Ranked roundup
The best series of 2022
25 ranked · updated July 2026
The television landscape of 2022 was defined by bold emotional resonance, ranging from the tender sincerity of coming-of-age dramas to the high-stakes intensity of dystopian thrillers and intricate revenge sagas. These selections showcase a year where genre-bending storytelling and complex character studies captured the global cultural zeitgeist.
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 2022.
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman
Heartstopper earns the top spot for its remarkably earnest and authentic portrayal of first love and the delicate process of self-discovery during adolescence.
Explores: First Love, Self-Discovery, High School.
SPY x FAMILY
This series masterfully balances high-stakes espionage with the warmth of a found family, creating a unique comedic tone that feels both fresh and endearing.
Explores: Found Family, Secret Identity, Fish Out of Water.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man stands out for its visceral animation style and a gritty narrative that pushes the boundaries of traditional dark fantasy and action storytelling.
Explores: Debt, Devil Hunters, Transformation.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Rafał Jaki
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners delivers a visually stunning and emotionally devastating exploration of a dystopian society through the lens of a tragic, high-octane mercenary life.
Explores: Cybernetic augmentation, Dystopian society, Mercenary life.
Alchemy of Souls
Hong Jeong-eun
Alchemy of Souls excels by weaving complex political intrigue with a compelling magical premise that challenges the very nature of destiny and free will.
Explores: Destiny vs. Free Will, Master-Disciple Relationship, Forbidden Love.
Wednesday
Miles Millar
Wednesday succeeds by updating a classic character with sharp, cynical wit while grounding the supernatural mystery in a relatable coming-of-age school environment.
Explores: Outsider Perspective, Coming-of-Age, Murder Investigation.
Severance
Dan Erickson
Severance provides a hauntingly clinical look at existentialism, using its unique workplace premise to pose profound questions about memory, identity, and corporate control.
Explores: Identity Crisis, Existentialism, Memory Manipulation.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Moon Ji-won
Extraordinary Attorney Woo is celebrated for its compassionate approach to disability representation, offering a heartwarming look at professional growth and the value of acceptance.
Explores: Autism representation, Acceptance, Overcoming prejudice.
The Glory
Kim Eun-sook
The Glory is a gripping study of trauma and retribution, anchored by a meticulous, slow-burn revenge plot that highlights the consequences of social inequality.
Explores: Bullying, Revenge, Social Inequality.
House of the Dragon
George R. R. Martin
House of the Dragon captures the tragic weight of dynastic decline through its sophisticated political drama and the high-stakes power struggles of the Targaryens.
Explores: Succession, Power Struggles, Dynastic Conflict.
My Dress-Up Darling
My Dress-Up Darling offers a charming exploration of hidden talents and unconventional hobbies, highlighting the beauty of finding connection through shared creative passions.
Explores: Cosplay, Fish Out of Water, Hidden Talents.
Business Proposal
Han Sul-hee
Business Proposal thrives on its classic romantic comedy tropes, delivering a delightful and fast-paced office romance fueled by the tension of mistaken identities.
Explores: Mistaken Identity, Forced Proximity, Fake Dating.
All of Us Are Dead
Chun Sung-il
All of Us Are Dead revitalizes the survival horror genre by placing high school students in an impossible situation that forces difficult moral dilemmas.
Explores: High School Setting, Zombie Apocalypse, Moral Dilemmas.
Tulsa King
Taylor Sheridan
Tulsa King provides a gritty yet humorous take on the exile drama, focusing on the challenges of starting over after a lifetime in the mob.
Explores: Second Chances, Building a New Empire, Mob Life.
Weak Hero
You Su-min
Weak Hero is a compelling action thriller that distinguishes itself by focusing on the unexpected bonds of friendship forged in the face of systemic bullying.
Explores: Underdog, Friendship, Violence.
Andor
Tony Gilroy
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Rebellion, Underdog Story, Dystopian Society.
Halo
Kyle Killen
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Man vs Alien, Super Soldiers, Dystopian Future.
Peacemaker
James Gunn
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Anti-hero redemption, Dysfunctional team, Government conspiracy.
The Bear
Christopher Storer
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Grief, Family Business, Working Class.
1923
Taylor Sheridan
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: family saga, land disputes, economic hardship.
FROM
John Griffin
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Trapped in a mysterious town, Monsters in the woods, Survival horror.
Twenty Five Twenty One
Jung Jee-hyun
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Youth, Dreams, Resilience.
Tomorrow
Llama
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Afterlife, Moral Dilemmas, Redemption.
Blue Lock
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Survival Game, Egoism, Competition.
The Legend of Vox Machina
Chris Prynoski
A standout among the best series of 2022.
Explores: Found Family, Underdog Story, Group of Misfits.
Common questions
What are some highly-rated Korean dramas from 2022?
Several acclaimed Korean dramas released in 2022 include the period fantasy Alchemy of Souls, the legal drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the intense revenge series The Glory, the workplace romance Business Proposal, the zombie thriller All of Us Are Dead, and the action-packed school drama Weak Hero.
Are there any good animated series released in 2022?
Yes, 2022 featured several standout animated series, including the espionage comedy SPY x FAMILY, the dark fantasy Chainsaw Man, the tech-noir Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and the romantic comedy My Dress-Up Darling, which covers themes of cosplay and traditional craftsmanship.
What are the best mystery or thriller series from 2022?
Top mystery and thriller picks from 2022 include the supernatural mystery Wednesday, the psychological workplace thriller Severance, the revenge-focused drama The Glory, the zombie survival series All of Us Are Dead, and the high-stakes action thriller Weak Hero.