Doctor Who: Every Title Sequence Ranked Worst To Best

[@bertieblack5639]

Yes. Yes we do want a theme music ranking video. The original is still spine-chilling to this day.

[@bertieblack5639]

Also yes. Yes we do want a logo ranking video.

[@norftrain]

I agree with this person and their clone.

[@rudenotginger123]

1967 version is the best imo.

[@Phreddy666]

Yes Please.

[@zanis_summers8284]

#1 should be the rock theme played by Capaldi for that one episode. (Yah, it was only one time but it was AMAZING)

[@Alice-sp5jd]

BBC: how many colours do you want? 70s Who: *yes*

[@nifralo2752]

Talk about going overboard

[@57305northernprincess]

Jon Pertwee's first titles were made in black and white then coloured in. Most of the UK and the world would have seen them in black and white as colour TV was expensive

[@JustAVibinKoala]

I feel bad for people who didn’t have colour TVs…

[@marcoludema8876]

Little idea: I love the idea of ranking the title themes, but why not also do a ranking of Murray Gold's best musical pieces?

[@BartokandBadIdeas]

How can I like a comment twice?

[@salem_meow7137]

Yes please!!!!!

[@marcoludema8876]

@@BartokandBadIdeas Ask a friend. 😉

[@owenrandall8731]

Martha's theme is the best btw

[@RedJLP]

@@owenrandall8731 The Shepherd's Boy. Change my mind

[@LiveHedgehog]

The theme for the 2005-2007 sequence is also out of sync, in every episode except Rose. There's a little buzz sound that's supposed to play as the light on the TARDIS pulses halfway through the sequence, but it's ever so slightly off in every episode that has a cold open.

[@danthemeegs8751]

thanks, you just ruined Doctor Who for me

[@DoctorVision]

I assume you mean when the sting ends during Rose's title sequence that's where you think the graphics should start for every subsequent episode with a cold open? You're probably right, but personally I think it works best "out of sync" as that sound effect when the TARDIS changes vortex works better as it flies off down the red vortex. It kind of feels out of place during Rose. The problem is by making it "in sync" as you say, like in Rose, the graphics are then out of sync with the rest of the music, as the music goes with the TARDIS' movements in the subsequent episode title sequences. Obviously, the production crew must have noticed this as well, hence why they never put it "in sync" again, even going as far as to cut down the graphics to ensure this during Smith and Jones to avoid the same thing happening again (even though it did, the other way, in Partners in Crime a year later).

[@dexterhill5843]

Annoying though it is I think they get away with it certainly more than with Capaldi's intro anyway! Christ that's so irritating to watch!

[@kurtvanderbogarde8402]

On several 1960s episodes and possibly into the Pertwee era, a stretched source tape was used for the theme music, so if you hear a pre-restoration version (on an old VHS release, say) the theme on some episodes is badly out of tune. And then there's the faded pale green version of the time tunnel as used on (IIRC) The Ark In Space.

[@DoctorVision]

@@dexterhill5843 The reason why no one makes an issue of the Series 1-3 theme being out of sync is that they only did it "correctly" in Rose and then used the supposedly "out of sync" version almost consistently from thereafter. So, it's not very obvious except to die-hard fans. Hell, even Series 4 titles' synchronisation with the theme tune changed every week, but they got away with that because the theme just seemed to match with the titles whichever way it was played out, except perhaps with Partners in Crime, plus they had the extended graphics to compensate with, which many of the future title sequences didn't have. Whereas, with Capaldi's titles, even casual fans can pick up on the titles being out of sync because they were consistent for about half of Series 8 then they started being messed with. Plus, there's a lot more SFX in the theme that are designed to sync with parts of the titles making it stick out even more.

[@RaggedyDoctor11]

Fun fact: I sang my own title sequence.

[@jackrice4064]

You were my favorite doctor

[@josephchambers2000]

In terms of doctors, you come fourth. T.Baker, Tennent, Troughton then you.

[@RaggedyDoctor11]

Jack Rice you are my favourite companion

[@craycraydoggyshow5745]

Matt Smith bro ten seconds ago

[@MrDarthT]

weird, I was sure it was Jon Pertwee that did that (look it up, he actually did a weird "spoken word" cover of the song).

