“Westworld”
Eschewing the wild wild west in which most of the show is set, the sterile, monochromatic opening credits to HBO’s latest drama focuses on the not-quite-real aspects of the park designed to fool its guests into believing everything is real.
“Game of Thrones”
Elastic, the company behind “Westworld’s” opening credits, also created what has become the standard-bearer of prestige-show openers of the modern era.
“The Walking Dead”
Invoking dread and tension, the zombie-less opening to AMC’s monster hit drama focuses on the decay and isolation of the post-apocalyptic world. It’s also gone through some changes throughout its six seasons.
“True Detective”
Nobody really knew what this show was about or that it would become everyone’s obsession for the next several months, but the moody, mysterious opening credits certainly helped make that happen.
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
Featuring one of the most addictive theme songs in recent memory, the opening credits for this Netflix comedy was straight out of a viral meme.
“Outlander”
Set to the iconic Scottish tune “Skye Boat Song,” the opening credits to Starz’s time-travel romantic drama are haunting and beautiful and seem to go on forever, not that anyone’s complaining.
“Jessica Jones”
The highly-stylized and moody opening credits to the Marvel show starring Krysten Ritter pays homage to both the character’s comic book roots and its detective noir aesthetic.
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
Extending its hallmark original musical numbers to the opening credits as well, Rachel Bloom stars with some judgy, animated friends in an elaborate sequence.
“Manhattan”
The artistic, hand-drawn style opening credits to the WGN America drama won the Emmy for Outstanding Main Titles in 2014.
“Man in the High Castle”
This 2015 Emmy winner for Outsanding Main Titles uses typography, shadows and objects to depict an alternate history in which the Axis forces won World War II over the Allied powers, and America is controlled by Germany and Japan.
“The Borgias”
Evoking iconic fine art of the Renaissance but also the dirty underbelly running through it all, the opening credits for Showtime’s period drama was developed with director Neil Jordan.
“The Simpsons”
As seen in this side-by-side comparison, there’s been some changes made, but this long trek through the streets and inhabitants of Springfield remains classic and iconic for a reason.
“Daredevil”
Designed by the same creative director behind “Westworld,” the opening credits to this Marvel Netflix series drips (literally) with tension, mystery and history, and is all red, which is pretty much how the titular hero “sees” the world.
