Nowadays, the credit sequences on television are sometimes so creative and pleasing that we enjoy watching them and don’t skip ahead, although we have the technology to do so. Directors and producers are taking title sequences more seriously, and this can only benefit the viewers. Also, let’s not forget there’s an Emmy award just for Outstanding Main Title Design.

Below we have gathered 15 of the most creative title sequences for TV shows that aired in the last years.

Mad Men

[vimeo width=”594″]http://vimeo.com/9089194[/vimeo]

I couldn’t have said it better: The show is so well produced that even the episode intro deserves serious accolades. It’s definitely the best opener to any show on network television to date—so visually dynamic: a muted color pallet, subtle grainy texture, a simple black-suited figure and excellent camera entry and exit points. (source)

House MD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Df6V1CqNS0

In this case, the imagery and music work very well together. Although it doesn’t say much about the show, I personally believe it’s very soothing and pleasing.

Carnivale

This opening title sequence was created by A52, a visual effects and design company based in Los Angeles, and featured music composed by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman. It also won an Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Design in 2004.

Six Feet Under

Winner of the 2002 Emmy for main title design. You can see here a video about how this particular opening title was made.

Game of Thrones

The brilliant opening title makes me think of a strategy game. It was created by a company called Elastic. You can read more about it here.

Boardwalk Empire

The sea, waves, clouds, cigarettes, whiskey bottles and Steve Buscemi. What more could you wish for?

Dexter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgo57OBKFOA

I love Dexter’s morning routine and it always gets me hungry. It’s clever, a little dark and it’s the perfect intro to another story from the life of everyone’s favorite serial killer.

Bored to Death

2010 Emmy award winner for Outstanding Main Title Design. You can read an interview with illustrator Dean Haspiel and title sequence director Tom Barham here.

True Blood

This one sets the mood perfectly for what’s about to come. It was created by Digital Kitchen (the production studio also responsible for creating the title sequences of Six Feet Under and Dexter). Apparently, the studio wanted to express how ‘religious fanaticism’ and ‘sexual energy’ could corrupt humans and make them animalistic.

Nip/Tuck

[vimeo width=”594″]http://vimeo.com/29785091[/vimeo]

A montage of mannequins getting marked for plastic surgery. Creepy, dark and intriguing. The song is also pretty good – ‘A Perfect Lie’ by The Engine Room.

The Big Bang Theory

The sequence goes through all of history from the creation of the universe up until now. In a 2010 issue of TV Guide, the show’s opening title sequence ranked #6 on a list of television’s top 10 credits sequences, as selected by readers.

The Walking Dead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeeSifMFzDo

Suspenseful and creepy. It also has a fan-made animated version which is pretty awesome.

The United States of Tara

Now this is a beautifully animated title sequence. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Design in 2009. You can find a making-of video here.

American Horror Story

[vimeo width=”594″]http://vimeo.com/31562588[/vimeo]

Creepiest title sequence ever! The clip was created by Kyle Cooper and his company Prologue (also responsible for The Walking Dead).

Rome

Simply amazing – personally, I love everything about it: the music, the animation the images.

Honorable mentions: Desperate Housewives, Fringe, Chuck, Deadwood, The IT Crowd, The Sopranos, Big Love, The Wire.

Which other shows should have made our list? Sound off in the comments!

Featured image from Mad Men‘s Facebook Page

