Beyond the Skip Button: 10 TV Title Sequences That Are Marketing Masterpieces

We've rounded up 10 brilliant TV title sequences you'll never want to skip. They're more than just opening credits; they're a masterclass in grabbing attention and telling a brand's story in under 90 seconds.

1. The Last of Us

This intro uses photorealistic 3D graphics to show the growth of the cordyceps fungus—the show's main antagonist. We watch as the spores spread across a map of the U.S. before forming the silhouettes of the main characters. Instead of just telling us "the world ended," it shows us the unstoppable biological force that caused it. It's powerful and unsettling.

2. Severance

Throughout this title sequence, the main character splits, multiplies, and gets trapped in endless hallways, with tiny figures pouring from a coffee mug into office cubicles. A creeping black goo that swallows the characters adds to the dread. This surreal imagery is a direct visual metaphor for the show's core premise of a surgically divided work-life balance. It paints the employees as corporate puppets so effectively it's genuinely creepy.

3. The Good Fight

No CGI here—this is pure practical effects. The creators took symbols of wealth and stability—wine glasses, laptops, designer shoes—and literally blew them up in slow motion. These are real, studio-shot pyrotechnics against a black backdrop. The show is about a legal and political world where the old rules have been shattered, and this intro lets you feel that destruction physically.

4. Westworld

This title sequence feels like a tour of a high-tech factory for creating life. Robotic arms craft muscles and bones for androids while a self-playing piano underscores the artificiality of it all. It immediately establishes that life here isn't a miracle; it's a cold, manufacturing process. The show instantly asks its central question: where is the line between human and machine?

By the way, creating stunning 3D videos like this is one of our core services at Lava Media.

5. Franklin

How do you make 18th-century political drama feel fresh? By designing a title sequence that looks like a living engraving. Paper ships and characters move like puppets in a paper theater. It’s a clever metaphor: diplomacy is a performance, and everyone is playing a role. The technique turns a historical drama into a stylish visual experience.

6. Only Murders in the Building

This intro uses cozy 2D illustrations in the style of The New Yorker covers. As the camera pans across the building's facade, we peek into windows to see mini-dramas unfold. The sequence turns the viewer into a voyeur and signals that the show is less about the crime itself and more about the quirky characters and their secrets, making the building a living character full of mystery.

7. Kidding

One of the most touching title sequences, created with paper stop-motion animation. The show is about a children's TV host whose life is falling apart after a tragedy. The childlike aesthetic contrasts sharply with the adult drama of grief. The visible hands of the animator become a metaphor for the main character desperately trying to piece his fragile world back together.

8. Lisey’s Story

A dark and atmospheric stop-motion sequence featuring wooden marionettes. The cracked dolls, dim lighting, and visible strings all create a powerful sense of confinement. It's the perfect visualization of the Stephen King story's theme: the characters are pawns in someone else's game, tied to the past and unable to control their own destinies.

9. 1899

Imagine watching a ship sail across the ocean, and suddenly the image starts to glitch—the water turns into cubes, and people pixelate and disintegrate. By using digital distortion, the intro immediately prepares you for the fact that nothing is what it seems. The show's reality is a simulation, and these visual "bugs" are a fair warning to the viewer: get ready for a puzzle.

10. WeCrashed

How do you tell the story of the rise and fall of a "unicorn" startup? Literally. In a sleek WeWork office, a real unicorn walks among the employees. But by the end of the sequence, its beautiful horn falls off and shatters. It’s a clever and direct visualization of the show's title. A perfect example of how to turn a complex business metaphor into a simple, memorable image.

As you can see, a great title sequence is a powerful marketing tool. If you want to communicate your brand's message with the same kind of visual impact and creativity, our team is here to help. We know how to find the perfect visual solution for your project, whether it's through stylish 2D animation or stunning 3D graphics.