Ranked: Doctor Who opening titles

13. Season 7 to Season 10

Used from the Third Doctor's debut in 'Spearhead from Space' to 'The Green Death', this title sequence is similar to its predecessors aside from in one aspect - it's in colour. Unfortunately, this is to the sequence's detriment, making it look far less mysterious and scary. The colours and effects are unimpressive and Third's eyes look strangely big and frightening. The theme song has an unusual stuttering effect until Season 9, which is kind of cool, but the repeat-to-fade introduced with this sequence gets annoying.
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12. Series 7b to the Anniversary Specials

This title sequence was used from 'The Snowmen' (which also introduced to us a fantastic console room and a nice new outfit for Eleventh) to 'The Day of the Doctor'. It was cobbled together at the last minute, with 'The Snowmen' originally going to have no title sequence at all - and it shows. It has the Doctor's face in it (probably its only plus) but the TARDIS doesn't look very convincing, its doors open the wrong way (sacrilege) and the visuals feel rather confused, making the sequence a bit of a mismatch of different themes. This rendition of the theme song is good, but the beeping and electrical sound effects are a nuisance.
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11. Season 4 to Season 6

This title sequence is used by the Second Doctor, from 'The Macra Terror' until the end of his run in 'The War Games'. These titles are a lot more active than its predecessor with new effects likely considered superior in its day but which aren't quite as eerie as the previous titles. The inclusion of the Second Doctor's face was a good idea, showing how the show was comfortable in Troughton's hands after the risky move of recasting the titular character. The effect used as the Doctor's face disappears is also visually pleasing.
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10. Season 1 to Season 4

The original title sequence, running from the First Doctor's 'An Unearthly Child' to the Second Doctor's 'The Moonbase'. It's a simple but effective sequence with a mysterious theme (which can hurt your ears) and eerie visuals. Unlike some of its successors, this title sequence has aged well and doesn't feel nearly as dated as the majority of them. This is a spooky opening that reflects well the enigma that is the Doctor.H

9. Season 23 to Season 26

The first opening to utilise computer animation, Sylvester McCoy's title sequence was used from his debut in 'Time and the Rani' until the final episode of the classic series 'Survival'. It's probably the most dated of them all, with the asteroids looking particularly bad, but as it was McCoy that got me into the show it has a special place in my heart.

8. Season 12 to Season 17

The longest running title sequence to date, this opening was used from the Fourth Doctor's debut in 'Robot' to 'The Horns of Nimon'. This was the first to feature the TARDIS (and the last to do so until Sylvester McCoy's opening) but is otherwise very similar to its predecessor. Instead of a full-body shot of Jon Pertwee going down the time vortex, it's a slightly less cool profile shot of Tom Baker that fades into the vortex.

7. Season 11

A significant departure from all previous titles, this sequence was used from 'The Time Warrior' to the Third Doctor's end in 'Planet of the Spiders'. This is the first to use a tunnel effect for the time vortex, which would go on to evolve and develop to become a distinctive part of the modern series. It also introduces the diamond Doctor Who logo. Rather than a simple picture of Jon Pertwee's head appearing, it starts with a close-up of his face which is revealed to be a full-length image of the Doctor, disappearing into the time vortex.

6. Series 8 to Series 10

A massive change from the modern series' titles, this sequence was used from the Twelfth Doctor's first story 'Deep Breath'. Rather than showing the TARDIS travelling through space or the time vortex, it is instead a more abstract idea, with a tunnel with Roman numerals and whirling planets and turning cogs. Instead of featuring the Twelfth Doctor's face, it's instead just his eyebrows, as a call-back to his teasing first appearance in 'The Day of the Doctor'. Having Nick Frost's name after the title appears in 'Last Christmas' was daft, as series 10 proved that there was enough room for three actors to be credited, and the music frequently being out of sync with the visuals can be quite distracting.

5. Season 18 to Season 21

This title sequence was used from the Fourth Doctor story 'The Leisure Hive' until the Fifth Doctor's final story 'The Caves of Androzani'. 

4. The Movie

Appearing only once, this title sequence was used for the Movie, starring the Eighth Doctor.

3. Series 5 to Series 7a

With the departure of David Tennant and Russell T. Davies from the show, Doctor Who had a soft reboot with a new Doctor, new console room, new screwdriver, new companion and a new title sequence, used from 'The Eleventh Hour' to 'The Angels Take Manhattan'.

2. Season 21 to Season 22

Sharing a lot in common with its predecessor, this title sequence was used for the Sixth Doctor from his first appearance in 'The Twin Dilemma' until his last in 'The Ultimate Foe'.

1. Series 1 to the Specials

The first opening titles of the new series, this sequence was used from the Ninth Doctor's 'Rose' until the Tenth Doctor's departure in 'The End of Time'.