There’s no shortage of great TV series this year, with totally new releases like Squid Game and Maid becoming international sensations. Although these don’t make it onto Rotten Tomatoes best shows of 2021, the ones that do are just as entertaining and definitely worth checking out.
The top TV series based on the site’s rankings have all received perfect scores from critics. From the dramatic experiences of the teens on Yellowjackets to the video game-inspired adventures on Arcane, these shows have become well-known and have often been praised for pushing the medium forward.
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything – 100%
Available to stream on Apple TV+.
Audiences are given a glimpse into the past through one of the best music documentaries available this year, 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything. The lives and stories of significant musical icons are told in amazing detail, from artists like Joni Mitchell to Marvin Gaye.
What’s more impressive is the way the documentary explains the context of the artists’ groundbreaking music. Fans learn about the tumultuous political and cultural situations that inspired the most important songs of that decade. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have described the documentary “as edifying as it is entertaining” and applaud its “feast of rare footage” and “clear affection for its subject.”
Painting With John – 100%
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Whether they’re interested in art or not, fans of Painting with John likely agree that the unscripted series is a meditative and surprisingly amusing show that perfectly captures a very human experience. The artist John Lurie does an excellent job at just telling his stories, while masterfully creating beautiful works of art.
Audiences shouldn’t expect to learn the basics of painting through the show, as Lurie mostly focuses on more advanced techniques. Viewers can, however, expect to be entertained by what Rotten Tomatoes critics describe as “a celebration of art and life,” with each episode detailing amusing experiences and unforgettable life lessons.
Yellowjackets – 100%
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
A plane crash in 1996 forces the cast of Yellowjackets to resort to heinous actions to survive the Ontario wilderness. The part-drama, part-mystery thriller series revolves around a group of young girls who are all part of the soccer team as they find themselves unavoidably affected by the traumatic events from the crash as they become adults.
Yellowjackets has been praised by Rotten Tomatoes for being “an absorbing mystery with plenty of sting.” Its thoughtful portrayal of trauma and unapologetic depiction of the adults’ grotesque pasts only become more gripping with each new episode.
Time – 100%
Available to stream on Apple TV+.
Viewers get a glimpse into how prison can change a person in Time, a drama series that follows Mark Cobden’s experience as he’s incarcerated for the first time. It’s one of Sean Bean’s best roles, as he masterfully portrays the guilt-ridden character who’s completely clueless about the violence and sacrifices he’ll have to make behind bars.
Critics from Rotten Tomatoes applaud his performance in the series, saying that the show’s “heavy load can be challenging, but strong writing and a magnificent performance from Sean Bean make for an incredible, thought-provoking watch.” It’s a must-see for audiences looking for a hard-hitting and raw depiction of life in prison.
We Are Lady Parts – 100%
Available to stream on Peacock.
When an all-female Muslim punk band comes together, riotous laughter and poignant moments ensue in We Are Lady Parts. The British sitcom doesn’t shy away from poking fun at the stereotypes and societal expectations around Muslim women, which results in a genuine and gut-busting series.
Described by critics on Rotten Tomatoes as having “infectious energy, great songs, and a magnetic cast,” the show boldly depicts seemingly contradicting qualities among its characters. It teaches audiences not to box in the lovable cast and instead enjoy their successes and failures, all while learning along the way.
Starstruck – 100%
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Jessie finds herself in an awkward situation when she realizes her one-night stand could possibly change her life in Starstruck. Paparazzi starts to follow her around when word gets out that she slept with a famous actor. She’s soon caught up in a whirlwind of controversies, sudden fame, conflicts with other actors, and even an invitation to the Oscars.
Starstruck is a rom-com that tells a sweet and funny story full of witty banter and heartwarming moments. Rotten Tomatoes critics point out how it “doesn't rewrite the rom-com datebook,” but thanks to stellar performances by the cast and a charming narrative, “it's easy to fall for anyway.”
Hacks – 100%
Available to stream on HBO Max.
An unconventional friendship forms between the aspiring comedian, Ava, and Las Vegas’ legendary stand-up star, Deborah. in Hacks. They both consider it a marriage of necessity at first, as Deborah’s career is slowly deteriorating as she ages and Ava’s standing in the community is questioned.
Eventually, the pair find that they have more in common with each other than they’re willing to admit. The critics on Rotten Tomatoes applaud how the show “deftly balances its sharp critiques of the comedy world with more intimate moments.” It’s a funny, endearing, and often heartwarming series that will have fans laughing and crying at every turn. Jean Smart won a well-deserved Emmy for her portrayal of Deborah.
LuLaRich – 100%
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
LuLaRich is an honest look at the creators, victims, and vast empire of the pyramid scheme, LuLaRoe. The docuseries features interviews with the family behind the multi-level marketing company and delves deep into the inspiration behind the brand, as well as its many controversies.
The company’s victims detail their terrible experiences and struggles with debt after joining the scheme. The docuseries manages to be hard-hitting, amusing, and absurd all at once, with Rotten Tomatoes critics describing it as having “lurid twists, wild characters, and tons of spandex.”
Only Murders In The Building – 100%
Available to stream on Hulu.
When a trio obsessed with true crime realizes that a killer resides in their own building, they come together to start a podcast with the goal of uncovering the truth in Only Murders in the Building. Things get quickly out of hand when they realize that they’re way too deep and things are more complicated than they seem.
Thanks to the long list of potential suspects in Only Murders in the Building to the elaborate lies the characters end up telling each other, fans will likely find themselves increasingly invested as the story progresses. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes describe the show’s “silly approach to true crime obsessives” as both “hilarious and insightful.”
Arcane – 100%
Available to stream on Netflix.
League of Legends fans can’t be blamed for feeling a bit apprehensive about the video game adaptation, Arcane, but to say most viewers were pleasantly surprised is an understatement. The animated series is easily one of the best from this year, as it tells a compelling story about the origins of well-loved characters from the games.
The conflict between Piltover and Zaun is explored through the experiences of two sisters who are on either side of the war. Rotten Tomatoes critics praise its “spectacular mix of 2D and 3D animation” and predict that it’s “a video game adaptation that could become legendary.”