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Which Doctor Who opening title sequences are the best ones?

Sound! Movement! Whizzy titles! Doctor Who is renowned for it's wonderful opening title sequences.

But which ones have been the best?

Select up to four sequences in the voting options (which include video timestamps) and then get the show underway in the comments!




Note Whovians, the video doesn't include *every* opening sequence variation from the past sixty years but it includes quite a selection!

12th doctor. now close the poll so i win

shy guy 64 wrote:12th doctor...

There seems to have been quite a few variations of Capaldi's title sequence, shy guy. I like 'em - they're good! - but I don't think they'll make my personal top four.

My fave four are:

1) 15:04 - 13th Doctor

A wonderfully bold and dynamic working of the theme tune alongside some stunning, almost organically styled graphics. Fantastic, and easily my favourite thing about the episodes of the 13th Doctor!

2) 7:51 - 9th Doctor

The first "New Who" and this sequence really felt fresh, fast and exciting. It was neat seeing the TARDIS spinning off into differently-coloured pathways.

3) 9:40 - 11th Doctor

I like the smokey/cloudy tunnel sequences in this version, especially with the splashes of colour. It made for a cool twist on the "traveling fast through tunnels" idea.


4) 0:00 - 1st/2nd Doctor

The original sequence set the tone for all that followed. It does perhaps feel a little basic in comparison, but the vibe and feel started out here and the effects are very impressive for the early 1960s.

4th Doctor #2. The pacier update of the theme music added excitement, while the sparkly new graphics gave it a modern look. So good, they kept the whole concept for the next two Doctors.

And the Tenant era nailed it, design-wise.

I've gone for 4th Doctor #2, 10th Doctor series 4 specials, the first one for the 11th Doctor, and the 13th Doctor.

rinks wrote:4th Doctor #2. The pacier update of the theme music added excitement, while the sparkly new graphics gave it a modern look. So good, they kept the whole concept for the next two Doctors...

Garth wrote:I've gone for 4th Doctor #2...

Yeah, that one is good, guys. The music is a little more guitar-y and quicker and the stars are a neat effect although I think that I prefer the tunnel idea. Very nostalgic, this one!

(Oh, and remember to vote!)

The one that goes dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun dun dun dun dun.

Knoyleo wrote:The one that goes dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun dun dun dun dun.

I'm thinking that you like all of 'em, Knoyleo!

Knoyleo wrote:The one that goes dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun dun dun dun dun.

That's the James Bond theme.

Pertwee #2 and Baker #1 are pretty much the same. Anyway they are my favourite because for me, they represent my era of Doctor Who.

I love the original intro too - so analog in every respect. Props to Delia Derbyshire.

Octoroc wrote:Pertwee #2 and Baker #1 are pretty much the same. Anyway they are my favourite because for me, they represent my era of Doctor Who...

Yeah, in terms of pure nostalgia I tend to associate that era as being proper Doctor Who. I was pretty young, though - and you must have been, too, Octo! - so I don't recall too much about the actual episodes.

jawa_ wrote:

Octoroc wrote:Pertwee #2 and Baker #1 are pretty much the same. Anyway they are my favourite because for me, they represent my era of Doctor Who...

Yeah, in terms of pure nostalgia I tend to associate that era as being proper Doctor Who. I was pretty young, though - and you must have been, too, Octo! - so I don't recall too much about the actual episodes.

I was born in 1970. My most vivid early Who memories are of Pyramids of Mars and Seeds Of Doom. I would have been five years old.

I actually just finished watching series 13 on Brit Box. Now on series 14 and watching The Robots Of Death. Leela

1) 7th Doctor

I love McCoy and everything about him, having met him he is a amazing human, although not the first Doctor I saw he was the first one where I was watching the episodes live as they were shown waiting for the next episode instead of in re-runs or on home media so this theme has a very specially place in my heart

2) 12th Doctor (Before the Flood Version)

I love Peter Capaldi he is one of my fave Doctors as I just think who he is bleeds into his portrayal so strongly and I love his Guitar playing in this theme, I wish it had been his full time theme, the rock out aspect of it just makes it so diffrent to the others... All the turning clogs and roman numerals and just his eyes in the kind of background all just works for me and somehow feels the most Old Classic type of all of new Who... Capaldi felt like a classic doctor in the modern era and I love him for that.

