A five-part documentary directed by Ezra Edelman that explores the life and career of former American football player O.J. Simpson, as well as his infamous murder trial.
Twin Peaks (1990-1991) (8.8)
Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, Twin Peaks is a mystery and drama series that follows FBI Agent Dale Cooper's investigation into the murder of young Laura Palmer in a small town.
The Sopranos (1999-2007) (9.2)
A crime drama series about the life of Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mobster who tries to balance his family life and his position in the mafia.
Bleak House (2005) (8.3)
A miniseries adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel that follows the lives of various characters involved in a long and complicated legal case called Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
Transparent (2014-2019) (7.8)
A comedy-drama series that follows the life of a Los Angeles family after discovering that their patriarch is a transgender woman.
My So-Called Life (1994-1995) (8.4)
A comedy-drama series that follows the life of a teenager named Neil and his family, exploring themes like friendship, love, and growing up.
The Wire (2002-2008) (9.3)
A crime series created by David Simon that explores the lives of detectives, drug dealers, and residents of Baltimore, addressing themes like crime, politics, and society as a whole.
Master of None (2015-2021) (8.2)
A comedy-drama series created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang that follows the life of an aspiring actor in New York as he navigates his career and personal relationships.
Frozen Planet (2011-2012) (9)
A BBC documentary that explores wildlife and landscapes in Earth's polar environments, showcasing the beauty and challenges faced by animals living in these regions.
Rectify (2013-2016) (8.3)
A drama about a man named Daniel Holden, who is released from prison after 19 years on death row when new evidence questions his conviction for the rape and murder of his teenage girlfriend.
Fargo (2014-) (8.9)
A crime drama anthology series inspired by the 1996 Coen Brothers film, presenting different stories and characters each season, primarily set in the Fargo, North Dakota region.
Felicity (1998-2002) (6.9)
A drama series that follows the life of Felicity Porter, a young woman who decides to attend New York University to pursue her high school crush and discovers more about herself and her relationships in the process.
American Crime Story (2016-) (8.4)
A crime drama anthology series that covers real high-profile crime cases in the United States, such as the O.J. Simpson trial and the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace.
The Night Of (2016) (8.5)
A crime drama miniseries that follows a young Pakistani-American college student who is accused of murdering a woman in New York, exploring the criminal justice system and the search for truth.
Atlanta (2016-2022) (8.6)
A comedy-drama series created by and starring Donald Glover, which follows a young musician and his cousin as they try to find success in Atlanta's music scene.
The Corner (2000) (8.6)
A miniseries based on the homonymous book by David Simon and Edward Burns, exploring the lives of residents in a Baltimore neighborhood plagued by drug trafficking.
Olive Kitteridge (2014) (8.3)
A miniseries based on the homonymous novel by Elizabeth Strout, which follows the life of the main character Olive and her relationship with her family and friends in a small Maine town.
Homicide: Life on the Street (1993-1999) (8.7)
A crime series based on David Simon's book "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets," portraying the work of a homicide detective team in Baltimore.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013) (9.5)
A crime drama series that follows the transformation of a high school chemistry teacher named Walter White into a powerful drug trafficker after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
The Americans (2013-2018) (8.4)
A spy thriller set in the 1980s that follows the lives of two Russian spies posing as an American couple living in the suburbs of Washington D.C.
Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006) (8.2)
A comedy series that follows the life of a gifted teenager named Malcolm and his dysfunctional family.
Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000) (8.8)
A comedy-drama series that explores the lives of a group of misfitted teenagers and their experiences in high school in the early 1980s.
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History (2014) (8.8)
A documentary that explores the life and legacy of the three most famous members of the Roosevelt family: Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor.
Fleabag (2016-2019) (8.7)
A British comedy-drama series created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, which follows the life of a young troubled woman in London, dealing with personal issues, relationships, and her family.
Rick and Morty (2013–) (9.1)
An animated comedy and science fiction series that follows the adventures of mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his grandson, Morty Smith, as they explore different dimensions and face incredible challenges.
The Hollow Crown (2012–2016) (8.2)
A British historical drama series that adapts William Shakespeare's plays about the War of the Roses and the kings who ruled during this turbulent period.
Louie (2010–2015) (8.5)
A comedy-drama series created, directed, and starring Louis C.K., following the life of a divorced stand-up comedian as he tries to balance his career and raise his daughters in New York.
