Summary

• The best TV shows of all time span various genres, showcasing their substantial impact on culture and the television medium since the 1950s.
• Critical acclaim, cultural impact, popularity, and influence on the television medium are important factors in determining the best TV shows of all time.
• The likes of Life on Mars, Only Fools and Horses, Stranger Things, Oz, The Golden Girls, The X-Files, and Six Feet Under are all considered among the greatest TV shows of all time due to their cultural significance, critical acclaim, and success.

The best TV shows of all time cover a wide range of genres, topics, and generational conflicts that continue to have substantial impacts on the wider culture and the television medium itself. Television might have once been viewed as a lesser medium than movies, but some of the greatest prestige TV shows, classic sitcoms, and sketch shows have massively shaped the cultural conscience and changed how audiences interact with media since the 1950s.

With a vast number of series to pull from throughout the history of the medium, the best TV shows of all time achieve some variation of critical acclaim, beloved legacies, and cultural significance. Prestige dramas may tend to have an advantage with reputations as the greatest shows of all time, but the cultural impact and popularity must also be accounted for with groundbreaking horror shows, legendary sitcoms, and sci-fi hits. While the ultimate ranking will always be subjective, Screen Rant's list of the best TV shows of all time takes a holistic approach based on a combination of factors like awards, critical and audience acclaim, cultural effect, influence on the television medium, and larger legacy.

55 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023)

A New York housewife discovers new life on the stand-up scene

Amy Sherman-Palladino's longest-running show outside of Gilmore Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is, in many ways, ideal for fans of that series. Led by a smart brunette who becomes a single mom and fires off the creator's dizzyingly-fast dialogue without missing a beat, and including Sherman-Palladino's incredible flair for costuming and production, it's got plenty of hallmarks that make it instantly appealing.

However, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel isn't just another Gilmore Girls, but stands as its own unique series that more than deserves its individual plaudits. The Amazon Prime show conjures up an incredible sense of place - specifically, the comedy scene of New York in the 1950s - and it's a perfect match for Sherman-Palladino's witty-yet-poignant writing and star Rachel Brosnahan's remarkable performance. Brosnahan is tasked wearing multiple hats (sometimes literally - again, the costumes are great) as a mother, a divorcee, a woman navigating a man's world, and convincing as a great stand-up comic, all of which she makes look effortless.

The rest of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's cast is superb, adding a richness to both Midge's family life and the comedy world, and often excelling when those two intersect. It is, as one would hope for a show "about comedy," absolutely hilarious and charming, but also at its best is incredibly emotional too. The show isn't always completely even throughout its five-season run, but it is always enjoyable and nails its ending in a manner that's worthy of a standing ovation. - James Hunt, SR Senior Editor

54 Grey's Anatomy (2005-)

Incredibly long-running medical drama that has radically shifted identity

Now into its 20th season, Grey's Anatomy is among the longest running TV dramas of all time, with more than 420 episodes and two spin-offs. Neither Private Practice nor the superior Station 19 have ever quite hit the heights of their parent show, but both follow the formula that Shonda Rhimes' most famous show thrived on. Most impressively, Grey's Anatomy stepped out into a brave new world in season 19 as Ellen Pompeo's lead character stepped away to become an occasional guest star. Very few shows ever survive just a dramatic change, but Grey's was never just about Meredith. To use a tired expression with real sentiment, the best parts were mostly the friends she made along the way.

More than just a medical drama, but compelling in its case-of-the-week set-up when it did snap back to that formula, Grey's Anatomy is more like a soap opera, punctuated by profound (and often break-neck) romances, often very funny comedy, huge charm, and th ekind of bloodlust you'd usually expect from way darker shows. Grey's Anatomy knows how to make you cry, knows how to make you care, and has a terribly irresistible knack for emotional manipulation across the rest of the spectrum.

It may have lost its way at times, but the new class of interns introduced in season 18 revived the charm and humor of the earliest seasons, and the veterans continue to be familiar, comforting, and capable of surprises. It will end at some point, but there's more than enough life in it to continue for a while yet. - Simon Gallagher, Executive Editor

53 Only Fools And Horses (1981-2003)

Working class comedy heroes unite in a British classic

One of the most iconic British sitcoms of all time is John Sullivan's Only Fools and Horses, which originally ran for seven seasons from 1981 until 1991, and then returned to screens with specials until 2003. The series follows the highs and lows of the working-class Trotter family as they attempt to get rich, with many supporting characters including their significant others and neighbors. A proper sleeper hit, Only Fools and Horses made little impact upon its initial release before becoming a massive success with audiences and critics alike in its later seasons.

