Doctor Who: Every Title Sequence Ranked Worst To Best

A Doctor's first impression is always the most important!
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[@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.

[@joeo_18]

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…

[@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 . . .

[@HughDoesStuff]

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.

[@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

[@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).

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@dubbingsync]

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

[@ishaandw]

definitely do one just for the theme music

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@NPS2204]

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

[@patchworkfellow4262]

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

[@replimatreviews]

@@patchworkfellow4262 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. 😁

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@stephenwodz7593]

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

[@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

[@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

[@Oldmangamess]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@deezbaconz1373]

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

[@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

[@gavisinspacern1488]

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

[@minicle426]

Agreed.

[@Theduckwebcomics]

There's nothing better than the silver vortex from Baker's Doctor.

[@patoren3gou653]

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

[@TheTomlinson]

The 7B theme is my favourite by far

[@dogswifty7800]

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

[@danielbridger7113]

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

[@localcryptid42]

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

[@joelmavity1467]

The thing I love about the opening and closing credits is like in the opening we’re going into the episode and the closing credits we’re backing out of the episode, like going back into the time vortex.

[@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

[@Jedi_Spartan_38]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@nomar8770]

Please do a ranking of the theme arrangements!!

[@EshfulCookie]

I honestly love the series 7 intro

[@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

[@anthonysheriff2307]

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

[@kansas_meric]

Good video, keep up with the good work mate!

[@DoktorSean]

I think my favourite bit about the Eccleston/Tennant sequence might be the TARDIS slowing down as it takes centre screen and prepares to enter the next vortex. Lovely!

[@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

[@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.

[@tonyluzzi6502]

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

[@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.

[@charlestownsend9280]

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

[@isabellecleve2875]

I would absolutely love a music ranking list!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@MouthMuffler]

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

[@GymRatChris]

Theme music and logo ranking? Yes please.

[@STE6677]

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

[@GeminiJinx13]

Oh!! The one I suggested to Rich on twitter! I'm so glad he looked the idea!! 😍😍

[@deletedwaffles]

I'm definitely a huge fan of the 11th Doctor's early intros. The Tardis being thrown around by lightning spinning out of control in a storm cloud while the noise of thunder is crashing. My favorite part is the big horn section lead up. It's very Marvel-esque. I do like the 10th Doctor's almost rock like intro but the visuals didn't do it for me.

[@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!

[@ladynahnah3541]

The 2005-2009 intro will always be the best because that's when doctor who was at it's prime with Torchwood

[@minicle426]

Torchwood was terrible...

[@ocgmercury]

Personally I think the new intro is the biggest highlight of the Chibnil era, very reminiscent of the 1st doctors title sequence

[@Agent.RoboGamo]

I loved the season 23 theme and intro because kinda felt like a court show theme it went with the story well

[@ther0n1nnamed47]

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

[@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.

[@timmytheturtle6027]

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

[@christopheryoung9857]

One year later, and I think the new titles might be the best now. It righted the wrongs of both Whittaker’s run and the second half of Smith’s Series 7, and is probably the best Murray Gold intro composition with the possible exception of the Voyage of the Damned-onwards intro.

[@kyokyo2607]

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

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@epicmadnesss]

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

[@Phox345]

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

[@MrTDWfan]

I would love to hear what your favorite fan title sequences are.

[@PearlGods]

When he was talking about Jodie Whittaker’s theme he said, “Sega something’s take on the theme is a little bit more” cue ad for dog food “powered by nature” as the tagline.

[@luigiboi4244]

You forgot the LEGO Dimensions 12th Doctor intro, which was SPECTACULAR!

[@eksortso]

The 13th Doctor's portrait doesn't show up in the Jodie Whittaker-era title sequence. But, the Doctor's outline is clearly visible for a split-second before the opening's impressive abstract imagery gets cheaply smeared away.

[@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

[@jscz]

Did anyone notice in the S7p2 intro at the end the doors opened the wrong way....

[@mattthesilent777RED]

For my thirteenth doctor (First Episode) The Twelfth Doctor's title sequence but it is orange and the clock stuff is breaking down. Theme used is a 2008 and 2014 mashup or just 2014 with 2008 bassline. Other episodes - A purple-red time vortex with Simon Farnaby face then a jump to hyperspace with the logo. Music used - what is now the Thirteenth Doctor's theme and the 2018-now logo

[@Claire-ue2oe]

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

[@arandomhumanbeing1355]

Fun fact: On the 4th doctor’s original title sequence, the doctor who logo isn’t central.

[@lukebradford]

13's title sequence is one of my favourites to be honest. So is 12's.

[@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.

[@nickrussell8279]

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

[@captainsinclair7954]

Oh how happy we all are that the Diamond Logo is back for the show going forward

[@Lord_Buckles]

A detail you forgot to mention was the 13th doctors title sequence was produced by John Smith VFX you referenced before

[@Xon4]

Agreed: please do a list of the main title theme tunes. And logos too.

[@thebeef7238]

You should absolutely do a list for the title music.

[@lisanielson1088]

I the title theme rankings! That would be downright awesome!!

[@pheonix8167]

The 9 and 10 was much better then 13th doctor

[@idle_speculation]

I like that 7b and Whittaker’s era both tried to harken back to the classic intros. 7b reminds me of the early 80s, while series 10-13 goes all the way back to the howlaround of the 60s

[@alim.9801]

Murray Gold's arrangement for the series 5 and 6 opening credits is my absolute favorite. Perfect. Chefs kiss.

[@minicle426]

Ugh...

[@twopopgeeks921]

yes! please do make the best doctor who themes!

[@EverestBlizzard]

I'd love a logo and theme tune list! And I actually do agree with your list, especially 9 and 10's being the best by a long shot!