Ranked roundup
The best series of 2021
25 ranked · updated September 2026
The television landscape of 2021 was defined by bold genre-bending narratives that masterfully balanced high-stakes spectacle with intimate character explorations. From the neon-drenched dystopias of animation to grounded historical dramas, these standout series captured the cultural zeitgeist through exceptional storytelling and unflinching examinations of the human condition.
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 2021.
Arcane
Christian Linke
Arcane earns its top spot through breathtaking visual artistry and a deeply emotional exploration of ideological conflict that transcends traditional animation boundaries.
Explores: Sisterhood, Dystopian Society, Technological Advancement vs. Social Decay.
Invincible
Invincible subverts the superhero genre by pairing visceral, high-octane action with a complex, grounded look at the heavy burden of legacy and familial duty.
Explores: Father-Son Relationship, Superhero Legacy, Brutal Superhero.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Mushoku Tensei stands out for its meticulous world-building and the protagonist's genuine, nuanced journey toward redemption and personal growth in a vast fantasy landscape.
Explores: Second Chance, Redemption, Character Growth.
Horimiya
Horimiya succeeds by subverting typical high school tropes, offering a refreshing and authentic look at the hidden vulnerabilities behind carefully curated social facades.
Explores: Hidden Identities, Unexpected Friendship, Social Outcasts.
Young Royals
Lisa Ambjörn
Young Royals captures the suffocating pressures of duty and class, delivering a poignant, modern coming-of-age story anchored by genuine chemistry and emotional honesty.
Explores: Royal Life, Boarding School, Class Differences.
Vincenzo
Vincenzo masterfully blends dark comedy with high-stakes legal maneuvering, anchored by a charismatic lead performance that makes its quest for justice feel uniquely compelling.
Explores: Justice, Revenge, Corruption.
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin
Only Murders in the Building thrives on the sharp, witty chemistry of its leads, elevating a classic mystery premise into a charming meditation on loneliness.
Explores: True Crime Obsession, New York City, Intergenerational Friendship.
Tokyo Revengers
Tokyo Revengers earns its place through a high-tension narrative that blends gritty gang dynamics with a desperate, time-bending race to rewrite a tragic past.
Explores: Time Travel, Gang Violence, Redemption.
Clarkson's Farm
Clarkson's Farm offers an unexpectedly captivating look at the realities of agricultural life, driven by the authentic friction between ambition and the unforgiving elements.
Explores: Amateur hour, Learning curve, Man vs. Nature.
WandaVision
Jac Schaeffer
WandaVision serves as a profound exploration of grief and human connection, using the evolution of sitcom tropes to deconstruct the internal reality of its protagonist.
Explores: Grief and Loss, Illusion vs. Reality, Control and Manipulation.
Tear Along the Dotted Line
Zerocalcare
Tear Along the Dotted Line provides a raw, relatable look at existential anxiety, using its unique internal monologue to frame the complexities of adult life.
Explores: Existential angst, Social commentary, Self-deprecation.
TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy-
TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy- distinguishes itself within the isekai genre by focusing on the humorous and community-building aspects of an outcast protagonist navigating a new world.
Explores: Summoned to Another World, Outcast Protagonist, Building a Community.
Snowdrop
Yoo Hyun-mi
Snowdrop excels at building intense suspense, weaving a tragic and forbidden romance into the volatile political climate of 1987 South Korea with great atmosphere.
Explores: Forbidden Love, Political Intrigue, Moral Dilemma.
Loki
Michael Waldron
Loki offers a clever, character-driven expansion of the superhero mythos, focusing on the philosophical struggle between predestined fate and the pursuit of free will.
Explores: Redemption, Fate vs. Free Will, Bureaucracy.
1883
Taylor Sheridan
1883 delivers a stark, cinematic portrayal of the American frontier, emphasizing the grueling physical and emotional toll of the journey toward a new life.
Explores: Manifest Destiny, Pioneer Life, Immigration to the West.
The Beatles: Get Back
Peter Jackson
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Creative Process, Band Dynamics, Music History.
Mare of Easttown
Brad Ingelsby
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Grief, Trauma, Family Dysfunction.
Komi Can't Communicate
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Social Anxiety, Making Friends, High School Life.
My Name
Kim Jin-min
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Undercover Agent, Organized Crime, Betrayal.
Mouse
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Justice vs. Revenge, Trauma.
Navillera
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Mentorship, Late-Life Dreams, Overcoming Obstacles.
Women's War: Bachelor Murder Case
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Murder Investigation, Jealousy, Competition.
Beyond Evil
Sim Na-yeon
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Small Town Secrets, Partnership.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Dave Filoni
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Clone troopers, Moral ambiguity, Post-war society.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Yu Je-won
A standout among the best series of 2021.
Explores: Small Town Romance, City Slicker vs. Small Town, Healing.
Common questions
What are the best animated series from 2021?
The top-ranked animated series of 2021 include the steampunk-inspired Arcane, the brutal superhero drama Invincible, the isekai adventure Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, the time-traveling gang drama Tokyo Revengers, the introspective Tear Along the Dotted Line, and the fantasy comedy TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy-.
Are there any good mystery or true crime shows released in 2021?
Yes, Only Murders in the Building is a standout mystery comedy from 2021. It follows three strangers in New York City who share an obsession with true crime and find themselves caught in the middle of a real investigation.
What is the best show about the American West released in 2021?
1883, created by Taylor Sheridan, is a prominent 2021 series set in the American West. It provides a gritty, historical look at the Dutton family as they navigate the Great Plains during their arduous migration toward the untamed frontier.