By Anja Djuricic
Follow
Followed
Thread 2
Link copied to clipboard
Sign in to your Collider account
HBO is still one of the most innovative networks out there, but it really revolutionized television during the 1990s and 2000s. In a sea of PG-rated shows and content, HBO was never fearful of dipping its toes into something a little more, well, R-rated. From the opening credits down to the final moments of the ending, this network's shows were planned out to minute details to reflect a certain era, feeling, or place.
One of the most important parts of a TV show is its opening sequence. Though many might skip it, for HBO shows especially, the intro is essential to understanding the show's events. With a carefully selected musical score and visuals that are as beautiful as they are symbolic, it's obvious that HBO's opening sequences are important parts of the series lore. We bet fans never skipped any of the network's best opening sequences, and if you start watching these shows, you won't either. This list will rank the best intros in HBO shows based on their music, visuals, and how much they reveal about their story.
10 'Rome' (2005–2007)
Main Title Theme Composed by Jeff Beal
Rome is one of the biggest HBO shows of its time. The 2000s were marked by the various gritty and realistic series that would air on HBO, with Rome being one of the most loved and watched series that was also historically accurate. Fans who dedicatedly watched the show remember Kevin McKidd as Lucius, the late Ray Stevenson as Titus, and even Ciarán Hinds as Ceasar. The show was one of the best depictions of Rome and its times.
Fans of Rome must also remember the iconic main title song, too. The showrunners and producers wanted a sound that felt authentic to Roman music to keep up with the show's theme. Composer Jeff Beal opted to use instruments that originated in Roman times, which is why the theme song is so powerful. It has haunting strings, tribal-like drums, and eerie vocals that evoke the rawness, energy, power, and violence of the show, as well as ancient Rome. The music is paired with a visual representation of cave drawings coming to life and ancient mosaics; it's one of the most memorable and ingenious opening sequences on TV.
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Rome
TV-MA
Action & Adventure
Drama- Release Date
- 2005 - 2006
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
BUY
- Cast
- Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Ciarán Hinds, James Purefoy, Polly Walker
- Seasons
- 2
9 'Sex and the City' (1998–2004)
Main Title Theme Composed by Douglas J. Cuomo
The iconic series Sex and the City is currently still alive through the revival show And Just Like That… It follows three of the four protagonists of the original series, and though the women are now older and (maybe) wiser, the original series is still the fan-favorite version. Sex and the City features Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) as the narrator and main character in a friend group consisting of her, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), and Charlotte (Kristin Davis). All seasons of the show follow their love lives and romantic escapades, with a focus on Carrie and her on-and-off boyfriend, Big (Chris Nott).
The theme song for a show about the romantic lives of four women in their 30s has to be playful, feminine, and upbeat, which is exactly what Douglas J. Cuomo, the composer of the Sex and the City theme song, created. The tune is jazzy and whimsical, with some light piano and horns; the video that accompanies it is a mix of visuals of NYC's most famous places and Carrie walking down a street. The intro ends with her getting splashed by a cab, symbolizing the chaotic life in NYC. Even folks who haven't seen the show would more than likely recognize the Sex and the City theme from the first beat and visuals.
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Sex and the City
TV-MA
RomanceComedy
Drama- Release Date
- 1998 - 2003
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
BUY
- Cast
- Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis
- Showrunner
- Darren Star
- Seasons
- 6
8 'True Blood' (2008–2014)
Main Title Theme Performed by Jace Everett
Who can forget True Blood? The Charlaine Harris series of books about Sookie Stackhouse didn't garner as much popularity as the HBO series did. Anna Paquin plays Sookie, a telepathic waitress in a small Louisiana town, who falls in love with Bill (Stephen Moyer), a former Civil War soldier and now vampire. The Viking-turned-vampire Erik (Alexander Skarsgård) comes between them, and a love triangle forms. The show was sexy, gritty, and violent, but it was a dark fantasy romance that swept fans off their feet with each episode.
The main title theme is befitting to such a show—it's an original song by Jace Everett, "Bad Things," and it evokes deep Southern Gothic vibes mixed with blues. The lyrics are sultry, and the guitars are twangy; the song itself is hard to forget, just like the show. The imagery of the intro is also highly entertaining: it's a homage to the Deep South, combining imagery of sexual nature, baptisms, and depictions of everyday life and death. The visual portion was made by the Digital Kitchen studio, and it's one of those unskippable opening sequences that you can sing along to.
