Bien avant que le streaming ne conduise le public à regarder des séries entières en un seul week-end, il y avait tout simplement le bonheur de regarder la télévision aux heures de grande écoute - et les favoris des fans tels que "The West Wing" et "The Sopranos" gardaient les fans collés à leurs canapés semaine après semaine, année après année, pour savoir ce qui allait se passer ensuite. Certaines émissions étaient si bonnes que les fans achetaient des coffrets TV sur VHS ou DVD pour les regarder encore et encore afin de revivre le drame ou de se prélasser dans les rires.
Maintenant que nous avons une multitude de services de streaming à portée de main et que nous pouvons regarder la télévision n'importe quand, n'importe où, le contenu est devenu encore plus riche et plus diversifié, ce qui plaît à la fois aux fans et aux critiques.
Pour célébrer l'histoire de la grande télévision, Stacker a compilé cette liste basée sur les données des 100 meilleures émissions de télévision de tous les temps, à l'aide d'IMDb. Les émissions ont été classées par les notes des utilisateurs IMDb, les égalités étant rompues par le nombre de votes. Pour cette liste, une série devait avoir au moins 50 000 votes.
Lisez la suite pour voir comment les 100 secouent, rafraîchissent votre mémoire de culture pop, vous rappellent une frénésie épique ou s'ajoutent à votre liste de surveillance. Mais faites-le avec prudence, cette liste contient des spoilers.
1 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,2
- Années d'antenne :2019 à aujourd'hui
"The Witcher", la populaire série fantastique de Netflix, suit le chasseur de monstres Geralt de Riv (Henry Cavill) et son destin lié à la princesse Ciri (Freya Allan). Basée sur les romans de l'auteur polonais Andrzej Sapkowski, la première saison de huit épisodes a satisfait les fans de dark fantasy (et les fans du jeu vidéo de rôle de 2007) et a généré une forte audience, même si la performance louable de Cavill n'a pas surmonté sa réception critique la plupart du temps moyenne. L'émission a remporté plusieurs nominations aux Saturn Awards, dont celle du meilleur acteur à la télévision pour Cavill.
2 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,3
- Années d'antenne :2015-2018
Bien que Netflix ait annulé son drame de science-fiction "Sense8" après la deuxième saison, les fans et les critiques ont loué ses visuels saisissants et sa représentation thématique/personnage LGBTQ+. Huit étrangers se retrouvent psychiquement connectés pour des raisons inconnues et combattent à la fois ce mystère et leurs chasseurs, l'Organisation de préservation biologique, qui, toujours de manière pertinente, méprise les différences de la race sensate. Le spectacle a également été nominé pour un Primetime Emmy pour la cinématographie.
3 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,3
- Années d'antenne :2007-2014
La notion de l'écrivain alcoolique et promiscuité déchiré et ballotté entre son ego, ses compétences paternelles douteuses et sa carrière naissante est bien rodée. Mais "Californication" de Tom Kapinos amène les téléspectateurs de manière addictive dans Los Angeles teintée de rock 'n' roll pour tous les travaux et réalisations de Hank Moody. La série a duré sept saisons et a valu à David Duchovny le Golden Globe du meilleur acteur. L'émission a également reçu plusieurs nominations aux Emmy Awards et aux Golden Globe Awards.
4 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,3
- Années d'antenne :2021 à aujourd'hui
"Loki" est une série Marvel de 2021 créée par Michael Waldron pour Disney+ qui reprend là où le film de 2019 "Avengers :Endgame" s'arrête. L'émission présente Tom Hiddleston reprenant son rôle de personnage principal. De plus, l'émission a brisé les barrières lorsque la star de Marvel s'est révélée faire partie de la communauté LGBTQ+.
5 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,3
- Années d'antenne :2001-2010
Le drame médical / sitcom de Bill Lawrence "Scrubs" a duré neuf saisons sur une décennie. Il suit et est raconté par JD (Zach Braff), alors qu'il navigue dans sa carrière hospitalière et sa vie romantique aux côtés de son meilleur ami Turk (Donald Faison), de son partenaire/ami Elliot (Sarah Chalke) et du intimidant, condescendant, le Dr Cox (John C. McGinley). Largement salué par les critiques et les fans au cours de ses premières saisons, le "Scrubs", souvent comique et parfois profondément émotionnel, était l'un des principaux produits de réseau les plus appréciés des années 2000. De plus, "Scrubs" a reçu 17 nominations aux Emmy.
6 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,3
- Années d'antenne :2011-2020
Le thriller d'espionnage de Showtime "Homeland" a duré huit saisons. L'émission dirigée par Claire Danes a reçu des éloges quasi universels tout au long de sa diffusion, en particulier au cours de ses deux premières années (Best Drama Golden Globe pour les deux). "Homeland" emmène son public dans le monde très risqué et compliqué de l'agent de la CIA Carrie Mathison, de sa vie privée, des opérations professionnelles secrètes au Moyen-Orient et de toutes les conséquences et sous-entendus du contre-terrorisme du XXIe siècle. Le spectacle a reçu 40 nominations aux Emmy Awards, en remportant huit.
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,3
- Années d'antenne :2004-2010
Même les non-spectateurs de "Lost" n'ont pas pu échapper au récit répandu et à la fascination de son énorme base de fans. Le hit surnaturel / science-fiction s'est déroulé du milieu des années 2000 à 2010 pendant six saisons, alors que les téléspectateurs reconstituaient ce qui était arrivé aux survivants d'un accident d'avion sur l'île. "Lost" a été nominé pour des centaines de prix, dont le meilleur drame Emmy pour sa première saison. L'émission a également remporté un Golden Globe pour sa deuxième saison et est en partie responsable de l'enflammement de J.J. La carrière d'Abrams et inspirant une série d'émissions narratives non linéaires.
