Ranked roundup
The best series of all time
80 ranked · updated June 2026
These landmark series redefined the medium by weaving complex moral ambiguity and existential weight into the fabric of television storytelling. From the gritty urban landscapes of crime dramas to the sharp wit of iconic sitcoms, these selections represent the pinnacle of character-driven narratives and lasting cultural influence.
How this ranking works
Ranked by appearances across critical-consensus rankings of the greatest television, with ties broken by each title's best position among them, then mapped to the series in our catalog.
The Sopranos
David Chase
The Sopranos earns its top rank by masterfully blending the banality of suburban family life with the brutal, existential pressures of a modern criminal empire.
The Wire
David Simon
The Wire secures its place through a rigorous, uncompromising examination of systemic institutional failure and the crushing weight of urban decay on the individual.
Breaking Bad
Vince Gilligan
Breaking Bad is essential viewing for its clinical, slow-burn exploration of moral decay as a man transforms into a ruthless figure of his own making.
Mad Men
Matthew Weiner
Mad Men stands as a definitive period study, utilizing the shifting social norms of the advertising industry to mirror the internal dissatisfaction of the American dream.
Seinfeld
Seinfeld revolutionized the sitcom format by finding profound comedic resonance in the minutiae of urban life and the complex, often selfish dynamics of modern friendship.
The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling
The Twilight Zone remains a masterpiece of speculative fiction, using the anthology format to deliver biting social commentary through the lens of psychological horror.
I Love Lucy
Bob Carroll Jr.
I Love Lucy earns its legacy by perfecting the art of physical comedy and exploring the friction between domestic expectations and personal ambition.
The Simpsons
Matt Groening
The Simpsons redefined adult animation by creating a satirical mirror of the average American town, anchored by a dysfunctional yet enduringly relatable family unit.
Cheers
Les Charles
Cheers captures the essence of community and the human need for belonging, set within the warm, familiar confines of a neighborhood blue-collar bar.
The West Wing
Aaron Sorkin
The West Wing serves as a high-water mark for political drama, balancing the idealism of public service against the harsh realities of executive governance.
Six Feet Under
Alan Ball
Six Feet Under is distinguished by its unflinching commitment to exploring the intersection of mortality, grief, and the complex bonds of a dysfunctional family.
Game of Thrones
David Benioff
Game of Thrones is recognized for its grand scale, navigating intricate political power struggles and moral ambiguity within a richly detailed high fantasy world.
Deadwood
David Milch
Deadwood provides a visceral look at the birth of civilization, documenting the transition from lawless frontier mining camp to an organized, albeit corrupt, society.
Twin Peaks
Mark Frost
Twin Peaks remains a surreal landmark in television history, masterfully unfolding a dark, small-town mystery through a lens of psychological thriller and supernatural intrigue.
Arrested Development
Mitchell Hurwitz
Arrested Development is a triumph of the mockumentary format, utilizing sharp, rapid-fire humor to expose the absurdities of a wealthy, deeply dysfunctional family unit.
Homicide: Life on the Street
Paul Attanasio
A standout among the best series of all time.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Gene Roddenberry
A standout among the best series of all time.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Michael Dante DiMartino
A standout among the best series of all time.
Common questions
What are the best dark comedy series about family?
Six Feet Under and Arrested Development are highly regarded for their dark comedic takes on family dynamics. While Six Feet Under explores mortality and grief within a funeral home, Arrested Development focuses on the absurd failures of a wealthy, once-privileged family.
Which shows are considered the best crime dramas of all time?
The Sopranos, The Wire, and Breaking Bad are widely considered the gold standard of crime dramas. These series are noted for their deep psychological character studies, explorations of moral ambiguity, and realistic portrayals of institutional corruption and the consequences of criminal life.
Are there any classic sitcoms that defined the genre?
Seinfeld, I Love Lucy, and Cheers are essential classic sitcoms. I Love Lucy mastered slapstick and domestic comedy, Seinfeld redefined observational humor about urban life, and Cheers established the workplace comedy template by focusing on the importance of community and friendship.