The 20 Best TV Shows Of All Time, According To IMDb (2023)

There was a time when the world of television was considered to be a lesser medium than movies. Things have changed, and many believe we're currently in the golden era of TV.While today there are more great shows than ever before, stellar television dates back decades.

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A good place to use as a reference point for the best series of all time is IMDB. Based on hundreds of thousands of user ratings on IMDB,we've compiled a list of thetopscripted shows ever created.That means the only series not included hereare documentaries likeBlue PlanetorCosmos.

Updated September 30th, 2020 By Rhys McGinley:There is absolutely no doubt that there has been a golden age of television over the past ten years, with streaming services, the new digital age of binging, and bigger budgets leading to television overtaking film in a lot of ways for audiences. Over the years, there have been some unbelievable TV shows, too many to limit to just ten, and there have also been extra seasons hurting or helping beloved series' standings in TV history — according to IMDb, that is.

UpdatedApril 14th, 2022,by Kevin Pantoja:People everywhere are always looking for the next major show to binge-watch. Sometimes they desire something with over 100 episodes to take up a lot of time and sometimes they want a short series that will truly captivate them. With so much TV available at your fingertips due to streaming services and this being the golden age of television, finding which show you want to give your valuable time to. Thankfully, you can look at the ratings given out on IMDb to find the best as these are scores given out by passionate fans just like you.

Friends (1994-2004) - 8.9

Stream On HBO Max

For a long time,Friends was pretty much the biggest show in the world. Millions tuned in each week to see what Rachel, Ross, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe, and Monica were up to to the point where the cast was able to band together and get contracts at values that were unheard of.

To this day,Friends is still among the most watched shows whether it be through easy-to-consume reruns or on streaming services. The recent reunion special was also a pretty big hit, showing that this series is basically timeless.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005-Present) - 8.9

Stream On Hulu

Most people will agree that when a TV show goes on too long, the quality tends to dip. It has happened with almost countless series over the years but one that is apparently immune to this isIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,which has remained strong for 15 seasons.

The hilarious comedy has been on the air for more than 15 years and was recently renewed to the point where it'll be the longest-running live action sitcom in history. It's especially impressive given that it's a show about a group ofnarcissistic and often unlikable owners of a bar.

True Detective (2014-2019) - 8.9

Stream On HBO Max

True crime documentaries are wholly ingrained in the binging culture of today, but there is still a market for incredible crime dramas, something whichTrue Detectiveproves with its first season alone.

Season2 of the anthology show shook things up, but not to great results, undoubtedly being the worst of the three seasons despite having some greatstuff within it. Season3 did a lot better but still could not reachthe heights of season one, which alone is one of the greatest seasons of television ever. Overall though, it certainly does enough to be considered one of the best.

Death Note (2006-2007) - 9.0

Stream On Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Hoopla, & Peacock

An all-time great animated show isDeath Note, which is a Japanese mangaadaptation. Fans love that unlike a lot of other anime, it only ran for one season and makes for an ideal binge.

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The series revolves around a high school student who goes on a criminal killing crusade after discovering a powerful notebook and is continuously thrilling, exciting, and expertly crafted, earning its place on this list as not just one of the best anime of all time, but one of the best series ever.

Firefly (2002-2003) - 9.0

Stream On Hulu & Tubi

Fireflyis a special show, not solely for its extremely high quality, but its incredible popularity, reaching an almost unheard of level of a cult classic, with a devoted fan base around the world.

Despite the very best efforts of its fandom,Fireflyonlyran for one season in 2002-2003 with14 episodes. However, it did get a direct follow-up film in 2005 titledSerenity,much to the joy of the fans.

Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) - 9.0

Stream On HBO Max

To many people, the best Batman is not Christian Bale, nor even Michael Keaton, but rather Kevin Conroy for his outing in what is undoubtedlythe most outstanding animated superhero show of all time. There are even people who believe Mark Hamill's incredible Joker is the best of all time, over the likes of Ledger, Nicholson, and Phoenix.