10 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2015-2018
L'original de Starz "Ash vs Evil Dead" a été diffusé pendant trois saisons et s'est attaqué avec succès au genre ultra-spécifique de la comédie d'horreur. Se déroulant des décennies après la trilogie "Evil Dead", la série voit Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) réapparaître pour défendre l'humanité. Les fans et les critiques ont apprécié sa fidélité au matériel original, ses personnages et sa combinaison bien exécutée d'humour et d'action. Pour son rôle dans la série, Campbell a remporté le trophée du meilleur acteur à la télévision aux Saturn Awards en 2016.
1
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2016 à aujourd'hui
Ce drame de Showtime oppose le gestionnaire de fonds spéculatifs milliardaire Bobby (Damian Lewis) au procureur américain du district sud de New York (Paul Giamatti). Le premier est vaguement basé sur Steven A. Cohen et le second sur Preet Bharara, alors que le monde de la culture et de la finance de New York est exploré à travers le délit d'initié, la corruption, les relations, les affaires et bien sûr le pouvoir. Le spectacle a été nominé pour plusieurs prix. Parmi ses distinctions figurent celles des GLAAD Media Awards et des Satellite Awards.
13 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2016 à aujourd'hui
Cette série d'anthologies acclamée de Ryan Murphy raconte les histoires de crimes américains célèbres. La première saison, qui a été nominée pour 22 Emmy Awards, s'est attaquée à l'O.J. Cas Simpson, avec Cuba Gooding, Jr. prenant le rôle de "The Juice" lui-même.
Les critiques ont loué sa performance aux côtés de celles de ses collègues membres de la distribution, notamment John Travolta, Courtney B. Vance et David Schwimmer. La deuxième saison, qui se concentrait sur le meurtre de Gianni Versace, n'avait pas le pouvoir vedette de la sortie initiale de la série, mais a tout de même reçu des critiques favorables dans l'ensemble. La troisième saison "Impeachment", s'est concentrée sur le scandale entre l'ancien président Bill Clinton et Monica Lewinsky (qui a produit). Le spectacle a remporté une multitude de récompenses, dont les Golden Globe Awards et les Screen Actors Guild Awards. De plus, la première saison de l'émission a remporté à elle seule 22 nominations aux Primetime Emmy Awards, dont neuf.
14 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2013-2018
Cette émission FX populaire, qui se déroule pendant la guerre froide, met en vedette Keri Russell et Matthew Rhys. Dans ce document, les acteurs décrivent deux agents infiltrés du KGB vivant avec leurs enfants près de Washington, D.C. Dès le départ, les critiques ont loué le concept convaincant de la série et ses intrigues passionnantes, et la série a continué à recevoir des critiques élogieuses tout au long de sa sixième et dernière saison. De plus, la série a reçu 18 nominations aux Emmy Awards, dont quatre.
15 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2013-2016
D'Alan Ball, le créateur de "True Blood", est venu un spectacle qui était tout aussi lourd sur les scènes pour adultes et la violence, mais sans les éléments surnaturels de son tube HBO. "Banshee" raconte les relations sinueuses d'un ex-détenu qui assume l'identité du nouveau shérif d'une petite ville. Les critiques, cependant, étaient divisées sur le spectacle. Certains l'ont trouvé trop sinistre et absurde pour être recommandé, tandis que d'autres l'ont recommandé précisément pour ces qualités. Malgré tout, le spectacle a remporté l'Emmy pour les effets visuels spéciaux exceptionnels dans un second rôle en 2013.
16 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2012-2014
"The Legend of Korra" est la suite de Bryan Konietzko et Michael Dante DiMartino à "Avatar:The Last Airbender". Le spectacle suit la protagoniste féminine titulaire alors qu'elle navigue dans son univers complexe qui s'est trouvé en conflit. La série animée de quatre saisons a été saluée pour sa production, son écriture et, en ce qui concerne son public jeune, son ambition thématique. Parmi les cinq nominations aux Daytime Emmy, l'émission en a remporté une.
18 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2004-2011
Ce plaisir coupable de HBO suit la carrière de Vincent Chase, un acteur du Queens qui emmène avec lui une équipe d'amis de l'ancien quartier pour son trajet vers la célébrité hollywoodienne. Les critiques ont apprécié la représentation par Jeremy Piven de l'agent visqueux d'Hollywood de Vince, mais ont critiqué les personnages et les intrigues superficiels, tandis que le public était heureux de vivre par procuration dans le monde hédoniste de Chase. Un film de 2015 qui a résolu certains détails de la série a suscité de mauvaises critiques et a sous-performé au box-office. Après sept ans de diffusion, l'émission a reçu 26 nominations et remporté six prix.
19 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2011-2016
Comme plusieurs émissions de cette liste, la première saison de "Person of Interest" a reçu une réponse mitigée de la part des critiques pour son développement peu profond du personnage, tandis que les saisons suivantes semblaient remédier au problème. L'histoire voit un ancien agent de la CIA et un scientifique faire équipe pour tenter de prévenir les crimes avant qu'ils ne se produisent. Le créateur de la série, Jonathan Nolan, est le frère du réalisateur Christopher Nolan. En 2012, l'émission a reçu une nomination aux Emmy pour le meilleur mixage sonore pour une série comique ou dramatique (une heure).
20 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2017 à aujourd'hui
Basé sur le roman dystopique de Margaret Atwood, ce spectacle acclamé de Hulu met en vedette Elisabeth Moss en tant que femme luttant pour la liberté dans une version misogyne de réalité alternative de l'Amérique qui a été prise en charge par des extrémistes religieux. Beaucoup plus de succès critique et commercial que le long métrage malheureux de 1990 du même nom, "The Handmaid's Tale" a reçu des éloges de la critique et une traction suffisante dans l'air du temps pour justifier une parodie de "Saturday Night Live".