[@babaracus9583]

"It was about time Murray Gold was replaced" Will you shut up man

[@UniversalDirp]

Ikr, but if it was for john Williams, i MIGHT have to make an exeption . . .

[@DoctorWhoHugh]

Not gonna lie, the new one is my favourite. Idk why but the combination of classic who and new techniques really works, same with the visuals.

[@quietdemon8138]

The problem I have isn’t with Segun himself but how the editors keep underlying his music with dialogue and anything else, Murray may have been more bombastic and at times out of place but at least it could be clearly heard whereas the new stuff is barely hearable

[@MrPaulmorris7777]

He really had to go. Overly loud, overbearing and repetitive.

[@RKMCHere]

@@MrPaulmorris7777 No he didn't. His music was great.

[@TheHufflepuffSaint]

I totally agree with the top choice of Series 4/Specials title sequence... I loved the version from The Stolen Earth and Journey's End where you have all the names appears... DAVID TENNANT CATHERINE TATE FREEMA AGYEMAN JOHN BARROWMAN WITH ELIZABETH SLADEN AND BILLIE PIPER. It was the most perfect epicness the show has ever shown and that was just in the title sequence!!

[@liamheneghan4977]

Conceptually, Capaldi's titles are my favourite. The visuals are just amazing and really stand out compared to everything that came before it but I really wish they'd used different music 😩 so frustrating they were so close to perfect

[@dalekbumps]

I love the Capaldi theme, its basically the spiritual successor to Dominic Glynn's Trial of a Time Lord theme, really high-pitched and with a great counter-melody

[@DankScarabKC]

That is really true, the sudden extreme high notes really just were a shrieking sound in my opinion

[@WolfTitan99]

DankScarab84752 K/C Yeah I’m deaf (With hearing aids though) and lower pitch sounds are more enjoyable to me, but higher pitches are... not fun at all, especially Capaldi’s opening, so much so that I skipped it most of the time

[@NiallHosking]

I'd say the rock version /was/ perfection.

[@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547]

i loved the music. So im happy with it

[@CineScarborough]

Personally my favourite is the first Eleventh Doctor title sequence. I love the aesthetic of the storm clouds, and I actually liked the episode-specific versions for Series 7A.

[@DittoGTI]

The slowly changing colour palette adding a bit of mystery to why it was happening

[@theevildalek5425]

10:09 Dominic Glynn. His name is Dominic Glynn

[@pickupchangetoe]

Whoops. Apologies!

[@DanBen07]

I don't like when the word Doctor Who is backwards in the 90s movie opening credit.

[@victoriajohnson4420]

The word "Who" was overlaid written forwards and backwards in Hartnell's original opening, so for a fraction of a second it appears to read as "Doctor OHO". Kind of fitting when you realize he can travel forwards and backwards through time.

[@DanBen07]

@@victoriajohnson4420 Oh yeah.

[@shaz2761]

I loved it

[@dubbingsync]

“That was perfect...” He says about position 4.

[@brickwho101]

I actually prefer the series 7b titles to the other Smith ones. I just think it’s so much more original and actually reminiscent of what the show is about. Rather than the dark and dreary clouds of the others. Also I’d say that the 7th doctor sequence is one of the most interesting and entertaining to watch. Much more so than the other 8s version in my opinion. But all of them are great

[@UnderhillKoufax]

My favorite DW opening, closing, and music has been the Fifth Doctors. It has an energy and sci-fi feel that was almost matched with the Tenth Doctor’s first season.

[@davidcoberly9240]

A kindred spirit!

[@TheSamtheman081]

You are so right the 5th doctors is the very best.

[@ishaandw]

definitely do one just for the theme music

[@NPS2204]

My favourite is the 5th Doctor or the 10th Doctor’s series 4 theme.

[@zaknelthepony7124]

I remember when I was a kid, I was so engaged in Matt Smith's episodes because I wanted to see if the TARDIS getting hit in the opening was ever going to be addressed.

