30 Best Must-See TV Shows of All Time

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Detective stories, comedy, fantasy and representatives of other genres with a score of at least 8, 7 are waiting for you.

30. Dr. House

• USA, 2004-2012.
• Drama.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

Diagnostician Gregory House, who works at Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital, has an obnoxious personality and addiction to opiates. But he, together with his assistants, undertakes to treat the most complex diseases, investigating their causes like a real detective.

Actor Hugh Laurie was twice awarded the Golden Globe for the lead role in this project. Both viewers and critics have appreciated the combination of medical drama, which is woven into a detective component, and the cynical humor of the protagonist.

29. Stranger Things

• USA, 2016 - present.
• Science fiction, horror, drama.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

In the small American town of Hawkins, a boy, Will Byers, disappears in the mid-1980s. Mom believes that the child is connecting with her from a parallel reality, and with the support of the local sheriff, she tries to find him. Meanwhile, Will's friends meet the young Eleventh. The girl who escaped from the laboratory possesses supernatural powers.

The authors of the series, the Duffer brothers, turned the teenage horror film into a collection of references to 80s pop culture. Here they listen to old music and remember famous films every minute.

28. Submarine

• Germany, Great Britain, France, 1985-1987.
• Drama, thriller.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

In the fall of 1941, the crew of a German submarine set off for the Atlantic Ocean. Before sailing, the sailors have fun, and the war correspondent decides to join the crew to capture the everyday life of the military. But soon the ship gets to the scene of hostilities, and then there is no room for jokes.

The initially realistic work by Wolfgang Petersen was released as a feature-length film. But a few years later, the full version was shown on small screens - a series of eight episodes.

27. Black Viper - 4

• Great Britain, 1989.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

In each season of this anthology, the hero Edmund Blackadder, played by Rowan Atkinson, intervenes in various historical events. In the fourth part, he serves as an infantry officer during the First World War. The hero is trying with all his might to dissuade the general from sending soldiers to certain death.

Against the backdrop of the comedy of the entire series, this season's finale looks very dark. But it is precisely its underlined anti-war thrust that makes it one of the best episodes.

26. Monty Python: Flying Circus

• Great Britain, 1969-1974.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Comedy troupe "Monty Python" presents in its sketch show a variety of scenes with absurd humor. The leader here can repeat over and over again: "And now something completely different." And at any arbitrary moment a knight with a chicken or the Spanish Inquisition bursts into the frame.

Flying Circus parodied typical TV shows from the 60s and 70s. But it was thanks to this project that many other series with non-standard humor appeared: from "Mr. Bean" to "South Park".

25. Pride and Prejudice

• UK, 1995.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Mr. Bennett has five daughters in his family. It's time for all of them to get married, especially since the landowner does not have a male heir. Soon their neighbor Mr. Bingley falls in love with the elder Jane. His friend Darcy does not approve of this choice, but gradually he himself is carried away by Elizabeth Bennet.

Jane Austen's famous novel has been repeatedly screened. But it is the six-part version with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth that is rightfully considered one of the most successful versions.

24. Twin Peaks

• USA, 1990–2017.
• Thriller, detective, mysticism.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

In the small town of Twin Peaks, local beauty Laura Palmer is brutally murdered. The FBI sends a young employee, Dale Cooper, to investigate the crime. Arriving at the place, he instantly falls in love with an unusual settlement. But soon Cooper realizes that otherworldly forces are involved in the case.

The series of the legendary David Lynch once revolutionized television. The director showed that it is possible to shoot not only monotonous soap operas and detective stories, but also integral works of authorship. After two seasons, the project ended. Lynch later released the prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Through. And in 2017, fans waited for the third season.

23. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

• USA, 2005 - present.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 14 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Four friends open an Irish bar in one of Philadelphia's underprivileged neighborhoods. Moreover, the heroes do not relate to each other in the best way. They do not hesitate to substitute and deceive their comrades, which often leads to the most amusing situations.

The series, filled with black humor, rests primarily on the performers of the main roles. For example, here you can admire the talent of Danny de Vito. And by the way, the project has already become the longest-running sitcom in the history of television.

22. Seinfeld

• USA, 1989-1998.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld at the beginning of each episode talks about unusual situations in his life. And then the series showcases his all sorts of adventures with friends, from waiting for a table in a restaurant to trying to launch his own series.

Even the authors themselves called their project "a show about nothing." Here, the heroes really practically do not develop, and the plots are based on the most banal events. But it is precisely this approach that opens up scope for jokes that are understandable to every viewer.