21 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :1999-2013
L'émission animée de Fox du créateur de "The Simpsons", Matt Groening, suit les aventures d'une équipe de livraison interplanétaire, parodiant des films et des émissions de télévision de tous les coins de la science-fiction en cours de route. Bien qu'il n'ait jamais atteint le niveau de popularité de "The Simpsons", le spectacle a reçu des éloges critiques presque universels, avec 14 nominations aux Emmy Awards et six victoires au cours de sa course. Parmi eux figurait le prix du programme d'animation exceptionnel, pour lequel le spectacle a remporté l'Emmy à plusieurs reprises.
22 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2008-2013
La même équipe derrière le redémarrage de "Star Trek" sur grand écran en 2009, J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman et Roberto Orci ont lancé cette émission Fox sur une équipe du FBI basée à Boston qui explore les mystères liés à l'existence d'univers parallèles. Bien qu'il n'ait pas tout à fait réussi à saisir l'air du temps au degré du hit précédent d'Abrams, "Lost", le spectacle a reçu des critiques positives qui se sont améliorées à chaque saison suivante. De plus, la série a remporté deux nominations aux Emmy Awards.
24 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2011 à aujourd'hui
Un avocat réputé de Manhattan engage un talentueux décrocheur universitaire malgré son absence de diplôme en droit, forgeant un secret entre eux. Alors que certains critiques ont rejeté l'émission comme étant inessentielle, d'autres ont trouvé le dialogue pointu et la chimie principale suffisants pour donner à cette émission un avantage dans le genre dramatique juridique bondé. La star Meghan Markle deviendrait célèbre en épousant le prince britannique Harry en mai 2018. L'émission a produit un spin-off de Jessica Pearson, intitulé "Pearson", qui a été annulé après une seule saison en 2019.
25 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2009-2020
Applaudi par la critique pour son écriture fraîche et ses personnages éclectiques, "Modern Family" ajoute des seconds mariages, des relations homosexuelles et de grands écarts d'âge entre les partenaires pour bousculer l'ancienne formule de sitcom de la famille nucléaire. Le spectacle a remporté des Emmy Awards et six Writers Guild of America Awards.
26 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,4
- Années d'antenne :2005-2020
Débutant sur The WB (et poursuivant sa course sur The CW lorsque le réseau a changé de nom), cette série de science-fiction / horreur suit une paire de frères justiciers traquant diverses entités surnaturelles. Il a conclu sa diffusion en 2020 et se présente comme l'émission la plus ancienne de CW et la série fantastique d'action en direct la plus longue de tous les temps.
28 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2010-2015
Écrit, réalisé, créé, édité et produit par le comédien Louis C.K., qui a également joué, ce spectacle a constamment renversé les attentes de la télévision en tant que format. Le ton oscillait de manière imprévisible entre drôle et sérieux, le style visuel et de montage variait énormément entre les épisodes, et le spectacle se jouait rapidement et librement avec continuité. L'émission a remporté trois de ses 22 nominations aux Emmy Awards, dont le trophée du meilleur casting pour une série comique.
30/100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2014-2019
Créée par Mike Judge ("Beavis et Butthead", "Office Space"), cette comédie de HBO raconte la montée en puissance d'une startup logicielle et composée de programmeurs geek. Les critiques et les fans ont annoncé l'écriture de blagues fortes et une performance exceptionnelle de T.J. Miller dans le rôle d'Erlich, le mentor commercial le plus odieux au monde. Bien que des difficultés sur le plateau aient conduit au départ de Miller de la série à la fin de la quatrième saison, la série a continué à attirer des critiques unanimement positives jusqu'à sa finale; il a terminé sa diffusion sur HBO en 2019. L'émission a remporté deux de ses 41 nominations aux Emmy Awards au cours de ses cinq années.
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2010-2014
Ce drame policier mettait en vedette Steve Buscemi en tant que chef de la mafia d'Atlantic City à l'époque de la prohibition. Bien qu'il ne s'agisse pas d'un succès au même niveau que la série mafieuse contemporaine de HBO "The Sopranos", l'émission a reçu des critiques positives. De plus, il a remporté 20 Primetime Emmy Awards au cours de sa course, ainsi qu'un Golden Globe pour la meilleure série télévisée dramatique en 2011.
33/100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2017-2019
Jon Bernthal ("The Walking Dead") joue un super-héros justicier dont la quête de vengeance le met face à face avec la pègre de New York. Les critiques ont trouvé que la première saison était un démarrage lent, mais les fans de Marvel avides de plus de contenu entre les films étaient prêts à monter à bord. Le spectacle a été nominé pour un Emmy Award pour la coordination exceptionnelle des cascades pour une série dramatique, une série limitée ou un film en 2018.
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2011-2021
Remake d'une série britannique, cette comédie dramatique de Showtime aborde les luttes d'une famille de Chicago dirigée par un patriarche impassible (William H. Macy) dont les seules préoccupations sont de savoir quel sera son prochain plan et d'où viendra sa prochaine bière. Bien que certains critiques aient initialement pensé que Macy était mal choisi, il a remporté trois prix de la Screen Actors Guild pour sa performance dans le rôle. La neuvième saison de l'émission en a fait l'émission Showtime la plus ancienne de l'histoire du réseau. Emmy Rossum, qui joue la fille aînée de Macy, Fiona, n'est pas revenue en tant que régulière pour la 10e saison, et le spectacle s'est terminé avec sa 11e et dernière saison en 2021. Au cours de la décennie de l'émission, "Shameless" a remporté quatre de ses 16 nominations aux Emmy Awards.
35 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2010-2013
Steven S. DeKnight, qui a ensuite développé «Daredevil» sur Netflix et «Pacific Rim:Uprising», a créé le spectacle Starz basé sur le gladiateur historique Spartacus. Mettant initialement en vedette Andy Whitfield en tant que personnage principal, la série se concentre sur le soulèvement des esclaves engendré par Spartacus. En 2004, l'émission a reçu une nomination aux Emmy pour le meilleur montage sonore pour une mini-série, un film ou un spécial. Whitfield est décédé d'un lymphome non hodgkinien en 2011 et Liam McIntyre l'a remplacé dans le rôle principal.
