Ranked roundup
The best series of 2023
25 ranked · updated June 2026
The standout television of 2023 defined itself through intimate character studies, the weight of generational trauma, and the quiet beauty of human connection. From meditative fantasy epics to grounded historical mysteries, these selections represent the most compelling narratives that challenged genre conventions and resonated deeply with global audiences this year.
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 2023.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
This series earns its top spot by masterfully using a fantasy backdrop to explore the profound, melancholic reality of mortality and the passage of time.
The Last of Us
Neil Druckmann
The show secures its place through a visceral, unflinching look at moral ambiguity and the desperate, protective bonds formed within a crumbling, post-apocalyptic world.
The Apothecary Diaries
Its position is cemented by a sharp, witty protagonist whose medical expertise provides a refreshing and intellectually engaging perspective on the rigid dynamics of court intrigue.
Blue Eye Samurai
Amber Noizumi
This visually striking work earns recognition for its brutal, uncompromising examination of identity and the relentless, blood-soaked pursuit of vengeance in Edo-period Japan.
The Good Bad Mother
Sim Na-yeon
The series earns its spot by delivering a deeply moving, unconventional family drama that balances heavy emotional stakes with moments of surprising levity and redemption.
Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake
Adam Muto
It stands out for its bold expansion of a beloved universe, offering a complex, multiverse-hopping narrative centered on the necessity of personal and existential growth.
My Demon
Choi A-il
This romance earns its place by effectively blending supernatural elements with classic tropes to explore how vulnerability can bridge the gap between two opposing worlds.
Death's Game
Ha Byung-hoon
The show earns its rank through a creative, high-stakes premise that forces a cynical protagonist to confront the consequences of his actions across multiple lifetimes.
Scavengers Reign
Charles Huettner
It earns its spot through a unique, immersive depiction of alien ecosystems that effectively utilizes existential dread to highlight the fragility of the human experience.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles
This series earns its place by subverting magical school tropes with a hilarious, high-energy underdog story that emphasizes raw physical effort over mystical ability.
Moving
Park In-je
It secures a spot by grounding its superhero premise in the emotional weight of family secrets and the protective instincts of parents living in the shadows.
Twinkling Watermelon
Jin Soo-wan
This drama is notable for its heartfelt integration of Deaf culture and musical passion, weaving a complex time-travel narrative into a resonant coming-of-age story.
Bloodhounds
Jason Kim
The series earns its place through a gritty, fast-paced exploration of loyalty and financial desperation, anchored by the compelling bond between two young boxing partners.
The Dangers in My Heart
It earns its spot by providing a delicate, nuanced portrayal of adolescent social anxiety and the slow, awkward development of genuine, hidden emotional connections.
Lessons in Chemistry
Lee Eisenberg
The show earns its rank by using a 1950s period setting to deliver a sharp, feminist critique of systemic gender inequality and the struggle for intellectual autonomy.
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill
A standout among the best series of 2023.
Common questions
What are the best fantasy series of 2023?
Top-rated fantasy series from 2023 include the melancholic adventure 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End', the multiverse-hopping 'Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake', the supernatural romance 'My Demon', and the parody-infused 'MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES', each offering unique perspectives on magic, redemption, and existential themes.
Are there any good Korean dramas on the 2023 best series list?
Yes, the list features several acclaimed Korean dramas, including 'The Good Bad Mother', 'Death's Game', 'Moving', 'Twinkling Watermelon', and 'Bloodhounds', which cover diverse genres ranging from family melodrama and supernatural action to crime-noir and time-travel musical dramas.
Which 2023 series explore themes of revenge and identity?
The animated series 'BLUE EYE SAMURAI' is a standout choice for exploring these themes, as it follows a young warrior in Edo-period Japan who cuts a bloody path toward her destiny while struggling against those who made her an outcast.