There aren’t many things more fun than binging a good TV show in one sitting. But then, what arises is the problem of what to watch next. There are several ways of figuring that out, but what many television fans will turn to is IMDb. The website has a handy list of the 250 highest-rated shows on the platform, and the top 10 are all a must-see for those who love the medium.
Thankfully, for those who like to keep their television-watching diverse, there’s a surprisingly wide variety of shows on IMDb’s top 10 TV shows list. From kid-friendly animated series like Avatar: The Last Airbender to revolutionary crime dramas like The Sopranos, these are shows whose quality is backed up by the incredibly high ratings they have received from users on IMDb.
20
‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
The complex, subversive, exquisitely entertaining Hunter x Hunter is usually agreed to be one of the best anime series of the 21st century. It’s about a boy who aspires to become a Hunter, an exceptional being capable of the utmost greatness. With the help of his friends, he sets out to find his father, who left him when he was younger.
There are plenty of things that make this many people’s favorite anime show, to the point that it’s one of the highest-rated of the medium on IMDb. The characters are richly constructed and always fun to follow, the villains are both formidable and layered, and the action is always vividly animated and an awful lot of fun.
Hunter x Hunter
- Release Date
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2011 – 2013
- Directors
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Hiroshi Kôjina
- Writers
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Atsushi Maekawa, Tsutomu Kamishiro
19
‘Clarkson’s Farm’ (2021–)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Jeremy Clarkson rose to prominence by hosting the revival of the beloved car-centric show Top Gear. After that came Prime Video’s The Grand Tour, and with that adventure now over, what’s next for Clarkson? Well, farming, of course. Clarkson’s Farm is a reality comedy that follows Clarkson as he attempts to run a farm in the countryside.
The show is often hysterical, mainly due to its lead being pretty much completely useless in a farm; but it’s also a loving celebration of the profession, putting all manner of real farmers under the spotlight and shining a light on their importance. Clarkson’s Farm will likely not convert those who already didn’t love the titular host’s sense of humor in Top Gear or Grand Tour; but for those craving more of the same kinds of hijinks, this is a must-see.
18
‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Prequels in general have a so-so history on the big screen; but every now and then, they turn out well. Nowadays, they can only hope to turn out as phenomenally as Better Call Saul, which may just be the greatest TV prequel of all time. It follows the trials and tribulations that lead criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill to eventually becoming the infamous Saul Goodman.
As the show progresses, it keeps getting better and better. Its balance between the sometimes-comedic law-related misadventures that Jimmy gets himself into and the crime plotlines that initially mostly involve Mike Ehrmantraut and Nacho Varga, but eventually start pulling in Jimmy more and more frequently, is pitch-perfect. It’s one of the best drama shows of the 2010s, packed with phenomenally written characters, unforgettable performances, and all sorts of fascinating stories.
17
‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Video game adaptations in general don’t exactly have a great track record. So, who would have thought that a game like League of Legends would provide more than enough material for Netflix to make one of their best originals ever? Indeed, Arcane is a nearly-perfect animated sci-fi fantasy show set amid the stark discord of a pair of cities. Here, two sisters fight on rival sides of a war between magic technologies and clashing convictions.
The series’ first season was shockingly great, and the second and last season really sealed the deal: This is one of the greatest animated shows ever made. The characters are complex and engaging, the music and animation are absolutely flawless, the story is consistently entertaining, and the many twists and turns that the writers keep in store never fail to change the game.
Arcane
- Release Date
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2021 – 2023
- Showrunner
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Christian Linke, Alex Yee
- Directors
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Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord
16
‘The Office’ (2005–2013)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Few sitcoms can come close to genuine perfection, and The Office is most definitely one of them. The rare TV show remake that actually surpassed its predecessor in success and popularity, it’s a mockumentary about a group of typical office workers in a Pennsylvania paper company. Their workdays usually consist of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, romance, and hilarious hijinks.