36 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2009-2015
Joel McHale joue un avocat radié du barreau pour avoir menti sur ses diplômes universitaires et contraint de fréquenter un collège communautaire afin de reprendre sa carrière dans ce favori de NBC. Il rejoint un groupe d'étude pour la classe d'espagnol qui compose le casting de l'émission, avec Ken Jeong parfaitement casté jouant leur professeur d'espagnol. En plus d'aider à lancer la carrière de Donald Glover, l'émission mettait en vedette Chevy Chase dans un rôle de soutien. La querelle publique de Chase avec les scénaristes et les producteurs de l'émission a reçu une couverture médiatique importante vers la fin de la série. "Community" a remporté trois nominations aux Emmy Awards au cours de sa course, y compris une offre pour l'écriture exceptionnelle pour une série comique.
37 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2013-2015
Basé sur les romans de Thomas Harris "Red Dragon" et "Hannibal", ce spectacle voit Mads Mikkelsen entrer dans le rôle du brillant psychologue médico-légal / tueur en série cannibale Hannibal Lecter (précédemment interprété par Anthony Hopkins et Brian Cox dans des adaptations cinématographiques des romans de Harris) . Hugh Dancy joue son protégé, un profileur qui ignore la double vie secrète de son mentor. L'émission a employé José Andrés, un éminent restaurateur, pour servir de consultant afin de s'assurer que la préparation culinaire de la chair humaine de Lecter était réaliste. Au cours de sa course, "Hannibal" a reçu une nomination aux Emmy Awards pour les effets visuels spéciaux exceptionnels dans un second rôle en 2016.
38 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2008-2014
Ce drame policier FX tournait autour d'un gang de motards basé en Californie centrale. Les critiques ont apprécié la granularité sans compromis du spectacle et la force de la distribution d'ensemble, qui comprenait Ron Perlman, Charlie Hunnam et Katey Sagal. Par souci d'authenticité, les producteurs ont même choisi Angel David Labrava d'Oakland Hell pour jouer l'un des membres du gang de motards, en plus de son rôle de consultant pour l'émission. "Sons of Anarchy" a remporté cinq nominations aux Emmy Awards au cours de sa course de six ans.
39 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,5
- Années d'antenne :2015-2019
Ce succès surprise de USA Network raconte l'histoire d'un hacker nommé Elliot (Rami Malek) souffrant de trouble d'anxiété sociale, de dépression clinique et, à son insu pendant la majeure partie de la première saison, d'une double personnalité (trouble dissociatif de l'identité). Christian Slater joue son alter ego Tyler Durden-esque avec un aplomb à mâcher des paysages. Après quatre ans de diffusion, l'émission a reçu 13 nominations aux Emmy Awards, dont trois.
40 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,6
- Années d'antenne :2006-2011
Après avoir adapté le livre de non-fiction "Friday Night Lights" dans un film de 2004, le cinéaste Peter Berg a porté cette histoire sur le petit écran. Se concentrant sur une équipe de football de lycée dans une petite ville du Texas, la série a abordé un certain nombre de problèmes de société américains contemporains. Le spectacle a également accéléré la carrière des acteurs Kyle Chandler, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons et Michael B. Jordan. "Friday Night Lights" a également reçu 12 nominations aux Emmy Awards, dont trois.
41 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,6
- Années d'antenne :2010-2018
This Cartoon Network show follows the adventures of a boy and his best friend, a talking dog who can change his size and shape at will, in a mystical and magical realm. While the premise may sound familiar, the show’s sweet but strange tone sets it apart. Creator Pendleton Ward has acknowledged influences as far-ranging as “Dungeons and Dragons,” “Beavis and Butthead,” and “Ren and Stimpy.” Another unusual aspect of the show is its approach to voice casting. While many animated shows employ adult actors for their child characters, “Adventure Time” cast an actual child actor (Jeremy Shada) to voice the character of Finn. As such, Finn’s voice deepened through the show’s run, as Shada progressed through puberty. The beloved animated series received 15 Emmy Awards nominations, winning eight trophies in total.
42 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2010–2015
This FX show saw Timothy Olyphant, who played the sheriff on HBO’s “Deadwood,” portraying Raylan Givens, a maverick U.S. marshal who returns to his hometown in Kentucky to take on the criminal element there. The character of Givens is adapted from an Elmore Leonard short story. Critics praised Olyphant’s performance and the show’s seedy worldbuilding. The show brought home two of the eight Emmy Awards nominations it received during its five-year run.
43 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,6
- Années d'antenne :2004–2006
Series creator David Milch initially tried to pitch HBO a show set during the Roman period. But when it turned out the network already had such a show in the works (“Rome”), Milch reworked the concept to a Western frontier town setting. The show features poetic, almost Shakespearean dialogue, and standout performances from Timothy Olyphant as Deadwood’s sheriff and Ian McShane as a brothel owner. Its relatively short run left fans clamoring for more, and finally, they received a long-discussed "Deadwood" movie in May 2019. The "Deadwood" series won eight of its 28 Emmy Awards nominations and one Golden Globe.
44 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2012–2014
Aaron Sorkin (“The West Wing,” “The Social Network”) co-created this HBO news drama alongside producer Denis Biggs. Jeff Daniels stars as a principled but unpredictable cable news anchor. Critics found the first season smug and preachy but warmed to the show over subsequent seasons. During its run, the show was honored with the 2012 Critics' Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series.
45 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:1987–1994
A 50,000-vote poll by StarTrek.com found that Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) beat out James T. Kirk as fans’ favorite “Star Trek” captain of all time. That says a lot for this series, set 99 years after the original show, whose popularity peaked with a series finale that drew 31 million viewers. This Enterprise crew also went on to star in four feature films, the first of which combined the original series and TNG casts through a time travel plot. Among the show's accolades include 19 Emmy Awards and five Saturn Awards.