[@AlanOmahney]

Same bruh

[@jasonjimerson7046]

Definetly, please do a logo ranking! Also have you considered doing a ranking video of the internal TARDIS design or layout from worst to best?

[@lp-xl9ld]

The first time I saw DOCTOR WHO was in 1985; one of the locally available PBS stations was showing the Davison era episodes. And I fell in love with the opening sequence in use at that time. I like most of them but the 1980-1986 is my personal favorite.

[@davidcoberly9240]

Same!

[@rnw2739]

I agree! The Tom Baker/Peter Davison/Colin Baker title sequences (1980 - 1986) were by far the best with the best arrangements of the theme tune. If asked to pinpoint favourite theme from these era, I'd have to say Dominic Glynns' arrangement for 1986s season 23 'The Trial Of A Time Lord'. Superb.

[@rickerpenor]

Yes, theme music list would be cool.

[@jamesgreen9480]

Would be better if he had included it as part of this video tho

[@lewiskirkhope72]

New who s4 wins.

[@salem_meow7137]

Lewis Kirkhope Absolutely yes!

[@Jp-1377]

For sure

[@Radjondle]

​@@lewiskirkhope72 *movie theme

[@replimatreviews]

Re: Trial of a Time Lord theme tune. That'll be Dominc Glynn, not George. Sheesh.

[@martinwood744]

I was just going to say that. Won't bother now.

[@patchworkfellow]

I mean, there’s no need for the “sheesh”, _mate..._

[@replimatreviews]

@@patchworkfellow Why not? WhatCulture is almost always badly researched and full of errors.

[@CamMcGinn1981]

@@replimatreviews for me, that's part of the fun so we can pick up on it. 😁

[@stephenwodz7593]

That first doctor's opening sequence gave me the chills when I was a kid.

[@HappyEndings8]

My personal favourite is thirteen's opening sequence. I love how they went back to simple but with the HQ that new tech has to offer. Somehow, I love twelve's title sequence as well, for the exact opposite reason: many beautiful elements.

[@ZandrousGNA]

Gotta say...I was pleasantly surprised the 6th Doctor openings got as high as they did on this list. Usually Colin's era gets crapped on constantly. So this was a nice change of pace to see.

[@jawstrock2215]

loved the intro/outro music of that era... well I just relistened to them, second half of 6th's intro music is godawful XD but first half is pretty nice

[@localcryptid42]

please do a logo ranking! I love your channel, thank you for fuelling my doctor who obsession!

[@Oldmangamess]

Bruh you put my favorite at the bottom it was basically a mash of all the classic themes

[@danthemeegs8751]

FIRST I really like the music of Smith's second title sequence, but yeah the visuals are just weird. Also, even if we were ranking the music... #1 should still be the same IMO.

[@braddsfx8921]

I adore the music of matts second title sequence, tho the visuals are a let down

[@hanavaro]

LIES LIES LIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES, VISUALS ARE MASTERPIECE, JUST THE F UP YOU'R WEIRD VREIGIN

[@jneumy566]

So glad Eccleston/Tennant's intro was number one because that's my absolute favorite, the one I always get nostalgic for since it's the one I grew up on. And especially since I didn't know about the whole regeneration plot point and how we seemed to just stop watching it after a while, it was THE Doctor Who intro to me and it feels more "real" I guess

[@DB_137]

2013's my favourite, but you got to love the trial of a timelord theme.

[@DittoGTI]

Trial of a Timelord dragged on a bit for me

[@gavisinspacern1488]

How the hell is 7's title sequence so low? It absolutely smashes all the modern ones smh

[@minicle426]

Agreed.

[@carys1009]

My dream intro is the 9th or 10th doctors visuals somehow made to work with the 11th doctors intro theme

[@danthemeegs8751]

Wouldn’t work but this would be dope

[@crazypomp927]

I love the 7th Doctor title sequence with the uber 80s version of the theme, which actually gets played in full. Awesome

[@tobenrendell2336]

i was actually wearing a fez when he said "hold your fez on tight" and i was like, how do you know this you frickin' wizard

[@Isaac_Clarke]

Woah.