In addition to holding UK records for sitcom viewership, the show boasts an undeniable impact on British culture today as the source of several popular English phrases and words. The series also earned several BAFTA awards and British Comedy Awards, and finds itself on several modern lists of the greatest sitcoms, British TV shows, and characters in television history. With seven seasons through 1991 and a total of 16 sporadic Christmas specials through 2003, Only Fools and Horses has had a pervasive, global cultural influence that firmly establishes it as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.

52 The Umbrella Academy

Netflix's weirdest family of superhero oddities save the world again and again

In the Stranger Things era of Netflix, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the Hawkins, Indiana residents would have the apocalyptic oddball family dynamic sewn-up to themselves. You'd be wrong, thanks to The Umbrella Academy. Adapted from the comics by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way and illustrator Gabriel Bá, Netflix's weird take on the end of the world is high-stakes, high-concept sci-fi with a post-superhero edge. Along with The Boys, The Umbrella Academy also proves there's more to successful comic book screen franchises than Marvel and DC - neither of whom would be strange or emo enough to do the source material justice.

Thanks to an exceptional cast and a dark, creative commitment to storytelling, The Umbrella Academy lives and dies on its character interplay, which is a stunning achievement when you consider the calibre of the distractions on show. Even as the Academy flirt with destroying the world repeatedly, or come up against new existence-threatening threats, the bigger stakes center on their own personal journeys. Will the ghost get eternal rest? Will the half monkey man marry his own sister? Will the middle-aged man trapped in the schoolboy's body ever know love like he did with his mannequin head? It all sounds ridiculous, but that's exactly the point. It's a joy. - Simon Gallagher, Executive Editor

51 Gilmore Girls (2000-2007, 2016)

The ultimate cozy Autumnal comedy

Gilmore Girls is the ultimate comfort blanket TV show, praise that helps explain why it's still so beloved despite premiering back in the year 2000, but simultaneously downplays just how great it is. Yes, Gilmore Girls is a cozy show. It's made for watching in Fall, for curling up with and endlessly binge-watching when you don't want to go outside (accompanied, of course, by copious cups of coffee). It's easy to watch, and re-watch, and then re-watch again.

That's all part of Gilmore Girls' easy charm, but it belies just how smart Amy Sherman-Palladino's hit is. There's more to this than comfort and warmth (though it undeniably offers that). It's the rare TV show that fully explores a mother-daughter dynamic, and in it finds not only huge amounts of humor, but also proves TV shows don't just need to be about mob bosses to provide rich, compelling drama.

The rapid-fire dialogue that became the show's trademark is truly astonishing, both in just how many jokes and references are packed into it, and how Lauren Graham, in particular, delivers it so flawlessly. Indeed, that Graham never won an Emmy for her performance as Lorelai Gilmore is a great oversight, giving a layered performance that nails not only the comedy, but the emotional complexities of her relationships with her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), and her parents, Emily and Richard (Kelly Bishop and the late Edward Herrmann).

The town of Stars Hollow itself is also a true marvel. Right from the beginning, it feels so lived-in and fleshed-out, at once realistic and yet with a fantastical quality. And with it comes one of the widest arrays of memorable supporting characters and town residents this side of peak The Simpsons. Watching it transports you to a different place while still being relatable, it can make you laugh and cry in the same episode, and it's all part of the show's indelible magic. - James Hunt, SR Senior Editor

50 Catastrophe (2015-2019)

A devastating, unflinching, uplifting comedy

Much like other British comedies Fleabag, The Office and Fawlty Towers, Catastrophe never stuck around long enough to outstay its welcome, and for four glorious years, it was some of the most profound TV to watch. Created by comedy actors Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, it is a sitcom in the purest sense, where the situation provides all the comedy. Only, with Catastrophe - whose title refers, incredibly - to the simple nightmare of an unwanted child - there is as much trauma as there are laughs. Both Delaney and Horgan - who also star as a couple whose one night stand leads to migration, marriage, and endless mortal anxiety - are excellent, and the comedy is just too real.