46 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2016–present
This popular NBC dramedy from Dan Fogelman about three siblings struggling through adulthood is all about tugging heartstrings. Although some critics have found the proceedings too saccharine to recommend, the show has been nominated for, and has won, a number of awards. Among the awards the show received included four Emmy Awards.
47 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2009–present
This FX animated hit milks workplace comedy from an unlikely source:a spy agency. H. Jon Benjamin lends his distinctive voice to the main character, an arrogant and juvenile superspy, while the late Jessica Walter of “Arrested Development” played his overbearing mother who also happens to run the agency.
48 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2016–present
This acclaimed Netflix historical drama explores the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The show was created by Peter Morgan and evolved out of his award-winning 2006 film “The Queen.” Season one begins when Elizabeth (Claire Foy) is only 25 and a princess, and focuses on her relationship with grizzled Prime Minister Winston Churchill (John Lithgow). Starting in season three, Olivia Colman took over for Claire Foy as queen. The show has taken home over 20 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series in 2021 for Olivia Coleman and Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series in 2021.
49 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:1993–2002, January 2016–February 2016, January 2018–March 2018
Mulder and Scully form the iconic duo portrayed by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, respectively, in “The X-Files.” The pair of FBI agents investigated cases involving the paranormal, with Mulder believing in the existence of aliens and Scully remaining the skeptic. The series was a pop culture phenomenon, spawning two feature films and two seasons for a revival. The cult classic also garnered 61 Emmy Awards nominations, winning 15 trophies.
50 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Year on the air:2018
Horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan created and directed “The Haunting of Hill House.” The show is based on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel, with the show focusing on two different time periods revolving around a family’s paranormal experiences in the Hill House. The ensemble cast includes actors Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel, and Victoria Pedretti. The show was succeeded with a new story called “The Haunting of Bly Manor” in 2020.
51 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2007–2015
When HBO famously rejected his series pitch, creator Matthew Weiner took the show over to AMC, where it redefined the network as a viable destination for prestige television. Set in the halls of a New York advertising agency in the 1960s, the acclaimed show was praised for its period authenticity, social commentary, and strong performances. Standout actors among the cast included Jon Hamm, who played the smooth-but-tortured leading man Don Draper, and Elisabeth Moss, who played a secretary who manages to rise up the ranks in the agency despite rampant misogyny in the workforce. The show garnered a whopping 116 Emmy Awards nominations during its eight-year run, winning 16 in total.
52 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2009–2015
The brainchild of the creator and the head writer of the U.S. version of “The Office,” this workplace comedy employed that show’s same mockumentary style to depict the workings of a quirky parks and recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana. Critics initially found the show lacking compared with its predecessor, but warmed to the charms of the ensemble cast (headed up by Amy Poehler). After a shaky start, the show found its groove and became a hit for NBC. In its entire run, the show received 14 Emmy Awards nominations.
53 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2017–present
This Netflix crime drama follows two FBI agents who essentially write the book on criminal profiling in the late 1970s by interviewing serial killers. Leads Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany have great chemistry in the leading roles, the former playing a meticulous idealist and the latter a gruff cynic. Critics praised the show for its cerebral plotting and creepy interview scenes with some of history’s most famous murderers. Groff took home the Best Actor in a Drama / Genre Series at the Satellite Awards in 2018. In January of 2020 Netflix told TVLine the show's third season had been put on indefinite hold.
54 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Year on the air:2020
"The Queen's Gambit," based on the 1983 Walter Tevis novel of the same name, centers on the character of an orphan and chess prodigy called Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy). Harmon is taught to play chess by a janitor at the orphanage, and by age 20 is headed to Moscow to compete against the world's best Grandmaster. But besides the pressure of training for such a title, Harmon battles demons—from drug and alcohol addiction to emotional problems—all along the way. Despite being short-lived, the show won 11 of the 18 Primetime Emmy Awards for which it was nominated in 2021.
55 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:1989–present
America’s longest-running animated show was originally adapted from a series of shorts sandwiched between sketches on “The Tracey Ullman Show” in the late 1980s. The series has come a long way since then, spawning toys, comic books, albums, video games, a feature film, and even its own theme-park ride at Universal Studios. At the peak of its success, the show’s main cast members earned $400,000 per episode, though they’ve since agreed to multiple rounds of pay cuts in order to keep the show financially feasible for Fox.
56 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,6
- Années d'antenne :2015-2018
A blind lawyer fights crime by night in this Netflix adaptation of the Marvel comic. Much better received than the poorly reviewed Ben Affleck movie from a decade earlier, the success of this series was an early indicator that Marvel’s media empire could extend its bounds beyond feature films. By the series’ end, “Daredevil” had earned five Emmy nominations.
57 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2016–present
Based on the 1973 Michael Crichton film of the same name, “Westworld” is the hit HBO sci-fi series about the fictional, technologically advanced “Old West” amusement park hosted by androids. Starring Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, and James Marsden, its debut in 2016 earned the highest ratings for the network for a premiere since “True Detective,” and its first season ranked as the most-watched of any HBO original series.
58 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.6
- Years on the air:2006–2013
A psychopathic forensic expert takes his violent urges out on evildoers. Critics loved the novel premise, though they warned that some viewers might find the show’s gore repellant. Not too many did, apparently:The show’s finale drew 2.8 million viewers, a record for Showtime. The show took home four of the 24 Emmy Awards for which it was nominated.
59 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,7
- Années d'antenne :2016-2019
After being fired from the BBC and the popular show “Top Gear” for disciplinary reasons, presenter Jeremy Clarkson took a similar series to Amazon Prime. Clarkson brought his “Top Gear” co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May along for a show that focuses on automobiles, with a mixture of pre-taped segments and live-audience segments. The show also came to video game consoles as an interactive experience.