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
true blood
Supernatural
Horror Romance Thriller Fantasy- Release Date
- 2008 - 2013
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
BUY
- Cast
- Ryan Kwanten, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Sam Trammell, Alexander Skarsgard, Stephen Moyer, Rutina Wesley, Anna Paquin, Chris Bauer
- Showrunner
- Alan Ball
- Seasons
- 7
7 'The Leftovers' - Season 1 (2014)
Main Title Theme Composed by Max Richter
The Leftovers is a show filled with symbolism, metaphors, allegories, and deep meaning. It was one of the most watched and beloved efforts of the 2010s, with critics and audiences frequently calling it one of the best shows ever made. The Leftovers depicts the events after 2% of the global population suddenly disappears, and how people who've lost someone cope with the fact. The Leftovers examines a lot of the human emotions that we're often wary of sharing with others, facing its characters with a great fear of loss and death.
While The Leftovers' opening sequence changed in seasons 2 and 3, the most memorable and impactful was the season one intro. It was composed by Max Richter, who uses his signature orchestral composition to evoke the tragic and grim atmosphere of the series. With haunting choir vocals and swelling strings, the spiritual feel of the sequence is complete with Renaissance-style imagery. It shows drawings of people, as some of them slowly flying into the sky, and the entire thing feels like watching the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel changing. It's one of the most beautiful intros on TV, and it's a shame it was changed later on.
6 'Game of Thrones' (2011–2019)
Main Title Theme Composed by Ramin Djawadi
The opening sounds of the cello rising to the imagery of a map changing as it shows different regions where different dynasties reside—use this description, and everyone will immediately say, "That's Game of Thrones." The historical/fantasy epic succeeded in depicting a cruel, cold, and dirty world of medieval warfare, juxtaposing court life with the life of those on the bottom of the feeding cycle. With added battles for prevalence, power, domination, and political influence, Game of Thrones very quickly became a hit show everyone was talking about.
The opening sequence, as mentioned, draws a map of Westeros, the fictional world in which GoT is set. As the camera pans across different areas, the coat of arms of a family dominating the area appears, together with some symbols or Easter Eggs that reference the family's fates in the show. The musical score was composed by the talented Ramin Djawadi (who also created the Westworld opening song), and it's an epic and powerful orchestral composition with layered strings and percussions. The music follows the visuals and transports the viewer into the dark world of Westeros.
5 'The White Lotus' - Season 2 (2022)
Main Title Theme Composed by Cristóbal Tapia de Veer
Cristóbal Tapia de Veer has been highly underrated so far, but with The White Lotus becoming the next great hit series, his work is finally properly heard. Tapia de Veer composes unique original soundtracks that often combine electronic music with eerie and odd vocals and instruments. The White Lotus is a show about the guests of a luxury resort called The White Lotus. Mike White, the show's creator, envisioned it as a global resort, allowing him to make three seasons in three different White Lotus hotels. The guests are typically rich and detached from common sense or daily life; their treatment of the hotel workers is often depicted as pivotal to their characters' fates.
The White Lotus had a memorable, slow-paced season one theme on-brand for Hawaii life, but the season two opening sequence is the real gem since it's set in Italy. Though season 3's sequence is also great, evoking Thai influences and imagery, the season 2 theme was added to many people's playlists because of its electronic beat and pulsating chants that rise from low and slow to high and intense, similarly to the season's events. The imagery depicts Renaissance pictures showing different scenes, from lust and hidden romances to murder and betrayal.
4 'Succession' (2018–2023)
Main Title Theme Composed by Nicholas Britell
Succession is one of those shows with no good characters in it, yet you find yourself compelled to like at least some of them or even cheer for one or two. The show was seemingly inspired by Rupert Murdoch, but there are traces of so many other rich conglomerate families and their children that it could likely apply to most of the world's richest 1%. The patriarch is Logan Roy (Brian Cox), and his children and potential heirs are: Connor (Alan Ruck), the oldest, politically ambitious son; Kendall (Jeremy Strong), the second and conglomerate-oriented son; Siobhan "Shiv" (Sarah Snook), the ambitious only daughter; and Roman (Kieran Culkin), the youngest, most mischievous son. As they compete for Logan's love, attention, and a place in his will, the show dives into drama and satire.
The score for the series was composed by Nicholas Britell, and it's one of those openers that are hard to skip once they beginñ The music immediately starts with a high piano tone, later combining hip-hop beats and a classical composition; the combination of old and new in the music is accompanied by the visual intro that combines old family videos and new visuals of New York, office spaces, and newspaper printing. Britell cited hip-hop music as a major influence, starting with NY's own The Beastie Boys, and has "paraphrased" parts of Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata. This is one of the scores that critics often place among the best opening songs of all time.
