Best TV Shows Ranked
by EddyTheMartian007 | created - 22 Apr 2020 | updated - 3 weeks ago | PublicThe Best TV Shows (in terms of quality) I have watched ranked in my opinion from best to worst. This includes every show that I have rated 9/10 or above. Above a 9.5 is a show I’d consider a masterpiece, and basically a 10/10. My favorites have a asterisk* though to be clear I love all these shows. - The ratings are based on the average score of every season, plus the top score of the best season to account for the highest level it reached. - I will round up the score for a few shows I personally felt like they deserved a higher score, as in a 0.5 turns into a 1.0, and that will be noted. Rounded up scores will always be below a show that got the same score without rounding. I will also give a bonus 0.1 point to certain shows for certain categories, such as shows that steadily improved, or my top show. - Since a mini series needs to work completely on its own I tend to be more harsh on them. Anthology seasons do not count. An example would be Season 1 of True Detective which I would rate a 9.4/10, and would rank it above Persona (Sahsiyet), but since it’s part of True Detective, which included 3 other seasons that aren’t as good, then I won’t include it here. For an anthology show to be included ALL the seasons have to be to the level of these other shows. - I may be lenient towards superhero shows (Daredevil) cause I’m a fan of those. I’m also more lenient with older shows (HLOTS) since they were more limited, animated shows, especially if intended for children (ATLA), and episodic shows (House) since they have more episodes to be good. - I often move around my scores, like recently increased my scores (I didn’t have above 9.8 before) so some shows may not be properly adjusted. Also my scoring used to be more limited and calculated different so some shows’ scores heavily changed on rewatch. For a more in depth look at rewatch changes check out my rewatch list (WIP). (Currently Editing)
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1. The Wire (2002–2008)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
The Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.
Stars: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Wendell Pierce
Votes: 377,849
{1.} Season 1 (9.6/10) - Season 2 (9.7/10) - Season 3 (9.9/10) - Season 4 (10/10) - Season 5 (9.1/10)
- Average Score: (9.66/10)
- Top Score: (10/10)
- Overall Score: (9.93/10)
2. The Sopranos (1999–2007)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.
Stars: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli
Votes: 471,916
{2.} Season 1 (9.5/10) - Season 2 (9.4/10) - Season 3 (9.6/10) - Season 4 (9.1/10) - Season 5 (9.8/10) - Season 6A (9.6/10) - Season 6B (10/10)
- Average Score: (9.57/10)
- Top Score (10/10)
- Overall Score: (9.89/10)
3. Succession (2018–2023)
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
The Roy family is known for controlling the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, their world changes when their father steps down from the company.
Stars: Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Peter Friedman
Votes: 273,560
{3.} *Season 1 (9.2/10) - Season 2 (9.6/10) - Season 3 (9.7/10) - Season 4 (9.9/10)
- Average Score: (9.6/10)
- Top Score (9.9/10)
- Overall Score: (9.85/10)
4. The Shield (2002– )
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Drama series following the lives and cases of dirty cop Vic Mackey and the corrupt LAPD unit under his command.
Stars: Michael Chiklis, Catherine Dent, Walton Goggins, Michael Jace
Votes: 88,185
{4.} *Season 1 (8.7/10) - Season 2 (9.3/10) - Season 3 (9.5/10) - Season 4 (9.6/10) - Season 5 (9.9/10) - Season 6 (9.5/10) - Season 7 (9.8/10)
- Average Score: (9.48/10)
- Top Score (9.9/10)
- Overall Score: (9.79/10)
5. Mr. Robot (2015–2019)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Elliot, a brilliant but unstable cyber-security engineer and vigilante hacker, becomes a key figure in a complex game of global chaos when he and his shadowy allies try to take down the corrupt corporation his company is paid to protect.
Stars: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin, Martin Wallström
Votes: 418,519
Season 1 (9.3/10) - Season 2 (9.1/10) - Season 3 (9.7/10) - Season 4 (9.7/10)
- Average Score: (9.45/10)
- Top Score (9.7/10)
- Overall Score: (9.67/10)
6. The Americans (2013–2018)
TV-MA | 44 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
At the height of the Cold War, two Russian agents pose as the average American couple, complete with family.
