Television has given us some of the most incredible storytelling in modern media. Join us as we count down the absolute must-watch TV shows that have defined generations, challenged our perspectives, and revolutionized the small screen experience.
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00:00Did anybody see that?
00:05Yeah.
00:06Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks
00:10for the TV shows that are considered required viewing.
00:18Oh, it all looks so beautiful!
00:26Wow, that was fast!
00:29It was that woman across the street.
00:31You know, you better be careful, buddy. She's gonna get you next.
00:34Even if you've never seen Seinfeld, chances are you know all the big scenes
00:39through sheer cultural osmosis.
00:41The show about nothing famously focuses on the minutiae of everyday life,
00:45whether that be mundane conversations over coffee, awkward first dates,
00:50or trivial social norms that the gang can't be bothered to follow.
00:54While the show dominated the 1990s, its humor is timeless and widely relatable,
01:00and the writing is as razor-sharp as ever with fun observations and fantastic dialogue.
01:06Whether you're looking for a quick laugh or to gain insight into the quirks of human nature,
01:11Seinfeld delivers.
01:12Give it a watch and start quoting it endlessly like the rest of us.
01:16You want bread?
01:17Yes, please.
01:18Three dollars!
01:20What?
01:21No soup for you!
01:24Three of my friend's fathers were shot.
01:28Instead of going to a birthday party.
01:30Out here making TV history, Oz was the first one-hour drama made by HBO,
01:35and it essentially birthed the concept of 21st century television.
01:40Taking place in the Oswald State Correctional Facility,
01:43Oz follows the complex inmates as they navigate everyday life in the maximum security prison.
01:49The show was groundbreaking for its time and set numerous precedents for the prestige HBO drama,
01:55including morally ambiguous characters, gritty realism, and heavy social commentary.
02:00While Oz is certainly not for the faint of heart owing to its graphic violence and intense themes,
02:06it offers a masterclass in storytelling and character development.
02:10It's must-watch TV, both for the experience itself and to appreciate its trailblazing history
02:16in the landscape of television drama.
02:18Well, we could detonate a few well-placed depth charges.
02:23Whatever you need, cowboy.
02:26Number 28, Cheers.
02:28I am through with that woman forever.
02:30I will never think about, see, or mention her ever again.
02:34And if anyone even uses the words Diane Chambers,
02:38I will have no other choice but to kill that person.
02:41You want to go where everybody knows your name, don't you?
02:44Well, then you need to watch Cheers,
02:46one of the best and most influential sitcoms in TV history.
02:50Set in a cozy Boston bar,
02:52Cheers creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that is endlessly enjoyable,
02:57especially after a long day at work.
02:59The show's humor balances clever wordplay with situational comedy,
03:03and many of the characters are iconic pieces of pop culture,
03:06including Norm Peterson, Fraser Crane, and Woody Boyd
03:10in a star-making performance from Woody Harrelson.
03:13And let's not forget Sam and Diane,
03:15who helped to revolutionize the will-they-won't-they drama
03:18that dominates much of modern television.
03:21Whether you love comedy, character-driven stories,
03:24or just need a pick-me-up,
03:25Cheers has something for everyone.
03:27You know, you know, I always wanted to pop you one.
03:31Maybe this is my lucky day, huh?
03:33You disgust me. I hate you.
03:36Are you as turned on as I am?
03:37More!
03:39Number 27, Deadwood.
03:41God damn it, swear engine.
03:42I don't trust you as far as I can tell you,
03:45but I enjoy the way you lie.
03:47Thank you, my good man.
03:49A classic drama from David Milch,
03:51Deadwood can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways.
03:54It can be watched as a straightforward Western
03:57with sheriffs, cowboys, politicians, and outlaws.
04:00It can be watched as a piece of history,
04:02as many of these characters and the town of Deadwood itself are real.
04:07And it can be watched academically
04:09as a microcosm of human nature
04:11and what it takes to build a functioning society.
04:14It's also a visual and auditory delight.
04:17The production values are astounding,
04:19bringing 19th century America to startling life.
04:22And the show contains some of the most unique dialogue
04:25ever heard on television.
04:26Sure, you might not understand half of what they say,
04:29but that's all part of the experience.
