TV Shows

10

The Wire

Overview

The systematic failure of every institution in Baltimore, told through cops and drug dealers. The most accurate depiction of urban decay ever filmed.

9

The Sopranos

Overview

A mob boss goes to therapy while running a criminal organization. The original "prestige TV" that proved antiheroes could be compelling.

8

Succession

Overview

Rich kids fight over daddy's media empire while being terrible to everyone. Shakespearean tragedy with corporate jargon and better insults.

7

Oz

Overview

A experimental prison unit where everyone is terrible and violence is the currency. The original "everyone is awful" prestige drama.

7

Orange Is the New Black

Overview

Rich white woman goes to prison and discovers it's full of complex human beings. The show that made incarceration oddly entertaining.

10

Breaking Bad

Overview

A high school chemistry teacher becomes a meth kingpin because apparently teacher salaries aren't cutting it. Proving that midlife crises can be both chemically pure and morally bankrupt.

9

Better Call Saul

Overview

The origin story of everyone's favorite shady lawyer, proving that even ambulance chasers have to start somewhere. More tragic than a public defender's caseload.

8

Narcos

Overview

The true-ish story of how cocaine built empires and ruined lives, with enough white powder to make a pharmacist nervous. Plata o plomo never sounded so educational.

8

El Chapo

Overview

The rise and fall of Mexico's most famous drug lord because we haven't had enough cartel content. Narcos from the other perspective.

8

Peaky Blinders

Overview

Birmingham gangsters with impeccable haircuts and terrible life choices. Where every problem can be solved with violence, cigarettes, or a really good overcoat.

8

Narcos: Mexico

Overview

The origin story of the Mexican drug war and the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel. More cocaine, different country, same level of government corruption.

8

Snowfall

Overview

The origin story of crack cocaine in 1980s LA, because what's more American than entrepreneurship and addiction? Surprisingly educational for a show about drug dealing.

7

Godfather of Harlem

Overview

A crime boss returns from prison to reclaim his neighborhood during the civil rights era. Gangsters meet activists in 1960s Harlem.

7

Ozark

Overview

A financial planner launders money for cartels because spreadsheets weren't thrilling enough. Proving that family vacations to the lake will never be the same.

7

Queen of the South

Overview

A woman rises in the drug trade because apparently that's the only career path with advancement opportunities. Narcos with better fashion.

7

Power

Overview

A nightclub owner is also a drug kingpin because one successful business isn't enough drama. Everyone betrays everyone in this soap opera with guns.

7

Sons of Anarchy

Overview

Hamlet on motorcycles with more leather and questionable life decisions. Proving that family businesses can be both literal and figurative hell.

7

The Brothers Sun

Overview

A Taipei gangster protects his clueless California brother from their family's criminal legacy. Martial arts meets family drama with a side of baked goods.

6

Tulsa King

Overview

A New York mafia capo gets exiled to Oklahoma and decides to build a criminal empire there. Because what's more intimidating than a Sicilian in Tulsa?

9

Mindhunter

Overview

FBI agents interview serial killers before it was cool, basically inventing criminal profiling through awkward conversations with murderers. Canceled before we could get more.

7

Reacher

Overview

A massive drifter with military training solves small-town crimes while being the smartest and strongest person in any room. The human equivalent of a Swiss Army knife that can also bench press a car.

7

Numb3rs

Overview

An FBI agent teams with his mathematician brother to solve crimes using equations and probability. Because apparently criminals are just bad at math.

7

Police Squad!

Overview

A bumbling police detective solves crimes through sheer incompetence and visual gags. The Naked Gun's origin story with more deadpan delivery.

6

Monk

Overview

A detective with OCD solves crimes while being terrified of germs, heights, and basically everything else. The cleanest crime scenes in television history.

6

The Blacklist

Overview

A super criminal helps the FBI catch other super criminals because he's bored or something. James Spader being charmingly menacing for Ten seasons straight.

6

Gang Related

Overview

A cop with gang ties walks the thin blue line while his loyalties are constantly tested. Undercover work has never been so personally inconvenient.

6

The Lone Gunmen

Overview

X-Files' conspiracy theorist trio get their own show to uncover government secrets nobody asked about. The truth is out there, and it's probably ridiculous.

5

Criminal Minds

Overview

The procedural that proved there are infinite ways to be murdered by strangers. Abandoned when I realized I'd seen every variation of "unsub" possible.

7

Hannibal

Overview

A FBI profiler forms a complex relationship with a brilliant psychiatrist who also happens to be a cannibalistic serial killer. The most tasteful show about eating people.