The Shield (2002–2008) (8.7)
A crime series that follows the lives of a group of corrupt police officers led by Detective Vic Mackey, who use questionable and violent methods to fight crime in Los Angeles.
Justified (2010–2015) (8.6)
A crime drama based on Elmore Leonard's character, Raylan Givens, a U.S. Marshal with an Old West-style approach to law enforcement, who returns to his hometown in Kentucky.
The Returned (2012–2015) (8.1)
A French mystery and supernatural drama series that follows the life of a small mountain town when deceased people begin returning to life, seemingly without aging or remembering their own deaths.
Top of the Lake (2013–2017) (7.4)
A drama and mystery series created by Jane Campion, which follows Detective Robin Griffin as she investigates the disappearance of a pregnant teenager in New Zealand.
Boston Med (2010–) (8.4)
A documentary that follows the lives and work of doctors, nurses, and patients in three Boston hospitals, exploring the challenges and triumphs of modern medicine.
Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–) (8.8)
A semi-fictional comedy series starring Larry David, co-creator of Seinfeld, playing a fictional version of himself as he deals with everyday life and the absurd situations that arise around him.
Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009) (8.7)
A science fiction series that follows the last surviving human fleet as they search for the legendary planet Earth, after a devastating attack by a race of robots called Cylons.
Silicon Valley (2014–2019) (8.5)
A comedy series that follows a group of programmers trying to create a successful startup in the competitive world of Silicon Valley.
Game of Thrones (2011–2019) (9.3)
A drama and fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin's books "A Song of Ice and Fire," following the complex power struggles between various noble families in a fictional continent called Westeros.
Mad Men (2007–2015) (8.7)
A drama series set in the 1960s, focused on the fictional advertising agency Sterling Cooper. The plot follows the personal and professional lives of Don Draper and his colleagues, addressing themes like sexism, racism, and unbridled ambition in the advertising industry.
Deadwood (2004–2006) (8.6)
A drama and Western series set in the town of Deadwood, South Dakota, during the U.S. gold rush. The plot follows the lives of town residents as they face violence, corruption, and the dangers of the frontier.
Murder One (1995–1997) (8.2)
A crime drama series that follows the life of defense attorney Theodore "Teddy" Hoffman and his team as they handle high-profile murder cases, including the trial of a famous actor accused of murder.
The Pacific (2010) (8.3)
A war and drama miniseries that follows the experiences of three U.S. Marines during the Pacific campaign in World War II. The series addresses the horrors of war and its emotional impact on soldiers and their loved ones.
Band of Brothers (2001) (9.4)
A war and drama miniseries based on Stephen E. Ambrose's homonymous book, following the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, from training through the end of World War II.
Wolf Hall (2015) (8.1)
A historical drama miniseries based on Hilary Mantel's novels, telling the story of Thomas Cromwell, advisor to King Henry VIII, during the turbulent era of the English Reformation.
Prohibition (2011) (8.2)
A three-part documentary directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, exploring the history of Prohibition in the United States and its impact on society, politics, and culture.
Lost (2004–2010) (8.3)
A drama, mystery, and adventure series that follows a group of plane crash survivors as they face the challenges of living on a mysterious tropical island.
The Tom Green Show (2003–2019) (8.7)
A documentary series that follows the life of comedian Tom Green, conducting interviews and pranks at his home and on the streets of Los Angeles, with absurd and provocative humor.
Catastrophe (2015–2019) (8.2)
A comedy series that tells the story of Rob and Sharon, a couple who face an unexpected pregnancy after a brief relationship and decide to stay together and raise the baby.
Undeclared (2001–2003) (7.9)
A drama series that follows the lives of a group of college students who face personal and academic dilemmas as they try to find their place in the world.
Lady Dynamite (2016–2017) (7.3)
A comedy series based on the life of comedian Maria Bamford, dealing with mental health issues and career in the entertainment world. The series mixes absurd humor and satire, using flashbacks and fantastical sequences to tell the story.
Extras (2005–2007) (8.3)
A British comedy series created by and starring Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, following the life of Andy Millman, an actor who works as an extra while seeking his big break in the entertainment world. The series features various celebrity guest appearances playing fictional versions of themselves.
Now that you know the 50 best TV series of all time according to Metacritic, it's time to grab some popcorn and start binge-watching! Remember that this list can change over time as new series are released and ratings are updated. So keep an eye out for new releases and don't miss the next television hits!