[@anthonysheriff2307]

I think the beat drop in Jodie's title sequence is what sold it

[@danielbridger7113]

THE 7TH DOCTORS INTRO IS MY FAV! HOW DARE U! btw love the rest of the vid

[@dogswifty7800]

I would love to see a list ranking the music from each title sequence.

[@tomassoejakto]

I love all the new Who intros except, yes, 11's last one. I love 10's electric guitar version, 11's grand energy in series 5, 12's rhythmic ticking, and 13's gorgeous visuals and deep thumping music.

[@meganr2869]

My favorite is actually thirteen's. It's so modern yet remeniscent of old who-- so much so, that it gave me the impression that the storylines would be going in a similar direction. i was very wrong.

[@Jedi_Spartan]

2:21 Even though I'm alright with that in the Classic Era, I'm not keen that they bought it back.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

Tbh production values will never top a memorable theme. Hence why I put 13s at the bottom and 7s further towards the top.

[@SmartSmears]

You gotta admit 13's got a very nice base drop.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

Smart Smears not really

[@Saltybuher]

I like the consistent approach to the colours in the time vortex and the purposeful way the Tardis rushes through it.

[@erictroxell715]

Never forget this...your 1st Dr is almost always your favorite. In 1984 I sat anxiously by my tv turned onto p.b.s. just waiting and whooping with excitement when that music started!!!

[@TheTomlinson]

The 7B theme is my favourite by far

[@TheGreatCalsby]

Excellent choice for number 1! Matt Smith's first version of the intro will always be my favourite because I love how the Tardis gets thrown around and the upbeat music for it too. Really captures the chaos that the Doctor brings order to.

[@patoren3gou653]

All the '80s space intros and the Jodie Whittaker intro are my personal favoritee

[@kansas_meric]

Good video, keep up with the good work mate!

[@LLT8]

I think the Thirteenth Doctor intro was what Moffat was trying to go for with Smith’s Series 7b intro but didn’t pull it off as well.

[@Azhur65PvPLetsplay]

I prefered the series 6 's title sequence over the series 1-4 because i love the transition from the DW letters to the tardis model, and i also think that the 3d names of Eccleston, Tennant and their companion looked weird when the camera passes by

[@timidwolf]

Oh look, the ninth Doctor is number one in a list hosted by Rich again!

[@Venemofthe888]

Especially when there are better ones like davids with the drums and the 12th doctors

[@williamsings3669]

Cheers for ruining the vid👍

[@Venemofthe888]

@@williamsings3669 says someone looking at the comments before watching

[@williamsings3669]

@@Venemofthe888 I watch KZbin on my phone app. The comments are now visible, unless you watch in full screen. No need to be spoiling the number one spot like this idiot did.

[@timidwolf]

@@williamsings3669 1. If you don't want to read a comment on the video, don't look at the comments section of the video. 2. I have no power over where my comment will appear in your feed when you watch it. 3. It is not difficult to either not read the comments or rotate your phone 90 degrees. 4. I merely pointed out something predictable and obvious, hardly qualifies as a spoiler.

[@themirrorsofmymind]

Patrick Troughton's is my favorite opening and theme tune, with "The Trial of a Timelord" theme by Dominc Glynn being my favorite update of the Doctor Who tune.

[@timmytheturtle6027]

I have a few things you could also rank: .Each title card .Each intro music .Every companion

[@tonyluzzi6502]

Every time I see one of your lists I just want to say "Stop, Breath, Continue"

[@DavidBeddard]

Interesting choices. My own rankings would be very different to yours, Rich, which is odd as our opinions usually align pretty closely. I'll concede to you on points of technical proficiency as far as the Series 7 Part 2 sequence goes (to my untrained eyes it looked several steps UP in quality from its immediate predecessors so shows what I know!) but stylistically it's easily one of my favourites. The way it harks back to the earliest versions with swirling, shifting, cloudy shapes, albeit lacking symmetry, while crackling and fizzing between various organic and astral forms, the Matt Smith face as you noted; I felt it encapsulated the feeling of the show much more than the bizarre, simplistic, lightning storm vortex that came before it. I so utterly adore the current opening sequence that I think I might just have to call it my overall favourite! I'm torn between the original sequence, the 2005-09 sequence and the 2013 Series 7 sequences for 2nd place. I'd probably rank the Series 5 and 6 sequence dead last. It was so... goofy! Still, we each prefer what we each prefer and that's fine. I am curious to know how you'd rank the theme music arrangements!

