The Best Opening Credits Of '80s Sitcoms, Ranked

American sitcoms are some of the most comforting and entertaining shows to watch, not just in the U.S. but all over the world. The 1980s, in particular, saw a surge in this TV genre, which spanned various formats and tackled heartwarming themes like tight-knit families alongside heavier topics like ageism, substance abuse, and racial discrimination. Bit by bit, these shows became more inclusive and began defying gender norms. They resonated with diverse audiences as ensemble casts and workplace comedies grew in popularity. 

That lasting impact often started with each show's opening sequence, which set the mood, introduced the actors, and hinted at the situations the characters would face. Because some of these intros are more memorable than others, we've collected the best of them here, rating them from least to most popular using factors like relevant visuals, fan reviews, and industry accolades. You can read more about our methodology at the end of the article.

The tone of the following shows was clearly set by their opening credits, whether through vintage images, colorful shots of famous landmarks, or lyrics that captured major themes. From "Punky Brewster" to "Who's the Boss?" and "Cheers," these are the '80s sitcom intros that will stay with us for a long time.

Featuring relatable characters and centering on a small foster family, "Punky Brewster" aired for four seasons and was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards. As one of the quirkiest, best-dressed stars from popular '80s sitcoms, the adorable titular lead, portrayed by Soleil Moon Frye, was beloved by viewers of all ages. Her chaotic, colorful wardrobe matched her spunky personality and was prominently featured in the opening credits as she was seen bonding with her dog, Brandon, and her grumpy foster dad, Henry Warnimont (played by George Gaynes).

The uplifting theme song, "Every Time I Turn Around," was co-written by Judy Hart Angelo and Gary Portnoy and performed by the latter. It featured the lyrics: "You may be lonely, and then / One day you're smilin' again / Every time I turn around / I see the girl that turns my world around / Standing there." Speaking of Portnoy, 80sXChange wrote, "There is something about his voice that just makes his lyrics extra comforting." An equally nostalgic Redditor chimed, "I can't remember my anniversary, but I can sing the entire 'Punky Brewster' theme song."

Short for "Alien Life Form," "ALF" was a widely popular sci-fi sitcom that centered on the suburban Tanner family, who saw their lives turned upside down when a furry extraterrestrial from the planet Melmac crash-landed into their garage. The show nabbed seven awards and is still revisited today. Beyond the backstage drama involving the cast of "ALF," which included Paul Fusco, Max Wright, and Andrea Elson, the opening credits sequence was a hit in its own right.

This memorable intro featured home-video-style clips of ALF goofing around and interacting with the Tanners. The images were paired with an energetic, instrumental synth-pop theme composed by (coincidence?) Alf Clausen — who also scored "The Simpsons." In fact, musicians still cover and perform that fast-paced tune, as is evident by renowned Gen X drummer Kim Trammell, based in Memphis, Tennessee. "Wow, that bass sound, that sax! I know the whole song by heart," a fan of the sitcom wrote on Reddit, while other users raved about the striking piano melody or the bass line.

Starring Bob Saget as widowed dad Danny Tanner, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, and the Olsen twins as his daughters D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle, and John Stamos as his brother-in-law Jesse, Full House" captured many hearts and nabbed 17 awards. It even spawned a Netflix sequel series, "Fuller House." The opening credits sequence, anchored with a catchy soft-pop song, still lingers in our memory. The chorus went, "Everywhere you look, everywhere you go / There's a heart (there's a heart), a hand to hold onto / Everywhere you look, everywhere you go / There's a face (there's a face) of somebody who needs you." "That was a fun singalong," a Redditor wrote, while other fans have shared that the opening has always made them emotional.

Though the footage evolved over the seasons, it essentially featured the tight-knit family in a red convertible driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, in addition to other San Francisco landmarks and scenes from the show. Called "Everywhere You Look," the song was performed by Jesse Frederick, whose raspy voice provided a striking contrast to the upbeat melody and heartwarming lyrics. It was written by Bennett Salvay and show creator Jeff Franklin.

Boasting five Primetime Emmy Awards, "Family Ties" was another '80s staple. The story centered on the Keatons: parents Steven and Elyse, former hippies played by Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter; their ambitious Republican son, Alex (Michael J. Fox); their fashion-obsessed daughter Mallory (Justine Bateman); their tomboyish daughter Jennifer (Tina Yothers); and the youngest child, Andrew (Brian Bonsall). The opening sequence was modified during the show's run as the characters aged and the lineup changed, but it was always paired with a sentimental soft-rock theme. The first version featured stills of Steven and Elyse in their hippie era, alongside photos of their kids growing up. Another intro started with a pencil-sketched family portrait, followed by clips from the show, and concluded with a fully colored painting of the original sketch.

