Critics’ Picks: The 50 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century (So Far)

In an exciting endeavor echoing the success of ranking the top films of the 21st century, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) has embarked on a journey to identify and rank the 50 best TV shows of the 21st century (so far). This ambitious project involved meticulous deliberation, multiple Zoom meetings, and collaborative efforts among THR’s esteemed TV critics.

50. ‘Sex and the City’ (HBO, 1998-2004)

49. ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (Nickelodeon, 2005-2008)

48. ‘South Side’ (Comedy Central and Max, 2019-2022)

47. ‘Vida’ (Starz, 2018-2020)

46. ‘The Underground Railroad’ (Amazon Prime, 2021)

45. ‘The Crown’ (Netflix, 2016-present)

44. ‘The Leftovers’ (HBO, 2014-2017)

43. ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’ (CNN, 2013-2018)

42. ‘Station Eleven’ (HBO Max, 2021)

41. ‘Beef’ (Netflix, 2023)

40. ‘Insecure’ (HBO, 2016-2021)

39. ‘The Deuce’ (HBO, 2017-2019)

38. ‘Band of Brothers’ (HBO, 2001)

37. ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ (The CW, 2015-2018)

36. ‘The Shield’ (FX, 2002-2008)

35. ‘Chernobyl’ (HBO, 2019)

34. ‘Jane the Virgin’ (The CW, 2014-2019)

33. ‘Orange Is the New Black’ (Netflix, 2013-2019)

32. ‘Veep’ (HBO, 2012-2019)

31. ‘Fleabag’ (BBC Three and Amazon Prime Video, 2016-2019)

30. ‘Game of Thrones’ (HBO, 2011-2019)

29. ‘Broad City’ (Comedy Central, 2014-2019)

28. ‘How To With John Wilson’ (HBO, 2020-2023)

27. ‘Parks and Recreation’ (NBC, 2009-2015)

26. ‘Battlestar Galactica’ (Sci-Fi/Syfy, 2003-2009)

25. ‘Review’ (Comedy Central, 2014-2017)

24. ‘I May Destroy You’ (BBC One and HBO, 2020)

23. ‘Survivor’ (CBS, 2000-present)

22. ‘Better Things’ (FX, 2016-2022)

21. ‘Deadwood’ (HBO, 2004-2006)

20. ‘Peep Show’ (2003-2015, Channel 4)

19. ‘Rectify’ (SundanceTV, 2013-2016)

18. ‘Friday Night Lights’ (NBC and The 101 Network, 2006-2011)

17. ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ (AMC, 2014-2017)

16. ‘Breaking Bad’ (AMC, 2008-2013)

15. ‘Atlanta’ (FX, 2016-2022)

14. ‘Enlightened’ (HBO, 2011-2013)

13. ’30 for 30′ (ESPN, 2009-present)

12. ‘The Americans’ (FX, 2013-2018)

11. ‘The Daily Show’ (Comedy Central, 1996-present)

10. ‘BoJack Horseman’ (Netflix, 2014-2020)

09. ‘Freaks and Geeks’ (NBC, 1999-2000)

08. ‘Girls’ (HBO, 2012-2017)

07. ‘Better Call Saul’ (AMC, 2015-2022)

06. ‘Reservation Dogs’ (FX/Hulu, 2021-2023)

05. ‘The Wire’ (HBO, 2002-2008)

04. ’30 Rock’ (NBC, 2006-2013)

03. ‘Succession’ (HBO, 2018-2023)

02. ‘The Sopranos’ (HBO, 1999-2007)

01. ‘Mad Men’ (AMC, 2007-2015)

The decision to rank TV shows from the past 24 years — a period not even amounting to a quarter-century — was fueled by the enthusiasm and enjoyment observed during the film critics’ project. THR’s TV critics saw this as an opportunity to delve into the evolution of television storytelling, from groundbreaking dramas to innovative comedies that have captivated audiences worldwide.