Ever since the advent of streaming, one of the many features that streaming sites have innovated is the “Skip Intro” option. If you’re an avid binge-watcher of your favorite series, you’ve probably used it multiple times after hearing the theme song once.
Opening themes rarely make us stay and watch the opening credits; but when we do hear them, they’re definite earworms that stick with us. So if you’re looking for unskippable theme songs, then HBO Go powered by PLDT Home is your go-to streaming site, with an abundance of show intros that we don’t dare skip. Check out some of our favorites!
Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon
Epic shows deserve epic opening themes. Ramin Djawadi, the shows’ main composer, definitely delivered that and more with the iconic theme songs of Game of Thrones and its prequel House of the Dragon. Instead of the usual violins and flutes pervasive in the fantasy genre themes, Djawadi utilized the cello as the lead instrument–a specific instruction from GOT showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benoiff, who wanted the show’s theme to “sound modern.” For his composition work on Game of Thrones, Djawadi received three Grammy Awards nominations and two Emmy Awards wins. Relive the epic moments of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon on HBO Go, powered by PLDT Home.
Friends
So no one told you life was gonna be this waaaaay~ If you’ve sang and clapped along to this song’s opening line, you’ve never skipped this intro either. I’ll Be There for You was co-written by Friends series producers David Crane and Marta Kauffman, along with composer Michael Skloff and songwriter Allee Willis–and it has stood the test of time. Who knew that a fountain, a couch, and a group of friends having fun was all you needed for one of the most iconic TV show themes of all time? Go back in time with Friends: The Reunion, exclusively available on HBO Go.
Succession
More than its gripping storyline and award-winning performances, Succession’s theme garners talkability–it’s had multiple online news pieces trying to explain its the musical nuances and launched countless memes of why it’s a banger. Nicholas Britell’s melancholic but magnetic use of the piano sets the tone for each episode, as each member of the Roy family charismatically deals with the drama involved when business and family clash. Britell also won the Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2019, and was nominated for three consecutive years thereafter. Stream the highly acclaimed HBO Original Series on HBO Go.
The White Lotus
Mike White, the series’ creator, had one request for Cristobal Tapia De Veer, who composed the show’s theme music: “An energy bubbling all the time under the surface…like there’s going to be a sacrifice at some point”. De Veer definitely delivered on what he describes as “Hawaiian Hitchcock” for the HBO Original’s first season, combining the relaxed vibe of tropical sounds with haunting undertones–telling of what’s to come. This chilling theme eventually won the Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2022. Watch The White Lotus only on HBO Go.
Opening themes from HBO Go shows just hit different
If you enjoyed this list, make sure to check out HBO Go, powered by PLDT Home, for your dose of Hollywood blockbusters, HBO Originals, and kids’ shows! Upgrade your internet to PLDT Home’s Fiber Plus Plans and experience speeds of up to +1000mbps to stream more titles with unskippable theme songs and enjoy #EntertainmentMadeBetter.
With additional reporting from Karess Rubrico