For anyone familiar with the real life tragedy of Delaney's son and his blisteringly real book talking about little Henry's death and how he processed his grief, which was the backdrop to Catastrophe's third season, it should come as no surprise that sadness is as familiar here as warmth. Catastrophe is painful, brave television, and it deserves to be spoken of as among the very best British shows of all time. - Simon Gallagher, Executive Editor

49 Life On Mars (2006-2007)

High-concept British Sci-Fi meets 1970s Cop Drama

The British TV series Life on Mars is renowned for its successful combination of various genres, being able to wear the labels of sci-fi, mystery, time travel, period drama, and police procedural. Life on Mars follows police officer Sam Tyler from 2006 Manchester, who finds himself mysteriously transported back to the 1970s after an accident.

Life on Mars is also well-remembered for its ambiguity in regard to Sam's fate, leaving audiences and characters equally uncertain about whether he is comatose, deceased, or truly traveling back in time. The popularity of Life on Mars' two-season story inspired numerous international remakes, including a short-lived American series, and earned the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series twice.

48 Stranger Things (2016-Present)

Netflix's flagship sci-fi show that inspired millions of subscriptions

The Duffer Brothers have been heavily inspired by 80s horror when creating Stranger Things, which has become a sensation for Netflix. The series only grows in scope with each passing season, with the record-breaking Stranger Things season 4 increasing its character count, global span, and technological ambitions for some of its most critically acclaimed installments yet. The combination of stunning visual effects, a captivating story, incredible young actors, and 80s nostalgia has made Stranger Things into a global hit.

Changing the landscape of streaming and binge-watching as one of Netflix's first major original shows, Stranger Things' appeal to multiple generations has established it as a cultural phenomenon since 2016. The shocking accomplishments of the series have rarely been seen on the small screen, which won't be forgotten after coming to a close with Stranger Things season 5.

47 Fawlty Towers (1975-1979)

The outrageous, hilarious sitcom that became the UK's best, officially

From Monty Python co-founder John Cleese, Fawlty Towers earns its spot on the list of the greatest TV shows of all time through its cultural legacy and reputation as the quintessential British sitcom. Set in the fictional eponymous hotel in Torquay, Fawlty Towers is about the owner, his wife, the chambermaid, and the waiter who strive to run the hotel amid challenging situations and a variety of eccentric guests.

The recipient of several BAFTAs, Fawlty Towers has received greater critical acclaim over time, with the series holding a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and being named the best British sitcom ever by the British Film Institute in 2000.

46 Oz (1997-2003)

The critically-acclaimed prison drama that kick-started HBO's hot streak

Set in a fictional men's prison, Oz follows an experimental unit of the facility called the "Emerald City" that strives to ease tensions between the various factions of prisoners. Known as the first one-hour drama series produced by HBO, Oz set the stage for the prestige drama TV reputation that the network maintains today.

Oz has received significant critical acclaim and numerous awards nominations, with the series being groundbreaking for its depiction of graphic violence and sexual content as well as its complicated themes.

45 The Golden Girls (1985-1992)

The revolutionary, awards-darling sitcom that's aged incredibly well

The Golden Girls is often considered a comfort show across various generations, offering funny and warm moments of friendship between its central four ladies. The revolutionary sitcom boosted ratings for NBC, was critically acclaimed throughout its run, and received numerous awards, including the rare achievement of each main actress winning an Emmy.

However, along with providing warm-hearted laughs, people might have forgotten that The Golden Girls was also willing to tackle difficult subjects like death as well as show support for gay rights. Continuing to appeal to new generations, The Golden Girls is an instance of a 1980s sitcom that has aged surprisingly well for its subject matter, performances, and comedic writing.

44 Sergeant Bilko (1955-1959)

The military comedy whose influence changed sitcom history

Also known as The Phil Silvers Show or You'll Never Get Rich, the 1955 sitcom Sergeant Bilko has had a substantial influence on the history of comedy television. Having inspired some of the greatest TV show figures like Larry David (via YouTube) and subsequent uniform sitcoms like MASH, Phil Silvers' Sergeant Bilko is a quintessential example of how to create a timeless TV character persona.

The title officer and the sitcom's premise have been parodied countless times throughout television history, with Sergeant Bilko's top-tier writing and character building earning it numerous Emmy awards, critical acclaim, and high ratings throughout its run.

43 The X-Files (1993-2002, 2016-2018)

The modern era's answer to The Twilight Zone that left an unprecedented mark

Inspired by some of history's biggest shows like The Twilight Zone, The X-Files managed to become a legendary series in its own right. The sci-fi mystery show focuses on a pair of FBI agents who investigate the strangest paranormal cases the bureau has to offer. Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny are electric on screen together, with their chemistry being maintained when the show as revived in 2016.

