the Iron Throne, which rules over the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
Game of Thrones’epic orchestral score (composed by Ramin Djawadi) is arguably one of the best theme songsof all time. It is paired with an opening credits sequence that features an animated three-dimensional map, which is refreshed every season to reflect a topographical view of the plot. The animation style and score remain consistent. In fact,House of the Dragonreuses the main themeand intro with a slight twist: here, the map is drawn in rivulets of flowing blood.
6American Horror Story (2011-Present)
A Fresh Horror For Every Season Intro
American Horror Story, created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuck, is a groundbreaking cable TV horror anthology series. Each season stands alone and loosely follows some element of true events (such as the Axeman of New Orleans inAmerican Horror Story: Coven). The show has a rotating large ensemble cast, but mostly frequently stars Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Lily Rabe. It has enjoyed 12 of its 13 seasons thus far.
The brilliance of theAmerican Horror Storyopening credits sequence is that it changes drastically with each season,its only consistent elements being highly disturbing, season-specific thematic imagery and an unnerving theme song (composed by Charlie Clouser ofNine Inch Nailsand Cesar Davilla-Irizarry).TheAHSintro has also spoiled the endingon several occasions. While not necessarily a hummable title score, the static-y drones and strange clicking noises from this theme’s instrumentation certainly set the tone of the unsettling series.
5Hannibal (2013-2015)
A Silhouette Of A TV Intro
Bryan Fuller’sHannibal, based on Thomas Harris' four-book series and the subsequent Anthony Hopkins film adaptations, follows the relationship of criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) with secret serial killer and cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) as they work together for the FBI. The show was unexpectedly canceled by NBC, but fans still hold out hope for aHannibalseason 4. Although perhaps one of the briefest intros of all time (at a quick 20 seconds), there is something to be said for its brevity.
Even in this short window,theHannibalintro hooks the viewer with stunning animation, starkly contrasting colors, and a droning score(composed by Brian Reitzell). The Rorschach inkblot-esque silhouettes in blood are those of Will Graham (Dancy) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mikkelsen), as well as Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne). The opening sequence also drops a subtle hint at important plot elements as the names of the two stars (Dancy and Mikkelsen) swap places with each episode.
4Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
An Absence Of A TV Intro
British period dramaPeaky Blinderscenters around the Shelby crime family, a street gang in 1920s Birmingham, England. This Steven Knight series starring Cillian Murphy has a gritty moodiness about it that is reflected in the cool-toned cinematography and the bluesyPeaky Blinderstheme song(“Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds). However,the surprise ofPeaky Blinders’opening credits sequence just so happens to be that there isn’t one.
The series instead intersperses its credits – and even the theme song – over the opening scenes of each episode. Using the theme song as an undercurrent to the exposition of each episode and having it crescendo towards the end of the introductory scenes (shortly before a brief cut to the title screen) is a fresh take on the art of the opening credits sequence. Later in the show, even this amount of intro is absent from the initial episodes of each season.
3Turn: Washington’s Spies (2014-2017)
An Animated TV Intro
Craig Silverstein’sTurn: Washington’s Spiesis a historical fiction period drama following the exploits of the Culper Ring during the Revolutionary War. It centers around Abraham “Samuel Culper” Woodhull (Jamie Bell), Anna Strong (Heather Lind), Benjamin Tallmadge (Seth Numrich), and Caleb Brewster (Daniel Henshall) as they smuggle information for the American government in the hopes of winning the war both on the battlefield and at home.
Few live-action series make use of an animated title sequence,butTurn: Washington’s Spiesknew exactly how to pull one off. Thepapercraft animation style pays homage to the show’s themes of espionage, using a cipher key and Caesar cipher medallion to “decode” the names of key players. The intro even depicts several key plot points (such as the use of “the Turtle” – a submersible invented by Nathaniel Sackett). The title score (“Hush”) was composed by Joy Williams ofThe Civil Warsand Matt Berninger.
2Stranger Things (2016-2025)
A Retro TV Intro
The supernatural coming-of-age dramaStranger Thingsbecame an immediate cultural phenomenon upon its debut in 2016. This fan-favorite McDuff Brothers sci-fi has quickly launched its child actors to stardom but also features a few more well-established actors, including Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Cary Elwes. The series focuses on a young group of friends whose lives are changed forever when government experimentation leads hostile supernatural forces to target their small town of Hawkins, Indiana.
TheStranger Thingsopening credits sequence keeps things streamlined and simple but packs a punchwith visual interest and a mesmerizing title score. This intro is a shot of pure 1980s nostalgia: neon lights, Stephen King novel cover typeface, and groovy synth pads with heavy reverb. The opening theme was composed by Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon of the synth band S U R V I V E. As far asStranger Thingsis concerned, less is definitely more, somethingStranger Thingsseason 5hopefully exhibits in 2025.
1Ratched (2020)
An Unraveled TV Intro
Ratched, an Evan Romansky and Ryan Murphy show starring Sarah Paulson, is a prequel to the 1975 filmOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’' Nest, originally a classic novel by Ken Kesey. The show focuses on the life of Mildred Ratched as she works as a nurse at the Lucia State Hospital, a cutting-edge psychiatric facility. Although the show was set to continue,Netflix canceledRatchedseason 2, leading to frustration from fans and writers alike.
The title score ofRatchedis theDanse macabre Op. 40byRomantic-era French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The piece’s shrill violin intro and frenetic tempo are an excellent allusion to the mental instability seen throughout this series. TheRatchedtitle sequence, however, also has a lot of symbolism: much like his work inAmerican Horror Story,Murphy uses the red string in the intro ofRatchedto convey thematic elements of the show and hint at the ending. The intro also uses off-kilter angles and images of disarray to create a sense of chaos.
