The 2000s was a decade filled with many beloved animated shows. Through the development of technology, CGI and animation improved, and an abundance of animated series were produced during the decade, gathering fans from different niches and age groups. Cartoons dominated the scene, covering multiple genres, including adventure, comedy, and drama.
Instead of existing in their own universe, these cartoons became more reflective of sub-genres of music to display each protagonist's personality and set the show's overall theme. Due to their popularity, R&B and hip-hop were often used in intros, especially in the early 2000s. With the improvement of technology, animation gradually became crisper, allowing better resolution for the opening credits and overall show.
8 Jimmy Neutron's Opening Credits Are Full Of Adventure
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius was one of the staple cartoons of the decade. Brian Causey performed and wrote the rock anthem intro for the show's three-season run. Starting with a count-down, the opening credits grab viewers' attention as Jimmy and his friends encounter bizarre situations
In addition to the lyrics explaining how Jimmy's brilliance often causes him to go on wild adventures, there are voice-over screams from various characters. The opening credits are the same for Seasons 1 and 2 but contain different scenes for the third season's intro. Although the theme is Causey's original work, it was covered by Bowling for Soup for the 2001 film, which preceded the series.
7 The Venture Bros. Masterfully Plays With Shadows To Set The Tone
Despite The Venture Bros. airing for seven seasons on Adult Swim, it is not as widely known as it should be. Following critical acclaim, the series was canceled in 2020, but an HBO Max and Adult Swim film is set to cap off the series, which is sure to make fans happy.
In addition to the opening theme, JG Thirwell composed many pieces for the show's soundtrack. Unlike the majority of cartoons, the intro has no lyrics, just a melody of eerie jazz that becomes offbeat and messy as the tune progresses. The music reflects the strange and hilarious adventures of the Venture family and their comrades.
6 Kim Possible's Iconic Bop Continues To Be The Best Of The Decade
Focusing on a teen living a double life as a spy, Kim Possible was the second animated series created for the Disney Channel. As far as animated series go, this adventure series and its opening theme were edgy for their time. As Kim, Ron, and Roofus fight crime, the iconic and endlessly catchy intro "Call Me, Beep Me" plays.
Sung by actor and singer Christina Milian, the theme evokes teen life, drama, and adventure. The bop reflects many of the decade's notable genres, including R&B and hip-hop. Additionally, the sequence features the show's most prominent villains, like fan-favorite Shego. Of course, today's younger viewers may need to be told what a beeper is for the song to make sense.
5 Ben 10 Uses Classic Eerie Sci-Fi Music
Ben 10 is an Emmy-nominated animated series. The idea of the Omnitrix changing Ben into various monsters captivated fans, and the opening credits instantly caught viewers' attention. Eerie music closely related to the sci-fi genre plays as the opening sequence zooms out of space and follows Ben's abilities.
Written by Andy Sturmer and performed by Mz. Moxy, this intro played at the start of every episode, and an instrumental version plays over the outro. The lyrics explain how Ben got his powers as he morphs into all the aliens he is capable of. Brief but exciting scenes from the different episodes were integrated into the opening credits.
4 The Fairly OddParents Has An Exciting Opening That Hints At The Episode's Content
The Fairly OddParents colorful theme song played throughout the cartoon's ten seasons, though, during the three-episode cross-over with Jimmy Neutron, a medley of both opening themes is used. Additionally, during Season 10, "Chloe's Theme Song" was often added into the animated intro to introduce Chloe Carmichael, a new character.
Timmy Turner's grim school life, scary babysitter, magical fairy godparents, and negligent parents are mentioned lyrically and appear on the screen. Some fans might not have noticed that at the end of the opening credits, Vicky the babysitter's head changes into something different, foreshadowing the events of the episode.
3 What's New, Scooby-Doo? Puts A Modern Spin On The Franchise
After some time off the screen, the beloved Mystery Inc. crew returned in What's New, Scooby-Doo?. Unlike its past renditions, this series was better adapted to the 21st Century through its incorporation of modern technology.
Reflecting the hits of the decade, Canadian pop-punk band Simple Plan performed the theme song for the series. During the intro, as the Scooby Gang faces off against different monsters, that band's early '00s sound keeps toes tapping. A cover of the song by Anarbor was featured in Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins.
2 Phineas And Ferb Was A Source Of Major Hits
Not only did Phineas and Ferb have a spectacular intro, but the series created many musical hits, with the cartoon's songs living on in fans' memories. The lyrics for the show's theme song, "Today is Gonna Be a Great Day," were written by the show's creators and the song itself was performed by Bowling for Soup.
Aside from being catchy, the theme song masterfully explains the plot. Through voiceovers, the intro also establishes the dynamic between Phineas, Ferb, and their older sister Candance. The lyrics and animation foreshadow the brothers' adventure by mentioning Mummies and the Eiffel Tower. "Today is Gonna Be a Great Day" wasn't just a hit with fans, the song was nominated for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music at the Emmys in 2008.
1 The Proud Family's Catchy R&B Intro Teaches Fans The Importance Of Family
The century's first original Disney Channel cartoon was The Proud Family. Not only did this animated series pave the way for other shows on the network, but its loyal following inspired a spin-off. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder and its predecessor are now streaming on Disney+. Both series have managed to incorporate pop culture and reflect their respective times.
The theme song for the original series was a collaboration between Solange and Destiny's Child, some of the decade's biggest R&B artists. Fans saw how the Proud Family stuck together in the opening credits through a series of household mishaps. All the major characters appear through the heartfelt and humorous sequence, including Penny's closest friends.