[@wandy6372]

HE mentioned the theme being out of sync for capaldi's intro but not the out of sync sound effect used in the 2005 intro.

[@nickrussell8279]

Personally, I like all the Doctor Who title sequences with the 1980-1986 versions being my personal favourite.

[@TheSharkKing45]

The first Tom Baker intro was also utilized for "Curse of the Fatal Death" granted it was heavily modified to fit Rowan Atkinson

[@ijustdidahugeshit]

I have just arrived at your front door

[@MouthMuffler]

In my opinion, the best intro is still the 11th doctor’s first theme

[@nomar8770]

Please do a ranking of the theme arrangements!!

[@Moviemaster595]

I love the ninth and tenth doctor’s opening in my opinion, especially the adrenaline pumping tenth’s opening in opinion

[@thedoctor4949]

Yes

[@minicle426]

Too in your face for me.

[@EshfulCookie]

I honestly love the series 7 intro

[@ther0n1nnamed47]

Actually... I do agree with this list. Fantastic work, you read my mind

[@Phox345]

I still think its more about the music during the title sequence is what grabs the most attention

[@STE6677]

If you do a logo one you should have your subscribers vote for it.

[@mikesearle3537]

When you eventually review the theme music you can talk about or at least mention Delia and the rest of the radio philomonic orchestra team. Delia was arguably one of the people behind electronic music.

[@Claire-ue2oe]

This is the amount of people that want a theme music and logo rankings 👍🏻

[@kyokyo2607]

Just wanted to say I love your content! Hope you're doing well and please keep up your amazing work x3

[@GameBoothUK]

Marks down 7B for being full of nebulae but gives Jodies intro points despite just looking like someone just CGI-ing water into random patterns because it has a vague reminiscence of the originals. Not a fan of either tbh. I have to admit to having a serious soft spot for McCoy’s intro but that might be coz that’s the one I have the most nostalgia for. Theme tune-wise, I actually think my favourite rendition is the movie one

[@julianaylor4351]

What really makes a good television series title sequence is the music. What ever you think, because the music has the greater power, over the sequence than the visuals. This is nit picking. Exterminate.....😆 I love them all equally, title sequence, music and all the Doctors, probably because I'm 59, and have watched it since it began, having seen most of the stories. ❤️

[@coffilover]

The Thing That Makes Doctor Who For Me Is Not The Episode But The Title Sequence, It Just Gets All... Exited, Ready For The Episode

[@jackhughes9835]

What's With Starting Every Single Word With A Capital Letter?

[@coffilover]

@@jackhughes9835 I was on my phone, when typing this. So on my phone that's how i write. (Weird Right )

[@knightr0685]

Like foreplay.

[@coffilover]

@@knightr0685 I have since learned how to type normal.

[@knightr0685]

@@coffilover lol ihaveny

[@AxelaxiB]

Peters intro sometimes being out of sync was something i thought most people didn’t notice. I feel seen. Sometimes I notice the cogs get a few extra moments to move and then we start moving into the vortex. But on others it just skips right through. I feel like this few extra milliseconds on the cogs is what sets the whole theme out of sync.

[@GymRatChris]

Theme music and logo ranking? Yes please.

[@monkeybone1080]

Do all the rankings. Opening music, best songs in Doctor Who, best versions of enemies, best hair styles. You make a list, I'll watch it. Also I think the 3rd Doctor's is the best. Absolutely love how trippy and chaotic it is, just like The Doctor himself.

[@unclemikeyplays]

I'm enough of a Classic Who fan that I might have swapped #1 and #2 in your list, but your analysis of what's right -- and wrong -- with each entry on your list is pretty spot on. I'm especially pleased that you didn't feel any need to crap all over the 8th Doctor's movie title sequence. I don't love the arrangement of the music, but the title sequence itself was both totally Doctor Who, and very 90s, and it needed to be both. If the movie itself had hit both targets as well as its opening sequence did, we might have had a revived series much sooner than we did!