60 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2002–2008
“The Shield” surpassed most prime-time cop shows by favoring shades of gray over clear-cut moralism. In a career-defining role, Michael Chiklis played the volatile, corrupt, and yet somehow principled leader of an elite Los Angeles detective squad. He won a Primetime Emmy for his performance after the first season. The show received six Emmy nominations, winning one for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series in 2002.
61 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,7
- Années d'antenne :2017 à aujourd'hui
Amy Sherman-Palladino’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” has garnered enough major awards to leave no doubt as to its universal acclaim (Golden Globes or Emmys for the series, directing, writing, lead actress, supporting actress, and supporting actor). The show has won 20 of its 54 Emmy nominations. Rachel Brosnahan plays Midge Maisel, New York City housewife who breaks the confines of her gender role via stand-up comedy in the late ’50s and early ’60s.
62 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,7
- Années d'antenne :1997–2003
HBO’s first one-hour drama, set in a maximum security prison, rewrote all the rules of television and set the table for the network’s future as the go-to destination for prestige television. While it’s a little rough around the edges by today’s standards, the show holds up as a gritty, uncompromising, character-driven look into life inside a correctional facility. J.K. Simmons gives a standout performance as an alpha-male white supremacist inmate. The show received two Emmy nominations following its run.
63 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2000–present
“Seinfeld” creator Larry David plays a fictionalized version of himself in this heavily improvised, award-winning HBO comedy. David’s onscreen persona has a talent for generating awkward, uncomfortable, and hilarious situations that have long delighted audiences and critics alike. Offscreen, David has declared himself done with the character numerous times, sometimes taking long hiatuses between seasons, which is why it took him 17 years to make the first nine seasons of the show.
64 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:1996–2003
Possibly the most famous anime series of all time is “Dragon Ball Z,” with its equally famous protagonist Goku. A sequel to the original “Dragon Ball” anime and a continuing adaptation of the manga of the same name, “Z” portrayed Goku’s adult life as he and his companions defended the world from a host of villains and enemies. The show had two other sequel shows, as well as a remastering called “Dragon Ball Kai.”
65 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2001–2005
This HBO drama about a family-run funeral home featured a unique gimmick:each episode began with the arrival of a new corpse. The show’s final episode, which stared down the mortality of its characters as it fast-forwarded the full remainder of their lives, has been hailed as one of the best series finales of all time. At the Emmy Awards, the show claimed nine of the 53 trophies for which it had been nominated.
66 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,7
- Années d'antenne :2014-2020
In this animated Netflix series, a former sitcom star voiced by Will Arnett attempts to reignite his showbiz career. Oh, and he happens to be an anthropomorphized horse. While many reviewers found the show’s first season too short on laughs to justify its bizarre premise, subsequent seasons added surprising depth to the BoJack character and drew acclaim from audiences and critics alike. The show, which received three Emmy Award nominations, was twice nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program.
67 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:1999–2000
Before Judd Apatow became a household name through movies, he created this short-lived comedy-drama for NBC. Although it only ran a single season, it has developed a cult following over the years for its unflinching and heartfelt portrayal of teenage awkwardness. The show introduced several actors who would go on to become regulars in Apatow projects, including Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, and James Franco. Following its short-lived run, “Freaks and Geeks” was nominated for three Emmys, winning Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series in 2000.
68 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2004–2009
This Syfy Channel remake vastly improved upon the cheesy 1970s original with excellent special effects, politically astute plotlines, and a first-rate cast. Bucking the trend of youthful casting, series creator Ronald D. Moore opted for seasoned actors for his leads:Edward James Olmos as the captain of the titular starship and Mary McDonnell as the secretary of education who’s thrust into the role of president by succession laws after most of humanity is wiped out by robot-esque Cylons. With its tense plotlines, first-rate performances, and surprisingly deep themes, “Battlestar Galactica” was one of the best science fiction shows ever to hit the small screen. In its run, the show gathered 25 Emmy nominations, winning five.
69 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2005–2007
This ambitious HBO sword-and-sandals epic followed two Roman soldiers whose onscreen lives intertwined with actual historical events. The series received positive reviews for its impressive visuals and R-rated thrills. But, like the Roman empire itself, the show’s size and scope were its downfall:HBO was forced to ax it from the schedule after its second season because of budgetary concerns. Among the 15 Emmys for which it was nominated, the show claimed seven trophies.
70 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2003–2006, 2013–2019
Debuting in 2003 and revived in 2013 by Netflix, the quirky comedy “Arrested Development” followed the dysfunctional Bluth family as they navigated life after the family patriarch was imprisoned. Starring Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Will Arnett, Portia De Rossi, and Jessica Walter, the critically acclaimed show won six Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. Even so, the series was canceled due to low ratings on Fox in 2006. Some critics have said that “30 Rock” and “Community” were inspired by the show’s offbeat sensibility.
71 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2019–present
This Amazon Prime original imagines a world where superheroes are immoral and instruments of corporate capitalism. “Hughie” Campbell plays an everyman whose girlfriend is killed as collateral damage to a speedster superhero, who is a member of “The Seven,” the world’s most famous superhero team. Hughie then joins a group of vigilantes led by Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), whose goal is to take down the “Supes” through violence and uncovering their dark hidden secrets. The show, which has received numerous accolades, won Best Superhero Television Series at the Saturn Awards in 2021.
72 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:1997–present
This foul-mouthed animated satire from creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone pushes the boundaries of good taste to a breaking point, making “The Simpsons” look tame by comparison. A breakout hit for Comedy Central, this show put the fictional town of South Park, Colorado, on the pop culture map and made Kenny, Kyle, Stan, and Cartman (and the series creators) household names. The show also spawned a big-screen adaptation, as well as two hit video games.
