10 TV Intros That Are More Memorable Than the Shows
Some shows faded into the background, but their theme songs and opening sequences are still playing in our heads.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
The right TV intro can do more than set the mood — it can outshine the show itself. These 10 intros stuck with viewers long after the plotlines were forgotten. Whether it was the music, the visuals, or the vibe, each one became a cultural staple in its own right.
1. That Creepy Tune That Launched a Thousand Nightmares
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The eerie whistle and spooky imagery gave kids and adults alike chills before the first scene even aired. Even those who never made it past the first episode still know the music by heart. The intro became shorthand for anything mysterious or just plain unsettling.
2. The Theme Song Everyone Still Knows Word-for-Word
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Before Will Smith became a household name, this intro was already a hit. Kids rapped the whole thing before school like it was part of the morning routine. The lyrics were catchy, the visuals were playful, and the energy was unforgettable.
3. Music That Made You Lock the Doors
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That synth-heavy music and smoky background made even mundane mysteries feel deadly serious. Robert Stack’s voice sealed the deal. You might not remember any of the cases, but the theme still haunts you.
4. Where Everybody Knows the Theme Song
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The sepia-toned bar scenes, paired with soft piano and a heartwarming tune, made viewers feel instantly at home. Even if the show was never your thing, the song tugged at some sentimental part of your soul. It still pops into people’s heads during lonely moments.
5. A Haunting Soundtrack You Couldn’t Shake Slide Description
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Long shots of the Pacific Northwest and a hypnotic score gave off a dreamy unease that stuck with you. Even viewers who bailed on the plot stuck around for that intro. It somehow made sawmills look poetic and disturbing at the same time.
6. The Blueprint for Weird
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That looping guitar and Rod Serling’s narration set the gold standard for suspenseful TV intros. Even people who never watched a full episode recognize that sound. It became the go-to reference for anything surreal or inexplicable.
7. Dun-Dun. That’s It.
Wolf Entertainment on wikimedia commons
Just two notes — that’s all it took to grab your attention. The visuals were cold and professional, but that intro became iconic in crime TV history. People still mimic the sound without knowing a single case from the show.
8. A Sea Shanty That Refused to Sink
Akshay Sawardekar on Pexels
That catchy theme told the entire plot in under a minute and made it impossible to forget the cast. Even if you never watched beyond the credits, you probably know who the Skipper and Mary Ann are. The intro became more recognizable than any episode.
9. Nine Faces That Launched a Meme Format
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That split-screen box format was ahead of its time, even before memes were a thing. The song practically narrates the whole family dynamic, and it gets stuck in your head instantly. Most people remember the theme better than the actual family drama.
10. Synth Beats and Talking Cars
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That pulsing synth and red scanner bar were the coolest things on TV in the ’80s. Even people who never watched the show remember KITT’s voice and the theme song. It had more swagger than most of the show’s storylines.