04:31The world ends when you're dead.
04:33Until then, you got more punishment in store.
04:37Stand it like a man and give some back.
04:42Number 26.
04:4324.
04:44Jack.
04:45What?
04:48A 747 just blew up over the Mojave Desert.
04:51Preliminary reports make it sound like it was a bomb.
04:54This show was a cultural artifact of the early 2000s.
04:57It was enormously popular at the time
04:59and its themes as a political thriller
05:01perfectly showcase the prevailing attitudes
05:04around terrorism and cyber warfare.
05:06Of course, it has also aged considerably well
05:09and can still be enjoyed to this day.
05:11Its real-time format remains innovative,
05:14crafting an enormous amount of tension and immediacy.
05:17And speaking of immediacy,
05:19the show was a masterclass in editing
05:21with fast-paced storytelling, nonstop action,
05:24and brilliant cliffhangers
05:26that ensure you keep chugging along,
05:28much like the sleepless Jack Bauer.
05:30In terms of sheer thrills,
05:32it doesn't get much better than 24.
05:34I promise you everything is gonna be okay.
05:37It's just been a...
05:39a really, really long day.
05:42Number 25.
05:44All in the Family.
05:45How long you know me?
05:4710, 12 years?
05:48Yeah.
05:49In all that time, did I ever mention a woman?
05:52Mainstream television can be broken up into two sectors,
05:55before All in the Family and after.
05:58Before the show, TV sitcoms were typically quite harmless
06:01with family-friendly humor and fun characters.
06:03And then came Norman Lear's groundbreaking comedy,
06:07which altered the course of TV forever.
06:09The complex and often difficult Archie Bunker
06:12challenged preconceived notions
06:14of what a protagonist could be,
06:16and the show tackled taboo subjects
06:18like racism, poverty, war, and homosexuality.
06:22Though All in the Family is a product of its time,
06:24its themes of social change and cultural conflict
06:27remain relevant,
06:28and many are still being debated to this day.
06:31It may be dated in some regards,
06:33but the show is still essential viewing
06:35for its topical subject and its place in TV history.
06:38Many of you black people are fine, decent people,
06:41as you probably know.
06:42Yeah, so are they.
06:44Number 24.
06:45Dark.
06:46Wusstest du es?
06:51Wusstest du was?
06:55Der Junge aus der Zukunft.
06:56Few stories do time travel well.
06:59Dark nails it.
07:00The show may not be for everyone,
07:02as it requires exceptionally close viewing
07:05in order to understand its intricate plot
07:07and intertwining storylines.
07:09But those with the patience to stick with it
07:11will be rewarded with some of the most
07:13finely crafted storytelling ever seen on TV.
07:16Accompanying the brilliant story
07:18are rich themes about the nature of time,
07:20breathtaking cinematography,
07:22atmospheric sound design,
07:24and fantastic world building.
07:26And unlike many shows that fumble with ambitious narratives,
07:29Dark maintains its quality throughout,
07:31crafting an engaging experience
07:33that absolutely sticks the landing.
07:47Number 23.
07:48Chernobyl.
07:49There is no core.
07:51It exploded.
07:52The core exploded.
07:57He's in shock.
07:58Get him out of here.
07:59Being only five episodes,
08:01you have no excuse to skip Chernobyl.
08:03Co-produced by HBO,
08:05it dramatizes the eponymous nuclear disaster
08:08and its immediate aftermath,
08:10including the political fallout
08:11and extensive cleanup effort.
08:13The story makes for riveting drama,
08:15and it's an exceptionally produced piece of television
08:18with award-winning production design,
08:20music, sound, and cinematography.
08:23The all-star cast also brings their A-game
08:25with Jared Harris,
08:27Stellan Skarsgård,
08:28and Emily Watson
08:29all receiving Emmy nominations.
08:31It's certainly not light viewing,
08:33as the show is permeated with dread and death,
08:36but it's a brilliant five hours of television nonetheless.
08:39Of all the ministers and all the deputies,
08:43the entire congregation of obedient fools,
08:47they mistakenly sent the one good man.
08:51For God's sakes, Boris.
08:55You were the one who mattered most.
08:57Number 22, The Shield.
08:59Mr. Estellana claims you used excessive force
09:01during his arrest.
