They just don’t make TV openings like they used to. In the ’80s, the opening credit sequence was more than just a list of names—it was a full-blown production, setting the tone with unforgettable theme songs, stylish fonts, and scenes that stuck with us long after the show ended. Whether it was a freeze frame wink, a dramatic slow-motion walk, or a panoramic skyline shot, these intros knew how to command your attention and keep you planted on the couch. Let’s rewind to a time when the opening theme was part of the ritual—when you knew the show by heart before the story even began.
1. The A-Team
Every explosion, every helicopter chase, and every rapid-fire narration made this intro legendary. It was like getting a full action movie trailer before each episode even started. And that unforgettable line—”If you have a problem, if no one else can help…”—still plays in our heads like clockwork. National Review also praises this series for creating heroes out of oddballs who promoted honorable values like loyalty and courage.
The military-style music gave it grit, while the montage of the team doing what they do best let you know exactly what you were in for. You got to see Mr. T flex, Face charm, Hannibal scheme, and Murdock—well, be Murdock—all in under a minute. If ever an opening deserved a standing ovation, this was it.
2. Cheers
Few intros could instantly pull you into a place you’d never been and make it feel like home. The sepia-toned images of turn-of-the-century bar life, set to that bittersweet theme song, captured the essence of longing for connection. “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” wasn’t just a lyric—it was a promise. As noted by Collider, this sitcom also has the unique bonus of aging better than most of its contemporaries.
The credits felt more like a gentle hug than an advertisement. With no shots of the cast, the show let atmosphere and song do the talking—and somehow, that restraint made it iconic. Every time those piano notes hit, you could almost hear a bar stool creak and Norm yelling “Afternoon, everybody!”
3. Miami Vice
Neon lights, cigarette boats, fast cars, and flamingos—this intro was a full sensory overload in the best way. Jan Hammer’s electric theme was half the appeal, marrying synth beats with drum machines to capture Miami’s steamy, dangerous cool. The rapid cuts between action shots and local color made it feel like a music video on steroids. Television Academy offers a thoughtful retrospective on the show over four decades later, highlighting how efficiently it made waves during its runtime.
You couldn’t help but feel a little cooler just watching it. Crockett and Tubbs looked like movie stars in every frame, and even if you didn’t fully follow the plot, the style pulled you in. This was the ’80s distilled into 60 seconds of pastel perfection.
4. Family Ties
This opening began with paint strokes forming a family portrait, setting a sentimental tone right from the start. The theme song, “Without Us,” sung as a duet, wrapped you in warmth and perfectly summed up the show’s blend of heart and humor. It was tender, a little sappy, and totally unforgettable. Reflections by the stars, as reported by Fox, show that this series is still very much on a lot of people’s minds.
Each character’s little moment on screen felt like visiting old friends. From Alex’s confident smirk to Mallory’s twirl, you knew exactly who they were before a word was spoken. That intro made you feel like you belonged in the Keaton living room.
5. Knight Rider
A talking car, a mysterious hero, and that synthesizer-heavy theme—it was all just too cool for words. The glowing red scanner on KITT’s front grill became an instant pop culture symbol. Add in that deep-voiced narrator setting up the “man who does not exist,” and you were hooked.
This intro made a promise: adventure, technology, and danger were waiting just ahead. The sweeping desert shots and David Hasselhoff’s slow-motion swagger only upped the drama. It was sci-fi with a leather jacket and a pulse-pounding beat.
6. The Golden Girls
“Thank you for being a friend” isn’t just a lyric—it’s a lifetime motto now. This intro showed us four very different women forming a family in a Miami home, and somehow it made growing older look more fun than scary. The shots of the girls smiling and laughing together felt like a warm breeze.
Blanche in a sun hat, Sophia with her purse, Dorothy’s knowing smirk—they each had their beat in the montage. The transitions between golden-hued scenes gave it a touch of elegance and humor. No matter how your day was going, this intro made everything feel a little brighter.
7. Magnum, P.I.
From the moment that helicopter swoops over the ocean, you’re strapped in for a wild ride. The pounding theme song by Mike Post set the pace, while Tom Selleck’s grin under that iconic mustache sealed the deal. Fast cars, crashing waves, and jungle chases all played out in quick succession.
Each cast member got their own stylish freeze-frame moment, giving off movie-level charisma. The intro knew how to mix action and charm, just like the show itself. If Hawaii wasn’t already on your bucket list, this opening made sure it got there.
8. Growing Pains
This intro evolved with the cast, but the theme—“As Long As We Got Each Other”—was the glue that held it all together. It opened with childhood photos of the stars, which felt like flipping through a well-worn family album. That touch of nostalgia made the show feel like part of your own home life.
The later versions with the family biking through the park or sitting around laughing showed real chemistry. It wasn’t flashy, but it had heart. You always knew you were about to get a life lesson wrapped in a laugh and a hug.
9. Dynasty
High drama needed an intro with high style, and Dynasty delivered. That theme song—big, bold, orchestral—sounded like it belonged at the opera. You knew the stakes were high when Joan Collins strutted onto screen in full glam with her name flashing below.
The glittering skyline of Denver, the oil fields, the designer gowns—it all set the tone before a single line of dialogue. With its sweeping shots and icy stares, this intro wasn’t just opening credits—it was an event. If glitz had a national anthem, this was it.
10. The Facts of Life
This theme song was practically a philosophy lecture in disguise—“You take the good, you take the bad…” and we sang it like it was gospel. The intro showed us the girls in different learning scenarios, from cooking class to gym time, capturing the show’s evolving setting. Even the occasional wardrobe update gave you a clue that things were changing.
Tootie on skates, Blair fixing her hair, Mrs. Garrett marching down the hall—each moment was a mini memory. You could chart your own school years right alongside theirs. That opening made growing up look messy, funny, and worth it.
11. Hill Street Blues
No narration, no zany montage—just a piano melody that felt like an elegy for the streets. The images of officers getting their morning briefing, climbing into cold squad cars, and facing the day gave it all a gritty realism. This wasn’t action for thrills—it was drama rooted in real stakes.
The grainy visuals matched the tone: life was hard, but someone had to face it. That “Let’s be careful out there” line from the sergeant became part of the cultural fabric. The intro didn’t scream for your attention—it earned it with quiet, steady purpose.
12. Who’s the Boss?
A montage of cross-country travel, a man and his daughter on the move, and a question already baked into the title—it was simple, but effective. The theme song, with its hopeful “There’s a time for love and a time for living,” gave it an optimistic air. You saw baseball gloves, highway signs, and eventually, a cozy Connecticut house that spelled a fresh start.
Each character’s entrance—from Angela’s work heels to Mona’s redhead sass—felt like a door opening to a sitcom that blended charm and heart. The intro framed Tony as more than just a housekeeper; he was a dad, a dreamer, and a bit of a goofball. It was a beginning that made you want to see where the story led.
These opening credits weren’t just filler—they were moments of magic that invited us into another world, one theme song at a time. They helped us settle in, get comfy, and remember that the next 30 or 60 minutes would bring laughter, drama, or maybe even a life lesson. Before the first scene rolled, these intros had already done half the work—winning us over with music, mood, and just the right dose of nostalgia. They weren’t just intros. They were little works of television art.
