Ranked roundup
The best series of the 2020s
25 ranked · updated July 2026
The television landscape of the 2020s has been defined by a bold convergence of high-stakes animation, complex genre subversion, and deeply intimate character studies. These standout series represent a transformative era of storytelling, where visual innovation and emotional vulnerability redefine how we engage with modern narratives across every platform.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score combining each title's average rating and rating count (minimum 100 ratings to qualify, weighted toward titles with more votes), filtered to series released in the 2020s.
Arcane
Christian Linke
Arcane earns its top position through its unparalleled fusion of painterly animation and a harrowing, mature exploration of systemic inequality and fractured sisterhood.
Explores: Sisterhood, Dystopian Society, Technological Advancement vs. Social Decay.
Invincible
Invincible revitalizes the superhero genre by grounding its brutal, high-octane action within the deeply relatable and often painful complexities of a father-son dynamic.
Explores: Father-Son Relationship, Superhero Legacy, Brutal Superhero.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen secures its place by masterfully balancing visceral supernatural combat with a grim, compelling narrative about the heavy cost of wielding cursed power.
Explores: Cursed Objects, Exorcism, High School Sorcerers.
The Owl House
Dana Terrace
The Owl House stands out for its vibrant subversion of fantasy tropes, championing themes of found family and acceptance within a brilliantly realized magical world.
Explores: Coming-of-age, Found Family, Acceptance.
Off Campus
Gina Fattore
Off Campus succeeds by elevating the college romance genre through its authentic portrayal of emotional healing and the transformative power of genuine interpersonal connection.
Explores: Fake Dating, Emotional Healing, Coming-of-age.
Hazbin Hotel
Vivienne Medrano
Hazbin Hotel distinguishes itself with a bold, musical aesthetic that treats the concept of demonic redemption with surprising heart, dark humor, and relentless creative energy.
Explores: Redemption, Second Chances, Misfit characters.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End offers a profound, meditative look at mortality and the passage of time, favoring quiet character growth over traditional fantasy spectacle.
Explores: Mortality, The Value of Time, Regret and Remembrance.
Love, Victor
Elizabeth Berger
Love, Victor earns its spot by providing a sensitive, grounded exploration of the high school experience and the multifaceted challenges of modern self-discovery.
Explores: Sexual Identity, Self-discovery, High School Life.
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman
Heartstopper resonates deeply due to its tender, honest depiction of first love and the nuanced process of navigating identity during the formative teenage years.
Explores: First Love, Self-Discovery, High School.
SPY x FAMILY
Spy x Family charms audiences by expertly blending high-stakes espionage with the domestic warmth of a found family hiding secrets in plain sight.
Explores: Found Family, Secret Identity, Fish Out of Water.
The Last of Us
Neil Druckmann
The Last of Us is a triumph of adaptation, grounding its post-apocalyptic survival premise in the raw, moral ambiguity of a desperate, evolving father-daughter bond.
Explores: Survival, Found Family, Moral Ambiguity.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man leaves an impact through its chaotic, high-energy approach to dark fantasy, perfectly capturing the desperation of a protagonist seeking a simple life.
Explores: Debt, Devil Hunters, Transformation.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation provides a uniquely structured character study, using the isekai framework to facilitate a profound journey of second chances and personal redemption.
Explores: Second Chance, Redemption, Character Growth.
The Queen's Gambit
Scott Frank
The Queen's Gambit is defined by its meticulous period detail and a gripping, internal performance that captures the intersection of genius, addiction, and competitive pressure.
Explores: Chess, Addiction, Orphan.
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin
Only Murders in the Building succeeds by pairing a sharp, satirical take on true crime obsession with the genuine, intergenerational warmth of its central trio.
Explores: True Crime Obsession, New York City, Intergenerational Friendship.
It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Park Shin-woo
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: healing through love, emotional baggage, found family.
TONIKAWA: Over the Moon for You
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: Love at First Sight, Newlywed Life, Arranged Marriage (Implied).
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Rafał Jaki
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: Cybernetic augmentation, Dystopian society, Mercenary life.
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: School Spirits, Urban Legends, Forbidden Romance.
Horimiya
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: Hidden Identities, Unexpected Friendship, Social Outcasts.
Alchemy of Souls
Hong Jeong-eun
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: Destiny vs. Free Will, Master-Disciple Relationship, Forbidden Love.
Heated Rivalry
Jacob Tierney
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: Rivalry, Forbidden Love, Career Ambition.
When Life Gives You Tangerines
Lim Sang-choon
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: First Love, Childhood Sweethearts, Island Life.
Dan Da Dan
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: Supernatural Powers, High School, Romance Subplot.
Young Royals
Lisa Ambjörn
A standout among the best series of the 2020s.
Explores: Royal Life, Boarding School, Class Differences.
Common questions
What are some highly-rated animated series from the 2020s?
The 2020s have produced exceptional animation across various genres. Top-rated titles include the steampunk-inspired Arcane, the brutal superhero drama Invincible, the dark fantasy Jujutsu Kaisen, the magical comedy The Owl House, and the musical dark comedy Hazbin Hotel.
Which 2020s shows focus on LGBTQ+ themes and coming-of-age stories?
Several acclaimed series explore these themes, most notably Heartstopper and Love, Victor. Both shows provide nuanced perspectives on self-discovery, high school life, and the complexities of young love, serving as significant entries in the modern LGBTQ+ drama landscape.
Are there any good mystery or thriller series released since 2020?
Yes, there are several compelling options. Only Murders in the Building offers a blend of mystery and comedy centered on amateur sleuths, while The Last of Us provides a gritty, post-apocalyptic survival thriller focused on a high-stakes journey across a destroyed civilization.