8

Prison Break

Overview

A man gets himself imprisoned to break out his brother, which seems like the most complicated rescue mission ever conceived. The tattoos alone deserve an award.

7

Money Heist

Overview

Spanish criminals with city names pull off elaborate heists while wearing matching red jumpsuits. The most stylish economic protest ever organized.

8

Kaleidoscope

Overview

A heist story that can be watched in any order, because linear storytelling is apparently too mainstream. Choose your own adventure for people who can't make decisions.

8

Squid Game

Overview

Desperate contestants play deadly children's games for a massive cash prize, proving capitalism will literally kill you for entertainment. The most expensive playground experience ever.

5

Hostages

Overview

A surgeon's family is taken hostage to force her to assassinate the president during surgery. The most stressful day at work imaginable.

7

Queen Sono

Overview

A South African spy balances saving the continent with avenging her mother's death. James Bond meets African politics with better fashion sense.

6

Kings of Jo'Burg

Overview

A Johannesburg crime family battles supernatural forces and rival gangs while running the city. Magic realism meets township crime drama.

6

Blood & Water

Overview

A teen investigates a private school's dark secrets while searching for her missing sister. Elite meets Nancy Drew with South African flair.

5

Unseen

Overview

A domestic worker gets entangled in Cape Town's criminal underworld while searching for her missing husband. The help sees everything, especially the illegal stuff.

5

The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency

Overview

A Botswana woman opens the country's first female-owned detective agency with wisdom and bush tea. The most charming crime-solving you'll ever witness.

5

Suits

Overview

A college dropout practices law without a degree because apparently nobody checks credentials in high-stakes corporate law. The legal drama that made everyone want to be a lawyer until they realized it involved actual work.

8

Game of Thrones

Overview

Medieval politics with more incest and dragons than your average history book. The show that taught us winter is coming, and so is disappointment in final seasons.

8

The Sandman

Overview

The king of dreams has a bad century and has to clean up his realm. Proof that even cosmic entities have administrative work.

8

Roots

Overview

The multi-generational story of an African family enslaved in America. The original traumatic history lesson.

7

Shaka Zulu

Overview

The rise of the Zulu empire through the leadership of one brilliant and brutal man. African history before colonization ruined everything.

7

Shaka Ilembe

Overview

The epic story of King Shaka Zulu's early years and the formation of the Zulu nation. African history with production values that rival Game of Thrones.

8

Black Mirror

Overview

Technology will ruin everything, but at least it'll be entertaining. Each episode is a fresh existential crisis wrapped in shiny gadgets.

8

Severance

Overview

Employees get their work and personal memories surgically separated, which seems like the ultimate work-life balance solution until it becomes a dystopian nightmare. The most terrifying HR policy ever conceived.

8

Westworld

Overview

Rich people pay to abuse robots until the robots get understandably pissed. The ultimate "play stupid games, win stupid prizes" scenario.

8

Devs

Overview

A Silicon Valley engineer investigates her boyfriend's disappearance at a mysterious quantum computing division. Determinism has never been so terrifying.

7

Altered Carbon

Overview

In the future, death is optional if you're rich enough. A detective story where the bodies are temporary but the violence is permanent.

7

See

Overview

In a blind future society, sighted children are born and everyone loses their minds. Jason Momoa swinging axes while people can't see him coming.

7

Into the Badlands

Overview

Post-apocalyptic feudal society where martial arts replace guns because bullets are apparently scarce. The most stylish wasteland you'll ever see.

6

The 100

Overview

Teenagers sent to recolonize Earth make every bad decision possible. Proving that no matter the apocalypse, high school drama persists.

9

Stranger Things

Overview

Kids in the 80s fight interdimensional monsters because their parents are conveniently oblivious. Basically every Stephen King novel combined with Spielberg nostalgia.

7

Constantine

Overview

A demon hunter/exorcist battles supernatural forces while chain-smoking and being generally miserable. The original grumpy supernatural detective.

7

The X-Files

Overview

FBI agents investigate paranormal cases while one believes everything and the other believes nothing. The original "will they/won't they" with aliens.

7

Lost

Overview

Plane crash survivors on a magical island with polar bears and smoke monsters. The show that proved mysteries are more fun than answers.

6

Supernatural

Overview

Brothers hunt demons, ghosts, and monsters across America in a car that's seen more action than most characters. The show that refused to die for 15 seasons.

