You know how it goes. You finish a great show and that empty feeling hits. What next? You google "best shows of all time" and get ten lists with completely different picks. Frustrating, right? I've been there too many times. After rewatching classics and discovering hidden gems for 15 years – seriously, my Netflix history is terrifying – I figured it was time for a no-BS guide. Not just names on a list, but why these shows matter, where you can actually watch them, and who they'll actually appeal to.
What Actually Makes a Show One of the Best Shows of All Time?
Let's cut through the noise first. "Best ever" lists often feel random. For this guide, I focused on three real-world factors:
| Criterion | Why It Matters | Real Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Earthquake | Did it change how TV is made or talked about? Did everyone at work discuss it? | The Sopranos killed the idea that TV couldn't be deep art. |
| Rewatch Power | Does it hold up years later? Or does it feel dated after one viewing? | Tried rewatching Lost lately? Some magic fades. Breaking Bad? Still flawless. |
| Consistency | Great pilot? Easy. Staying great for 5+ seasons? Rare. | Game of Thrones stumbled hard at the end. The Wire nailed every season. |
Personal confession: I used to think Friends was overrated. Then I caught a rerun while waiting for a flight. Three hours later, I missed my boarding call. It nails that comfort-food rewatchability even if it's not "prestige." Lesson learned.
The Heavy Hitters: Unpacking the True Best TV Shows of All Time
Based on the criteria above, here's the core group consistently battling for the top spots. Forget ranking them 1-10 – that's pointless. It's about matching the masterpiece to your mood.
| Show (Years) | Why It's Elite | Where to Watch | Commitment Level | Perfect For... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Wire (2002-2008) | Epic novel of Baltimore. Uncanny realism. Every rewatch reveals new layers. | Max (HBO) | High (60 episodes) | Anyone wanting the deepest dive into systemic issues. |
| Breaking Bad (2008-2013) | Perfect character arc. Relentless tension. Best series finale ever? Argue with the wall. | Netflix | Medium (62 episodes) | Thriller lovers who want flawless payoff. |
| Sopranos (1999-2007) | Invented modern antihero TV. Therapy meets mob hits. Dream sequences still haunt me. | Max (HBO) | High (86 episodes) | Character study fans. Not for quick, action-packed binges. |
| Mad Men (2007-2015) | Style meets substance. Slow burns revealing hidden depths. Don Draper’s suitcase scene? Chills. | AMC+ | High (92 episodes) | Those who savor atmosphere and complex characters. |
| Seinfeld (1989-1998) | Rewatched it 4 times. Still catches me off guard. The blueprint for observational comedy. | Netflix | Bingeable (180 episodes) | Anyone needing laughs without laugh tracks. |
Quick rant: Game of Thrones absolutely belongs here for seasons 1-4. But recommending it as one of the best shows of all time requires a giant asterisk. That ending... oof. Still hurts. You can't un-watch it.
Pro Tip: Staring down 86 episodes of The Sopranos? Try the "3 Episode Test." If the therapy scenes and eerie quiet haven't hooked you by then, maybe skip it. Life's too short. No guilt.
Best Shows Of All Time by Genre: Find Your Flavor
Sometimes you crave a specific vibe. Here’s the best of the best, broken down:
Drama Titans
- Succession (2018-2023) - Shakespearean backstabbing in boardrooms. (HBO Max)
- Better Call Saul (2015-2022) - Slow burn character study. Arguably better than Breaking Bad? Fight me. (Netflix)
- The Crown (2016-2023) - Lavish, emotionally complex. Claire Foy’s Queen is iconic. (Netflix)
Comedy Gold
- Fleabag (2016-2019) - Wall-breaking perfection. Only 12 episodes! (Prime Video)
- Parks and Recreation (2009-2015) - Pure joy fuel. Skip season 1. (Peacock)
- I May Destroy You (2020) - Devastating, brilliant, boundary-breaking. (Max)
Sci-Fi / Fantasy
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008) - Yes, animation counts. Deep world-building. (Netflix)
- Dark (2017-2020) - Mind-bending German time travel. Needs focus! (Netflix)
- The Expanse (2015-2022) - "Game of Thrones in space" done right. (Prime Video)
Personal blind spot confession: I never got into The Office (US). Too much cringe! I know, I know. Unpopular opinion. But that's the point – no single list fits all. Find your best shows ever.
