The Best TV Shows of All Time – and Where to Watch Them All Online

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While hundreds of thousands of TV shows are produced every year, only a few succeed in captivating a large audience while gaining critical appreciation. Even fewer shows go on to make a permanent mark that keeps them in the hearts and memories of audiences for years to come, and even fewer than that succeed in paving a path in a new creative direction that fundamentally changes the way stories are told on TV. Those landmark shows are the best TV shows of all time, and regardless of when they were first released or how many times you’ve watched them, the originality and freshness of the content remain timeless. This guide will highlight some of the most elite of the genre and also provide you with information on where you can stream them using such popular services as Netflix, Max, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Disney+ and so much more!

While many of the shows listed below are great dramas such as The Wire, The Sopranos, and Mad Men, there are also some incredible comedies like 30 Rock, The Office, and The Simpsons. Some of these shows have survived for decades, morphing into new iterations with the changing times such as Doctor Who, while others stand alone as shows that provided culture-defining moments like Game of Thrones, Sex and the City, or Lost. Still others succeeded in changing the way that stories are told, such as Twin Peaks with its abstract visual style and lingering depictions of grief, which have gone on to influence many of the other shows on this list such as Atlanta, Mr. Robot, Fargo, and The Leftovers.

Where can I watch the best TV shows of all time online?

With the incredibly diverse options offered on television today, there is a top TV show for everyone; whether it be the most serious of prestige drama or pure stupid comedy. Scroll down to check out the best TV shows of all time and find out where you can stream them.

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Disney Plus
Apple TV Plus
Apple TV
Hulu
Crunchyroll
fuboTV
Max
Max Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Amazon Channel
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Peacock
Kocowa
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ with Showtime
Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel
Starz Apple TV Channel
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
Britbox Apple TV Channel
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
Discovery+ Amazon Channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
The Roku Channel
Showtime Roku Premium Channel
Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
Starz Roku Premium Channel
AMC+ Roku Premium Channel
Showtime Amazon Channel
AMC+
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
YouTube Premium
YouTube Free
The CW
Hoopla
CW Seed
Vudu
Starz
VUDU Free
Criterion Channel
PBS
FXNow
Tubi TV
Kanopy
Comedy Central
Microsoft Store
Redbox
Sun Nxt
Crackle
AMC
AMC Theatres
Fandor
Curiosity Stream
NBC
MGM Plus
Freeform
History
A&E
Lifetime
Shudder
Screambox
Acorn TV
Sundance Now
Popcornflix
GuideDoc
BritBox
MUBI
Netflix Kids
Boomerang
Urban Movie Channel
History Vault
Yupp TV
Eros Now
MyOutdoorTV
WWE Network
Smithsonian Channel
Laugh Out Loud
Pure Flix
Lifetime Movie Club
PBS Kids Amazon Channel
Boomerang Amazon Channel
Cinemax Amazon Channel
Hallmark Movies Now Amazon Channel
PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel
Viewster Amazon Channel
MZ Choice Amazon Channel
Spamflix
Pluto TV
HiDive
VIX
Night Flight Plus
MTV
Retrocrush
Classix
Dekkoo
Shout! Factory TV
Chai Flicks
OVID
Mhz Choice
Shudder Amazon Channel
Vice TV
MUBI Amazon Channel
AcornTV Amazon Channel
BritBox Amazon Channel
Fandor Amazon Channel
Screambox Amazon Channel
Sundance Now Amazon Channel
Adult Swim
USA Network
Fox
FlixFling
Bet+ Amazon Channel
Rakuten Viki
AMC on Demand
TCM
TNT
Bravo TV
Food Network
BBC America
IndieFlix
AHCTV
TLC
DIY Network
HGTV
Investigation Discovery
Science Channel
Destination America
Discovery Life
Animal Planet
Discovery
Motor Trend
Cooking Channel
Travel Channel
Paramount Network
Here TV
TV Land
Logo TV
VH1
DreamWorksTV Amazon Channel
Flix Premiere
TBS
AsianCrush
Revry
DOCSVILLE
OXYGEN
Spectrum On Demand
Hi-YAH
tru TV
DisneyNOW
WeTV
ARROW
Plex
Plex Live TV
Plex Player
WOW Presents Plus
Magellan TV
BroadwayHD
The Oprah Winfrey Network
Filmzie
Dogwoof On Demand
MovieSaints
True Story
Martha Stewart TV
DocAlliance Films
KoreaOnDemand
Hoichoi
iQIYI
Metrograph
Freevee
Public Domain Movies
Cultpix
Eventive
aha
FilmBox+
ShortsTV Amazon Channel
Bet+
Takflix
Klassiki
Starz Amazon Channel
Netflix basic with Ads
Cohen Media Amazon Channel
Popflick
ViX Premium Amazon Channel
Runtime
Fandango
Telemundo
Discovery +
Reveel
Ovation TV
Angel Studios
Cineverse
AD tv
Midnight Pulp
FYI Network
Xumo Play
National Geographic
Atom Tickets
Shahid VIP
DistroTV
myfilmfriend
Cinemark
Outside Watch
Cinepolis USA
Full Moon Amazon Channel
Citytv
Univer Video
GlewedTV
Toon Goggles
Noggin Apple TV Channel
A&E Crime Central Apple TV Channel
Acorn TV Apple TV
ALLBLK Apple TV channel
UP Faith & Family Apple TV Channel
Topic Apple TV Channel
Tastemade Apple TV Channel
Sundance Now Apple TV Channel
Shudder Apple TV Channel
Showtime Apple TV Channel
ScreenPix Apple TV Channel
OUTtv Apple TV Channel
MotorTrend Apple TV channel
Lifetime Movie Club Apple TV Channel
Hallmark Movies Now Apple TV Channel
Eros Now Select Apple TV Channel
CuriosityStream Apple TV Channel
Cinemax Apple TV Channel
BBC Select Apple Tv channel
BET+  Apple TV channel
Carnegie Hall+ Apple TV Channel
IFC Films Unlimited Apple TV Channel
HISTORY Vault Apple TV Channel
HISTORY Vault Amazon Channel
Carnegie Hall+ Amazon Channel
Lifetime Movie Club Amazon Channel
Film Movement Plus
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Troma NOW
Regal Cinemas
Harkins Theatres
B&B Theatres
Marcus Theatres
BYUtv
Kino Film Collection
Filters
  1. The Wire

