Top 10 UNSKIPPABLE TV Show Intros

It’s set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the great Netflix “Daredevil” series that aired from 2015-18 purposefully takes on a darker tone than much of what the MCU was doing at the time. Importantly, audiences get a sense of that vibe right away via the all-important opening credit sequence. While the eerie, powerful instrumental plays, we watch New York’s Hell’s Kitchen be revealed via the dripping of a red substance over things like buildings and landmarks. Is it blood? Many people think so, though it may be mostly symbolic. The only thing we know for sure is that we can’t skip this introduction.

Few shows have intros prepare you for the experience ahead better than “The Twilight Zone.” Everything from the music to that classic Rod Serling narration about the mysterious other dimension sets up the uncertainty and mind-bending that we’re about to witness. That’s already impressive enough. But the other thing that makes this sequence so unskippable is the fact that there are so many versions of it. Different visuals are used in different seasons — with some appearing for only a few episodes. We feel compelled to watch, even if only to see if there’s anything new each time.

From the moment that match is lit, there’s no skipping this intro. Sure, the instrumental track is iconic, and anyone who grew up watching the show, or even the Tom Cruise movies, knows it on command. But this list isn’t about the music, it’s about the visuals — and these ones have us totally hooked. Everyone loves a good movie trailer right? Well, incorporating scenes from that week’s show, the “Mission Impossible” intro feels like it’s giving us a new trailer for every episode. Even the film franchise puts its own spin on the introductory format, proving just how worthwhile it is.

If we’re going to talk about shows with “hypnotic” intros, then “Six Feet Under” simply has to be included. Everything about it — from Thomas Newman’s score to the visuals, mainly taking us through the post-mortem processing of a body for burial — is wonderfully simple. It’s a dark concept, to be sure. Yet the opening moments handle the difficult topic with a spiritual lightness that speaks to the sadness and beauty of both life and death. It’s more than appropriate, since that’s also something the show itself does incredibly well. It leads us into each episode flawlessly, so we wouldn’t dream of looking away.

Steve Fuller, who co-created the Emmy-winning “Mad Men” intro reportedly called it “a dream sequence of a man lost and trapped in the American dream he is selling.” We think he nailed the description. So perhaps it’s no surprise it’s also a sequence we have to watch whenever we watch the show. Sure, it’s under 40 seconds long, so it barely gives you enough time to skip it even if you wanted to. But our question is who would want to? The illustrative design of a falling man is really well executed. We can’t overlook the irony of viewers probably trying to make out all of the advertising imagery he falls past, either.

At roughly 15 seconds long, the “Breaking Bad” intro comes and goes in the blink of an eye. But make no mistake, its length isn’t the reason it’s unskippable. As the periodic table of elements floats through the air and the “BR” and the “BA” methodically separate to help spell out the title, our eyes find themselves hooked. It sets a high bar, to say the least. Thankfully, the “Better Call Saul” prequel series does its predecessor proud in this department, providing variety and references galore. If you ask us, the viewing experience just isn’t complete if you don’t consume each second of these compelling segments.

The only act of violence that takes place in the “Dexter” intro is the title character killing a bug sitting on his arm. Other than that, it’s a montage of him going through his morning routine. However, the darkly-comic way it’s filmed hints at violence and murder at every turn. One need only look at things like the cutting of the eggs or the wrapping of dental floss around his fingers. It’s fun to watch before we get to know Dexter, informing us that something deeper is going on here. It’s also incredibly effective once we learn more about who he really is. It just works on every level.

Yes, we know it’s just a bunch of letters sliding into place to form the title… and yet, we have to let it play every time. The influence of films and pop culture of the 1980s is an important part of “Stranger Things”, and it starts at the very beginning. It might just be some instrumental music and some letters on the surface. But both of those elements could take any ‘80s kid right back to that time period. That’s especially true if those kids read Stephen King novels, as it’s the same font used for many of his book covers all those decades ago.

The 4 season saga of the Roy family was one of the best things TV has given us in the 21st century. The opening credits and theme are part of that greatness. The genre blending and instrumentation makes for, as one critic called it, an “unmistakable earworm.” We’d say it’s also an undeniable feast for the eyes, with visuals that hint at the family dynamic via old home movie style clips. While similar, the intros do also vary slightly every season. So not only is the viewing experience hypnotic, you can also play a fun game of “spot the differences”!

We love “Game of Thrones.” But we aren’t afraid to admit that keeping up with all the characters and storylines can be a bit confusing at times. Thankfully, we get a little recap of the world and its various important locations before each episode. Along with the awesome score, the “GOT” intro features what Entertainment Weekly called an “all-inclusive cruise of Westeros.” Plus, things get switched up regularly in order to spotlight relevant locations. Variety is a tradition the “House of the Dragon” team have continued. Using the “GOT” music, the prequel series’ intro takes a different look at House Targaryen and the history at play each season.