The show is pretty much a dream for every fan of the Caped Crusader, with an incredible collection of heroes, villains, and side characters being a part of the series, which is littered with fantastic Batman stories.For many, it is the best era of Batman on screen thus far, and it is hard to argue against that opinion given how great it is.

The Office (2005-2013) - 9.0

Stream On Peacock

In the eyes of many,The Officeis the greatest comedy series in history. That is a fair argument given that the show boasted the talents of Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, and one of thefunniest supporting casts to ever grace a TV screen.

It's understandable that the show hit some bumps after Carell departed but it wrapped things up in a satisfyingway with a great finale and a solid final season. The show is still watched by millions today and is the biggest selling point for Peacock.

Attack On Titan (2013-Present) - 9.1

Stream On Hulu

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There are so many anime series out there that are considered iconic but it's hard to topAttack on Titan. The show is synonymous with the genre and has spanned nearly 100 episodes (with more on the way) while remaining consistently great.

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The plot centers on young Eren Jaeger who vows to rid the planet of the giant titans that destroyed his home and killed his mother. It leads to some thrilling adventures and the animation style only boosts the quality of the show.

Stream On Hulu & HBO Max

Sticking with the animated side of things, particularly the anime side,Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is considered by many to be the greatest anime of all time.

The show follows two brothers in search of the Philosophers Stone (no, not that one) to restore their physical forms after an attempt to revive their deceased mother went awry. The characters are outstanding, the writing is on point, the animation is great, and overall through its sixty-nine episodes, it manages to impress time after time.

The Twilight Zone (1959-1964) - 9.1

Stream On Paramount+

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The Twilight Zoneis one of the most iconic television shows to ever air. From 1959 until 1964, the original iteration ran and blew the minds of viewers everywhere. It worked as an anthology series, with each episode focusing on different characters and a different situation.

Traditionally, theepisodeswere sci-fi or horror-related, but some dove into the worlds of fantasy, suspense, and thrillers. It often did things that no other show was capable of at the time.The Twilight Zoneis widely regarded as legendary. So much so that it has been revived several times, including most recently on CBS All-Access, hosted by Jordan Peele.

Arcane (2021-Present) - 9.1

Stream On Netflix

It's pretty wild howArcane took the world by storm in 2021. Based on theLeague of Legends video game, the animated series was met with widespread acclaim and watched by so many Netflix subscribers. For starters, the animation style was unique and helped it stand out.

Then, the show featured incredible voice acting including Hailee Steinfeld and Annie Award winner Ella Purnell. In fact, it won nine Annie Awards in total and a second season is on the horizon. The relationship between the two central sisters led to emotional scenes and mind-blowing moments.

Sherlock (2010-2017) - 9.1

Stream On Crackle

(Video) Top 10 Best TV Series Of All Time (IMDB)

Sherlock Holmes is a character who has had his story told in a variety of mediums. There are books and films, as well as the CBS showElementary. However, it's the BBC version simply titledSherlockthat scored highest on IMDB. This is what launched the successful careers of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, who are both beloved as Sherlock and Watson.

Everyepisode lasts about 90 minutes, making each mystery Sherlock uncovers feel like a film. It is masterfully shot, brilliantly acted, and features some plot twists that will leave you yearning for more. The series2 episode, "The Reichenbach Fall," was met with critical praise and spawned months of online speculation about the big twist ending, proving how impactfulSherlock is to its fans.

The Sopranos (1999-2007) - 9.2

Stream On HBO Max

Get ready for a lot of HBO on this list. This intense series followed the story of a New Jersey mob boss as he dealt with balancing his family issues and his business problems, all while seeking psychiatric help.The Sopranos was groundbreaking, especially when it premiered back in 1999.

Led by the excellent performancesfrom the likes of James Gandolfini and Edie Falco,The Sopranos took the world by storm.It was almost always mired in some controversy, yet people kept coming back for more. During its run, the show racked up the awards, including over 20 Emmys.

