Best Tv Series Of All Tim: The List Nobody Expected
Best TV Series of All Time: The Definitive List
The best TV series of all time according to multiple authoritative critics' polls and audience rankings are: The Sopranos, The Wire, Breaking Bad, The Simpsons, and Mad Men. These five shows consistently dominate top rankings across Rolling Stone, BBC Culture, and IMDb's Top 250 TV shows, with The Sopranos holding the #1 position in Rolling Stone's 2022 list of 100 Greatest TV Shows.
Critical Consensus: Top 10 Greatest TV Series
Multiple independent surveys of television experts converge on a remarkably consistent top 10. In October 2021, BBC Culture surveyed 206 television specialists from 43 nations to determine the top TV series of the 21st century, with 460 different series receiving votes. Rolling Stone's 2022 update included input from dozens of critics, journalists, and industry professionals.
| Rank | TV Series | Years Aired | Network | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sopranos | 1999-2007 | HBO | 9.2 |
| 2 | The Simpsons | 1989-Present | FOX | 8.7 |
| 3 | Breaking Bad | 2008-2013 | AMC | 9.5 |
| 4 | The Wire | 2002-2008 | HBO | 9.3 |
| 5 | Fleabag | 2016-2019 | BBC One | 8.7 |
| 6 | Seinfeld | 1989-1998 | NBC | 8.9 |
| 7 | Mad Men | 2007-2015 | AMC | 8.7 |
| 8 | Cheers | 1982-1993 | NBC | 7.8 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 2016-2022 | FX | 8.6 |
| 10 | The Mary Tyler Moore Show | 1970-1977 | CBS | 7.8 |
Why These Series Dominate Critical Rankings
The Sopranos revolutionized television by introducing the anti-hero archetype to mainstream drama, following New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano as he navigates family and criminal enterprise while seeking psychiatric help. The show kicked off the Golden Age of Television and established HBO as the premier destination for prestige drama.
The Wire devised by David Simon offers an unflinching examination of Baltimore's drug trade, education system, and political machinery. BBC Culture recognized it as the top television show of the 21st century, praising its sociological depth and episodic novel structure.
Breaking Bad introduced the element of radical character transformation to long-form storytelling, following chemistry teacher Walter White's descent into methamphetamine manufacture. It tops Tomatometer-approved critics' picks for best TV series of the last 25 years, edging out both The Sopranos and The Wire.
Top 25 Greatest TV Series Complete Ranking
- The Sopranos (1999-2007)
- The Simpsons (1989-Present)
- Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
- The Wire (2002-2008)
- Fleabag (2016-2019)
- Seinfeld (1989-1998)
- Mad Men (2007-2015)
- Cheers (1982-1993)
- Atlanta (2016-2022)
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)
- Succession (2018-2023)
- The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
- Veep (2012-2019)
- The Americans (2013-2018)
- The Larry Sanders Show (1992-1998)
- Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017)
- The Leftovers (2014-2017)
- Saturday Night Live (1975-Present)
- I May Destroy You (2020)
- 30 Rock (2006-2013)
- All in the Family (1971-1979)
- Star Trek (1966-1969)
- Watchmen (2019)
- Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
- M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
- Sesame Street (1969-Present) - Ranked #26, longest-running children's educational program
- Deadwood (2004-2006) - Ranked #27, Shakespearean Western drama
- Friday Night Lights (2006-2011) - Ranked #28, sports drama with documentary-style cinematography
- Roots - Ranked #29, groundbreaking miniseries on American slavery
- Parks and Recreation (2009-2015) - Ranked #30, mockumentary sitcom
Genre Breakdown: Best Series by Category
Different genres produce different champions. Crime drama dominates serious criticism, with The Sopranos and Breaking Bad widely considered the two greatest TV crime dramas ever made. Animation finds its representative in The Simpsons, which holds the #2 position despite being a comedy series.
For miniseries and limited series, Band of Brothers ranks #80 on Rolling Stone's list and appears in IMDb's Top 250 at #4. Chernobyl ranks #15 on BBC's 21st century list, demonstrating the power of historical documentary-style drama.
How These Rankings Were Compiled
The definitive rankings draw from three primary sources: Rolling Stone's 2022 100 Greatest TV Shows featuring critical consensus, BBC Culture's October 2021 survey of 206 television specialists from 43 nations, and IMDb's Top 250 TV shows ranked by user ratings with minimum 10,000 voters. A total of 460 different series received votes in the BBC survey alone.
For educational institutions seeking to understand cultural literacy and media education, these series represent essential viewing for students studying narrative structure, character development, and societal commentary through entertainment.
Key concerns and solutions for Best Tv Series Of All Tim The List Nobody Expected
What makes a TV series the "best" of all time?
The best TV series combine innovative storytelling, consistent quality across multiple seasons, cultural impact, and critical acclaim. Rankings weigh factors including IMDb user ratings (minimum 10,000 voters), critics' consensus scores, historical influence on the medium, and longevity in public consciousness.
Is The Sopranos or Breaking Bad the better show?
Rolling Stone ranks The Sopranos #1 and Breaking Bad #3, while BBC Culture ranks Breaking Bad #3 and The Sopranos outside the top 21st century list (since it began in 1999). Both shows changed television forever, with The Sopranos launching the Golden Age and Breaking Bad perfecting character transformation arcs.
Which TV series has the highest IMDb rating?
Breaking Bad holds the highest IMDb rating at 9.5/10, followed by The Sopranos at 9.2 and The Wire at 9.3. Planet Earth II and Planet Earth also rank in the top 5 on IMDb's Top 250 TV shows, demonstrating documentary series' critical standing.
What are the best TV series from the 21st century?
According to BBC Culture's survey of 206 experts from 43 countries, the top 5 are: 1. The Wire, 2. Mad Men, 3. Breaking Bad, 4. Fleabag, and 5. Game of Thrones. This list exclusively includes series that premiered after January 1, 2000.
Are classic TV series from the 1970s-1990s still considered the best?
Yes. The Simpsons, Seinfeld (1989-1998), Cheers (1982-1993), and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977) all rank in the top 10 overall. These shows established foundational television conventions that modern series still reference.
