Sitcoms are known to bring joy and comfort to their fans in times of need. Usually, the first note of the opening credits is enough to put a smile on their face, increase their mood, and allow them to relax. Once a sitcom becomes a fan favorite, it's like they offer them a new home or a second family to go to as a way to escape their daily struggles.
When it comes to the opening credits of sitcoms, sometimes fans can feel like they're in a love/hate relationship. For instance, although they may have loved the opening credits of their favorite sitcom some time ago, they may grow tired of it. However, there are plenty of opening credits out there that fans would never be able to skip like the one for Cheers or The Brady Bunch.
10 Parks And Recreation
Parks And Recreation's opening credits have everything – clips of the characters, their workplace, kids playing in the park or doing sports, and shots of Pawnee, Indiana. The light and cheerful tone of the series is revealed through a grid of clips and well-timed transitions to an upbeat song.
The characters of the show, especially Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler), value their job above everything else, which is why the opening credits focus a lot on beautiful shots of the parks and their recreational activities. Fans find the opening of this show to be heartwarming and inviting.
9 The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory deserves a spot on this list because of the creativity and uniqueness behind its opening credits. Like the actual Big Bang that happened years ago, the opening credit starts at the beginning of it all. Then the most important events that happened after are listed in a rapid and catchy song and imagery that eventually leads to modern times when Sheldon and his friends are sitting on a couch eating.
Fans rarely skip this intro because it's fun to see so much history condensed into a short amount of time and try to sing along. It also reminds people how far they've come and everything they've achieved since then, like the creation of this fun and quirky sitcom.
8 Malcolm In The Middle
The opening credits of Malcolm In The Middle,a sitcom featuring Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston, set the tone of the series perfectly. It is just as chaotic as the characters' family dynamic is. Clips from various other TV Shows, a wrestling match, and a skier on fire add even more chaos to it all.
The theme song, "Boss of Me" by They Might Be Giants, adds to the anarchy and rebellious feel of the opening credits, and its catchy lyrics will make any fan want to sing along.
7 How I Met Your Mother
The opening credits of How I Met Your Mother is like going back down memory lane and revisiting the good times shared with friends. It has a familiar "welcome home" type of vibe that fans can't seem to get enough of, and the song increases that particular feeling.
Through a series of fun pictures, fans get to meet the characters and get an idea of who they are. They also get a sense of their friendship and how close their bond is. Overall, they seem like a cool group of friends that anyone would like to join.
6 Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
This iconic bop has been a fan favorite ever since it first aired in 1990. Will Smith co-wrote the song, "Yo Home to Bel-Air", with his friend DJ Jazzy Jeff and then sang it for the opening credits. Most fans who grew up in the 90s will most likely know this song by heart, and the lyrics perfectly describe the premise of the sitcom.
The opening credits are fun to watch due to Will Smith's performance. The colorful background and clothing he wears in the intro also bring a pleasing and unique aesthetic to the sitcom.
5 That 70s Show
The opening credits of That 70s Show focuses on the group of teenagers singing to the theme song, "In The Streets", as they ride in the Vista Cruiser. Fans can barely keep themselves from singing along and having fun with them. In later seasons, the opening credits even feature the rest of the characters like the parents or Laurie.
The credits also serve as a reminder of a simpler time for fans – a time back when hanging out with friends was a daily thing, and responsibilities weren't as prominent yet.
4 The Office
The opening credits of this workplace comedy start with a few clips of Scranton (filmed by John Krasinski) before moving on to introduce the characters employed at Dunder Mifflin. The opening seems to show what an average day at the office looks like and should be, but fans know that there's more going on behind the scenes, which is probably why it is so iconic.
Although it appears to be a dull job, fans would actually love to work with Jim, Michael, Pam, and Dwight. Plus, The Office's theme song, composed by James Ferguson, is just so loved by fans that they can never bring themselves to skip the opening credits.
3 Friends
It's not entirely a surprise to see the opening credits of Friends placed on this list. Friends being one of the most famous sitcoms since the 90s' has gathered quite the fandom. The song, written by The Rembrandts, is not only iconic, but it's so catchy that fans from around the world are constantly trying to successfully clap their hands to the "clapping" part, which some mastered a long time ago.
The opening credits introduce the characters and give a glimpse of their personality through short clips from various episodes. Plus, the scene where they are dancing in the fountain makes fans wish to be a part of their beautiful friendship. They are literally what some may call "friendship goals."
2 BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horseman's title sequence is beautifully animated and aesthetically pleasing to the eye with its colorful palette.
It may showcase the life of the filthy rich as a desirable achievement in the background with the parties and beautiful views, but one look at BoJack makes fans realize there's a darker theme there. BoJack is just going through the motions of it all, affected and unaffected by the events surrounding him. It's an opening sequence that makes fans questions their values and priorities in life, which is why it is so loved.
1 The Simpsons
The Simpsons have been on TV since 1989, and it's one of the longest-running sitcoms to this date. Their theme song, composed by Danny Elfman, is so popular that anyone can instantly tell which TV show is about to come on as soon as the first note is played. From the clouds in the sky to Homer getting hit by Marge's car, the intro is simply iconic and introduces Springfield and its wacky characters.
Fans even purposely watch the opening credits just for the famous couch gag or to see what Bart is writing on the blackboard this time. Plus, their opening credits always get an original revamp for their Treehouse of Horror and Christmas Special episodes, which fans adore.