6

Chucky

Overview

The killer doll returns to terrorize a new town while dealing with high school drama. Because puberty wasn't traumatic enough without murderous toys.

8

Supacell

Overview

Black Londoners develop superpowers and have to save the world while dealing with systemic issues. Because having powers doesn't fix racism.

8

The 4400

Overview

4400 missing people suddenly return with no memory and supernatural abilities. The ultimate case of "where have you been?" with government conspiracies.

7

Heroes

Overview

Regular people develop superpowers and immediately make terrible decisions. Save the cheerleader, save the world - until the writers strike.

7

Intelligence

Overview

A cybercrime agent teams with a human supercomputer implanted with a microchip. The ultimate work-from-home setup if your home is someone's brain.

8

Firefly

Overview

Space cowboys on a rundown spaceship try to make a living while avoiding the authoritarian government. The cult classic that was canceled too soon.

9

Fleabag

Overview

A messy woman makes terrible decisions while talking directly to us about it. The most intimate one-sided relationship you'll ever have with a character.

8

After Life

Overview

A widower decides to be as horrible as possible because grief, but people keep being nice to him anyway. Surprisingly uplifting for a show about misery.

8

Silicon Valley

Overview

Programmers accidentally create something revolutionary and immediately ruin it through incompetence. The most accurate portrayal of tech culture ever.

9

Key & Peele

Overview

Sketch comedy that's either brilliantly insightful or absurdly ridiculous, often both. The source of 80% of internet memes from 2012-2015.

9

Chappelle's Show

Overview

Dave Chappelle points out society's absurdities until he can't take it anymore and moves to Africa. The sketches that defined a generation's sense of humor.

9

Ted Lasso

Overview

An American football coach manages a British soccer team with relentless optimism and folksy wisdom. The antidote to cynicism we didn't know we needed.

7

Young Sheldon

Overview

A child genius navigates Texas high school while being smarter than everyone in the room. The origin story of everyone's favorite theoretical physicist.

8

Insecure

Overview

Black women navigating life, love, and career in LA while making questionable decisions. The friendship is real even when the choices aren't.

7

Everybody Hates Chris

Overview

Chris Rock's childhood was apparently one long series of humiliations. The most accurate depiction of being broke in the 80s.

7

Freaks and Geeks

Overview

High school social dynamics in the 80s with future famous people being awkward teenagers. The one-season wonder that launched a thousand careers.

7

How to Ruin Christmas

Overview

A chaotic woman returns home for the holidays and immediately destroys everything. Festive family dysfunction with South African flair.

6

How to Ruin Love

Overview

The same chaotic woman now ruins weddings because apparently Christmas wasn't enough. Professional bridesmaid, amateur disaster creator.

7

The Big Bang Theory

Overview

Nerds make science jokes while trying to navigate basic social interactions. The laugh track does most of the heavy lifting.

6

The IT Crowd

Overview

Tech support workers in a corporate basement prove that nerds are funnier than anyone gives them credit for. Have you tried turning it off and on again?

7

Mr. Bean

Overview

A man-child navigates everyday situations with minimal speech and maximum physical comedy. The silent treatment has never been so hilarious.

10

Attack on Titan

Overview

Humans vs naked giants in a perpetual cycle of violence and trauma. The most philosophically complex show about eating people.

9

Bojack Horseman

Overview

A washed-up celebrity horse deals with depression, addiction, and being a terrible person. The funniest show about the crushing weight of existence.

8

Rick and Morty

Overview

A genius alcoholic drags his grandson across the multiverse while being the worst role model possible. Science is cool but family is complicated.

8

Berserk

Overview

A man with a giant sword fights demons in the most brutal medieval setting imaginable. Not for the faint of heart or those who like happy endings.

9

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Overview

A kid with a arrow on his head must save the world while making friends and bad jokes. The perfect balance of epic and heartfelt.

8

Samurai Jack

Overview

A samurai trapped in the future tries to get back to the past to defeat an evil wizard. The most stylish cartoon ever made.

7

Invincible

Overview

A teenager develops superpowers only to discover his superhero dad might be the world's greatest threat. The most violent coming-of-age story ever animated.

7

Naruto

Overview

An orphan ninja wants to be leader of his village through the power of friendship and excessive flashbacks. Believe it!

7

Naruto Shippuden

Overview

Naruto grows up and the problems get bigger, but the flashbacks remain just as long. The filler episodes could be their own series.

7

One Piece

Overview

The impossible adaptation of the world's longest-running manga actually works somehow. Stretchy pirates have never looked so believable.