73 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2004–2012
Hugh Laurie played a physician who made up for his poor bedside manner with diagnostic skills that bordered on genius. Each episode presented a new medical mystery for him to solve, and although it strained believability, the formula made for engrossing TV. Critics raved about Laurie’s performance, which earned him back-to-back Golden Globes for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series–Drama in 2006 and 2007.
74 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2013–2018
“House of Cards,” which is often referenced as the case study for Netflix and the new era of television developed based on “big data,” was an adaptation of the 1990 BBC miniseries of the same name. Netflix's interpretation earned 56 Emmy nominations, winning seven trophies. The acclaimed political thriller, which starred Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, suspended production after allegations of sexual assault and harassment came out against Spacey, then severed ties with the actor for good. Its final season starred Wright and dropped in 2018.
75 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.7
- Years on the air:2016–present
The Duffer brothers created this phenomenally successful ’80s original thriller series for Netflix in the summer of 2016. It sparked a cultural revolution that boosted sales of Eggo waffles, left fans worried about Barb, and had audiences begging for more after binge-watching sessions. Among the 38 nominations the beloved show earned at the Emmys, “Stranger Things” has since claimed seven honors at the awards.
76 / 100
- Note des utilisateurs IMDb :8,8
- Années d'antenne :1999–2006
Created by Aaron Sorkin, this NBC political drama peered into the workings of a fictional White House under the leadership of a Democratic president played by Martin Sheen. Critics praised the show’s smart writing and brisk walk-and-talk pacing. In terms of viewership, "The West Wing" was especially popular among high-income audiences, making its commercial breaks desirable for advertisers. The show took home 26 of the 95 Emmys for which it was nominated, including Outstanding Drama Series.
77 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:2014–present
When fans of Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show” were looking for a new voice of reason when he retired in 2015, John Oliver was there. Oliver, who won an Emmy for his work on “The Daily Show,” now serves as host of his own popular weekly primetime show on HBO. It has been nominated for—and has won—a number of awards. Among the show's accolades include the Television Academy Honors at the Emmy Awards in 2017.
78 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:2020–present
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple TV+ delivered its sentimental comedy “Ted Lasso,” which follows an earnest American football coach brought on to lead the floundering AFC Richmond, an English Premier League soccer club.
79 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:1990–1991, 2017
It’s astounding that a show this strange was able to land a network TV time slot in the early 1990s. The show follows the investigation of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) into the murder of a homecoming queen in a Washington logging town. While the premise makes it sound like a run-of-the-mill primetime procedural, the delivery from creators Mark Frost and David Lynch was truly bizarre. Combining surrealism, melodrama, horror, and comedy with movie-quality visuals, “Twin Peaks” stands as one of the most original pieces of American television ever made. The show was resurrected by Showtime in 2017 for a limited-run series featuring many of the original cast members to the delight of fans everywhere. Following its overall run, the show claimed two Emmy Awards.
80 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:2005–present
Its main characters may work in a bar, but this show is no “Cheers.” Caustic, cynical, crass, and hilarious, “It's Always Sunny” delights in pushing the boundaries of good taste far beyond what would fly in a network show. The first season took a while to find its comedic footing, but since season two, which kicked off with Danny DeVito joining the cast, the show has received universal acclaim from critics. Among its accolades include three consecutive Outstanding Stunt Coordination For A Comedy Series Or A Variety Program Emmy nominations. When it was renewed for a 15th season in 2020, it became the longest-running live-action comedy series in American history.
81 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:1989–1998
Regularly referred to as one of the best TV shows of all time by Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, and TV Guide, “Seinfeld’s” iconic characters, storylines, and catchphrases have become an indelible part of popular culture. Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld in 1989, the show launched the careers of Seinfeld and co-stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander, while Michael Richards’ Kramer character became unforgettable. It won an Emmy in 1993 for “Outstanding Comedy Series,” and has been nominated for 68 awards overall.
82 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:2017–2020
Some of the themes of the sci-fi show “Dark” include time travel, child abduction, disappearance, nuclear power, and conspiracy. Netflix’s first German-language original series has drawn universal acclaim and proven a stout contemporary and competitor of “Stranger Things.” Its third season was the final for the brooding, mysterious, ever-twisting series that continued to build surprising connections between the families, relationships, and time—perhaps the central figure—in the fictional Winden. The show concluded with a third and final season in June 2020.
83 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:2015–present
This spinoff of AMC’s flagship series “Breaking Bad” takes place before and after the events of that show, focusing on the life of sleazy attorney Saul Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk. Since its premiere, the show has garnered a number of accolades, including 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, 11 Writers Guild of America Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. Although it had big shoes to fill, the show managed to surpass critics' expectations, while scratching an itch for “Breaking Bad” fans suffering from cancellation withdrawal. Its sixth and final season will premiere in 2022.
84 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:2019–present
The breakout hit of streaming platform Disney+, “The Mandalorian” is the first live-action “Star Wars” series and set in the timeline between “Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” and “Episode VII – The Force Awakens.” In creator Jon Favreau’s first season, the titular Mandalorian (aka Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal) navigates the outer depths of the galaxy as a bounty hunter and, of course, protects The Child (aka Baby Yoda) from capture. “The Mandalorian” has brought home 14 Emmy Awards to date, including Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Program (Half-Hour) in 2020.
85 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:2015–2018
One of the most popular original shows on Netflix, “Narcos” was a gripping drama that followed the real-life stories of the Colombian drug trade of the late 1980s. While seasons one and two focused on the infamous drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, season three picked up after his fall and the rise of Cali Cartel. The series has been nominated for a number of awards, including three nominations at the Emmys. Additionally, the show spawned a spinoff, titled "Narcos:Mexico."
86 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.8
- Years on the air:1994–2004
When Joey, Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, and Phoebe—played by the unforgettable ensemble cast of Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, and Lisa Kudrow—got together in “Friends,” it was television magic. One of the most popular sitcoms of all time, the show earned 62 Primetime Emmy nominations, winning Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002. It launched the TV and film careers of all of its cast members, and sparked the short-lived spinoff, “Joey.” In 2021, HBO Max aired a long-awaited “Friends” reunion special starring the original cast.