From the theme song to the storylines, The X-Files is a pop culture staple that received positive reviews and various awards before spawning spin-offs, comics, and films. By the conclusion of the show, The X-Files was the longest-running sci-fi series in the history of US television, leaving an incredibly influential mark on the genre thereafter.

42 Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Compelling, emotionally-charged drama that deserves its place at HBO's top table

Considered to have one of the greatest TV show finales of all time, HBO's Six Feet Under also maintains a legacy as one of the best dramas in television history. Receiving significant acclaim for its acting, writing, and themes, Six Feet Under won various primetime awards and high ratings as it captivated audiences for five seasons.

Its rich characterizations, ruminations on life and death, and cast performances are only made better by the fact that Six Feet Under exceeds expectations in how it sticks the landing. In addition to its brilliant storytelling, Six Feet Under is a great example of how to properly execute an ending on television, which has been the Achilles heel of many great shows.

41 In Living Color (1990-1994)

Ground-breaking, beloved comedy that centered great Black talent

In Living Color is considered one of the greatest sketch comedy series of all time, showcasing a predominantly Black cast during a time when other shows in this format were primarily White. Additionally, In Living Color's sketches put Black humor in the limelight in an era where mainstream Black comedy shows like The Cosby Show were set in mild family-friendly environments, though a feud between the Wayans and Fox would threaten the series' success.

The revolutionary show was a huge hit with audiences, had great ratings for its first few seasons, and even beat Saturday Night Live to win the Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series Emmy Award in 1990. Before ending in 1994, In Living Color featured future film and TV stars like the Wayans brothers, Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, and even Jennifer Lopez as a dancer.

40 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Beloved supernatural drama that started TV's obsession with hot vampires

Given the revelations about creator Joss Whedon, rewatching seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer now might be a little less enjoyable. However, there is no denying that this was an extremely important show that redefined the way genre stories could be told on the small screen.

The series follows a high school girl who is next in the line of ancient warriors and must balance battling evil and her everyday life, primarily vampires. The exciting Buffy canon mythology, quippy humor, and lovable heroes are timeless, with the series also featuring one of the greatest TV episodes of all time, "The Body."

39 The Leftovers (2014-2017)

The compelling sci-fi drama that deserves way more than its frequent Lost parallels

HBO's The Leftovers is supernatural drama mystery series that begins two years after a global event resulting in 2% of the population disappearing. The lives of a police chief, grieving widow, and reverend are the series' focal point as they adjust to life after the devastating event, with The Leftovers being a masterclass in tackling deep themes, character building, direction, and writing.

Often finding itself compared to Lost, The Leftovers is considered one of the best TV shows of all time for its powerful and provocative storytelling that evolves alongside its characters.

38 Parks & Recreation (2009-2017)

Character comedy that managed to make government fun

While initially battling comparisons to NBC's popular workplace mockumentary sitcom The Office, Mike Schur's Parks and Recreation quickly established itself as a series worthy of standing on its own. Seeing significant changes in season 2 with Leslie Knope, its sophomore season allowed the characters to come into their own, grow together, and develop into some of TV's best.

Amy Poehler won a Golden Globe and the cast helped produce future stars like Aubrey Plaza and Chris Pratt. The show truly took off after adding Adam Scott and Rob Lowe, delivering consistently funny and heartwarming episodes until its conclusion in 2017.

37 Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)

Bold sci-fi remake with a galaxy-worth of cultural significance

A reboot of the original Battlestar Galactica series, the 2004 TV show has received immense critical acclaim for its writing, directing, visual effects, and sound design. As one of the best TV series of all time, Battlestar Galactica has had a massive impact on the sci-fi genre and how to put such stories on the small screen with complexity and depth.

Also praised for its positive depiction of complex female characters and its compelling politically-charged narratives, the show's cultural influence as a massively successful post-9/11 drama can't be understated.

36 Bojack Horseman (2014-2020)

Heartbreaking and hilarious animation that took things surprisingly high-brow

An animated series about an anthropomorphic horse who used to be a sitcom star doesn't sound like the kind of thing that would touch on serious topics. However, Bojack Horseman covers alcoholism, suicide, depression, trauma, and more mature themes that separate it from contemporary adult animated comedies.

In addition to nominations for several major awards during its run, Bojack Horseman has revolutionized the adult animated comedy genre with high-concept episodes, comedy, and serious themes. The voice acting of Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Aaron Paul, Alison Brie, and the many guest stars who appeared also make up an impressive cast.