Stars: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Keidrich Sellati, Holly Taylor
Votes: 111,399
Season 1 (8.9/10) - Season 2 (9.3/10) - Season 3 (9.5/10) - Season 4 (9.8/10) - Season 5 (8.9/10) - Season 6 (9.6/10)
- Average Score: (9.33/10)
- Top Score (9.8/10)
- Overall Score: (9.66/10)
7. Mad Men (2007–2015)
TV-MA | 45 min | Drama
A drama about one of New York's most prestigious ad agencies at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on one of the firm's most mysterious but extremely talented ad executives, Donald Draper.
Stars: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones
Votes: 260,713
Season 1 (8.9/10) - Season 2 (8.7/10) - Season 3 (9.3/10) - Season 4 (9.7/10) - Season 5 (9.8/10) - Season 6 (9.2/10) - Season 7 (9.5/10)
-Average Score: (9.3/10)
-Top Score: (9.8/10)
-Overall Score: (9.65/10)
• (Bonus Points: +0.1 Most Subtle)
[Needs Rewatch, scores increased with thought]
8. Monster (2004–2005)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon with a promising future, risks his career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy. The boy, now a charismatic young man, reappears 9 years later in the midst of a string of unusual serial murders.
Stars: Hidenobu Kiuchi, Liam O'Brien, Mamiko Noto, Karen Strassman
Votes: 44,710
(9.6/10) • (Bonus Points: +0.1 For Best Animated Series) [Currently Rewatching, got better with thought - First Watch Score: 9.4/10]
9. Better Call Saul (2015–2022)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama
The trials and tribulations of criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill in the years leading up to his fateful run-in with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, Patrick Fabian
Votes: 648,303
Season 1 (9.2/10) - Season 2 (9/10) - Season 3 (9.6/10) - Season 4 (9.6/10) - Season 5 (9.6/10) - Season 6 (9.1/10)
- Average Score: (9.35/10)
- Top Score: (9.6/10)
- Overall Score: (9.6/10)
10. Dark (2017–2020)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A family saga with a supernatural twist, set in a German town where the disappearance of two young children exposes the relationships among four families.
Stars: Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari, Maja Schöne
Votes: 444,759
Season 1 (9.1/10) - Season 2 (9.6/10) - Season 3 (9.4/10)
- Average Score: (9.37/10)
- Top Score: (9.6/10)
- Overall Score: (9.58/10)
11. BoJack Horseman (2014–2020)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
BoJack Horseman was the star of the hit television show "Horsin' Around" in the '80s and '90s, but now he's washed up, living in Hollywood, complaining about everything, and wearing colorful sweaters.
Stars: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul
Votes: 188,893
*Season 1 (7.5/10) - Season 2 (8.7/10) - Season 3 (9.2/10) - Season 4 (9.4/10) - Season 5 (9.6/10) - Season 6 (9.7/10)
- Average Score: (9.02/10)
- Top Score: (9.7/10)
- Overall Score: (9.5/10)
12. Breaking Bad (2008–2013)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student in order to secure his family's future.
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt
Votes: 2,138,671
Season 1 (8.3/10) - Season 2 (8.9/10) - Season 3 (9/10) - Season 4 (9.5/10) - Season 5 (9.8/10)
- Average Score: (9.1/10)
- Top Score (9.8/10)
- Overall Score: (9.5/10)
13. Daredevil (2015–2018)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A blind lawyer by day, vigilante by night. Matt Murdock fights the crime of New York as Daredevil.
Stars: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson
Votes: 475,017
Season 1 (9.4/10) - Season 2 (8.5/10) - Season 3 (9.7/10)
- Average Score: (9.2/10)
- Top Score: (9.7/10)
- Overall Score: (9.45/10)
14. Da Ali G Show (2000–2004)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Sacha Baron Cohen provides an inimitable mix of global reportage and celebrity chat via his characters Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev and Brüno Gehard.