Titled "Without Us," the theme was composed by Jeff Barry and Tom Scott and performed by Dennis Tufano and Mindy Sterling, then Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams. It featured the lyrics, "I bet we've been together for a million years / And I bet we'll be together for a million more / Oh, it's like I started breathing on the night we kissed / And I can't remember what I ever did before." This sitcom has been referenced and parodied in several shows, including "Family Guy" and "WandaVision." Many fans call it their favorite intro and theme song ever. As one YouTube user wrote, "This captures the duality of that happy/sad feeling, beautifully, all at once."

"The Facts of Life" was a spinoff of "Diff'rent Strokes" that was nominated for three Primetime Emmys and won six other awards. Set in an all-girls private boarding school, it starred Charlotte Rae as housemother and dietitian Edna Garrett; Lisa Whelchel as rich socialite Blair Warner; Kim Fields as gossip-loving Tootie Ramsey; and Nancy McKeon as street-smart Jo Polniaczek. The show's intro consisted of standard episode footage that highlighted the main and supporting characters. However, it was essentially the theme song that elevated the sequence and made it so popular.

Composed by Al Burton, Alan Thicke, and Gloria Loring and performed by the latter with the help of cast members, this warm, coming-of-age anthem was nominated for a TV Land Award in 2004 in the category of theme song you just cannot get out of your head. It featured the lyrics, "When the world never seems / To be living up to your dreams / Then suddenly you're finding out / The facts of life are all about you." A Redditor described its later, punchier rendition as "peak '80s synthesizer goodness." Another one chimed, "I loved this show so much, and the theme song would stay in my head 24/7."

With its absurd cases, quirky humor, and edgy themes, "Night Court" stood out from saccharine '80s and '90s sitcoms, earning multiple Primetime Emmy Awards. Centering on the night shift of a Manhattan courtroom, it featured Harry Anderson as unorthodox Judge Harry Stone, John Larroquette as womanizing assistant district attorney Dan Fielding, Markie Post as dedicated public defender Christine Sullivan, Marsha Warfield as sharp-tongued bailiff Roz Russell, and Charles Robinson as levelheaded clerk Mac Robinson. 

As for the show's opening sequence, which was paired with jazz-fusion, sax-driven instrumental music, it consisted of the main ensemble cast with nocturnal shots of the skyline and streets of New York. Written by Oscar-nominated composer Jack Elliott, the theme won the BMI TV Music Award for three consecutive years.

Other than its moody, smooth track, fans of this show enjoyed the intro for two reasons: They appreciated the freeze frames introducing the main cast, and they felt the street shots captured a realistic, gritty side of nighttime NYC. As CosmicSparky's Den of Madness put it, "'90s sitcoms like 'Friends' often made the mistake of romanticizing New York far too much. What's on display here is so much better. These people obviously aren't rolling in cash or sipping lattes."

Starring Tony Danza as Tony Micelli, Alyssa Milano as his daughter Samantha Micelli, and Judith Light as his employer and later romantic interest Angela Bower, "Who's the Boss?" marked a shift in traditional gender roles — a change also reflected in its intro. The story centers on Tony, a single dad and retired baseball player from Brooklyn, who moves to Connecticut to become the live-in housekeeper for Angela, a divorced advertising executive. The opening credits show Tony driving his old blue van from Brooklyn to Angela's posh neighborhood before transitioning into scenes featuring the main cast.

As for the iconic theme song "Brand New Life," it was written by show creators Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter, composed by Larry Carlton and Robert Kraft, and performed by three different artists across the seasons: Larry Weiss, Steve Wariner, and Jonathan Wolff. Focusing on the theme of a fresh professional and personal start, the song won multiple BMI TV Music Awards. It opened with, "There is more to life than what you're living / So, take a chance and face the wind / An open road and a road that's hidden / A brand new life around the bend." A Redditor shared, "To this day, I cannot vacuum without thinking of the opening credits of 'Who's the Boss?'" while another user claimed they could still hear the song even on mute.

Centering on the eccentric night-shift employees of a New York cab company and their tyrannical, abusive dispatcher, "Taxi" featured an excellent ensemble cast. It starred Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, and Christopher Lloyd, among other iconic names. The intro's main visual, a yellow Checker cab driving across the Queensboro Bridge, remained the same throughout the show's run. It was paired with an existing jazz-fusion theme titled "Angela," which was originally intended for a guest character in the third episode. Composed and performed by Bob James, this relaxing, mellow tune was nominated for a Grammy Award for best instrumental composition.

Fans have noted that they could still listen to this music on repeat without ever getting tired of it. One YouTube user shared that it reminded them of their late brother, who used to whistle the melody while preparing meals. Another described it as "a tune that shrugged at life's sorrows," paired with a cast so relatable that viewers considered them friends.