3) 4th Doctor
Anything with Toms face in it has got to be a winner, the man is quiet simply The Doctor the definitive article.... also love all the time tunnel effects and the music is proper old school lovely.


4) 8th Doctor
I remember excitedly watching this as it aired... it strikes me as sounding grand and classical and I think the effects are lovely, it is lacking a 8th Doctor Face though in my opinion

Octoroc wrote:...I was born in 1970. My most vivid early Who memories are of Pyramids of Mars and Seeds Of Doom. I would have been five years old...

Rock on, fellow old-dude, Octo .

kerr9000 wrote:...Capaldi felt like a classic doctor in the modern era and I love him for that...

kerr, I enjoyed reading through your selections and reasoning... great stuff! I get your point about Capaldi seeming like a "classic" Doctor, too.

Anyone voting for the cogs needs launching into the sun.

Went with the original for reasons that shouldnt need much explaining. Just unlike anything else at the time and predates 2001 A Space Odyssey buy half a decade. Can remember seeing it in 3D when I saw Day of the Doctor at the cinema, it was mesmerizing the way it floated out towards the audience. Btw the "unused intro" is test footage where they were experimenting, they had hoped to put the Doctor in it but decided against it as the technique basically made it look satanic. 4th Doctor original. To me this is THE classic Who title sequence.
For New Who I went with the 11th Doctor version. I remember not being very keen at first but it managed to feel both different and familiar. Whilst for the first time capturing the idea that just travelling in that box is dangerous. Can easily picture the crew bouncing around inside. But I think the best of the modern run has to be 13's. It is the only one to truly recreate the originals surreal abstract terror.

I made my own once out of found footage-


I made another as well but I could never get it to render properly.

Octoroc wrote:

jawa_ wrote:

Octoroc wrote:Pertwee #2 and Baker #1 are pretty much the same. Anyway they are my favourite because for me, they represent my era of Doctor Who...

Yeah, in terms of pure nostalgia I tend to associate that era as being proper Doctor Who. I was pretty young, though - and you must have been, too, Octo! - so I don't recall too much about the actual episodes.

I was born in 1970. My most vivid early Who memories are of Pyramids of Mars and Seeds Of Doom. I would have been five years old.

I actually just finished watching series 13 on Brit Box. Now on series 14 and watching The Robots Of Death. Leela

All crackers

The Watching Artist wrote:I was born in 1970. My most vivid early Who memories are of Pyramids of Mars and Seeds Of Doom. I would have been five years old.

I actually just finished watching series 13 on Brit Box. Now on series 14 and watching The Robots Of Death. Leela

All crackers

Oh man, Masque Of Mandragora, Face Of Evil, Deadly Assassin- all solid gold.

The Watching Artist wrote:...Went with the original for reasons that shouldnt need much explaining. Just unlike anything else at the time and predates 2001 A Space Odyssey buy half a decade...

Yeah, big props to that first sequence; it really did set the tone for all future variations.

The Watching Artist wrote:....I think the best of the modern run has to be 13's. It is the only one to truly recreate the originals surreal abstract terror...

I dang love 13's. So cool and so atmospheric.

The Watching Artist wrote:....I made my own once out of found footage-
...

That's neat, Matt! IMHO It captures the right vibe.

I have never really watched it, just doesn't appeal to me for some reason.

Ironhide wrote:I have never really watched it, just doesn't appeal to me for some reason.

Now that it's all available via the iPlayer, it might be worth taking a look, Ironhide. Maybe check out a few episodes of New Who (2005+) and, if you get into it, then try some of the earlier series?