The 50 Best TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked

In the ever-evolving world of entertainment, the best TV shows have consistently managed to captivate our hearts, break new boundaries, and etch an indelible mark on the landscape of pop culture. Spanning from enduring network classics to revolutionary streaming originals, the world of television offers a rich diversity of diverse and influential programs with the best IMDb ratings.

In this post, we’ll count down the 50 best TV shows of all time, considering their total episode count, the talented casts that brought them to life, and the duration of their impact on the small screen.

1. Friends (1994–2004)

Total episodes- 236

Cast: Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston

Seasons- 10

One of the most loved sit-coms and best TV shows, “Friends” follows the story of six friends based in New York City. The show premiered in the year 1994, 22nd September on NBC till the last season which ended in the year 2004, 6th May. It is a critically acclaimed show and the audience loved the cast thus making it one of the most popular shows of all time. Watching it is a complete blissful and momentous experience with a complete surprise store.

2. The Sopranos (1999–2007)

Total episode- 86

Cast- Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, and James Gandolfini

Seasons- 6

Tony Soprano balances the issues of his fractured family with those of a different kind of “Family”—the mob. He visits a therapist to talk about the issues in his personal and professional life that cause panic attacks. He deals with power struggles on both a personal and professional level, affairs, violence, the risk of exposure and betrayal, and a lot of people getting hit. The genre of the show is drama and crime. Watching this show will be a great experience as it will thrive and dive you into the world of dark crime and drama. The show telecasted in 1999 and wrapped in 2007.

3. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Total Episodes: 62

Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn

Seasons- 5

Breaking Bad is a Vince Gilligan-created American neo-Western crime drama franchise that is mostly based on the two television programs Better Call Saul (2015–2022) and Breaking Bad (2008–2013), in addition to the 2019 film El Camino4. The breaking is a mix of suspense, drama, crime, thriller, and dark comedy. The show got air in 2008 and got wrapped up in 2013.

4. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Total Episodes: 73

Cast: Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey

Seasons- 5

The show keeps track of multiple plot threads at once. The first chart arc chronicles a struggle for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms between rival applicants, with other noble families fighting for independence from the throne. You can find some great action, drama, and fantasy television, drama. The show aired in 2011 and came to an end in 2019.

5. The Simpsons (1989-present)

Total Episodes: 721+

Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright

Seasons- ongoing

America’s favorite animated family, the Simpsons, has been a cultural icon for over three decades. As we move further down the list, it’s important to note that each of these shows has left an indelible mark on television history, and it’s difficult to rank them definitively. They each offer unique storytelling and unforgettable characters. The show is still continuing and has started in 1989.

6. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)

Total episodes- 56

Cast- Rod Serling

Seasons-5

The Twilight Zone is a classic science fiction anthology series about regular people caught in extraordinary situations. With futuristic societies, space travel, alien assaults, telepathy, goals, death and the afterlife, time travel, and warning stories of social decay and unity. The show aired in 1959 and wrapped in 1964. The show was released on 1st April 1959.

7. The Office (US) (2005 to 2013)

Total episode-201

Cast- Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Steve Carell

Seasons-9

A sitcom in the form of a mockumentary offers a funny glimpse into the routine world of work life at Dunder Mifflin or say The Office is a mockumentary comedic television series that follows the daily activities of office workers at the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company’s Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch. The release date of the show is 24March 2005.

8. The Wire (2002–2008)

Total episode- 60

Cast: Michael K. Williams, Idris Elba, and Dominic West

Seasons-5

Baltimore is the star of the series, which has a carefully thought-out story arc with an individual focus each year. We get to know each individual very well because the tale revolves around a single police unit and a single drug distribution network over the course of five seasons. The release date of the show is 2nd June 2002.

9. MASH (1972-1983)

Total Episodes: 256

Cast: Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr

Seasons-11

The show is a medical drama focusing on interrelationships, stress and trauma. and was created during the Korean War, this series combines humor and drama in the backdrop of a mobile army surgical hospital. The release date of the show is 17th september 1972.

10. Sherlock (2010-2017)

Total Episodes: 13

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman

Seasons- 4

You can see Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes brought a modern twist to classic mysteries. Discover the mystery in the great thriving world as the show started in 25th July 2010 and wrapped in 2017.

11. Black Mirror (2011-present)

Total Episodes (as of 2021): 22 (across 5 seasons)

Created by: Charlie Brooker

Seasons- Ongoing

These are just the first ten shows on our list, and there are 40 more incredible TV series to explore, each with its own unique charm and significance. Whether you prefer classic sitcoms, gripping dramas, or mind-bending science fiction, there’s something for everyone in this diverse collection of the greatest TV shows of all time. The release date of the show is 4th december 2011 and is still on ongoing.