09:03Really?
09:05Is that what you claim, Miguel?
09:06This FX drama about corrupt cops
09:08may be the only show in which each season
09:11is better than the last.
09:12Oftentimes, TV shows start strong,
09:14but peter out as they go,
09:16not The Shield.
09:17The story only gets more and more exciting
09:19throughout its seven brilliant seasons,
09:21and it all culminates in one of the finest series finales
09:24in television history.
09:26Michael Chiklis revolutionized the TV antihero,
09:29playing the violent, often unlikable Vic Mackey,
09:32and Walton Goggins turns in a star-making performance
09:35as his partner, Shane Vendrell.
09:37The writing is also terrific,
09:39with the show being a masterclass
09:41in long-form storytelling,
09:43tension-building, and satisfying payoffs.
09:46He's not coming.
09:48What?
09:49Maybe he had some heat on him.
09:51He had to hide.
09:52He's coming, or he's gonna get a message to us.
09:56But we're gonna wait for him.
09:58We're gonna give him more time.
09:59Number 21, Succession.
10:01Uh, and this other one that came up,
10:03just to fend this off,
10:04have you ever read Mein Kampf?
10:07Um, yeah, a couple times, I guess.
10:11A couple times?
10:13Are there easter eggs in there
10:14you didn't get the first time?
10:15Logan Roy is getting old.
10:17His health is in serious question,
10:19and someone needs to take over the company.
10:21So begins Succession,
10:23a cutthroat drama in which the Roy family
10:25battle each other for the crown.
10:27The drama is absolutely riveting,
10:29with alliances changing every five minutes
10:31and betrayals being the unfortunate norm.
10:34But it's not all heavy family dynamics,
10:36as it also happens to be gut-bustingly hilarious.
10:39Both the comedy and drama
10:41are carried by the incredible dialogue
10:43and top-notch cast,
10:45all of whom are perfectly cast
10:47and give wonderful performances.
10:49And if you ever wanted to live vicariously
10:51as a rich person,
10:52Succession is your show,
10:53complete with gorgeous costumes
10:55and eye-popping destinations,
10:57all of which were filmed on location.
10:59Am I gonna have to go around you?
11:02Talk directly to the board?
11:04Talk to the old ones?
11:08Unbelievable.
11:10Number 20, Batman The Animated Series.
11:1390s kids everywhere know the joy
11:15of watching Batman The Animated Series.
11:18♪♪♪♪
11:23Made after the success of Tim Burton's Batman,
11:26it aired 85 episodes between 1992 and 1995.
11:31Like Burton's film,
11:32the animated series employed a moody and grim tone.
11:36It's also full of gorgeous animation
11:38and comes equipped with a stellar soundtrack.
11:41In fact, the main theme was composed
11:43by the legendary Danny Elfman.
11:46Despite airing on Fox Kids,
11:47Batman attracted an older audience
11:50through its mature storytelling.
11:52It also went on to win Emmys
11:53for Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program
11:56and Outstanding Animated Program.
11:59Plus, how cool are Mark Hamill's Joker
12:01and Kevin Conroy's Batman?
12:03Their performances alone are worth watching the show for.
12:06Or it was the Batman who made me
12:09the happy soul I am today.
12:12How I agonized over the perfect way
12:15to thank him for that.
12:16Number 19.
12:17The Leftovers.
12:18Many fans and critics compare The Leftovers to Lost,
12:21both for the involvement of showrunner Damon Lindelof
12:24and for the unique mystery at the heart of the story.
12:27The Leftovers doesn't concern a magic island,
12:30but the random disappearance
12:31of 2% of the world's population.
12:33You've lost someone, yes?
12:40Someone's.
12:41Unlike Lost,
12:42the mystery of The Leftovers isn't really the point.
12:45It's merely a vehicle
12:46to explore the characters and the themes.
12:48Have you been noticing that I've been, um,
12:53kind of losing my mind?
12:56What?
12:57The show never really took off,
12:58owing to a somewhat rickety first season.
13:00But the second and third seasons
13:02were so beautiful and well-made
13:04that critics began regarding The Leftovers
13:06as one of the greatest shows ever made.
13:08It only lasts 28 episodes,
13:10so there's no good excuse for ignoring it.