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
True Detective
TV-MA
DramaMystery
Crime
9/10
- Release Date
- January 12, 2014
- Cast
- Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Mahershala Ali, Woody Harrelson, Vince Vaughn, Stephen Dorff, Michelle Monaghan, Rachel McAdams, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Potts, Taylor Kitsch, Scoot McNairy, Tory Kittles, Kelly Reilly, Ray Fisher, Chris Kerson, Ritchie Coster, Christopher James Baker, Afemo Omilami, James Frain, Abigail Spencer, Jodie Foster, Kali Reis, Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, Isabella Star LaBlanc, Christopher Eccleston, John Hawkes, Dana Gourrier, Madison Wolfe, J.D. Evermore
- Showrunner
- Nic Pizzolatto
- Seasons
- 4
3 'True Detective' - Season 1 (2014)
Main Title Theme Performed by The Handsome Family
The Handsome Family's Far From Any Road is a haunting track, highly suitable for the atmosphere of True Detective's first season. Though the show has a track record of exceptional opening sequences (special shoutout to season 2's Leonard Cohen performing Nevermind), the first season is often considered among the best in television, and so its opening title finds its way to the top, too. Season 1 follows detectives Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) investigate a gruesome ritualistic murder in rural Louisiana.
The opening title of True Detective season one, Far From Any Road, is a folk-blues composition with deep, haunting vocals from singers Brett and Rennie Parks. The lyrics describe being swept into darkness, and the entire song's atmosphere evokes feelings of existential dread. The visuals include silhouettes of the main characters filled out with images of the country, rural homes, and industrial factories and areas. Antibody Studio created the visuals, with studio head Patrick Clair saying he was inspired by images from the photo book Petrochemical America.
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
True Detective
TV-MA
DramaMystery
Crime
9/10
- Release Date
- January 12, 2014
- Cast
- Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Mahershala Ali, Woody Harrelson, Vince Vaughn, Stephen Dorff, Michelle Monaghan, Rachel McAdams, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Potts, Taylor Kitsch, Scoot McNairy, Tory Kittles, Kelly Reilly, Ray Fisher, Chris Kerson, Ritchie Coster, Christopher James Baker, Afemo Omilami, James Frain, Abigail Spencer, Jodie Foster, Kali Reis, Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, Isabella Star LaBlanc, Christopher Eccleston, John Hawkes, Dana Gourrier, Madison Wolfe, J.D. Evermore
- Showrunner
- Nic Pizzolatto
- Seasons
- 4
2 'The Wire' (2002–2008)
Main Title Theme Written by Tom Waits (Performed by Various Artists)
The Wire is often considered the best crime show of all time, but it has a lot of competition, for sure. David Simon's police procedural/crime drama about Baltimore's police and drug dealers swept the world off its feet with intensely realistic procedures, characters, and conversations. Dominic West stars in all five seasons as Jimmy McNulty, often the protagonist among a great ensemble cast; he's accompanied by Lance Reddick, Michael K. Williams, Idris Elba, Sonja Sohn, and Wood Harris. The Wire tackled a different topic every season, though the overarching plot was using a wiretap to listen in on criminals.
The opening sequence uses imagery of police accessories, from the simple ones—files, badges, and guns—to those more focused on the theme, including a recording machine, wires, and screens. These images were often combined with those depicting the season's events, like drug deals, shipyards, and alike. The theme song, Way Down In the Hole, was written by Tom Waits, and he performed it himself for season two. In season one, The Blind Boys of Alabama sing the song in a bluesy manner with heavy percussions; the lyrics are sung in a storytelling style, with a feeling of hearing some sort of gospel or lesson. No matter which version of Way Down In the Hole fans prefer, it's an iconic track in each iteration.
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
The Wire
10/10
- Release Date
- 2002 - 2007
- Cast
- Lance Reddick, Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba, Dominic West, Wood Harris
- Showrunner
- David Simon
- Seasons
- 5
1 'The Sopranos' (1999–2007)
Main Title Theme Performed by Alabama 3
"Woke up this morning, got yourself a gun." The Sopranos' theme song is not just great; it's legendary, iconic, and it's still very much THE moment. Alabama 3's Woke Up This Morning was selected as the theme song for The Sopranos in the form of a remix, combining the original's blues tempo with a hypnotic electronic beat. The song is catchy and easy to sing along to, but its lyrics, of course, have a deeper meaning, evoking both power and sadness. The visuals are simple but highly effective—James Gandolfini as the protagonist, Tony Soprano, drives his car around New Jersey until he arrives at his destination at the end of the sequence.
The importance of this opening sequence can never be overstated. The Sopranos is a show about Tony Soprano, a Mafia boss whose other side is explored and often put at the front. This other side includes him visiting a psychiatrist, experiencing severe anxiety, and living in constant fear for his existence. This combination of themes was unique and highly potent, and while the show itself has everything to offer, taking it in combination with the opening sequence prepares the viewer for another day in the Mafia, where they just woke up this morning and got themselves "a gun."
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
The Sopranos
TV-MA
Crime
Drama10/10
- Release Date
- 1999 - 2006
- Cast
- James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Robert Iler, Jamie-Lynn Sigler
- Showrunner
- David Chase
- Seasons
- 6
NEXT: The 10 Best TV Dramas With Great Acting, Ranked
- HBO
- The Sopranos
- Game of Thrones
Follow
Followed