An immensely talented cast playing a huge ensemble of iconic characters, the kind of hilarious sense of humor that’s very rarely seen on television these days, and nine seasons of pure laughter, emotion, and just a healthy dose of cringe, are all elements that make The Office so beloved. There’s a good reason why it’s the highest-rated live-action sitcom on IMDb: It’s just that good.
15
‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992–1995)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
It was Tim Burton with 1989’s Batman who proved that superheroes in general, and the Caped Crusader in particular, deserved to be taken seriously. So, darker and more complex explorations of the character started taking shape—including the ’90s classic Batman: The Animated Series. It follows various stories that see the Dark Knight battling crime in Gotham City, featuring multiple of the most legendary characters from the Batman mythos, from Robin and Commissioner Gordon to the Penguin and Joker.
Thanks to excellent direction and scripts, a more in-depth exploration of these popular characters than fans had ever seen outside the comic book medium, and some of the most impressive visuals of any animated show, Batman: The Animated Series is one of the greatest adaptations of the character thus far. The late Kevin Conroy is typically considered the most iconic Batman actor ever, and the show that birthed that legendary performance is every bit as deserving of praise.
14
‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959–1964)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
The best anthology series ever made, as well as perhaps the best-known and most influential, Rod Serling‘s The Twilight Zone puts ordinary people in extraordinarily strange and scary situations moving through sci-fi, horror, and dark fantasy. With the occasional appearance of actors of the stature of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, the show set the standard for future sci-fi shows, and that’s the way it’s remained ever since.
TV fans on IMDb call the series a pioneer in both anthology-form television and the sci-fi genre on the small screen, praising it not just for its immeasurable impact and legacy, but for being a terrific show in its own right. With themes, stories, and production values far ahead of its time, The Twilight Zone has aged like the finest wines. It’s creepy, technically outstanding, and with some of the most gripping episodes of any show from its era.
13
‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
One of the most popular anime shows of modern times, Attack on Titan is worth every last bit of the hype. It’s an action-adventure epic where, after his hometown is destroyed by giant humanoid Titans who have brought humanity to the brink of extinction, young Eren Jaeger vows to cleanse the Earth of their existence. It’s a dark, intense, visually jaw-dropping show, and each of its four seasons is a work of art.
Attack on Titan is one of the best shonen anime series (anime aimed at teenage boys) ever, and it’s not even close. With epic, often absolutely stunning action sequences, and morally grey characters that make the experience of following their arcs deeply engrossing, it’s the kind of show that one can’t take one’s eyes off of at any point during any of its exceptional 98 episodes.
12
‘Sherlock’ (2010–2017)
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
The works of British writer Arthur Conan Doyle have defined the detective genre for generations. Without the creation of Sherlock Holmes, who knows how many other characters and stories who were influenced by him would also not exist today. In a fascinating way, the BBC’s Sherlock takes those legendary stories and transports them to modern-day London, where “high-functioning sociopath” Sherlock Holmes solves all sorts of dangerous cases alongside Afghanistan War vet John Watson.
One of the best crime TV shows of the 2010s, this brilliant miniseries is a nearly perfect modernization of Sherlock and Watson, as well as the detective genre in general. Enthralling thrills, surprisingly emotional character moments, and an unexpected sense of humor populate each of the show’s thirteen one-and-a-half-hour-long episodes — a runtime perfectly long enough to hook any viewer.
Sherlock
- Release Date
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2010 – 2016
- Network
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BBC
- Showrunner
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Steven Moffat
11
‘Rick and Morty’ (2013–)
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
It has somewhat gone down in quality as time has passed, but Rick and Morty is evidently still one of the animated shows that are held in the highest regard by general audiences. It’s the story of the title characters, one of the most iconic duos in animation. One is a nihilistic mad scientist, the other is his anxious grandson. Together, they go on a number of intergalactic and interdimensional misadventures that often involve their dysfunctional family.