13:13Where's my book?
13:16I threw it overboard.
13:20Oh.
13:21It was just getting good.
13:25Although it mainly aired in the 60s,
13:27the original run of The Twilight Zone
13:29is still relevant today.
13:31This classic piece of television
13:33famously featured a collection
13:34of surreal or unsettling stories.
13:37A journey into a wondrous land
13:38whose boundaries are that of imagination.
13:40That's the signpost up ahead.
13:42Your next stop, The Twilight Zone.
13:45Each week, viewers were treated to
13:47cautionary episodes about everything
13:49from science fiction to paranoia.
13:51Horror stories such as Eye of the Beholder,
13:53To Serve Man, and Nightmare at 20,000 Feet
13:56have all become iconic tales within the genre.
13:59The show was also fortunate enough
14:01to feature Rod Serling's incredible narration.
14:04And its anthology format
14:06makes it incredibly easy to jump into.
14:08Whether you see it more as a piece
14:10of still-relevant social commentary
14:12or straightforward horror,
14:14The Twilight Zone delivers.
14:16For happily, tangible manifestation is very often
14:19left as evidence of trespass,
14:21even from so intangible a quarter
14:23as The Twilight Zone.
14:25Number 17. I Love Lucy.
14:27This sitcom holds a strong place
14:29in the history of television.
14:31Throughout this comedy,
14:32we saw the wacky title character
14:34navigate life with her husband
14:36while trying to make it as a star.
14:38Oh, gee, I'm glad you're home.
14:40How's about a great big...
14:42I'll see you later.
14:43While the setup sounds straightforward,
14:45the show popularized several major TV staples.
14:48I Love Lucy's live studio audience,
14:50ensemble cast, and incorporation of reruns
14:53all revolutionized the industry.
14:56And the humor is so timeless
14:58that longtime fans still might fall
15:00out of their chairs laughing at some of the bits.
15:03Lucille Ball got a Governor's Award
15:05from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
15:08for her work on the series.
15:09Since I Love Lucy still makes lists
15:11for top programs of all time,
15:13we think that award was definitely deserved.
15:16Hey, honey, this bed doesn't look too bad.
15:18Hope it isn't hard.
15:20Whoa!
15:23Number 16. Rick and Morty.
15:25Few animated shows captured the zeitgeist
15:28of the 2010s quite like Rick and Morty.
15:31Morty, you gotta come on.
15:32You gotta come with me.
15:33What, Rick? What's going on?
15:34I got a surprise for you, Morty.
15:35It's the middle of the night.
15:36What are you talking about?
15:37Come on, I got a surprise for you.
15:38Come on, hurry up.
15:39The program excelled at parodying
15:40contemporary pop culture trends,
15:42movies, and celebrities.
15:44At the same time, it also has complex writing,
15:47enjoyable character relationships,
15:49and even some philosophical musings.
15:52The show's unique animation style
15:54often makes it a visual treat for the eyes, too.
15:57Plus, all the dimension and reality hopping
15:59is a ton of fun to watch.
16:01It was fascinating to watch this experimental show
16:04become a popular and beloved comedy
16:06in just a few years.
16:08Whether you're looking for a laugh
16:09or want to contemplate the universe's biggest questions,
16:12Rick and Morty is the schwifty show for you.
16:15Sorry, what?
16:16Am I the clone?
16:17Did the real me choose to leave
16:18and I only think I chose to stay
16:19because that's what I need to think
16:20because I'm the replacement, Beth?
16:22No.
16:23Number 15, Stranger Things.
16:25Standing as the Netflix show that could,
16:27Stranger Things was an instant hit
16:29that's arguably the service's defining program.
16:32Guys, I really think we should turn back.
16:34Seriously, Dustin, you wanna be a baby,
16:36then go home already.
16:38I'm just being realistic, Lucas.
16:40No, you're just being a big sissy.
16:42What started as a show about a group of kids
16:44looking for their missing friend
16:45became a series about demonic creatures,
16:48dangerous dimensions, and delicious waffles.
16:51The first thing that viewers took note of
16:53was its beautifully recreated 80s setting
16:55and Spielbergian flair.
16:58However, what ultimately kept people engrossed
17:00was the brilliant cast of characters.