12. Westworld (2016-present)

Total Episodes: Ongoing

Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton

Seasons- Mulitple seasons

Jonathan Nolan’s sci-fi series explores the consequences of artificial intelligence in a theme park for the ultra-rich. The show is still in continuation and it started in the year 2016. The reselase date of the show is 2 October 2016 and it is still going on.

13. Downton Abbey (2010-2015)

Total Episodes: 52

Cast: Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville

Seasons-6

The series is based on, set on the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, and depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era, and the effects the great events of the time have on their lives and on the British social hierarchy. The show was aired in 2010 and wrapped in the year 2015.

14. The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)

Total Episodes: 279

Cast: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco

Seasons- 12

This sitcom is based on celebrating Greek culture celebrated geek cultures. Also in addition the story portrays the love and friendship of 2 scientists. The show started on 24th September 2017 and got wrapped on 16th May 2019.

15. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-present)

Total Episodes: Ongoing

Cast: Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Shalhoub

Seasons: Multiple seasons

The comedy-drama is created by Amy Sherman-Palladino where she portrays a housewife’s entry into stand-up comedy in the 1950s. The show is still in continuation and began in 2017.

16. House of Cards (2013-2018)

Total Episodes: 73

Cast: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright

Duration: 6 seasons

This story revolves around lies and desires and focuses on Frank Underwood’s ruthless ascent to dominance in the political sphere. The show started on 1st February 2013 and got wrapped in 2018.

17. Stranger Things (2016-present)

Total Episodes: Ongoing

Cast: Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown

Duration: Multiple seasons

The story is based on The Duffer Brothers which showcases the 80s pop culture blends of sharing great friendships incorporated with a super thrilling storyline. The show is still ongoing as it began in 2016. The release date of the show was 15 July 2016.

18. Westworld (2016-present)

Total Episodes: Ongoing

Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton

Duration: Multiple seasons

The story revolves around Jonathan Jonathan Nolan who is a scientist and he explores the consequences of artificial intelligence in a theme park for the ultra-rich. The genre of the series is science fiction show. The show is still ongoing and began in the year 2016.

19. The Walking Dead (2010-present)

Total Episodes: Ongoing

Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus

Duration: Multiple seasons

You can see many elements going on in the show like how people save themselves from an outbreak of zombie attack and you can also get to see in a slight element of humanity. To add more sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes awakens to a zombie apocalypse. On the outer edges of Atlanta, he meets a group and quickly takes over as their leader. Since the walkers (or “zombies,” as they call them) feed on the living, they try to relocate to new and safer areas in order to survive. The show was released on 31st October 2010.

20. The West Wing (1999-2006)

Total Episodes: 155

Cast: Martin Sheen, Allison Janney

Duration: 7 seasons

The story revolves around an American president Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (Martin Sheen). He is a former New Hampshire governor and congressman by training who surprisingly got the Democratic Party nomination. He initially hides his illness from the public. You will have a great experience watching the show as it began on 22nd September 1999 and wrapped in 2006.

Honorary List of Best TV Shows

21. House (2004-2012)

22. Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-1974)

23. Deadwood (2004-2006)

24. The X-Files (1993-2002, 2016-2018)

25. Mad Men (2007-2015)

26. Downton Abbey (2010-2015)

27. South Park (1997-present)

28. Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

29. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

30. Bojack Horseman (2014-2020)

31. The Shield (2002-2008)

32. Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019)

33. Veep ( 2012-2019)

34. Fleabag ( 2016-2019)

35. How To With John Wilson’ ( 2020-2023)

36. I May Destroy You ( 2020)

37. Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)

38. Chernobyl ( 2019)

39. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)

40. South Side (2019-2022)

41. The Underground Railroad (2021)

42. The Crown (2016-present)

43. The Leftovers ( 2014-2017)

44. ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013-2018)

45. ‘Station Eleven ( 2021)

46. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend( 2015-2018)

47. Better Things ( 2016-2022)

48. Deadwood (2004-2006)

49. Peep Show (2003-2015)

50. Rectify (2013-2016)

Conclusion

Well, television shows have a great impact and also play a vital role in our lives. The list of the best TV shows mentioned above has a huge impact on their shows in various aspects like cultural impact, longevity, Innovation, and many more. All the shows are from various genres and provide some real entertainment. Most of them are holliwood and available on Netflix.

FAQs on Best TV Shows Of All Time

What are the best TV shows of all time?

The best TV shows of all time are listed as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Fargo, The Wire etc.

What are some of the best shows on Netflix?

Some of the best shows on Netflix are Sacred Games, The Romantics, Sex Education, etc.