Underrated Contenders You Might Have Missed
The usual suspects dominate lists. These gems absolutely deserve a spot among the best television shows ever made but fly under the radar:
- Halt and Catch Fire (2014-2017): The 80s computer revolution drama. Low viewership, high artistry. Found it during lockdown. Haunting score. (AMC+, Prime)
- Rectify (2013-2016): Slowest burn ever. Ex-con adjusting to freedom. Painfully beautiful. Made me cry more than any "sad" show. (AMC+, Sundance Now)
- Friday Night Lights (2006-2011): "Clear eyes, full hearts..." Yes, it's about football. Really about community. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton? Magic. (Hulu, Netflix)
Finding These Classics: Practical Viewing Guide
Annoying reality: Streaming services constantly shuffle libraries. Here's the landscape as of late 2023:
| Streaming Service | Best Shows of All Time Available | Subscription Cost (Basic) | Free Trial? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Breaking Bad, Seinfeld, Avatar: TLA, Better Call Saul, Dark | $6.99/month (ad-supported) | No |
| Max (HBO) | The Wire, Sopranos, Succession, Game of Thrones, I May Destroy You | $9.99/month (with ads) | 7 days |
| Hulu | Friday Night Lights, Lost*, The Shield*, Cheers* | $7.99/month (with ads) | 30 days |
| Apple TV+ | Fewer classics, but Severance is a future contender | $6.99/month | 7 days |
* = Available but may require add-on package (like Live TV or Starz). Always check current availability!
Pro Tip: Hopping services? Focus on one genre at a time. Binge all the HBO greats on Max for a month ($10), then cancel and switch to Hulu for comedies. Saves cash.
How We Picked: More Than Just My Opinion
Look, everyone has biases. I adore slow-burn character pieces. Action-heavy stuff? Less so. To balance this:
- Crunched aggregate scores (Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus)
- Looked at longevity and rewatchability polls (like Rolling Stone's voter re-rankings)
- Talked to friends who love genres I don't (thanks, Emily, for the Babylon 5 push!)
- Prioritized shows that truly changed the TV landscape (Twin Peaks weirdness paved the way for Lost, etc.)
Objectively perfect? Nope. But way more thoughtful than "Here's 50 shows in random order."
Your Burning Questions About the Greatest TV Shows Ever
What show is considered the best of all time by critics?
It's usually a duel between The Wire and The Sopranos. The Wire often wins "greatest ever" polls for its scope and social commentary. Sopranos gets credit for starting the golden age. Both are essential pillars of the best shows of all time.
Why isn't [My Favorite Show] on your list?
Ouch! Probably is a contender. The West Wing? Sorkin's walk-and-talks are brilliant. MASH? Groundbreaking comedy/drama mix. Buffy? Genre-defining. Space limits! This list focuses on consensus heavyweights + personal underrated picks. Your favorite absolutely belongs in your personal best shows ever.
Is newer TV really better than old classics?
Not always better, just different. Older shows faced censorship (Twilight Zone couldn't show certain things) and shorter seasons. Modern shows have bigger budgets and creative freedom, but often bloat with filler episodes. The best shows of any era share one thing: unforgettable storytelling. Try comparing Cheers (80s) to Schitt's Creek (modern). Both masterclasses in heartwarming comedy.
Can animated shows be among the best shows ever?
Absolutely! Avatar: The Last Airbender has deeper character growth than most live-action dramas. BoJack Horseman tackles depression with brutal honesty. Arcane has jaw-dropping animation. Dismissing animation ignores some of the most inventive storytelling around. It's not just for kids.
What makes a show truly rewatchable?
A few ingredients: layered characters revealing new depths (Don Draper), impeccable dialogue you quote years later (Seinfeld), rich world-building you want to revisit (The Wire's Baltimore), or pure comfort (Parks and Rec's Pawnee). A show being "rewatchable" is a huge sign it belongs among the best shows of all time. Why else would we keep going back?
Wrapping this up? Finding the best shows ever isn't about a definitive ranking. It's about matching incredible storytelling to your taste and time. Try the 3-episode test on something new. Revisit an old favorite. Argue passionately about finales with friends. That's the real joy of television. Now get watching!