Let me start by saying that bringing you a list of 11 highest rated TV shows of all time was a devil’s work. Sure it’s easy naming one’s favorite TV shows straight out of one’s head, but we often forget that not everyone has the same taste. More importantly, we often forget to compare the new TV shows with older ones, or entirely forget about the latter altogether. So when you ask why there’s no The Vampire Diaries or The Walking Dead on this list, remember that these are relatively fresh TV shows and that not everyone enjoys the fantasies and zombie apocalypses. Then ask yourself: “Do they really deserve to enter the top 11 club”? There are so many great TV shows out there that will fail to make an appearance on this list (but we’ll try to at least give them some kind of credits). With that in mind, it’s not the end of the world if your favorite one hasn’t been mentioned. Not only that – but it is rather hard to separate a great TV show from the one that has a cult following and showcases the most arguments for making this list. We, however, have tried our best.
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One of the criteria that we have used is a number of Golden Globe awards. As you know, there are few categories in which Golden Globes are awarded, but when it comes to TV shows, most important ones are those for the best drama and comedy series. Speaking of comedy, you can take a look at our list of 20 highest rated comedy movies of all time as well. While the number of overall rewards certainly speaks in respective shows’ favor, it can’t be considered as a major factor. Same as with any awards, competition varies from season to season, and some shows might have earned more Golden Globes have they been more lucky and others have been unjustly snubbed way too many times. We have set the bar to at least one won Golden Globe award if the TV show is about to make an appearance on this list. This doesn’t count towards animated shows and other TV shows that don’t really classify as either drama or comedy. We have also taken the number of Emmy and other awards into consideration, but yet again this wasn’t the main factor in our ultimate decision. TV.com’s and IMDb’s user ratings also can’t be taken seriously. If you take a close look at best-rated TV shows on these services, you’ll certainly note that most of them are relatively new or foreign even. The lists are definitely biased in that respect, and not as reputable as they should be. Another of the limits is a number of seasons that the TV show had. While we certainly could have set the bar at 5 or more, we have decided to go with at least two running seasons. Before you ask: “Yes, it’s because of Twin Peaks”. You’ll notice that this excludes all one-season miniseries like Band of Brothers, for instance, which would otherwise likely deserve a spot.
Ultimately, what we have done is to carefully consider all of the aforementioned factors and compile a close-knit list of 11 highest rated TV shows of all time, even though we have had our work cut out for us. We have decided to divide the number of seasons with the number of total awards, thus creating a certain index of respective TV show’s critical acclaim. This was done separately for Golden Globes, Emmys, and other rewards respectively. The higher the index, the higher the critical acclaim of the TV show in question. This isn’t fair towards animated shows and other shows that don’t qualify for the Golden Globes, hence we have had to use correctional factors as well. Apart from applying up to ten points in these three categories, we have also decided to apply the points for IMDb overall rating. While it’s subjective and biased to some extent, IMDb tends to normalize user opinion by requiring a certain minimum of votes before the show is rated. Everyone can make a list of his/her’s favorite TV shows, and there are certainly many ways to do that. We have tried not to be subjective, and even though this kind of rankings might be flawed, it certainly is a start. All in all, this list of 11 highest rated TV shows of all time allows as much as 40 total points and in the case of a tie, TV show with the highest Golden Globe/number of seasons ratio gets an advantage. In the end, we will name honorable mentions as squeezing only 11 TV shows in a list with “the best” in front of it is utterly unfair. Believe me – I have had my share of sleepless nights because of it.
11. Friends
Points: 28
We are starting with the good old Friends. This is probably the epitome of modern sitcoms which follows 6 inseparable roommates and friends through their life endeavors and relationships. Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer (Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross) have captivated and made us laugh throughout 10 full seasons. The sitcom has, however, received only one Golden Globe – for best actress, thanks to Jennifer Aniston. Furthermore, it has received only 7 Emmys and 60 other awards which seem too few compared to sitcom’s popularity – its IMDb grade is a solid 9 out of 10, and it rates 9.2 at TV.com. If that doesn’t testify in favor of Friends’ popularity, then perhaps 52 million people watching the series finale is.
10. The X-Files
Points: 28
The truth is out there, but The X-Files are certainly here on this list. One of the longest-running science fiction TV shows is still considered one of the best overall. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson (detectives Mulder and Scully) have led us through countless paranormal phenomena and conspiracy theories without endings. After the initial 9 seasons came to their conclusion back in 2001, and the first film from 1998, The X-Files have made a reappearance with the second movie; The X-Files: I Want to Believe. The TV show is coming back in 2016, and it will get the chance to improve its 8.7 ratings on IMDb and 9 on TV.com, and the number of accolades it has received over the years. For now, it has 5 Golden Globes, 16 Emmys, and 71 other rewards.
9. All in The Family
Points: 28
One from the past – All in The Family is an American sitcom that revolves around the Bunker family and their many life struggles. Archie and Edith, who are portrayed by Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton respectively, have a single daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers). It all becomes complex (and crowded) when Gloria’s husband, Michael Stivic (Rob Reiner), moves in. His strained relation with his father in law is what makes the show so special, and even after the Stivics move out, it’s only to the house next door – guaranteeing the everlasting comical feud’s succession safe. During the 9 seasons, All in The Family has managed to receive 8 Golden Globes, 22 Emmys, and 12 other rewards. Add to that a solid 8.4 IMDb rating and 8.9 TV.com ratings, and you’ll see why people still love this sitcom even after almost 45 years had passed since its initial release.