[@PetersonZF]

Davison era is my favourite. The end titles were awesome, as well. WwwwwuuuuuuvvvvvvvvvvDOOOOOOM!!!

[@themirrorsofmymind]

That ending sounds like someone taking a massive deep breath and blowing the universe to kingdom come!

[@DarrenMHembrowCoach]

The 10th anniversary started with the three doctors... Barry Letts wanted new titles/logo to be a continuance between drs three and four.

[@Squicx]

Personally 9/10 intro was my personal favourite. It felt like a remaster of the 60s and 70s intro combined, remastered and remake just as a homage revival should be. Although 13 has beautiful CGI and a sick theme. only if it was longer and had a Tardis

[@andrewquick4176]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO A LOGO RANKING My Doctor is the 7th Doctor. He was my first so I ADORE his intro... And I love how long it is

[@andu1854]

I still like Tom Baker’s opening or the ones used for Ecclestein or Tennett

[@jezp1976]

I think you are right about the 7th Doctor credits, the visuals look very much like the sort of graphics you might find on an Amiga computer, and whilst they would have looked modern in 1989 they have quite quickly started to look dated. Compared with the previous credits that seem to have aged much better.

[@epicmadnesss]

I'm just so happy you recognised Voyage of the damaged's theme... My favourite

[@charlestownsend9280]

The movie/8th doctor title sequence is my favourite of them all.

[@bethanyalcraft4855]

Hence why the ninth/tenth doctor's theme tune is my ringtone 👍

[@dawnpig75]

I prefer when they keep the doctor's face in the intro. Idk why, it's just cool.

[@ChuckleVision1987]

The current titles are the ones a youtuber was commissioned to create. The capaldi ones only used the concept as inspiration with credit

[@asterisms7021]

while the series 5/6 title sequence is my favorite, whenever the time vortex is mentioned i still picture the time vortex from series 1-4

[@jamsistired]

I think that most versions of the Doctor Who Theme have their own cool qualities and are good in different ways.

[@Pulsarnix]

Finally, Rich is back

[@isabellecleve2875]

I would absolutely love a music ranking list!!

[@josephchambers2000]

Wasn’t his name Dominic Glynn, not George Glynn.

[@JakeyJones]

The 11th doctors second title sequence is my favorite. I don’t think it was going for realistic space and high quality time vortex, I think it was paying a direct homage to the past title sequence visuals and I really like it. The first 11th doctor title sequence however I really didn’t like especially in comparison to 10ths and in the beginning of season 7 it was really weird how it had a different color and texture every episode. I wish the second version was used for all of 7.

[@dr.little7311]

A logo ranking and theme music ranking would be awesome. You should also consider doing a ranking of the interior of the Tardis for each Doctor.

[@nicholastosoni707]

The Series 7A title sequences were intended to grow progressively darker as a "countdown to doom" of sorts.

[@JayCreevy]

What about the inside and outside of the tardis list Or has this already been done?

[@rinehardt6837]

73 to 80 is my favorite because it was 1980 when I first started watching Doctor Who with Tom Baker so I'll always remember that opening sequence. But yes please do the themes I would love to see which one ranks is number one because there's been some pretty good ones

[@xthriteenx]

I’d love a logo ranking!

[@flyingfox2005]

Season 23's theme arrangement was by Dominic Glynn

[@rebeccamari]

I don't have many strong Dr. Who opinions, but Matt Smith's theme is by far the best of the modern era. Such a bop. The current one is also great.

[@burtcurtis926]

1:46 I feel like the problem with this isn't just the lighting, it's the animation. What would've been really cool is if the tardis just kept flying full speed towards the screen and the door opened as it reached us, but no the tardis just completely stops and then the door opens, there's no excitement in it

[@xBoringPerfectionx]

Completely agree with the ranking... but not with you saying it was time for Murray Gold to leave! The new 'music' is absolute shite.

[@Jasonm25870]

It was DOMINIC GLYNN won did the 1986 theme, not George Glynn