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, T.N.T. Crew, Steve Ellington
Votes: 18,293
*Da UK Seereez (9/10) - Ali G In Da USAiii First Seazon (9.2/10) - Ali G In Da USAiii Second Seazon (9.4/10)
- Average Score: (9.2/10)
- Top Score: (9.4/10)
- Overall Score: (9.4/10)
15. Pluto (2023)
TV-14 | 62 min | Animation, Action, Drama
When the world's seven most advanced robots and their human allies are murdered one by one, inspector Gesicht soon discovers that he's also in danger.
Stars: Shinshû Fuji, Yôko Hikasa, Rachel Slotky, Kirk Thornton
Votes: 12,456
(9.3/10) • (Bonus Points: +0.1 For best mini series)
16. Nathan for You (2013–2017)
TV-14 | 30 min | Documentary, Comedy
Nathan Fielder uses his business degree and life experiences to help real small businesses turn a profit. But because of his unorthodox approach, Nathan's genuine efforts to do good often draw real people into an experience far beyond what they signed up for.
Stars: Nathan Fielder, Anthony Filosa, Salomon Flores, William Heath
Votes: 38,513
Season 1 (9/10) - Season 2 (8.7/10) - Season 3 (9.3/10) - Season 4 (9.2/10)
- Average Score: (9.05/10)
- Top Score: (9.3/10)
- Overall Score: (9.3/10)
17. House M.D. (2004–2012)
TV-14 | 45 min | Drama, Mystery
Using a crack team of doctors and his wits, an antisocial maverick doctor specializing in diagnostic medicine does whatever it takes to solve puzzling cases that come his way.
Stars: Hugh Laurie, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jesse Spencer
Votes: 514,102
Season 1 (8.7/10) - Season 2 (9.3/10) - Season 3 (9.2/10) - Season 4 (9.2/10) - Season 5 (9.3/10) - Season 6 (9.2/10) - Season 7 (8.9/10) - Season 8 (8.3/10)
-Average Score: (9/10)
-Top Score: (9.3/10)
-Overall Score: (9.3/10)
• (Bonus Points: +0.1 For best episodic TV Show)
• (Rounded Up)
18. Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004–2005)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Mystery
Trying to escape his uneventful life, Albert, the son of a renowned general from Paris, makes a journey with his friend Franz. During his travels, he meets an immensely wealthy nobleman ... See full summary »
Stars: Jôji Nakata, Johnny Yong Bosch, Beau Billingslea, Karen Strassman
Votes: 2,723
9.2/10
19. Persona (2018– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A man diagnosed with Alzheimer's decides to punish criminals.
Stars: Haluk Bilginer, Sebnem Bozoklu, Recep Usta, Cansu Dere
Votes: 47,488
Season 1 (9.2/10) - Season 2 (will watch) - Guys wtf I’m so mad they made a season 2, seasons 1 ended so perfectly and was maybe the best mini series ever. Someone hold me back I’m beefing with them rn.
20. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003–2004)
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
When a failed alchemical ritual leaves brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric with severely damaged bodies, they begin searching for the one thing that can save them: the fabled philosopher's stone.
Stars: Vic Mignogna, Aaron Dismuke, Romi Park, Rie Kugimiya
Votes: 77,682
*(9.2/10) [Appreciated much more on Rewatch, but also found some more flaws. Mostly holds up - First Watch Score: 9.4/10]
21. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)
TV-Y7-FV | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In a war-torn world of elemental powers, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
Stars: Dee Bradley Baker, Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena
Votes: 373,688
Book 1 (8/10) - Book 2 (9.4/10) - Book 3 (9.2/10)
-Average Score: (8.86/10)
-Top Score: (9.4/10)
-Overall Score: (9.2/10)
• (Rounded Up)
22. Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988–1997)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Action, Drama
Various people, especially two rising commanders, cope with a massive continual space conflict between two interstellar nations.
Stars: Yûsaku Yara, Ryô Horikawa, Katsuji Mori, Nozomu Sasaki
Votes: 4,747
Part 1 (9.1/10) - Part 2 (watching)
23. Vinland Saga (2019–2023)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Following a tragedy, Thorfinn embarks on a journey with the man responsible for it to take his life in a duel as a true and honorable warrior to pay homage.
