The world of television used to be considered a lesser medium when compared to movies. However, things have taken a turn, and many think this is the golden era of TV. TechTrends put together a list of the best TV shows of all time based on their ratings.
Today, there are more amazing TV shows than ever before, and with the help of streaming services, you can watch TV anytime and anywhere. Moreover, the content has become more pleasing for fans and critics as they are richer and have more diversity. Since we are living in the golden era of television, it is too hard to narrow down the best TV shows of all time to a short list. TechTrends compiled a list of the best TV shows to add to your watch list. In addition, the list includes genres from comedy to sci-fi to hard-hitting dramas. You can find any genre you are in the mood for, so there is something here for everyone. Without further ado, keep scrolling to see TechTrends’ picks for the best TV shows of all time.
Best TV Shows of All Time
Television started from being a detriment to intellectualism to a new kind of literacy, as many people are spending tremendous amount of their time watching screens. With the arrival of various new series, such as Squid Game, seemingly one after another, it has become harder to keep up with television. Let’s get to TechTrends’ list of the top TV shows of all time.
Friends (Sitcom)
- Years: 1994 – 2004
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 82%, IMDb 8.9
It was television magic when Joey, Rachel, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross, and Monica got together in an unforgettable series called Friends. Those were the names that everybody knew back in the 90s. As one of the most popular and best TV shows of all time, this series changed the lives of all the cast members. Moreover, in 2021, there was a long-anticipated reunion of Friends starring the original cast. As for the story of this series, it revolves around the lives of six unique adults who go through various adventures and experiences that make their lives not only troublesome but also entertaining. Friends influenced people to get haircuts, affected the coffee shop culture, and brought “How you doing?” into the lexicon.
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The Office (Sitcom)
- Years: 2005 – 2013
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 81%, IMDb 9
This mockumentary sitcom is one of the best TV shows of all time. Although it initially just copied the British version, it started to be more of its own juggernaut. There are plenty of jokes that makes The Office barely have a dull moment. More importantly, it is The New Sincerity in comedy, which means it doesn’t use cruelty or bitter sarcasm to make people laugh, but rather sweet and kind-hearted characters who are doing their best. This series follows the manager and the employees’ everyday lives, with the employees having humorous and bizarre encounters as they aim to keep the company at its best.
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Modern Family (Sitcom)
- Years: 2009 – 2020
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 85%, IMDb 8.5
One of the best TV shows of all time, which is also a sitcom, is this absolutely fantastic show called Modern Family. The story revolves around three related families of different types living in suburban Los Angeles. The characters sometimes talk directly into the camera in this mockumentary. This TV show has had a great amount of influence on society as they emphasize the importance of unconditional love for your children, no matter who they are or where they have come from. Moreover, many people find themselves in the same situation as each episode shows, which makes it relatable. In addition, it teaches great values of forgiveness, optimism, acceptance, and honesty. It reminds us that notwithstanding the disappointments we endure in our lives, family is always there for us.
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This Is Us (Drama)
- Years: 2016 – Present
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 8.7
This popular NBC dramedy is among the best TV shows of all time and has won many awards, among them are four Emmy Awards. It is the story of three siblings who are struggling through their adulthood as they have lost their father tragically and untimely. While it mainly shows the present time, it also uses flashbacks to help the audience understand where this family has come from. This show has plenty of life lessons since it teaches us to love purely, honestly, and openly. In addition, it encourages forgiveness and seizing the day. But most importantly, it reminds us to acknowledge the need for help, with the characters trying to go through hard times alone and also trying to go through them together. The writing is exceptionally good, and the actors play their roles extraordinarily.
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Breaking Bad (Drama)
- Years: 2008 – 2013
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 96%, IMDb 9.5
Walter White became an icon in this critically acclaimed series called Breaking Bad, which aired on AMC. Bryan Cranston also won four Primetime Emmy Awards for the role he portrayed in this TV show as a high school teacher who turned into a meth kingpin. This is one of the greatest TV shows of all time and revolves around a chemistry teacher named Walter White, who was diagnosed with stage III cancer with little time to live. He is determined to make sure his family’s future will be secured. Therefore, he starts a career in drugs. The impact of such a fatal diagnosis on the morality of a hard-working man is tracked in this series.
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Lost (Mystery)
- Years: 2004 – 2010
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 85%, IMDb 8.4
Even those who have not watched Lost could not escape the fascination of its huge fan base. As one of the top TV shows of all time, Lost was nominated for many awards, like the Best Drama Emmy when its first season came out. For the second season, it claimed a Golden Globe. The story gets viewers on the edge of their seats to see what happens to the island survivors of a plane crash. The Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashed into an island located in the tropical Pacific. The survivors try to stay alive, but they gradually discover mysterious things happening on the island. It has supernatural and science-fiction elements. So, make sure to add it to your watch list if you haven’t already.
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Game of Thrones (Drama)
- Years: 2011 – 2019
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 89%, IMDb 9.3
Game of Thrones is a series based on the adaptation of the beloved novels of George R.R. Martin named “A Song of Ice and Fire”. As one of the best TV shows of all time, this award-winning series revolves around the deadly adventures of two powerful families when they fight to rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The show grabbed 56 Emmys and was nominated for 160 awards. This is indeed one of the best TV shows to add to your watch list. Many critics hailed the characters’ complexity, as well as the story, acting, and production.