21. Darkness

• Germany 2017-2020.
• Drama, fantasy, detective.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

In the small German town of Winden, children start to disappear. The first teenager may have just run away from home, but the second disappears under the most bizarre circumstances. It soon becomes clear that this is due to a nearby nuclear power plant. Young Jonas, who recently lost his father, finds himself at the center of events that will change the lives of four families.

The German project of three seasons can be called one of the most intricate stories about time travel. Here they show the same characters at different ages, and the fates of all the characters are intertwined in the most unexpected way.

20. Mandalorian

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Science fiction, action, adventure.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

An experienced bounty hunter from the planet Mandalore must complete his next task. He sets out in search of an unnamed target, chased by powerful forces. But an unexpected discovery completely changes the hero's life, and new difficulties arise before him.

The series seems to return viewers to the days of the first films of the world of "Star Wars". The main character here travels to different planets and meets many new friends and enemies. And soon the authors promise to expand the franchise with several spin-offs of The Mandalorian.

19. Better Call Saul

• UK 2015 - present.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

A petty lawyer with a talent for a fraud looks after his sick brother and decides to open his own business. The complete lack of moral principles and cunning allow Saul to reach certain heights.

For the first time Saul Goodman appeared in the famous TV series "Breaking Bad". And after the completion of the project, the author Vince Gilligan decided to launch a prequel about the past of this hero, while retaining the tense criminal atmosphere of the original.

18. Narco

• USA, Colombia, Mexico, 2015-2017.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Pablo Escobar established his business in Colombia in the 1970s. The criminal founds the world's largest drug cartel, but the best FBI agent is already on his trail.

After two successful seasons about Escobar, the project switched to a story about a new criminal gang. And then the spin-off Narco: Mexico was launched, which is set in the 1980s in Guadalajara. All stories are united by a tough plot, tied to the confrontation between authorities and criminals.

17. Peaky Blinders

• UK, 2013 - present.
• Historical drama, crime.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

In the English city of Birmingham, in the early 1920s, one after another small gangs arose. Among them is the "Peaky Blinders" led by the Shelby brothers, whose members sewed blades into caps.

The series with Cillian Murphy is based on real events. Nevertheless, the authors of the project are not betting on the historical truth, but on a stylish picture and soundtrack. For this "Peaky Blinders" and fell in love with the audience.

16. Black mirror

• UK, 2011-2019.
• Science fiction, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

The anthology series tells satirical stories about the impact of technology on our lives. The heroes generate electricity on simulators in order to take part in a TV show, order copies of deceased loved ones, or even just flee from mad cars.

Black Mirror was an important milestone in the development of the series. This project was followed by a new wave of fantastic anthologies with social connotations.

15. Friends

• USA, 1994-2004.
• Sitcom.
• Duration: 10 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

The series is dedicated to the life of six close friends. They spend almost all their free time together, sometimes chatting in their favorite coffee shop, or doing everyday things at home. The heroes help each other cope with difficulties, swear, reconcile and, of course, fall in love.

The authors of "Friends" managed to embody the characters familiar to everyone in the main characters, so it is easy for viewers to associate themselves with them. This approach helped the show become one of the best sitcoms of all time.

14. Fools are lucky

• Great Britain, 1981-2003.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

Poor Del Trotter is determined to become a millionaire. To achieve his goal, he constantly invents various schemes of enrichment and draws his naive brother into them. But all of Del's plans end in failure.

Success for the series "Fools are Lucky" did not come immediately. But the project was gaining popularity from season to season, and by 1996 it had become the record holder for views among British sitcoms.

13. When will they see us

• USA, 2019.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

Five ethnic minority teenagers from Harlem are arrested for raping a girl. All of them will receive long prison sentences. But the heroes did not actually commit the crime.

Netflix's dark drama series is based on a true story. Five teenagers arrested in 1989 were fully acquitted and released only in 2002.

12. Fargo

• USA, 2014 - present.
• Comedy, crime, drama.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

Each season of the crime anthology tells a new story related to ridiculous criminals and mafia clans. Most often, the start of the plot is given by some kind of accident: a loser meets a killer and tries to hide the murder of his wife, or a simple girl accidentally knocks down a mafia's son with a car.

The series is based on the Coen brothers' film of the same name. It's just that they took humor and presentation form from the original. The plots in the new version of Fargo are completely independent.

11. Office

• USA, 2005-2013.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

The office of paper supplier Dunder Mifflin is full of life. Colleagues swear and fall in love, newcomers come to the company, and experienced employees do not let them live. But they all have one problem in common - the obnoxious boss.

The American "Office" is based on the British TV series of the same name. But in this case, the remake has gained more popularity than the original.

