Top 10 TV Intros (Title Sequences)

Blending live-action and animation, this title sequence is anything but ordinary – and that’s the perfect way to set up the gritty drama of this HBO epic. With cave paintings, or ancient graffiti, dancing before our eyes, we get a glimpse of what this series is about: violence and sex. With a Jeff Beals song that shuns huge orchestration and instead uses more of-the-era instruments, history comes alive.

#9: “The Twilight Zone” (1959-64)

Also in:

The Twilight Zone vs American Horror Story

There’ve been many sci-fi series with memorable songs and sequences kicking them off – from “The X-Files” to “Doctor Who” and even “Star Trek.” However, with the iconic Marius Constant theme music, disjointed but symbolic visuals floating through space in black and white, and Rod Serling’s mysterious dialogue, “The Twilight Zone”’s intro is truly one-of-a-kind – and it’s just as eerie today as it was in 1959.

#8: “The Walking Dead” (2010-)

Also in:

The Complete Walking Dead Timeline Explained

You’d expect zombies in the intro to a series about zombies – but this show’s too smart for that. Presenting suggestions of the lives lost and broken because of the Walker invasion, this simple title sequence has evolved since season-one, to illustrate changing characters and circumstances. With Bear McCreary’s music creeping us out and images offering potential clues to the season’s direction, this is one intro we watch carefully.

#7: “Six Feet Under” (2001-05)

Also in:

Another Top 10 TV Show Title Sequence Intros

It’s fitting that a show that deals so often with death should feature both direct and indirect images of that theme. With visuals that show both the spiritual and clinical aspects of mortality, this title sequence raised the bar for those that followed. Thanks to Thomas Newman’s upbeat but mysterious Emmy- and Grammy-winning arrangement, we know this show is eccentric, different and not exactly what we’re expecting.

#6: “American Horror Story” (2011-)

Also in:

Every American Horror Story Season, Ranked from Worst to Best

One word describes these intros: creepy. With each new season, a new set of visuals accompanies the same theme music, composed partly by former Nine Inch Nails member Charlie Clouser. And those images barely make sense – at least until you’ve finished the season. Like a chilling nightmare full of jarred fetuses, terrible operations and Ku Klux Klan members, these sequences are just as terrifying as the episodes they introduce.

#5: “Dexter” (2006-13)

Also in:

Top 20 Serial Killers on Dexter

A great title sequence hints at the show’s content and “Dexter”’s does just that: showing the title character going about his daily routine with the utmost precision, even everyday activities like shaving or eating breakfast take on a violent overtone. Offset by Rolfe Kent’s carnival-like music, this Emmy-winning opening tips us off about the show’s dark humor and makes us sympathize with the serial-killer before we even meet him.

#4: “True Blood” (2008-)

Also in:

Top 10 True Blood Stars: Where Are They Now?

Life, death, rebirth, religion, sex, violence, blood: these things are commonplace on “True Blood,” and they’re present in its spooky title sequence. Illustrating the show’s Louisiana setting with Jace Everett’s “Bad Things” offering the perfect soundtrack, this intro is the kind you look forward to. Plus, with its blink-or-you’ll-miss-them images of dirty stuff, it’s the kind of intro you’ll freeze-frame to make sure you’re seeing what you think you’re seeing.

#3: “The Simpsons” (1989-)

Also in:

Top 10 Most Unexpected Simpsons Gags

Once those clouds part, everyone knows what’s coming. Taking us on a tour through Springfield and the Simpsons’ daily lives, this intro set the standard for TV title sequences. Perfectly blending animated visuals and Danny Elfman’s iconic score, with the ever-popular chalkboard and couch gags adding variation from episode-to-episode, it’s come a long way since day one – but it’s timeless and will remain in pop-culture consciousness forever.

#2: “Mad Men” (2007-15)

Also in:

Top 10 Best Family Guy Live Action Sequences

Mimicking Alfred Hitchcock’s visual elegance, this stylish intro shows a man whose world is crumbling around him, and whose downfall is all but guaranteed. As this silhouette tumbles past slick 1960s billboards to the tune of RJD2’s “A Beautiful Mine,” we get enigmatic clues about the series. Like the show itself, the dark sequence is filled and hidden meanings we can only hope to one day understand.

#1: “Game of Thrones” (2011-)

Also in:

Top 10 Game of Thrones Battles

Backed by the music of Ramin Djawadi, who also composed the “Iron Man” score; this Emmy-winning title sequence features a 3D map of the fantasy world of Westeros, with locations like King’s Landing and Winterfell materializing like clockwork. With visuals that vary slightly to match each episode, this real-life game of Risk both educates viewers and psychs them up for what’s in store, which is helpful when winter’s coming. Do you agree with our list? What are your favorite TV show intros? If you didn’t see what you’re looking for, check out our list of the Top 10 TV Themes Songs, and subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more top 10s published every day.