The Sopranos (Drama)
- Years: 1999 – 2007
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 9.2
The Sopranos is a crime drama TV show that follows the life of an Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano as he tries to not only lead his criminal organization but also keep his family life. This HBO series is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time and has won many awards, including 21 Emmys and five Golden Globes. This series elevated the art form and for the effect it had on the industry and the way it changed everything, critics consider it one of the most groundbreaking series ever made. The subversive idea of a protagonist being an anti-hero has influenced 21st century TV in general, proved in Dexter, Breaking Bad, and many others. Even if it is dated and aged, every high-quality drama owes something to this series.
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Peaky Blinders (Drama)
- Years: 2013 – 2022
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 8.8
Peaky Blinders has redefined the gangster genre with the help of the astonishing actor portraying the role of Tommy Shelby. As one of the best TV shows of all time, Peaky Blinders had imaginative cinematography, incredible costumes, amazing direction, and talented, unreplaceable cast members. It follows the story of the Irish-Romani gang named Peaky Blinders, managed by Tommy, who has returned from WWI with his brothers. They grow from small-timers in Birmingham to ultimate and national prominence. Add this to your watch list; you don’t want to miss it.
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Westworld (Sci-fi)
- Years: 2016 – Present
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 81%, IMDb 8.6
This HBO sci-fi series is based on a film of the same title, Westworld, by Michael Crichton in 1973. As one of the top TV shows of all time, Westworld’s story revolves around Old West amusement park, which is hosted by androids and is going through fictional and technological advances. When the first season came out, it was the most-watched HBO original series and had the highest ratings. Regarding the cinematography, it is shot in places that give an aura of scenic beauty. The way it masterfully weaves interconnected plots to give a breathtaking climax when the first season ends is what makes this series one of the best TV shows to add to your watch list.
The Witcher (Fantasy)
- Years: 2019 – Present
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 81%, IMDb 8.2
Netflix’s popular fantasy series named The Witcher has become one of the best TV shows of all time. the story focuses on monster-hunter Geralt of Rivia, portrayed by Henry Cavill and how he is destined to connect with Princess Ciri, played by Freya Allan. It is an adaptation of novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski and the first season has pleased dark fantasy fans so much. Moreover, the show got many nominations, including Best Actor on Television for the leading role Cavill.
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The Walking Dead (Horror, Drama)
- Years: 2010 – Present
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 80%, IMDb 8.2
This zombie apocalypse series is based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book, with the initial idea of his work being “The zombie story that never ends!”. The Walking Dead has soon become a runaway success. Aside from the scares and the zombies, the series looks hard into the humanity of people who are living in a hostile world after being civilized for so long. Although the result of that look may hardly be pretty, this has become of the best TV shows of all time. The group of survivors are doing all their can to stay alive while they are consistently being hunted by zombies, who they refer to as “walkers”. The group is led by former police officer Rick Grimes, who searches for a safe and secure place for his people to settle in.
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The 100 (Sci-fi)
- Years: 2014 – 2020
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 93%, IMDb 7.7
TechTrends 100% recommends this sci-fi series to fans of adventure and fantasy movies. It is highly regarded as one of the best TV shows of all time as it follows post-apocalyptic survivors from the Ark, which is a space habitat, and to the Earth. They returned after a century when there was a nuclear apocalypse. The interesting part is that the first group that was sent to Earth in order to check whether its hospitable was a group of juvenile delinquents. They then encounter some of the survivors of that nuclear disaster on Earth. Moreover, one of the major themes of this TV show is humanity’s cyclical nature. In other words, humans will inevitably repeat their ancestors’ mistakes and perpetuate the old patterns.
The Handmaid’s Tale (Sci-fi)
- Years: 2017 – Present
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 83%, IMDb 8.4
All women’s rights were taken away by a totalitarian dictatorship following a civil war in the USA. Women are treated as a property of the state. Moreover, as there is an increase in infertility, fertile women, named handmaids, should bear children for their families. One of the handmaids named Offred tries to flee the country with her husband and daughter. However, she gets caught despite finding the happiness and freedom she was seeking. This is known as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
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Stranger Things (Horror)
- Years: 2016 – Present
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 93%, IMDb 8.7
This phenomenally successful 80’s series is created by the Duffer brothers. In addition, the duo did their best to make sure their show fits that time period, with the story revolving around a psychokinetic girl. She tries to help a group of young boys find their friend who is missing. Stranger Things is one of the best TV shows to add to your watch list. Moreover, it got 38 nominations at the Emmys and claimed seven.
The Queen’s Gambit (Drama)
- Years: 2020
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 96%, IMDb 8.6
The Queen’s Gambit is an adaptation of Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel of the same name. Known as one of the top TV shows of all time, this series is a coming-of-age story. It focuses on Beth Harmon’s character, who is an orphan and chess prodigy. A janitor at the orphanage taught her how to play chess and when she becomes 20, she goes to Moscow to enter a competition with the world’s best Grandmaster. However, aside from training so hard to claim such a title, she fights demons. She not only fights her drug and alcohol addiction, but she also has emotional problems. Although it is a miniseries, it picked up 11 Emmys out of 18 nominations in 2021.
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Squid Game (Drama)
- Years: 2021
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 8
Some of the most popular games for children from the 70s and 80s in South Korea got reinvented into a mysterious survival games. The winner is promised to be given 45.6 billion won. However, there is a catch as the losers must pay with their lives. The 456 desperate people who volunteer for these games go through six twisted games. Squid Game takes on ‘modern capitalism’ in a way that it depicts extreme competition as well as emotional and theatrical aspects of the story. Lee Jung Jae plays his role as the lead protagonist who recently got fired extraordinarily. This is indeed one of the best TV shows of all time.