What Are The Best TV Shows Of All Time

What Are The Best TV Shows Of All Time?

What are the top 10 most popular shows of all time? This is not a simple question to answer. We have to take into consideration many factors, as fan favorites, critical acclaims, financial hits and more. We usually hear Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones as number 1 and 2. However, doing deep research, is not always like that. We have to take in consideration, that TV shows and TV in general, while before there were only three or four networks to capture all the audience, now we have cable and streaming services fighting for the same fans.

But what if we could get more specific? Instead of trying to cram every show into one impossible list, what if we made a few lists? That’s what we’re going to do here. We’re going to look at four different ways to define “the best” TV show ever, and you might be surprised by what you find. We’ve got the shows that critics adored, the shows that everyone watched, the shows that made an absolute fortune, and the shows that proved the best stories can come from anywhere in the world.

The Shows Critics Can’t Stop Talking About

This list is all about critical consensus, the ones with a high score on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes. These are the shows that redefined storytelling, won every major award, and are the subjects of college courses. If you want to know what professional critics and cultural scholars consider to be the height of television art, this is the list for you. (Metacritic)

• The Sopranos: Consistently ranked at the top, this HBO series changed everything. It took the conventions of a mob movie and applied them to a long-form series, giving us a complex, morally ambiguous anti-hero who sees a therapist. It’s a masterclass in character development.
• The Wire: This show didn’t win a lot of Emmys, but it’s widely considered one of the most important television dramas ever made. It portrayed the city of Baltimore as a living, breathing entity, with each season exploring a different institution like the police, the school system, or the media. It’s an unflinching look at the systems that shape our world.
• Breaking Bad: The show about a high school chemistry teacher who becomes a drug kingpin is a classic tale of a character’s complete transformation. Critics praised its razor-sharp writing, stunning visuals, and a truly unforgettable lead performance from Bryan Cranston. The final episodes are widely regarded as one of the best conclusions to a series in television history.
• Mad Men: A visually stunning and meticulously researched period drama about Madison Avenue ad executives in the 1960s. This show was a slow burn, but critics were captivated by its deep dive into the American psyche, exploring themes of identity, social change, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Fleabag: This British comedy-drama is a modern marvel. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s performance and writing were lauded for their wit, vulnerability, and groundbreaking use of the fourth wall. It’s a hilarious and heartbreaking look at grief, family, and modern womanhood, and it swept the Emmys in 2019.
• The Leftovers: A challenging and profound mystery-drama that often gets overlooked, but critics adored its ambitious storytelling and emotional depth. It explores what happens to a community and its people after 2% of the world’s population vanishes, focusing on grief, faith, and the search for meaning.
• Chernobyl: This miniseries is a masterclass in historical drama. It told the harrowing story of the 1986 nuclear disaster with a chilling sense of realism and meticulous attention to detail. It was hailed as a powerful reminder of the consequences of institutional failure.
• The Office (UK): The original mockumentary about life at a paper company laid the groundwork for countless comedies. Its awkward humor, understated performances, and subtle emotional beats created a new genre of comedy that was simultaneously hilarious and cringe-inducing.
• Succession: A modern-day Shakespearean drama about a family fighting for control of a media empire. Critics praised its brilliant dialogue, intricate plots, and the stellar performances of its cast. It’s a cutting and darkly funny examination of power and privilege.
• Twin Peaks: David Lynch’s bizarre, surreal, and unforgettable murder mystery series captivated audiences and critics alike. It was a complete departure from anything else on television at the time and proved that TV could be as artistically daring as film.

The Shows Everyone Watched

This is a tricky one. “Popularity” can be measured in a few ways. Is it the total number of people who ever saw an episode, the peak number of people who watched a single finale, or a show’s sustained global reach? For this list, we’re focusing on shows that captured a massive audience, whether for a single, unmissable event or over many years across the globe. (Guinness World Records)

• Baywatch: You might be surprised to see this at the top, but the numbers don’t lie. According to the Guinness World Records, at its peak, Baywatch was the most-viewed series in the world, with a reported weekly audience of over 1.1 billion people. It was syndicated in 148 countries, making its global reach unparalleled.
• MASH***: The series finale of this beloved comedy-drama, titled “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” is still the most-watched non-news broadcast in U.S. history, with an estimated 106 million viewers in 1983. It’s a testament to the power of broadcast television when everyone had to watch at the same time.
• Dallas: This 1980s soap opera created a cultural phenomenon with its “Who shot J.R.?” cliffhanger. The episode that revealed the answer, “Who Done It?,” was watched by an estimated 83 million people in the U.S. alone, making it one of the most highly anticipated TV events of its time.
• Roots: In 1977, this miniseries based on Alex Haley’s novel became a monumental cultural event. Its final episode was watched by 80 million Americans, and it’s credited with sparking a nationwide conversation about race and slavery.
• Game of Thrones: As one of the biggest fantasy shows in history, GoT had an enormous audience. Its final season averaged over 44 million viewers per episode across all platforms, and the finale broke records for HBO. It was a show you had to watch to be part of the conversation.
• Seinfeld: The show about nothing was one of the most-watched comedies of the 1990s. Its series finale drew an audience of around 76 million viewers, a number that’s almost impossible to achieve in today’s fragmented media landscape.
• Friends: The finale of this iconic sitcom drew an audience of 52.5 million viewers in 2004, but its popularity has only grown since. Its legacy continues to this day, with it becoming a streaming phenomenon that generations of new fans have discovered.
• Cheers: “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” was a massive hit. Its finale was watched by over 80 million people, and its cultural impact as a feel-good bar sitcom is still felt today.
• I Love Lucy: In 1953, the episode where Lucy Ricardo gives birth was watched by an astonishing 72% of all televisions in the U.S. This classic show, filmed in front of a live studio audience, defined the sitcom format for decades to come.
• The Carol Burnett Show: Running from 1967 to 1978, this variety show was a consistent ratings juggernaut. It was a staple of American television for an entire generation and is a prime example of a show that held a massive, consistent audience week after week.

