The Best Television Intros That You Never Skip

Have you ever gotten a TV show’s theme song stuck in your head for days, or even weeks, on end? Listen, some of them are pretty catchy — it’s more common than you think!

As a fan, one of the best ways to show your love for a fave TV show is to sit through the introduction. Rather than using that time to run to the kitchen and assemble your snacks, if you watch the entire intro without skipping, that’s a sign you really love the show.

Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are some of the best TV intros around. Pass the popcorn!

Peacemaker

Neon lights, retro-inspired rock, and ensemble choreography? Yes, please!?Peacemaker‘s?completely unexpected opening sequence actually makes perfect sense when you consider James Gunn’s signature irreverent style. Plus, the song is totally something Peacemaker would rock out to in his undies.

Game of Thrones

The?Game of Thrones?intro is just as epic as the show. We move through a three-dimensional map of Westeros, the continent upon which our characters fight, love, and die. If you watch the intro every episode, you’ll also notice that parts of this opening change depending where in Westeros the story was going next. Finally, fiery gold light consumes the whole screen behind the title card — foreshadowing, perhaps, the series’ iron-melting ending.

Daredevil

Daredevil’s?nickname is Red — the color of danger and passion. And the opening credits certainly don’t shy away from this color theory. A gooey red liquid drenches both Matt Murdock and his neighborhood, Hell’s Kitchen. It fills every silhouette, dripping down churches and bridges, fading into the dark shadows surrounding each person and building. Additionally, the score itself feeds into aspects of religion with dainty high notes. It also gets our own pulses pounding with a heartbeat behind quickening strings. Even if the episode is going to be a slower one, the tension will simmer from the intro onward.

American Gods

American Gods’?opening title sequence is absolutely extraordinary. It was surely crafted by cinematography gods. Drenched in shadows and flickering neon lights, it’s perfectly indicative of both the tone and narrative of the?fantasy?series as modern iconography melds with ancient totems and symbols of long-lost customs. Additionally, Brian Reitzell’s warped, gravelly intro song is a dark, thrilling, intense, and all around genius composition that adds tension and excites the viewer before the episode has even started.

Twin Peaks

The?Twin Peaks?intro sets the mood with subtle dichotomy. Pleasant music plays over pretty nature scenes. It’s small town bliss, with rivers and trees as far as the eyes can see. Yet these postcard-perfect settings are unsettled by corpse-green font announcing the series title and actor names. Suddenly there is an inescapable violence to the turbulent waterfall. The sight of factories and chainsaws reminds us of the danger. And that town welcome sign becomes a warning rather than a greeting.

The Simpsons

As soon as that heavenly choir announces TV’s favorite animated family, you know what’s about to go down. When the bouncing yellow font gives way to scenes from Springfield, we’re introduced to the members of?the Simpsons?family. Danny Elfman’s iconic theme song accompanies this TV family as they rush home to watch some TV. Notably, this intro sequence has elements that switch with every episode, like Lisa’s sax solo or Bart’s chalkboard message.

Bob's Burgers

We all love the delightfully eccentric Belcher family, but the show’s intro already gets us off to a hilarious start.?Bob’s Burgers?continues the visual gag tradition of featuring an element that changes with every episode. In this case, new storefront puns are always on rotation next door to the Belcher family business, and names just get funnier with time.

X-Files

The truth is, the intro for?The X-Files?is one of the most recognizable out there. When you hear that eerie music and see the unsettling visuals, you know it’s time to turn down the lights and get ready for a journey into paranormal investigation. The opening sequence even won the show its first Emmy. By today’s standards, the visual effects would seem out of date but you better believe the mystery and atmosphere created by this intro are still just as powerful.

Cowboy Bebop

3, 2, 1, let’s jam! Let’s be honest. Skipping?Cowboy Bebop’s?opening credits could actually be considered a crime. The funky, multicolored, geometric visuals are so entertaining, they’re essentially their own show. Plus, be it animated or live action, we can’t get enough of that frenetic big band jazz explosion by Yoko Kanno.

Batman: The Animated Series

Batman: The Animated Series?is hailed by fans and critics as the best of the best when it comes to animation and storyline. The series returns the?Caped Crusader?and Gotham to their roots with a healthy dose of mystery as well as compelling character development. One of the most enduring aspects of the show is its distinct visual style, dubbed by the producers as Dark Deco, which is on full display with the opening sequence.

Staff Picks

We also asked the Sideshow staff to select their favorite un-skippable television intros — and give a little reasoning, of course. Check out their answers below.

• “I always let the?Stranger Things?intro play out. The synth sets the mood.”
• “Doom Patrol. The characters and their journeys are so thoughtfully portrayed in the visuals that it feels timeless season after season. I love the subtle references, the edgy aesthetic, and the moody tune.”
• “Buffy the Vampire Slayer?— very simply, it’s a ’90s-fueled banger.”
• “Run?BTS! You never skip their music or smiling faces.”
• “For me, it’s?Marvel’s?Jessica Jones. The visual sequences were designed by David Mack, who did the original painted covers for?Alias, and the noir guitar sets such a badass mood! This one even won an Emmy for best theme music!
• “Wellington Paranormal. Each news headline is pure gold.”
• “Neon Genesis Evangelion?is also a great one I could never skip … such a catchy fun song that really contrasted the crazy dark existential themes of the?anime.”
• “The gritty Americana song in?True Detective?perfectly sets the stage for this dark television masterpiece. I admire the use of double-exposure imagery, which echoes the themes of the duality of man and the delicate balance between light and darkness.”
• “Severance. It’s super unsettling and kind of puts you in the headspace to watch the show.”
• “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers?has such an iconic theme song — you can’t help but sing along and do the air guitar!”
• “The opening theme of?Samurai Champloo?is a perfect remix of styles, just like the show. Traditional Edo period design elements animated to a hip-hop beat?? It is the genre-blending we all needed, but didn’t know we needed.”

What are your favorite TV intros? Chat with other fans to see if they agree at?side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!