From iconic musical numbers to trailblazing visual sequences, these are the best opening sequences across Marvel and DC’s animated pantheon.

With X-Men ’97 reminding audiences of the 90s-era glitz of the original series’ title sequences, it’s worth revisiting some of the most iconic Marvel and DC animated show openings. From Smallville’s teen drama introduction and alt-rock theme music to Daredevil playing around with crimson-colored abstract imagery, modern superhero TV shows have become instantly recognizable from their title sequences. With the MCU timeline accommodating shows like Echo and WandaVision, the art of opening titles is being artistically reinterpreted further. Even TV shows in the DC Universe are replacing conventional openings with surreal sequences like the strangely hilarious synchronized dance routine in Peacemaker.

This diversity of opening titles can be observed within animated superhero shows that have been on the air for even longer. Some classic examples that have aged well include the radio-like announcement in Max Fleischer’s 1940s Superman cartoons or the jazz-laden surreal opening in the 1967 Fantastic Four series. But there is no strict Marvel or DC blueprint to stick to and influences for an entertaining opening can be borrowed from global influences, too. A case in point is 2023’s My Adventures With Superman, which offers a younger look at the DC hero with its shonen anime-inspired opening sequence.

10. Iron Man: Armored Adventures Gave Tony Stark A Teen Rock Makeover
The Catchy Song Went Well With The 3D Animation And Younger Characters

Compared to the grimmer and more conventional opening of the 90s Iron Man series, the 3D-animated Iron Man: Armored Adventures went for more fast-paced transitions and an upbeat rock sound. The two-season animated series delved into the younger years of Tony Stark as he evolves from a spoiled brat to a responsible superhero. The euphoria and unpredictability of youth are captured well by rock band Rooney’s Iron Man tribute. As Rooney’s lyrics on teen angst get surprisingly introspective, split-screens introduce younger versions of supporting characters like Pepper and Rhodey, and the Armored Avenger even breaks into his signature open-palm pose.

9. Spider-Man (1967) Offered A Cheery Jingle For The Ages

Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created Spider-Man, but equal credit for the web-slinger’s universal popularity must go to Paul Francis Webster and Bob Harris, who wrote and composed the theme song of the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon. The lyrics “Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can” have gone on to inspire some of the best songs in Spider-Man movies, shows, and musicals. The classic 60s track goes well with the simplistic animation of the wall-crawler swinging across New York City. Some timeless frames from the opening include Spider-Man botching a bank robbery, and clicking a photograph while greeting the audience.

8. My Adventures With Superman Throws In Anime Influences
The Man Of Steel Gets A Fitting Makeover

The opening of Superman: The Animated Series is a classic in its own right, complete with a trumpet fanfare. However, Adult Swim’s My Adventures With Superman subverts all previous Superman openings with a fresh anime-influenced animation style. In just over 20 seconds, a fast-paced guitar riff accompanies a visual palette of bright colors. Superman flies up in the clouds as segues of his Clark Kent persona find him crossing paths with his Kryptonian parents and other-worldly villains. As the show also focuses on his relations with fellow journalists Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, both characters abundantly feature in light-hearted transitions.

7. Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Is Rousing And Inspirational
The 2000s Rock Sound Offers Justice To Ensemble-Driven Action

Even though Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes premiered in 2010, its opening theme is reminiscent of 2000s grunge rock and alternative works by bands like Linkin Park and Audioslave. Credit for the iconic track “Fight As One” goes to rock outfit Downstait. Capturing the essence of teamwork in the face of disaster, it’s the perfect tribute to Marvel’s classic superhero team as the action shifts across multiple heroes suiting up and taking down HYDRA bots. With swirling camera angles, dramatic panorama shots, and adrenaline-fueled action, this is the closest an animated series has come to rivaling the 2012 Avengers film.