The Shows That Made a Fortune

This list is all about money. Not just how much a show cost to make, but how much revenue it generated through syndication, merchandise, streaming deals, and everything in between. These shows are the financial powerhouses that built empires and defined the business side of television. (Accio)

The Simpsons: With over $14 billion in revenue, this animated series is in a league of its own. Its money comes from everywhere: merchandise, movies, video games, theme park rides, and, of course, its highly lucrative syndication and streaming rights. It’s an unstoppable money-making machine.

• Seinfeld: The show about nothing made a ton of money. Its syndication deal in 1998 was valued at a groundbreaking $1.7 billion, and it has since generated billions more through subsequent deals and streaming rights.
• Friends: Similar to Seinfeld, the cast of Friends famously negotiated huge salaries, but the real money came after the show ended. It made over $300 million a year in syndication revenue, and its streaming rights were the subject of a bidding war between Netflix and WarnerMedia.
• CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: This procedural crime show was a global phenomenon, and its success led to a massive, highly profitable franchise with multiple spin-offs. Its syndication deals and international broadcasts brought in billions.
• Judge Judy: Believe it or not, this daytime court show is a financial juggernaut. It has made over $2 billion in revenue, largely through its highly profitable and long-running syndication deals. Judge Judy Sheindlin herself became one of the highest-paid personalities in television history.
• Two and a Half Men: With over 12 seasons and a high-profile cast, this sitcom was a cash cow. It made over $1 billion in syndication deals and was consistently one of the most-watched comedies on television.
• The Big Bang Theory: This sitcom’s popularity and massive syndication library made it a financial giant. It generated over a billion dollars in syndication fees and was a major asset for Warner Bros.
• Law & Order: The original procedural series and its numerous spin-offs created a massive franchise. The show’s syndication rights have been worth billions, with new seasons still being made today.
• NCIS: The most-watched scripted show for many years, NCIS and its spin-offs have a massive syndication value. Its consistent popularity has made it one of the most profitable franchises in television history.
• Family Guy: Like The Simpsons, this animated comedy has earned a fortune from syndication, DVD sales, and merchandise. It has generated over a billion dollars in revenue and continues to be a major profit driver.

The Shows from Around the World

In a world of streaming, the best stories no longer come exclusively from Hollywood. This list highlights shows from outside the U.S. that have captured a global audience and reshaped the television landscape. These are the shows that prove great storytelling is universal, regardless of language.

• Squid Game (South Korea): This survival drama became a global phenomenon and Netflix’s most-watched series ever. Its critique of capitalism and compelling, high-stakes plot resonated with billions, proving that a non-English-language show could dominate pop culture worldwide.
• Money Heist (Spain): Originally a Spanish network television series, Netflix acquired the rights and transformed it into a global hit. Its unique premise, fast-paced action, and clever heists made it one of the most-watched non-English-language shows on the platform.
• Dark (Germany): A mind-bending science-fiction mystery that became a cult classic. Its intricate plotting, time-travel themes, and stunning cinematography made it a critical darling and a favorite among sci-fi fans around the world.
• Borgen (Denmark): This political drama about a female prime minister navigating the complex world of Danish politics was a global success, predating the current wave of Nordic Noir. It was praised for its sophisticated writing and realistic portrayal of power.
• Fauda (Israel): A tense and thrilling political thriller that follows an Israeli undercover unit. Its use of Arabic and Hebrew and its nuanced portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict made it a global hit and a unique entry in the genre.
• Lupin (France): A slick and stylish mystery-thriller about a master thief inspired by the character Arsène Lupin. The show became one of Netflix’s most-watched non-English-language series, proving the appeal of a charismatic lead and a clever plot.
• Babylon Berlin (Germany): A lavish and visually spectacular neo-noir set in the tumultuous Weimar Republic. It’s one of the most expensive non-English-language shows ever produced, and its ambitious scope and gripping plot made it a critical favorite.
• Kingdom (South Korea): This historical zombie thriller expertly blends the zombie genre with a period drama about political intrigue in medieval Korea. It received high praise for its unique setting, fast-paced action, and impressive production value.
• Shtisel (Israel): This drama about an ultra-Orthodox family in Jerusalem was a quiet hit that captured the hearts of a global audience. Its intimate and nuanced portrayal of family life, faith, and love made it a critical favorite.
• The Bridge (Denmark/Sweden): The original Nordic Noir series that inspired remakes around the world. It’s a chilling police procedural that brought a unique mood and atmosphere to the genre and helped popularize Scandinavian television.

So, as you can see, the question of “What is the best TV show ever?” is really about what you’re looking for. Do you want to watch the shows that shaped the minds of critics and filmmakers? The ones that united an entire country for a single night? The ones that built a financial empire? Or the ones that proved great storytelling has no borders? There’s no single right answer, and that’s what makes television so exciting today.