Stars: Yûto Uemura, Mike Haimoto, Shin'ya Takahashi, Alejandro Saab
Votes: 71,935
Prologue (9.3/10) - Season 2 (8.9/10)
24. Chernobyl (2019)
TV-MA | 41 min | Drama, History, Thriller
In April 1986, the city of Chernobyl in the Soviet Union suffers one of the worst nuclear disasters in the history of mankind. Consequently, many heroes put their lives on the line in the following days, weeks and months.
Stars: Jessie Buckley, Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Adam Nagaitis
Votes: 866,329
(9.1/10)
25. Andor (2022– )
TV-14 | 40 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Prequel series to Star Wars' 'Rogue One'. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero.
Stars: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O'Reilly
Votes: 165,301
Season 1 (9.1/10)
26. The Boys (2019– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers.
Stars: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty
Votes: 652,270
Season 1 (8.7/10) - Season 2 (8.5/10) - Season 3 (9.3/10)
27. Band of Brothers (2001)
TV-MA | 59 min | Drama, History, War
The story of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their mission in World War II Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.
Stars: Scott Grimes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Shane Taylor
Votes: 527,752
(9/10)
28. Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama
An Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.
Stars: Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham
Votes: 203,231
Season 1 (8.3/10) - Season 2 (8.9/10) - Season 3 (9/10) - Season 4 (9.2/10) - Season 5 (8.5/10)
- Average Score: (8.78/10)
- Top Score: (9.2/10)
- Overall Score: (8.99/10)
29. The Leftovers (2014–2017)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Three years after the disappearance of 2% of the global human population, a group of people in a small New York community try to continue their lives while coping with the tragedy of the unexplained nature of the event.
Stars: Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler
Votes: 112,441
Season 1 (8.5/10) - Season 2 (9.4/10) - Season 3 (7.5/10)
- Average Score: (8.5/10)
- Top Score: (9.4/10)
- Overall Score: (8.93/10)
30. Doom Patrol (2019–2023)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The adventures of an idealistic mad scientist and his field team of superpowered outcasts.
Stars: Diane Guerrero, April Bowlby, Matt Bomer, Riley Shanahan
Votes: 59,757
*Season 1 (9.4/10) - Season 2 (8.5/10) - Season 3 & 4 (will watch) [Season 1 was even better on Rewatch - First Watch Score: 8.7/10]
31. Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
An American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit.
Stars: Richard Belzer, Clark Johnson, Yaphet Kotto, Kyle Secor
Votes: 14,199
Season 1 (9.3/10) - Season 2 (will watch)
32. Invincible (2021– )
TV-MA | 50 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
An adult animated series based on the Skybound/Image comic about a teenager whose father is the most powerful superhero on the planet.
Stars: Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, Grey Griffin
Votes: 204,660
Season 1 (9.3/10) - Season 2 (8.5/10) • (Newest Possible Contender)
33. The Rehearsal (2022– )
TV-MA | 30 min | Documentary, Comedy
Nathan Fielder gives people a chance to rehearse for their own lives in a world where nothing ever works out as expected.
Stars: Nathan Fielder, Journey Baker, Anna Lamadrid, Sawyer J. Bell
Votes: 26,014
Season 1 (8.9/10) • (Newest Possible Contender)
34. Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006)
TV-Y7-FV | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A continuation of the Justice League animated series finds the original members of the team joined in their battle against crime and evil by dozens of other heroes from the DC comics universe.
Stars: George Newbern, Kevin Conroy, Phil LaMarr, Carl Lumbly
Votes: 20,371
(Need to rewatch all of DCAU but a few shows will likely make it here)
35. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
Stars: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey
Votes: 2,286,563
Season 1 (9.3/10) - Season 2 (8.9/10) - Season 3 (9.5/10) - Season 4 (9.7/10) - Season 5 (6.9/10) - Season 6 (7.3/10) - Season 7 (4/10) - Season 8 (2/10) •(Honorable Mention) [Only included it on this list because it was Top 10 material for the first half, but then it fell off a cliff and I can no longer call it great. An unfortunately ruined masterpiece]
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