6. Silver Surfer Kicked Off With A Surreal Fever Dream
Tragic Origins Of The Space Nomad Get Captured In 30 Seconds

When it comes to the most underrated Marvel TV shows, the Silver Surfer animated series is worth revisiting. The show’s dreamily surreal landscapes and the tragic origins of the titular character are aptly touched upon in its brief opening sequence. Surfing across the cosmos under Galactus’ fist, the 90s psychedelic visual is stunning and heartbreaking as it hints at Silver Surfer being trapped in a cosmic labyrinth. Compared to other Marvel shows of the decade like X-Men and Spider-Man, Silver Surfer’s opening relied on less action and more abstract imagery, making it truly stand out from the rest.

5. Teen Titans Captured Teenage Angst With Foot-Tapping Beats
DC Fans Will Always Thank Japanese Rock Duo Puffy AmiYumi

The foot-tappingly catchy opening song of Cartoon Network’s Teen Titans is a collaboration between Japanese rock duo Puffy AmiYumi and composer Andy Sturmer. The percussion-heavy song is brought to life with multicolored visuals that sum up the diverse nature of the adolescent superhero team. The show’s title logo plays an important part with the comic book-like font stretching across the screen in vibrant shades, as the characters pop up from different corners of the screen. In Beast Boy’s intro, even real-world footage of animals is used. All in all, the Teen Titans intro is chaotic, subversive, and all the more exciting.

4. Spider-Man Had Aerosmith’s Joe Perry Scoring The Theme
The Chaotic Visuals Are A Fitting Tribute To The Spider-Man Mythos

A far cry from the jolly opening of the 1976 series, the 1990s Spider-Man focused on a grittier tone with Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry composing a guitar and vocoder-heavy theme. Interspersed are a multitude of visuals capturing Spider-Man’s dual life as a superhero and the photojournalist Peter Parker. The classic opening sequence also does a great job in introducing multiple villains, from the Lizard whipping his tail around to Hobgoblin releasing bombs from his hoverboard. The fast-paced intro sequence even accommodates guest characters like Punisher and Morbius, along with an abstract sequence of the Venom symbiote latching onto Peter.

3. Justice League Plays Around With Superhero Silhouettes
The Anthemic Score Is Goosebump-inducing

A crown jewel among the DC Animated Universe shows, Justice League has aged well partly because of its smart opening sequence. Instead of relying on grand shots of ensemble-driven action like other superhero shows in the past, Justice League relied on a more subtle approach. Lolita Ritmanis’ orchestral score soars across an orange-red sky with DC’s greatest heroes teased under dark shadows. Apart from the iconic frame of the team silhouette, the sequence also puts the spotlight on each character with 3D-animated outlines briefly offering a glimpse into the shadows. The Justice League intro is truly one of a kind.

2. X-Men: The Animated Series Boasts Instantly Catchy Guitar Riffs
It Also Has An Even More Over-The-Top Japanese Opening

Dramatic synths and electric guitar riffs grace the timeless opening of X-Men: The Animated Series, which introduces all the major characters one by one, complete with their signature poses and even trademark font styles for their names. The introductions give way to a battle royale between the titular mutant superteam and Magneto’s villainous Brotherhood of Mutants. Sandwiched in between are delightfully flashy action scenes like Rogue throwing a Sentinel robot to the ground and Wolverine charging up his adamantium claws. Even more dramatic are the Japanese release openings that raise the stakes with Xenomorph-like creatures and a hard rock soundtrack.

1. Batman: The Animated Series Is Still Unbeatable
Red Skies And Dark Shadows Never Looked This Haunting

Batman: The Animated Series is remembered for many things, ranging from Kevin Conroy’s voice talents to the hauntingly beautiful opening sequence. Danny Elfman’s grandiose score and Bruce Timm’s Art Deco painting-influenced visual style turn Gotham City into a Gothic playground for the Dark Knight to deliver some justice. Blood-red skies and dim yellow lights set a chilling backdrop that suits the show’s neo-noir influences. With unforgettable visuals like the Warner Bros logo turning into an owl-eyed police blimp to Batman crawling out of the shadows to chase robbers, the DC Animated Universe classic delivers a flawless and artistic introductory sequence.