Genre · ranked
The best mystery & crime series of all time
25 ranked · updated September 2026
The greatest crime narratives transcend simple procedurals to explore the corrosive nature of moral decay and systemic corruption. By anchoring complex character studies within high-stakes criminal environments, these essential series redefine the genre through profound existential inquiries and the relentless, often devastating, consequences of our protagonists' darkest choices.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score (rating average + rating count) across series classified as Mystery & Crime.
The Sopranos
David Chase
The Sopranos earns its top spot by masterfully blending domestic family dynamics with the brutal existential crisis of a modern mob boss.
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Existential Crisis, Family Dynamics.
The Wire
David Simon
The Wire remains unparalleled for its unflinching, systemic analysis of urban decay and the self-sustaining bureaucracy within the American war on drugs.
Explores: Systemic Corruption, Moral Ambiguity, Urban Decay.
Breaking Bad
Vince Gilligan
Breaking Bad defines the neo-noir genre by meticulously tracking a chemistry teacher’s transformation through moral decay and the inevitable consequences of his crimes.
Explores: Moral Decay, Man Breaking Bad, Consequences of Crime.
Fargo
Noah Hawley
Fargo captures the essence of dark comedy by placing ordinary people in extraordinary, violent circumstances that highlight the absurdity of small-town malice.
Explores: Small Town Crime, Moral Ambiguity, Ordinary People in Extraordinary Circumstances.
Better Call Saul
Vince Gilligan
Better Call Saul excels as a character study, offering a nuanced, tragic look at a lawyer’s descent into moral ambiguity and his search for redemption.
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Transformation, Redemption.
Hill Street Blues
Steven Bochco
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Bureaucracy, Urban decay.
True Detective
Nic Pizzolatto
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Existentialism, Corruption.
Sherlock
Mark Gatiss
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Genius detective, High-functioning sociopath, Unconventional crime solving.
Oz
Tom Fontana
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Prison life, Gang violence, Survival.
The Shield
Shawn Ryan
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Police corruption, Gang violence.
Justified
Graham Yost
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Redemption, Family Loyalty.
Homicide: Life on the Street
Paul Attanasio
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Bureaucracy, Psychological Impact of Violence.
Columbo
William Link
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Cat and Mouse, Underestimation, Justice.
Veronica Mars
Rob Thomas
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: High School, Class Conflict, Coming of Age.
House
David Shore
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Medical ethics, Diagnostic medicine, Misanthropic protagonist.
Peaky Blinders
Steven Knight
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Post-WWI Trauma, Ambition, Class Conflict.
The Rookie
Alexi Hawley
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Second Chance, Midlife Crisis, Ageism.
Banana Fish
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Abuse recovery, Gang violence, Found family.
Chicago P.D.
Dick Wolf
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Justice, Corruption.
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: True Crime Obsession, New York City, Intergenerational Friendship.
Vincenzo
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Justice, Revenge, Corruption.
The Mentalist
Bruno Heller
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Redemption, Revenge, Manipulation.
BEASTARS
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Prejudice, Societal Hierarchy, Forbidden Love.
Criminal Minds
Jeff Davis
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Profiling, Criminal Psychology, Team Dynamics.
The Apothecary Diaries
A standout of mystery & crime series.
Explores: Ingenue, Poison, Court intrigue.
Common questions
What are the best crime dramas that focus on systemic corruption?
The Wire is widely considered the definitive series for examining systemic corruption and the failure of bureaucracy in urban environments. Hill Street Blues and The Shield also offer critical, gritty perspectives on police corruption and the internal struggles within municipal law enforcement precincts.
Which mystery series features a genius detective?
Sherlock is the premier modern example, featuring a high-functioning sociopath who solves complex crimes in 21st-century London. Additionally, House offers a unique take on the medical mystery genre by featuring a misanthropic, drug-addicted medical genius who solves diagnostic puzzles at a New Jersey hospital.
Are there any good crime series that use an anthology format?
Yes, several highly regarded series utilize the anthology format. Fargo explores different stories of malice and violence in Minnesota, while True Detective uses multiple timelines to unearth secrets. Homicide: Life on the Street also employs this structure to detail the psychological impact of violent crime investigations.