Before the era of “Skip Intro” buttons and streaming services, TV show openings were an art form all their own—mini masterpieces that set the tone, introduced characters, and embedded themselves in our cultural consciousness with unforgettable theme songs and visuals.
The 1980s represented the pinnacle of this craft. What made these 80s intros so special was their unapologetic commitment to their unique identities.
Join us as we celebrate thirty one best opening sequences that didn’t just introduce episodes—they introduced an entire decade of television excellence.
Watch them all here.
1. 21 Jump Street
The gritty urban visuals and energetic theme perfectly captured the show’s youthful undercover police vibe.
2. Airwolf
That haunting synthesizer theme combined with shots of the high-tech helicopter soaring through canyons created pure 80s action perfection.
3. Alf
The quirky animation introducing the alien life form from Melmac perfectly set up the show’s offbeat humor.
4. The A-Team
“If you have a problem, if no one else can help…” introduced viewers to TV’s most lovable fugitives with explosive action scenes and that unforgettable music.
5. Cagney & Lacey
The no-nonsense opening with its jazzy theme perfectly reflected the groundbreaking female police partnership.
6. Cheers
The nostalgic “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” paired with historical Boston bar photos created perhaps the most beloved TV opening of all time.
7. Dallas
The sweeping aerial shots of Texas oil fields and the Southfork Ranch established the epic scale of this iconic soap opera.
8. The Dukes of Hazzard
The General Lee jumping over police cars while Waylon Jennings narrated was pure southern-fried excitement.
9. Dynasty
The glamorous parade of wealthy characters set to dramatic orchestral music defined 80s excess and opulence.
10. Falcon Crest
The swooping camera across California wine country vineyards perfectly established the show’s mix of wealth, power and family intrigue.
11. The Fall Guy
Stuntman Colt Seavers introduced himself through a montage of spectacular movie stunts backed by a country theme song performed by Lee Majors himself.
12. Fame
The energetic dance sequence showing students battling to make it at the High School of Performing Arts made everyone want to “live forever.”
13. Full House
The wholesome family shots of San Francisco and the Tanner family playing in the park perfectly captured the show’s heartwarming tone.
14. The Golden Girls
“Thank You For Being A Friend” became an anthem for friendship while introducing viewers to four unforgettable Miami retirees.
15. The Greatest American Hero
The upbeat “Believe It Or Not” theme and shots of the reluctant hero bumbling through flight lessons created one of the catchiest openings ever.
16. Hart to Hart
Max’s narration introducing the wealthy crime-solving couple while they lived their glamorous life was sophisticated detective show perfection.
17. Hill Street Blues
The gritty, documentary-style footage of police cars leaving the station with its melancholy piano theme set the standard for serious cop dramas.
18. Hunter
The moody nighttime visuals of L.A. and Fred Dryer’s tough-guy detective perfectly embodied the show’s gritty police action.
19. Knight Rider
The sleek black Trans Am racing through the night with its iconic red scanner light and synthesizer theme defined 80s cool.
20. Knots Landing
The aerial shots of California beach communities paired with dramatic music established this Dallas spin-off’s more relatable suburban soap opera feel.
21. MacGyver
The rapid-fire sequence of ingenious solutions and improvised gadgetry perfectly showcased the hero’s unique problem-solving skills.
22. Magnum, P.I.
The Ferrari speeding through Hawaiian landscapes while Tom Selleck’s mustache and smile flashed on screen was the definition of 80s cool.
23. Married… with Children
Frank Sinatra’s “Love and Marriage” played ironically over the dysfunctional Bundy family giving viewers high-fives established the show’s subversive tone.
24. Miami Vice
The neon-colored, MTV-style montage of fast cars, flamingos, and fashionable detectives revolutionized TV openings forever.
25. Moonlighting
The playful banter between Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd during the opening credits perfectly captured their electric chemistry.
26. Remington Steele
The stylish introduction of the fake detective and real detective played like a mini mystery movie with glamorous flair.
27. Scarecrow & Mrs. King
The sequence showing an ordinary housewife being thrust into the spy world brilliantly set up the show’s fish-out-of-water premise.
28. Simon & Simon
The contrasting lifestyles of the mismatched detective brothers accompanied by that catchy theme song perfectly illustrated the show’s buddy dynamic.
29. V
The ominous shadow of the alien mothership passing over Earth created an unforgettable sense of dread and sci-fi intrigue.
30. Who’s the Boss?
The role-reversal setup of a male housekeeper and female executive was efficiently established with lighthearted family moments and upbeat music.