Behind the scenes, the cast of "Married... With Children" suffered many tragedies, but the show persevered for 11 seasons and earned seven Primetime Emmy nominations. This bold sitcom centered on the dysfunctional Bundy family, featuring Ed O'Neill as the cynical, sexist, and miserable shoe salesperson Al; Katey Sagal as his lazy, stay-at-home wife, Peggy; Christina Applegate as their dim-witted, boy-crazy daughter, Kelly; and David Faustino as their sardonic, girl-crazy son, Bud. The opening sequence featured these characters (as well as their problematic neighbors) to the sound of a Frank Sinatra hit from 1955: "Love and Marriage."

Opening with, "Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage," this lighthearted song won the 1956 Emmy Award for best musical contribution after it was featured in the TV adaptation of the play "Our Town." The "Married... With Children" paired it with beautiful visuals of Chicago landmarks like the Buckingham Fountain alongside scenes from the show and recycled footage of the station wagon from the 1983 movie "National Lampoon's Vacation." Overall, this sitcom and its opening sequence were deemed a punch to the American dream and cheesy sitcoms with loving families.

The hit sitcom "Perfect Strangers" featured a talented cast that included Bronson Pinchot as Balki Bartokomous and Mark Linn-Baker as Larry Appleton. Hailing from the fictional Mediterranean island of Mypos, Balki moves to Chicago to embrace the American lifestyle and reconnect with his high-strung cousin, Larry. In the opening credits, we see Balki and Larry on separate travel journeys from their respective hometowns as well as clips of them together in the city. 

Composed by Jesse Frederick and Bennett Salvay and performed by David Pomeranz, the show's pop-rock theme, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now," remains one of the catchiest, most recognizable songs in the history of television. Featuring the lyrics, "Standing tall / On the wings of my dream / Rise and fall / On the wings of my dream," the chorus is considered a feel-good classic.

This sitcom and its upbeat intro have been honored in various shows, including "The Simpsons" and "Only Murders in the Building." Some fans remember the song every time they use a revolving door in a city, while others gush about the striking harmonica solo. "As a sensitive kid, this intro did numbers on me," a YouTube user wrote, "Felt like dancing ... and crying at the same time." "If this song wasn't the most uplifting one to getting through adversity, I don't know what was," a Redditor chimed.

Starring the late Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, and Estelle Getty, the hit '80s sitcom "The Golden Girls" remains a classic comfort sitcom — and you can still stream it on major platforms today. The plot revolved around four mature women living together in Miami as they navigated ageism, dating, health scares, and of course, friendly fire. The opening credits featured saturated shots of the city and various clips highlighting the ladies' closeness, from gossip sessions in the kitchen to heated arguments and affectionate hugs. Those images were paired with the timeless anthem, "Thank You for Being a Friend." Andrew Gold originally recorded the latter, which made the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, while Cynthia Fee beautifully performed the show's shortened version.

"The [number] of times that I've cried while listening to this theme song is honestly insane," a user shared on YouTube. For its part, Flavorwire dubbed this memorable rendition a "straightforward, lighthearted ode to a long and sturdy friendship."

It's no surprise that "Cheers" tops this curated selection of memorable intros from hit 1980s comedy series. Set in a Boston bar, it featured beloved sitcom star Shelley Long, who was later replaced by Kirstie Alley. It starred Ted Danson as bar owner Sam Malone, Rhea Perlman as sardonic waitress Carla Tortelli, and Kelsey Grammer as psychiatrist Frasier Crane. "Cheers" earned an impressive 28 Primetime Emmy Awards and spawned the even more decorated 1990s sitcom "Frasier." 

The opening sequence has been honored in shows like "The Simpsons" and "Friends." It essentially consisted of vintage images of patrons socializing and drinking, edited to the soft-rock song "Where Everybody Knows Your Name." Written by Judy Hart Angelo and Gary Portnoy and performed by the latter, this tune captured the community spirit of neighborhood taverns — a refuge from hardships. It's practically impossible not to sing along to the lyrics, "You wanna be where you can see / Our troubles are all the same / You wanna be where everybody knows your name."

This melancholic theme was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and won six consecutive ASCAP awards. It also made Rolling Stone's list of Greatest TV Theme Songs of All Time. For die-hard fans, it's very simple: Whether viewers like "Cheers" or not, they shouldn't skip the intro, but rather embrace this wave of comfort and nostalgia.

Here is how we determined and ranked the best opening credits of '80s sitcoms: First, we selected widely acclaimed shows that started airing or mostly aired in that decade. We also drew inspiration from fan opinions on blogs and platforms such as Reddit and YouTube. Then, we picked opening sequences that were both visually and musically relevant to the sitcoms' themes and main characters. Instrumental or not, every theme song on this list is catchy and still remembered fondly today. Finally, industry accolades helped tip the scales in one way or another.