10. True detective

• USA, 2014–2019.
• Detective, drama, crime.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

Three seasons of the dark anthology are dedicated to various crimes. In the first, the partners, many years after the closure of the case, return to the search for the woman's killer. In the second, an interdepartmental group is investigating the death of an official. In the latter, detectives are looking for a girl after the death of her brother.

The series is distinguished by a complex narrative structure: the action always stretches over many years. But more viewers were hooked by the overall darkening of the story: "True Detective" tells about heroes who cannot find their place in life.

9. Twilight zone

• USA, 1959-1964.
• Science fiction, horror, thriller.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 0.

The classic anthology consists of individual stories related to other worlds, aliens, or unusual technologies. Although in fact all this is analogies with ordinary human life.

Rod Serling's project, which began in the late 50s, greatly influenced the development of science fiction series. In addition to the appearance of numerous analogues, the "Twilight Zone" itself was restarted three times.

8. Firefly

• USA, 2002-2003.
• Science fiction, adventure, western.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 0.

Galactic war veteran Malcolm Reynolds and his team make money from small smuggling. On their spaceship "Serenity" they transport cargo and regularly get involved in all sorts of troubles. Once a strange girl with superpowers gets on board and is hunted for.

At the time of its release, the space western from Joss Whedon did not attract many viewers: the series was closed due to low ratings even before the end of the first season. But later the project became truly iconic.

7. Sherlock

• UK, 2010-2017.
• Detective.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 1.

War veteran John Watson retires and meets the brilliant private detective Sherlock Holmes. The latter has a very bad temper. Partners unravel complex cases and begin a fight with the king of the underworld himself.

Stephen Moffat brought the action of the works of Arthur Conan Doyle to modern times. This made it possible not only to make the plot more relevant, but also to show how a great detective would behave in a more familiar environment.

6. The Sopranos

• USA, 1999-2007.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 2.

After a sick crime boss appoints Tony Soprano as the clan leader, he has a seizure. The hero goes to a psychotherapist, but he cannot tell anything. After all, all of Tony's problems are related to crime.

One of the most popular and highly regarded mafia series is based in part on a true story. But still, the authors added a lot of fiction to the action, which only benefited the plot. Over six seasons, The Sopranos have received over a hundred nominations for various awards.

5. Game of Thrones

• USA, UK, 2011–2019.
• Fantasy, drama, action.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 2.

All important families in the world of the Seven Kingdoms are fighting for the Iron Throne. Some are ready for open confrontation, while others weave intrigues and enter into alliances. But soon the long winter is coming, and with it the dangerous White Walkers will come.

The first seasons of Game of Thrones are based on the books by George Martin. But since he never finished the ending of the story, from a certain moment the authors of the film adaptation had to come up with a plot on their own. Because of this, many consider the final unsuccessful. But still, the series remains one of the main fantasy projects of modern television.

4. Wiretapping

• USA, 2002-2008.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 3.

Police from Baltimore investigate drug trafficking and contact the local mafia. Detective James McNulty wiretaps the suspects and tries to get evidence. But he soon realizes that he will also have to fight corruption and bureaucracy.

The series was invented by a journalist and police officer from Baltimore. That is why the project looks much more believable than its counterparts. Moreover, in addition to professional actors, a lot of real public figures and even criminals starred in The Wire.

3. Brothers in Arms

• USA, UK, 2001.
• Drama, historical.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 4.

Soldiers of the US Airborne Division during the Second World War are trained at a training camp. But soon they will have a dangerous operation - the landing in Normandy.

The Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks project became one of the most expensive TV series of its time. The authors invested a huge budget to show the scale of the war as realistically and in detail as possible.

2. Chernobyl

• USA, UK, 2019.
• Drama, historical.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 4.

In 1986, an accident occurs at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Valery Legasov and Boris Shcherbina are sent to the scene of the disaster, who are in charge of the elimination of the consequences. In parallel, they talk about the life of ordinary station workers and other townspeople.

Chernobyl became one of the main television events of 2019. The series became incredibly popular and caused a lot of discussion. Moreover, the final episode on IMDb has an incredible rating - 9.9 points.

1. Breaking Bad

• USA, 2008-2013.
• Drama, thriller, crime.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 4.

Chemistry teacher Walter White learns that he has cancer. Trying to get money for treatment, and at the same time wanting to provide for his family after his death, he begins to make drugs, taking as a partner the dealer Jesse Pinkman. Gradually, Walter becomes a violent criminal.

With each season, the controversial series only gained popularity. As in the case of "Chernobyl", the rating of the last, 16th episode of the final season on IMDb - 9.9 points. And the 14th series even received a record 10 points.