17:03David Harbour's Hopper, Sadie Sink's Max,
17:05and Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven
17:07each became pop culture icons.
17:09They helped the show dominate streaming charts
17:12and reminded us how much fun TV can be
17:14when everyone watches together.
17:16Told ya.
17:19Number 14, Band of Brothers.
17:22This war-themed drama
17:23may be one of the greatest miniseries ever created.
17:27Band of Brothers recounts the true story
17:29of Easy Company
17:30and the challenges they encountered
17:32in occupied Europe.
17:33Tell him what you always tell him.
17:35Our sons died as heroes.
17:38You really still believe that?
17:42Yeah.
17:44Yeah, I do.
17:45At the time, the show stood out across the TV landscape
17:48for its incredible and cinematic production values.
17:51It still looks stunning to revisit today.
17:54The show's epic scope and distinct characters
17:57also make it easy to get engrossed in.
17:59At the heart of it all
18:00lies a deeply moving story
18:02that feels more urgent
18:03because of the presence of real Easy Company veterans.
18:06Grandpa said no.
18:13But I served in a company of heroes.
18:15This brilliant Band of Brothers
18:17is one of the best depictions of war
18:19you'll find on television.
18:21Number 13, Friends.
18:23There are sitcoms and then there's Friends.
18:26This show defied its constraints as a network sitcom
18:29and became one of the biggest cultural events
18:31well, ever.
18:33The program dominated the public discourse
18:35of the 90s and early 2000s.
18:37Along the way, it gave rise to still popular actors,
18:41classic hairstyles, and iconic catchphrases.
18:44Who amongst us hasn't jokingly yelled,
18:46Pivot!
18:47while moving a heavy piece of furniture?
18:49Pivot!
18:52Pivot!
18:55Pivot!
18:56Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
18:58A ratings behemoth,
19:00there was simply no stopping Friends
19:02at the height of its power.
19:03It gave voice to a generation,
19:05legitimized the characters' untraditional domestic lives,
19:08and popularized the hangout sitcom.
19:11The modern TV landscape
19:13simply wouldn't be the same without Friends.
19:15And the craziest thing is now my boss likes me
19:17because I told her about it
19:18and she said it was the best gossip she'd heard all year.
19:20I am proud of all my friends today.
19:22Number 12, Six Feet Under.
19:25This HBO drama follows the Fisher family
19:27as they run a funeral home
19:29and help their clients process their recent losses.
19:32Goddammit, I hooked it!
19:37It contains a slew of talented performers
19:40and some of the best writing ever seen on television.
19:43Six Feet Under is complex,
19:45touching, thematic, and very hard-hitting,
19:48with ruminations on grief and sorrow
19:50often at the forefront.
19:52Throughout its historic run,
19:53it was a heavy Emmy favorite.
19:55It ended up earning three nominations
19:57for Outstanding Drama Series.
19:59Six Feet Under was also a rare show
20:01that kept its quality consistent
20:03from the first episode
20:04to its spectacular series finale.
20:06Never has a show about death been so enjoyable to watch.
20:10You can't take a picture of this.
20:11It's already gone.
20:19Number 11, Mad Men.
20:21Mad Men is a deeply humane character study
20:24that explores concepts of loneliness,
20:26identity, and the elusive nature of happiness.
20:29And it somehow does all of this
20:31within the walls of an advertising agency.
20:33Oh.
20:35I think it's broken.
20:37You can hear that?
20:39I can't hear anything.
20:41I think it's broken.
20:43At times, Mad Men can come off
20:45as a hilarious workplace comedy.
20:47It helps that the show is full of memorable characters
20:49that spout some of the sharpest dialogue in TV history.
20:53But it can also dive deep into drama
20:55and the various social obstacles of the time period.
20:58When it's not serving an academic study
21:00into the culture-shattering movements
21:02and advances of the 1960s,
21:04it's an unbelievably stylish show
21:06filled with slick styles, great music,
21:08and mesmerizing performances.
21:11Whatever you want it to be,
21:12Mad Men excels at it.
21:14I only called because I...
21:19realized I never said goodbye to you.
21:21Number 10, The Office.
21:23All right, Mike. Mike. Mike.
21:25My turn. Mike. Mike. Mike.
