17 Visually Stunning TV Opening Credits

By William Vincent / June 22, 2020

We truly live in the golden age of television. With some episode budgets rivalling Hollywood blockbusters, contemporary shows are filled to the brim with grand set pieces, famous stars, and incredible visuals. And with all that competition jostling for a front-page feature on streaming services and primetime channel spots, showrunners need to capture the audience’s attention in the first few seconds. Roll the opening credits and title sequences.

From magnificent montages to expertly crafted CGI cinematics, modern-day TV openings effortlessly unfold what a programme will entail, while looking hella fine doing it. Even older shows still wow with iconic visuals that live up to today’s modern standards, with their cultural impacts still felt years after their premieres.

While, of course, music and sound play a vital role in creating the right tone and atmosphere, many openings astound with their cinematography alone. Some aesthetic title sequences introduce a wide range of diverse characters. In contrast, others paint a gorgeous picture of intricate and enthralling worlds. It’s a tough job, but one we’re thankful someone’s done it.

There won’t be any ‘Skip Intro’ buttons here.

17. Shameless (US)

An adaptation of Paul Abbott’s British series of the same name, Shameless follows the Gallaghers as they navigate issues involving alcoholism, poverty, and family disputes.

So why the US version? UK's Shameless takes a more auditory approach, as Frank delivers captivating monologues about his family and Chatsworth Estate residents. The US version, however, is voiceless and takes place entirely in the Gallaghers’ bathroom.

Gallagher family members come and go, using the washroom for all manner of activities. It’s the perfect fly-on-the-wall approach. The camera is fixed at an awkward waist-height level, focussing on the characters’ actions rather than their faces. It’s a fantastic way to visually introduce the show’s personalities as they fight, kiss, brush their teeth, and use the bathroom for its actual intended purpose.