With its particular brand of intellectual humor and clever meta-commentary on the sci-fi genre and the televisual medium as a whole, Rick and Morty has a loyal fanbase that prides itself on appreciating the fact that it’s much smarter than your typical adult animated show. Full of hilarious episodes and highly creative stories, it may no longer quite be what it used to be, but it still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
With its awesome steampunk aesthetic and some of the highest-rated episodes on IMDb, it’s no wonder why Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is by a significant margin the most acclaimed anime series on the platform. It’s about two brothers searching for a Philosopher’s Stone after an attempt to revive their deceased mother goes awry and leaves them in a damaged condition.
Even those who don’t typically like anime series — or even those who have never even gotten into the art form — will find that Brotherhood is nevertheless the kind of show that they would love. After all, who could say no to an addictive and commendably well-written narrative? To a stacked ensemble of fascinating characters? To some of the best animation on IMDb’s top 250? Chances are, not many TV fans.
9
‘Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story’ (2020)
IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
Based on a true story, the Indian Hindi-language web miniseries Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story is about the rise and fall of the titular character, a stockbroker who almost single-handedly took the stock market to great heights and was then partly behind the infamous 1992 Indian stock market scam. India has plenty of shows on IMDb’s top 250 list, and this is the highest-rated.
The series is phenomenally written, transporting viewers straight into the greedy psyche of Mehta and his peers, no matter how uncomfortable it gets. Pratik Gandhi is phenomenal in the lead role, too, anchoring an already fascinating story even more in relatability and well-earned shock value. The directing is fantastic and the production qualities are just as well, making it easy to breeze through the show’s ten episodes.
Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story
- Release Date
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October 9, 2020
- Network
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Sony Liv
- Directors
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Hansal Mehta
8
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
Universally panned final season notwithstanding, HBO created in Game of Thrones (an adaptation of George R.R. Martin‘s seminal work) what might just be the most acclaimed adult fantasy show in the history of television. It’s an epic about nine noble families fighting over control of the land of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns from a millennia-long slumber.
With its iconic characters, legendary action scenes, and wide variety of awesome dragons, Game of Thrones is a masterclass in TV fantasy done right, even in spite of its nosedive in quality toward its end. Its technical aspects are of the most elite quality, its story is a gripping drama of betrayals and alliances, and its triumphantly epic tone is the kind of thing that fans of the genre would never want to miss.
7
‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)
IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
In more ways than one, The Sopranos gave birth to prestige television as audiences know it today. This drama, about a New Jersey mob boss dealing with personal and professional issues in his home and business, proved that the medium could push the envelope in ways never seen before. It could look and sound just like the highest-quality Hollywood films, it could tell complex stories full of moral ambiguity, it could show violence and sex in ways that had only been considered taboo before. In other words, there’s TV before The Sopranos and after The Sopranos.
The characters are complex and layered; often despicable, but never any less fascinating to follow as a result. The stories are gripping, subtle, powerful. The series holds some of the highest-rated seasons on IMDb, and even after just watching a little bit of a Sopranos episode, it’s abundantly easy to see why. There has never been a show like this one since, and there probably never will be.
The Sopranos
- Release Date
-
1999 – 2006
- Network
-
HBO Max
- Showrunner
-
David Chase
6
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)
IMDb Rating: 9.3/10
Seeing as it’s the highest-rated animated TV show on IMDb, it’s clear that Avatar: The Last Airbender has more than earned its quintessential place as a pillar of the genre in modern pop culture. Set in a war-torn world of elemental powers, this globetrotting adventure is about a young boy who reawakens to undertake a mystic quest to fulfill his identity as the Avatar, the one meant to bring peace to the world.
The show has eye-popping animation, deeply compelling characters with complex arcs, and one of the best series finales in the history of television. This is far more than just a children’s show about magical martial arts. It’s an epic story with philosophical themes and life lessons that are valuable even for adults, with some of the most fun action scenes, storylines, and characters that audiences can find.