87 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.9
- Years on the air:2012–2016
The fictional town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, is the setting of this popular Disney television show by Alex Hirsch. Jason Ritter and Kristen Schaal provide the voices of twins who are dropped off at the home of their great uncle Grunkle Stan, which eventually leads to hijinks in the strange and supernatural town. The show ended after two seasons but is still beloved for its charm, animation style, and appeal to all ages. The show took home two Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation in 2015.
88 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.9
- Years on the air:2014–present
Based on the Coen brothers film of the same name, “Fargo” is a darkly comedic anthology show about quirky characters in small towns. The series has received top marks from critics for its originality and dedication to the absurd. Since its inception, “Fargo” has won six Emmy Awards.
89 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.9
- Years on the air:2005–2013
Based on Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s hit BBC show, the American version starred Steve Carell as the well-meaning but painfully awkward boss of the Dunder-Mifflin paper company. The show turned Carell, who up until then was best known as a “Daily Show” correspondent, into a household name and led to a film career. The laugh-out-loud series received five of the 42 Emmy Award nominations it received following its eight-year run.
90 / 100
- IMDb user rating:8.9
- Years on the air:2014–present
In this critically acclaimed anthology crime drama series, new cast ensembles take on challenging crime investigations each season. The first season, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, was called one of the best drama series of the year, while other critics said it was one of the strongest in recent memory. Season two stars Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams, and Taylor Kitsch; Mahershala Ali served as lead in the third season, with Carmen Ejogo, Stephen Dorff, Scoot McNairy, and Ray Fisher co-starring. The show has taken home five Emmy Awards.
91 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.0
- Years on the air:1959–1964, 1985–1989, 2002–2003, 2019–2020
Rod Serling’s iconic, critically acclaimed “The Twilight Zone” series took on issues of prejudice, war, government, and morality. Blending fantasy, thriller, and science fiction, many of the themes and lessons from the memorable (albeit super creepy) storylines resonate today. While the original black-and-white, Serling-led series ran from 1959 to 1964, the first reboot arrived in 1985, followed by other revivals and a film version produced by Steven Spielberg in 1983. The show claimed three of the eight Emmy awards for which it was nominated.
92 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.0
- Years on the air:1992–1995
Bruce Timm co-developed “Batman:The Animated Series,” which became the first show in a larger animated universe that ended with “Justice League Unlimited.” The show focused on Bruce Wayne, voiced by Kevin Conroy, and his exploits as the Caped Crusader. It is the source of actor Mark Hamill’s most famous voice performance as the Joker. The animated series took home several Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program in 1993.
93 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.0
- Years on the air:2002–2003
Joss Whedon’s short-lived but beloved futuristic space drama was canceled by Fox, but then became a fan favorite when it was released on DVD. The series featured an ensemble cast (led by Nathan Fillion) and won a Primetime Emmy for special effects. It also inspired comics and a role-playing game, as well as the 2005 film “Serenity.”
94 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.1
- Years on the air:2010–present
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Sherlock Holmes in this popular series based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective series of the same name. Produced as a co-production of BBC and WGBH in Boston for PBS Masterpiece, the show has received praise from critics and fans alike. Among the show's accolades include winning three Primetime Emmys, including Outstanding Lead Actor for Cumberbatch.
95 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.2
- Years on the air:1999–2007
The late James Gandolfini led this megahit, award-winning HBO series as Tony Soprano, an Italian-American mobster who had to balance family life with organized crime. Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler co-starred in what some critics consider one of the most groundbreaking series ever made because of its effect on the industry in elevating the art form. With 112 Emmy nominations overall, “The Sopranos” took home 21 honors.
96 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.2
- Years on the air:2013–present
Cartoon Network’s adult animated sci-fi comedy “Rick and Morty” follows the adventures of Rick Sanchez, a mad scientist, and his daughter (Sarah Chalke) and her children. It has received high marks from critics for its creativity, scientific accuracy, and general wackiness, and has a massive cult following. The cartoon series has since received two Emmy awards, including Outstanding Animated Program in 2020.
97 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.2
- Years on the air:2011-2019
Based on George R.R. Martin’s beloved series of novels, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” this megahit HBO series essentially took on a life of its own. The award-winning medieval fantasy epic followed the deadly adventures of two powerful families as they battled for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. It frequently challenged “The Sopranos” in viewership ratings during its first four seasons. The show inspired licensed merchandise, games, replica armor, and boosted sales of the original novels. With a whopping 160 nominations, the show took home 56 Emmys.
98 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.3
- Years on the air:2005–2008
Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino co-created this anime-inspired American animated show, with the backstory involving the “Avatar,” a person who can “bend” and manipulate all four main elements of air, water, fire, and earth. Aang is the current Avatar, found by Water Tribe siblings Katara and Sokka 100 years after Aang froze in an iceberg, leaving the world under siege by the Fire Nation. The show was followed up by “The Legend of Korra,” a show set 70 years later about the next Avatar. The beloved animation earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than one hour) in 2007.
99 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.3
- Years on the air:2002–2008
Still cited as one of the greatest TV shows ever made, “The Wire” went off the air more than 10 years ago. The acclaimed HBO drama featured a black ensemble cast, helping to launch the careers of Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba, and Michael K. Williams, and took a realistic look at Baltimore and its drug scene, police department, schools, and media. Following its run, the show was twice nominated at the Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
100 / 100
- IMDb user rating:9.4
- Years on the air:2008–2013
The critically acclaimed AMC series “Breaking Bad” turned Walter White into an icon. The show also catapulted Bryan Cranston into cult status for his portrayal of the high-school-teacher-turned-meth-kingpin. Cranston won four Primetime Emmy Awards for the role. It’s considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time, having become the most-watched cable TV show on American television, and most critically acclaimed of all time.
