Top 11 Animated TV Show Theme Songs

By CJ Tiernan

The song that kicks off an animated show is often the baited hook that brings you into the episode. Back in the day of live television, a show would attempt to ensnare you (or in this case: an unsuspecting child) immediately after whatever previous show you just watched so you didn't change the channel. They come on loud and strong and typically offer an extremely abbreviated sense of the plot and/or characters. I love the energy of a TV show theme song. Below is a list of my 11 favorite TV show theme songs for animated shows that I've ever heard.

1. Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015, 2025-?)

"Today is Gonna Be a Great Day" by Bowling for Soup is the theme song for Phineas and Ferb. It not only perfectly encapsulates the joy of summer vacation and months without school, it also maintains the comedy of the show. The title sequence ends with Candice shouting "Mom! Phineas and Ferb are making a title sequence!" which establishes the meta vibe of the show at the top of every half hour.

2. SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-?)

This theme song conjures the quality of a sea shanty, utilizing call and response. It perfectly warns the audience of the oddities ahead. The animation styling choice of starting with an animated photo of a pirate with live-action lips is disturbing and delightful and advertises the choppy seas ahead.

3. DuckTales (1987-1990)

Rosnicka132, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

This theme song again paints the scene for possible plot points. The 2 big takeaways are 1: I, too, would like a vault of gold coins so that I may put on my old-timey bathing suit and dive into money. And 2: the "Woo-oo" is so catchy. Go on, try it. I'll wait. "Woo-oo!"

4. Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (1989-1990)

The "Rescue Rangers Theme" is so great I can't believe it didn't find a home on the pop charts in the late 1980s. "Ch-ch-ch-Chip 'n Dale, Rescue Rangers!" is eminently re-singable. The verses help paint the picture of both Chip and Dale as members of a detective agency, but I just want to sing along and get up and boogie.

5. Doug (1991-1999)

The Doug theme song! Just those words conjure up the little ditty in your head. Cmon, you know the one even before clicking on the link. There are not really any real words, it's just a real catchy tune you can't shake. The opening also showcases the main characters and the imagination of Doug Funnie by turning a single line into a litany of different things.

6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987-1996)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is such a rocking theme song. In addition to awesome lines like "heroes in a half shell, turtle power" it actually straight-up gives the personality of each ninja turtle in the tightest of blurbs. "Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines (That's a fact, jack!), Raphael is cool but rude, Michelangelo is a party dude!" A neat little summation of their vibe (I was a Leonardo guy as kid, by the way).

7. Inspector Gadget (1982-1986)

The Inspector Gadget Theme is one of the most iconic theme songs ever. Each and every time a glockenspiel makes an appearance in a theme song, you can't help but stand up and take notice. The opening sequence helps paint the picture of Inspector Gadget as a bit of bumbling detective with a bunch of, you know, gadgets. However, the music tells you that even if the main character isn't cool, the show is. When I was a kid, I used to wake up before everyone else in my house and watch reruns of this show. It's so great.

8. Pinky and the Brain (1995-1998)

"Gee, Brain, what do you wanna do tonight?" asks Pinky. Brain responds ominously, "The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world!" Following two lab mice as they take over the world has never been so fun. The theme song walks you through their personalities (as if their names didn't hint at that for you). I love the ending. "They're Pinky, they're Pinky and the Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain...Narf!"

9. Dilbert (1999-2000)

The theme song for Dilbert, "The Dilbert Zone," is a weird song for a weird show. The instrument that plays at the beginning sounds like if you rubbed the straw back and forth again and again inside a fast food cup. It was created by Danny Elfman, as many good (and weird) things are. The show was based on the comic strip and had some fun voice talents like Daniel Stern, Larry Miller, and Chris Elliott.

10. Animaniacs (1993-1998)

Of all the loud and in your face songs to kick off a cartoon episode, this might be the loudest and brashest. The Animaniacs theme song features the main characters, The Warner Siblings (Yakko, Wakko, Dot), singing about themselves and the show. They helpfully reveal, among other things, that they are "zany to the max." Also, Bill Clinton plays the sax so you know you're in for '90s celebrity caricatures.

11. Rocko's Modern Life (1993-1996)

This theme song is a hoot! After season 1, the song was performed by The B-52s (of "Rock Lobster" fame). The opening gives you a great sense of the animation and the weird vibes associated with this show. It was another show whose reruns I would enjoy early in the morning before shipping off to Elementary School. I highly recommend a dose of weirdness in the morning ("we're all mad down here").

Final Thoughts

As someone born in the late '80s, you can see my sensibilities for animated shows largely linger in the era in which I was a child. I will not apologize for that. There are so many great animated show theme songs that I left off my list. The Simpsons is a classic. So is Scooby-Doo Where Are You! These are the ones that just missed my list. If I missed one of your faves, please let me know in the comments below. Thanks!