6

Dragon Ball Z

Overview

Alien warriors scream for episodes while charging attacks to save Earth repeatedly. The source of 90s kids' power level debates.

6

Dragon Ball Super

Overview

They're still fighting, but now there are gods and multiverses involved. The power creep has reached cosmic proportions.

6

Baki Hanma

Overview

A martial artist fights increasingly absurd opponents in tournaments where physics is merely a suggestion. The most anatomically impossible fighting anime.

6

Dragon Ball GT

Overview

Goku gets turned into a child and travels the universe looking for dragon balls. The black sheep of the Dragon Ball family that everyone pretends doesn't exist.

8

The Boondocks

Overview

Two black kids and their grandfather navigate suburban white America with hilarious results. The most politically incorrect correct show ever made.

6

Brickleberry

Overview

Incompetent park rangers somehow keep a national park running through sheer luck and poor decisions. Family Guy but with more bears and fewer cutaways.

9

Mr. Robot

Overview

A hacker with social anxiety tries to take down capitalism while fighting his own demons. The most stylish mental breakdown on television.

9

Six Feet Under

Overview

A family runs a funeral home while dealing with their own mortality issues. The show that made death funny, sad, and strangely beautiful.

8

I May Destroy You

Overview

A writer pieces her life back together after sexual assault with raw honesty and dark humor. The most nuanced exploration of trauma and consent.

7

The Leftovers

Overview

2% of the world's population suddenly disappears and everyone left behind deals with the trauma in increasingly weird ways. The most existential show about grief ever made.

8

House MD

Overview

A brilliant doctor solves medical mysteries while being the worst person to work with. It's never lupus until it is.

7

The Good Doctor

Overview

A surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome proves that medical genius comes in unexpected packages. House MD but with more emotional intelligence.

8

The Queen's Gambit

Overview

An orphan chess prodigy battles addiction and the patriarchy in the 60s. The most exciting show about people sitting quietly.

7

Yizo Yizo

Overview

A raw South African drama about life in a township school where violence and hope coexist. The show that shocked a nation with its brutal honesty.

9

Band of Brothers

Overview

WWII from the perspective of one company of paratroopers from training to victory. The ultimate bromance forged in combat.

9

Chernobyl

Overview

The Soviet nuclear disaster told through bureaucracy, lies, and sacrifice. The most terrifying show where the monster is radiation itself.

8

Vikings

Overview

Ragnar Lothbrok goes from farmer to legend through raids, betrayal, and great hair. History's most stylish pillagers.

6

Vikings Valhalla

Overview

The next generation of Vikings continue pillaging and exploring a century after Ragnar's time. More braids, more boats, more bloodshed.

9

The Last Dance

Overview

Michael Jordan's final season with the Bulls and why greatness requires being kind of a jerk. The definitive sports documentary.

7

They Call Me Magic

Overview

The life and legacy of Magic Johnson, from basketball legend to business mogul. Proof that you can have it all, including HIV awareness advocacy.

7

Genius

Overview

Anthology series exploring the lives of history's greatest minds and their brilliant, often troubled, journeys. Smart people making dumb decisions since forever.

7

jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy

Overview

Kanye West's rise from producer to superstar before he became... whatever he is now. A time capsule of ambition before the mess.

8

Dahmer

Overview

The story of one of America's most notorious serial killers and the systemic failures that allowed his crimes to continue. True crime that's actually about the victims.

8

How to Become a Cult Leader

Overview

A satirical guide to building your own personality cult, because charisma can be weaponized. The ultimate career path for control freaks with messiah complexes.

7

How to Become a Tyrant

Overview

Historical dictators teach you how to seize power and crush dissent, because absolute power corrupts absolutely. The worst leadership seminar ever.

8

The Story of God with Morgan Freeman

Overview

Morgan Freeman travels the world exploring different religious beliefs because if anyone can explain God, it's the guy who played him. The ultimate spiritual road trip.

8

God Friended Me

Overview

An atheist podcaster gets a friend request from God and starts helping strangers in need. The ultimate social media influencer is apparently divine.

6

Believe

Overview

A girl with supernatural powers is protected by a death row inmate turned guardian. Because apparently convicted criminals make the best babysitters.

7

The Brave Ones

Overview

A goddess of life and death seeks vengeance after being reincarnated as a mortal woman. African mythology meets epic fantasy with stunning visuals.

8

Halt and Catch Fire

Overview

The personal computer revolution in the 80s with drama and coding. Because nothing says excitement like early microprocessors.