Rick And Morty (2013-Present) - 9.2

Stream On Hulu & HBO Max

Here we have our second animated entry. Airing on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim network,Ricky and Mortyis the definition of a cultural phenomenon. The show centers around a mad scientist (Rick) and his grandson (Morty), as they go on wacky interdimensional adventures. It always leaves fans wanting more, taking lengthy breaks in between seasons.

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Ricky and Mortyis the brainchild of Justin Rolland. He is the co-creator but also acts as director, writer, and producer.Rolland is also the voice of both of the titular characters, proving how many hats he wears. The show has a unique comedic style that has captivated audiences and formed an almost unmatched cult following.

Game Of Thrones (2011-2019) - 9.3

Stream On HBO Max

It's the most ambitious television show ever created.Game of Thrones was an epic scale series that ranked among the most expensive in history. More often than not, a fantasy story like this wouldn't catch on with the masses, but it became a crossover hit that broke ratings records.

Game of Thrones gave us iconic characters like Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Arya Stark. It also provided us with unforgettable moments like the infamous Red Wedding and the Hodor origin story. The final season wasn't well-received, and hadthis ended stronger; it would've probably ranked higher. Regardless of feelings about the ending,Game of Thrones was a remarkable accomplishment and one of the most decorated shows of all time.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008) - 9.3

Stream On Netflix & Paramount+

You may be surprised to find a Nickelodeon show among the best. You'd be even more stunned if you only knew ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderfrom the widely panned film made by M. Night Shyamalan. The show included 61 episodes, gaining all sorts of praise.

Avatar: The Last Airbenderfollowed the adventures of a young boy on a quest tofulfill his destiny as the Avatar, which would bring peaceto a warring world filled with elemental magic. It was more advanced than your typical Nickelodeon show, with viewers celebrating its art direction, action, humor, and character development. If only the 2010 film could have captured the magic.

The Wire (2002-2008) - 9.3

Stream On HBO Max

Back to the world of HBO forThe Wire. Set in Baltimore, it surrounded the intertwining lives of law enforcement and criminals and realistically told the story. The creator of the show, David Simon, had experience as a journalist for theBaltimore Sun, which played a part in why the show felt so honest and raw.

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This crime drama is considered by many to be in the conversation for the best show of all time. Despite that feeling,The Wirenever won any significant awards during its run. It did help launch the careers of Idris Elba, Michael B. Jordan, Michael K. Williams, and more.It's nearly impossible to find a better cop show.

Chernobyl (2019) - 9.4

Stream On HBO Max

Another HBO production,Chernobyl,was a 2019 five-episode miniseries depicting the 1986 nuclear disaster and the excruciating cleanup that followed. Thisis not a show you binge watch due to the heavy nature of the subject matter.

Chernobylis a fascinating nightmare of a mystery, but its real strength lies in how it portrayed the danger and agony that comes with radiation. It managed to work as both a tragedy and a tribute to those who lost their lives in this event. Fans and critics lauded the miniseries.

Band Of Brothers (2001) - 9.4

Stream On HBO Max

The scope ofBand of Brotherswas wildly impressive. TheHBO miniseries lasted ten episodesand had a budget of $125 million that you would expect from a blockbuster motion picture. Based on the 1992 book of the same name, it dramatized the history of a United States Army platoon during World War II.

It helped that the miniseries was created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who had collaborated on the critically acclaimed World War II filmSaving Private Ryan.They nailed all the aspects they needed to and gave viewers an experience that felt authentic.Band of Brotherstook home both the Emmy and Golden Globe for Best Miniseries.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013) - 9.5

Stream On Netflix

There may have never been a more tightly written drama in the history of television. For five seasons,Breaking Badmade sure every scene in every episode mattered and built towards something. The showtold the story of Walter White, a chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer, who partners with his formerstudent tocook and sell meth.

Watching White become hungry with power and get driven to do terrible things made for one of the most interesting character arcs ever witnessed. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul won several awards for their incredible portrayals of the two lead characters. Throughout its entire run,Breaking Badnever experienced a dip in quality.

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