21:27My turn.
21:28This mockumentary remains incredibly popular
21:30and for good reason.
21:32It's both very funny and very comforting.
21:34Back it off, okay? I'm interviewing you.
21:36No, you said that I'd be conducting the interview
21:38when I walked in here.
21:39Now, exactly how much pot did you smoke?
21:42Set in the office of a Pennsylvania paper company,
21:45The Office became enormously successful
21:47thanks to its sharp writing,
21:49relatable setting, and brilliant performances,
21:51particularly that of Steve Carell's
21:53the bumbling, offensive,
21:55but ultimately well-meaning Michael Scott.
21:57Here we go. Knock, knock.
22:00Who's there?
22:01Buddha.
22:02Buddha who?
22:03Buddha that spread four...
22:08Unlike the more abrasive UK original,
22:10this American remake makes for
22:12a relatively warm and cheerful watch.
22:14Watching each episode is like revisiting a family.
22:17Various shows of this mockumentary style
22:19popped up throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s,
22:22but none were as good as The Office.
22:24I can't stop this investigation. It is my job.
22:26Whoa, you are a volunteer.
22:28I volunteered for this job.
22:29And that's not the same.
22:30It is my duty.
22:31Volunteer duty.
22:32To investigate the crime scene.
22:35This landmark show is considered to be
22:37one of the best mashups of comedy and drama
22:40ever seen on television.
22:42It was a baby!
22:44She smothered her own baby!
22:48The story takes place during the Korean War
22:50and follows a group of characters
22:52who work in the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.
22:56While events could certainly get dramatic,
22:58the show could also effortlessly shift
23:00to lighter tones on a dime.
23:02This allowed the story to tackle hard-hitting issues
23:04without always seeming bleak.
23:06Its all-star cast is also legendary.
23:09Characters like Hawkeye, Radar, and Henry Blake
23:12all felt like old friends to viewers
23:14by the time the series ended.
23:16We also have to address the iconic final episode,
23:19Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen,
23:21which remains the most-watched episode
23:23of scripted television with 106 million viewers.
23:27May they have a long, wonderful life
23:30filled with love and peace.
23:33And so may we all.
23:39Did anybody see that?
23:43Yeah.
23:44Regardless of its infamous ending,
23:45Lost is required TV viewing.
23:47Following survivors of a plane crash
23:49on a mysterious island,
23:51it managed to keep viewers guessing
23:52throughout its six-season run.
23:54Unfortunately, something is lost,
23:56sorry, while streaming the show today.
23:58A huge part of the allure was going online
24:00and discussing the endless theories
24:02and studiously analyzing every last pixel
24:04of a given screenshot.
24:06But even without the real-time excitement
24:08of online discussions,
24:09Lost makes for stellar viewing
24:11thanks to its standout cast and character writing.
24:14Cinematic production values,
24:15and of course, the sense of adventure at its heart.
24:23Lost may have infamously fumbled the landing,
24:25but there's still nothing else like it on TV.
24:28When Lost is on top of its game,
24:30it's spectacular.
24:31I don't know where I am, but...
24:32I'll find you, Des.
24:33I promise.
24:34No matter what.
24:35I'll come back to you.
24:36I won't give up.
24:37I promise.
24:38I love you.
24:40Number seven, The Simpsons.
24:42The Simpsons is so great
24:43and so institutionalized
24:45in the pop culture consciousness
24:47that it cannot possibly be ignored.
24:49I'm beginning to think that Homer Simpson
24:51was not the brilliant tactician I thought he was.
24:59It may be the most important
25:00and influential TV show of all time,
25:02especially regarding the explosion
25:04of animated sitcoms that followed,
25:06and its lovable cast of characters
25:08have become iconic.
25:09Grandpa is still with us, feisty as ever.
25:12Maggie is walking by herself.
25:14Lisa got straight A's.
25:16And Bart, well, we love Bart.
25:20The magic of the season.
25:22Bart has been included on the Time 100 list,
25:24and The Simpsons have a star
25:25on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
25:27Add in the wider cast of Springfield
25:29and some of the smartest
25:30and funniest writing on TV,
25:32and you have the greatest animated sitcom ever made.
25:35Damn, they're very slow.