8. Seinfeld
Points: 29
Why is Seinfeld so successful? Probably because Jerry Seinfeld (portrayed by himself) was never selfish. Comedian and actor has willingly sacrificed his own role for the show by allowing the rest of the cast more than their fair share of glory. Whether Kramer or George (Michael Richards and Jason Alexander) are your favorite characters – it doesn’t really matter. Or perhaps it’s Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who also had her fair share of hilarious moments. The main thing is that the show still has a rating of 8.9 on the IMDb and 9.1 on TV.com. It has won three Globes, 10 Emmys, and 57 other rewards during a span of 9 seasons, and while Seinfeld himself has won one Golden Globe, he has never won an Emmy (most won by the K-man). This further reinforces the above-mentioned statement of cast’s equality.
7. Boardwalk Empire
Points: 29
Most of us were probably relieved to finally see Steve Buscemi in a major role when Boardwalk Empire (8.6 IMDb rating and 8.5 TV.com rating) started to air. While heavily laden with prolific staff (including Terence Winter, Martin Scorsese, Tim Van Patten, Mark Wahlberg, etc.), few have predicted that crime drama will have reached such heights. 2 Golden Globes, 20 Emmy awards and 33 other awards in only 5 seasons speak a lot about Buscemi’s character Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, and his schemes and activities aimed towards a goal to provide for his family and secure a spot in Atlantic City’s criminal underground. In doing so, he crosses paths with the likes of Al Capone and Charles “Lucky” Luciano which add another dimension to already layered storyline.
6. Mad Men
Points: 30
Another newer TV show on this list of 11 highest rated TV shows of all time – Mad Men will forever change the way copywriters look upon themselves. The drama had won 4 Golden Globes, 16 Emmys and 84 other awards over the course of 7 seasons. Rating of 8.7 on IMDb and 8.8 on TV.com clearly state that audience, together with critics have really enjoyed the show. Moreover, the show was a breakthrough for most of its actors who have, until then, failed to make a significant career for themselves. This goes for Jon Hamm, Cristina Hendricks, January Jones and many others in Mad Men’s cast.
5. The West Wing
Points: 31
The West Wing ran for seven seasons between 1999 and 2006. This political drama has received a wide critical acclaim for its precise and detailed portrayal of life and work in the office. A large number of actors have been contracted for such a colorful project, most notable of all being Martin Sheen. During the course of seven seasons, The West Wing has won a couple of Golden Globes, 25 Emmys, and 91 other awards. That, and overall ratings of 8.8 on IMDb and 8.9 on TV.com have clearly been enough for it to make the list.
4. Twin Peaks
Points: 31
Twin Peaks is one of the most iconic American TV shows combining horror, mystery and supernatural into first-class drama. David Lynch plans to produce another set of two 9-episode seasons next year which marks the revival of yet another cult TV show, like the X-Files. During the initial two seasons in 1990 and 1991, Twin Peaks have won 3 Golden Globes, a couple of Emmys and 9 additional awards. Series’ rating on IMDb is 8.9, while TV.com’s rating is a solid 9. It remains to be seen whether the sequel will manage to produce the same sinister atmosphere and impeccable twists in the plot as the original seasons from 25 years ago.
3. The Sopranos
Points: 35
The Sopranos are arguably the best mafia-based drama TV show ever made, and in time, they’ll certainly reach the same cult status as the storied movies like The Godfather or Goodfellas. James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) is no more among us which pretty much throws every possibility of TV show’s return out of the window. Still, it’s better to have one perfect moment than a few flawed ones. The Sopranos have earned the ratings of 9.2 and 8.9 on IMDb and TV.com respectively which puts them among the best-rated TV shows of all times. The drama has also received 5 Golden Globes, 24 Emmys and 85 other awards – exactly 5, 24 and 85 awards respectively more than “Cleaver” – Christopher Moltisanti’s (Michael Imperioli) metafictional offspring.
2. Game of Thrones
Points: 36
There’s certainly no winter for the Game of Thrones – fantasy drama based on A Song of Ice and Fire books by George R. R. Martin. Rarely a TV show manages to be as captivating and edgy as Game of Thrones, but when one does manage to do so, it certainly deserves the plaudits. Series is still ongoing with the sixth season coming during spring of 2016. First five seasons, though, have seen the drama winning a Golden Globe, 26 Emmy awards and no less than 107 other awards. TV show also boasts currently the highest IMDb rating of 9.5 and TV.com rating of 9. While based on Martin’s book, the TV show has long since forgotten to take a left turn at Albuquerque, and follows its own path.
1. Breaking Bad
Points: 36
Speaking of Albuquerque, guess which TV show tops our list of 11 highest rated TV shows of all time? You’re right – it’s Breaking Bad. Throughout five seasons, Breaking Bad has won a couple of Globes, 16 Emmys and 101 Dalmatians – sorry, other awards. Walter White aka Heisenberg and Jesse Pinkman; meticulously portrayed by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul respectively, have propelled this contemporary western crime drama to unimaginable heights. The show has even produced a spin-off “Better Call Saul” centered around one of the main characters, Saul Goodman portrayed by Bob Odenkirk. The impact of Breaking Bad on contemporary culture is yet to be felt, and we’ll only be able to gauge it over time, but one thing is for sure – it’s going to be significant.