    The Wire

    2002

    IMDB 9.3 (379k)

    #1

    Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.

  2. Twin Peaks

    Twin Peaks

    1990

    IMDB 8.8 (216k)

    #2

    The body of Laura Palmer is washed up on a beach near the small Washington state town of Twin Peaks. FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper is called in to investigate her strange demise only to uncover a web of mystery that ultimately leads him deep into the heart of the surrounding woodland and his very own soul.

  3. The Sopranos

    The Sopranos

    1999

    IMDB 9.2 (475k)

    #3

    The story of New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads. Those difficulties are often highlighted through his ongoing professional relationship with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. The show features Tony's family members and Mafia associates in prominent roles and story arcs, most notably his wife Carmela and his cousin and protégé Christopher Moltisanti.

  4. Breaking Bad

    Breaking Bad

    2008

    IMDB 9.5 (2m)

    #4

    Walter White, a New Mexico chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of only two years left to live. He becomes filled with a sense of fearlessness and an unrelenting desire to secure his family's financial future at any cost as he enters the dangerous world of drugs and crime.

  5. The Simpsons

    The Simpsons

    1989

    IMDB 8.7 (437k)

    #5

    The satiric half-hour adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.

  6. True Detective

    True Detective

    2014

    IMDB 8.9 (659k)

    #6

    An American anthology police detective series utilizing multiple timelines in which investigations seem to unearth personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.

  7. Fargo

    Fargo

    2014

    IMDB 8.9 (423k)

    #7

    Various chronicles of deception, intrigue, and murder in and around frozen Minnesota. All of these tales mysteriously lead back one way or another to Fargo, North Dakota.

  8. Fleabag

    Fleabag

    2016

    IMDB 8.7 (203k)

    #8

    A comedy series adapted from the award-winning play about a young woman trying to cope with life in London while coming to terms with a recent tragedy.

  9. Chernobyl

    Chernobyl

    2019

    IMDB 9.3 (872k)

    #9

    The true story of one of the worst man-made catastrophes in history: the catastrophic nuclear accident at Chernobyl. A tale of the brave men and women who sacrificed to save Europe from unimaginable disaster.

  10. The Leftovers

    The Leftovers

    2014

    IMDB 8.3 (112k)

    #10

    When 2% of the world's population abruptly disappears without explanation, the world struggles to understand just what they're supposed to do about it. The drama series 'The Leftovers' is the story of the people who didn't make the cut.

  11. I May Destroy You

    I May Destroy You

    2020

    IMDB 8.1 (26k)

    #11

    Set in London, where gratification is only an app away, the story centers on Arabella, a carefree, self-assured Londoner with a group of great friends, a boyfriend in Italy, and a burgeoning writing career. But when her drink is spiked, she must question and rebuild every element of her life.

  12. 30 Rock

    30 Rock

    2006

    IMDB 8.3 (132k)

    #12

    Liz Lemon, the head writer for a late-night TV variety show in New York, tries to juggle all the egos around her while chasing her own dream.

  13. The Office

    The Office

    2005

    IMDB 9.0 (717k)

    #13

    A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, tedium and romance.

  14. Mad Men

    Mad Men

    2007

    IMDB 8.7 (261k)

    #14

    Set in 1960-1970 New York, this sexy, stylized and provocative drama follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising.

  15. Mr. Robot

    Mr. Robot

    2015

    IMDB 8.5 (419k)

    #15

    A contemporary and culturally resonant drama about a young programmer, Elliot, who suffers from a debilitating anti-social disorder and decides that he can only connect to people by hacking them. He wields his skills as a weapon to protect the people that he cares about. Elliot will find himself in the intersection between a cybersecurity firm he works for and the underworld organizations that are recruiting him to bring down corporate America.

  16. Atlanta

    Atlanta

    2016

    IMDB 8.6 (88k)

    #16

    Two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families.

  17. Downton Abbey

    Downton Abbey

    2010

    IMDB 8.7 (225k)

    #17

    A chronicle of the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era—with great events in history having an effect on their lives and on the British social hierarchy.

  18. Sex and the City

    Sex and the City

    1998

    IMDB 7.3 (144k)

    #18

    Based on the bestselling book by Candace Bushnell, Sex and the City tells the story of four best friends, all single and in their late thirties, as they pursue their careers and talk about their sex lives, all while trying to survive the New York social scene. 

  19. Succession

    Succession

    2018

    IMDB 8.8 (276k)

    #19

    Follow the lives of the Roy family as they contemplate their future once their aging father begins to step back from the media and entertainment conglomerate they control.

  20. Game of Thrones

    Game of Thrones

    2011

    IMDB 9.2 (2m)

    #20

    Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.