5
‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)
IMDb Rating: 9.3/10
Another prestige HBO show that left an indelible impact on television as a whole, The Wire is easily one of the best TV drama shows of all time. It’s a cop drama that puts a spotlight on the Baltimore drug scene, seeing it through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement. Dark, mature, and with a rivetingly layered portrait of the city that it’s set in, it’s without a doubt one of the best shows HBO has ever made.
For those who enjoy gritty police procedurals, The Wire is a must-see. For those who don’t, The Wire is still a must-see. There aren’t many shows with writing and directing as impeccable as the one found here, paying close attention to even the slightest details and expanding on even the most tertiary characters in ways that work surprisingly well.
The Wire
- Release Date
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2002 – 2007
- Network
-
HBO Max, BBC
4
‘Chernobyl’ (2019)
IMDb Rating: 9.3/10
Gut-wrenching but an obligatory watch, the docudrama miniseries Chernobyl is about the Soviet Union’s titular city and the atrocious disaster that it suffered in 1986, labeled as the worst nuclear disaster in the history of mankind. The show follows the many heroes who put their lives on the line in the following months, anchored by a star-studded cast featuring the likes of Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård.
Chernobyl was very highly praised at the time that it came out, and five years later, it’s still considered one of the best thriller miniseries ever made. It’s not for the faint of heart, but its accurate and devastating retelling of the events of this infamous moment in humanity’s history is admirably well executed. It’s not long at all, either, leaving no excuses for anyone to not watch this impeccable show.
Chernobyl
- Release Date
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June 3, 2019
- Network
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HBO Max
- Showrunner
-
Craig Mazin
3
‘Bluey’ (2008–)
IMDb Rating: 9.4/10
With its growing popularity even (perhaps especially) among adults, it’s clear that Bluey is the kind of truly special children’s show that only comes along once in a generation. It follows the slice-of-life adventures of an Australian Blue Heeler Cattle puppy as she has fun with her family and friends in all sorts of everyday situations. It’s not often that shows aimed at little kids get such a high rating on IMDb, which is how one can tell that there’s something different about Bluey.
Of course, it’s perhaps the best show for the little ones currently airing on television, full of valuable lessons, good role models, and colorful animation and humor. The reasons why it also resonates so much with the older IMDb users, though, are too many to mention. Perhaps it’s the nuanced and well-developed characters, or the subtle treatment of adult themes like miscarriages and aging, or the surprisingly smart humor; but the fact is that this is one of the website’s most praised shows for a reason.
Bluey
- Release Date
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September 30, 2018
- Network
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ABC
- Directors
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Richard Jeffery, Joe Brumm
2
‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
IMDb Rating: 9.4/10
Created by none other than Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers has for many years been the highest-rated miniseries on IMDb. King among TV war dramas, the show follows the history of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division’s Easy Company and their mission in World War II, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.
The show won a whopping six Emmys, and not one of them was undeserved. Its stacked cast plays a number of enthralling characters, paying loving respect to Easy Company. Those who aren’t history buffs and don’t care about historical accuracy in their WWII dramas as long as they’re gripping, though, will also be fully satisfied. Band of Brothers is virtually flawless, displaying the strength of TV as a medium to tell powerful war stories that resonate with audiences even decades later.
1
‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)
IMDb Rating: 9.5/10
Nothing can be said about Vince Gilligan‘s Breaking Bad that hasn’t been said before. No amount of praise for its actors, its writing, its directing, or its visuals could ever live up to the amount of admiration that they truly deserve. This masterful show tells the story of a chemistry teacher who, after receiving a deadly diagnosis, turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine to secure his family’s financial future.
Ever since it ended over a decade ago, Breaking Bad has been considered by many as the single greatest TV show ever created. Its IMDb numbers certainly vouch for that. With its many fascinating characters, its suspenseful and highly dramatic stories, and its very emotional series finale, it’s about as close as TV dramas come to perfection.
