Highest Rated Tv Shows Ever That Still Hold Up Today
- 01. Highest Rated TV Shows Ever: The Definitive List That Still Holds Up Today
- 02. Top 10 Highest Rated TV Shows of All Time
- 03. Why These Shows Still Hold Up Today
- 04. Critics' Top Picks: Last 25 Years
- 05. Documentary and Miniseries Excellence
- 06. Comedy and Animated Excellence
- 07. How IMDb's Top 250 TV Shows Ranking Works
- 08. Legacy and Educational Value
Highest Rated TV Shows Ever: The Definitive List That Still Holds Up Today
The highest rated TV shows ever according to IMDb and critical consensus are Breaking Bad (9.5/10, 2.6M ratings), Planet Earth II (9.4/10), Band of Brothers (9.4/10), Chernobyl (9.3/10), The Wire (9.3/10), and The Sopranos (9.2/10). These shows maintain their excellence decades after release due to stellar character development, timeless storytelling, and cultural impact that continues resonating with new audiences.
Top 10 Highest Rated TV Shows of All Time
| Rank | Show Title | IMDb Rating | Years Aired | Genre | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breaking Bad | 9.5/10 | 2008-2013 | Drama/Crime | 96% |
| 2 | Planet Earth II | 9.4/10 | 2016 | Documentary | 99% |
| 3 | Band of Brothers | 9.4/10 | 2001 | War/Drama | 98% |
| 4 | Chernobyl | 9.3/10 | 2019 | Historical Drama | 95% |
| 5 | The Wire | 9.3/10 | 2002-2008 | Crime/Drama | 94% |
| 6 | The Sopranos | 9.2/10 | 1999-2007 | Crime/Drama | 92% |
| 7 | Avatar: The Last Airbender | 9.2/10 | 2005-2008 | Animation | 100% |
| 8 | Mad Men | 9.2/10 | 2007-2015 | Drama | 94% |
| 9 | Better Call Saul | 9.2/10 | 2015-2022 | Drama/Crime | 98% |
| 10 | Succession | 9.1/10 | 2018-2023 | Drama | 95% |
Why These Shows Still Hold Up Today
Timeless TV shows like Breaking Bad and The Sopranos still hold up years after their original run due to stellar characters and engaging storylines that transcend their era. Shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Malcolm in the Middle continue being beloved for strong themes and relatable characters that resonate across generations.
The critical acclaim, cultural impact, popularity, and influence on television are important factors determining the best shows of all time. These elements combine to create viewing experiences that remain relevant decades later.
Critics' Top Picks: Last 25 Years
In celebration of Rotten Tomatoes' 25th anniversary, critics submitted their top TV series from the past 25 years, with Breaking Bad ranked #1 at 96% Tomatometer. The most popular television nominees include shows that continue part of the zeitgeist-Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Wire, and The Sopranos each remain gold standards for television dramas.
- Breaking Bad (96% Tomatometer, 97% audience) - Chemistry teacher Walter White's transformation
- The Sopranos (92% Tomatometer, 96% audience) - Tony Soprano's mob family and therapy
- The Wire (94% Tomatometer, 96% audience) - Baltimore narcotics scene from multiple perspectives
- Mad Men (94% Tomatometer, 95% audience) - 1960s Madison Avenue advertising world
- Succession (95% Tomatometer, 88% audience) - Media conglomerate family power struggles
Documentary and Miniseries Excellence
Planet Earth II holds a Metacritic score of 96 alongside a 9-plus IMDb rating, meaning both critics and audiences rate it ahead of almost all shows. David Attenborough's wildlife documentary showcases breathtaking cinematography and natural world wonder that appeals to all ages.
Band of Brothers-the HBO World War II drama from 2001-earned 9.4/10 from 595K users and remains one of the best miniseries of all-time. The story of Easy Company's missions from Operation Overlord to V-J Day demonstrates historical accuracy and emotional depth.
HBO's Chernobyl dramatizes the 1986 nuclear disaster with vivid detail and heroic storytelling about those who put their lives on the line. The five-part limited series wrapped airing on HBO on June 3, 2019, and quickly became IMDb's highest-rated series with 9.7 stars from 140,000 users.
Comedy and Animated Excellence
Workplace comedies on critics' lists include legacy shows like The Office (which remains popular for re-watching) and darker BoJack Horseman plus upbeat Ted Lasso. Fleabag achieved perfect 100% Tomatometer with 92% audience score, showcasing dry-wit and emotional vulnerability.
- The Office (81% critics, 89% audience) - Documentary-style Scranton paper company
- Parks and Recreation (93% critics, 89% audience) - Indiana bureaucrat Leslie Knope's optimism
- Ted Lasso (90% critics, 86% audience) - American football coach in British soccer
- Fleabag (100% critics, 92% audience) - London woman navigating life after tragedy
- BoJack Horseman (93% critics, 96% audience) - Humanoid horse dealing with self-loathing
How IMDb's Top 250 TV Shows Ranking Works
The top rated TV Shows list only includes TV series and TV mini series ranked by a formula combining number of ratings each show received and value of ratings from regular users. To be included on the list, a series must receive ratings from at least 10,000 users, and TV series must have aired at least 5 episodes.
Breaking Bad stands as one of the most popular rated shows on IMDb with 2.6M ratings, a rarity where every season maintains quality. The show features a chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer who turns to manufacturing methamphetamine with former student Jesse Pinkman.
Legacy and Educational Value
These greatest TV shows demonstrate how television evolved from the 1950s into a substantial cultural force showcasing artistic excellence and narrative innovation. Shows addressing racism, bigotry, and hatred like revolutionary 1960s programs continue reverberating through culture today.
The best TV seasons certified fresh at 100% represent peak television storytelling that educators and parents can recommend for critical thinking and ethical discussions about complex human experiences.
Helpful tips and tricks for Highest Rated Tv Shows Ever That Still Hold Up Today
What is the #1 highest rated TV show ever?
Breaking Bad holds the #1 position with a 9.5/10 IMDb rating from 2.6 million users, making it the highest rated TV show of all time on IMDb.
Which shows still hold up after 10+ years?
Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Malcolm in the Middle still hold up due to stellar characters, engaging storylines, strong themes, and relatable characters.
What makes a TV show "timeless"?
Timeless shows demonstrate cultural significance, critical acclaim, and lasting success that continues influencing current television and culture.
Are miniseries included in highest rated lists?
Yes-Band of Brothers (9.4), Chernobyl (9.3), and Planet Earth II (9.4) rank among the top shows, as IMDb's Top 250 includes both series and mini series.
Which shows have perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores?
Fleabag achieved 100% Tomatometer, while Avatar: The Last Airbender maintains 100% with universal critical acclaim for its storytelling and character development.
