Ultimate TV Show Drama & Comedy List
This list includes some of the best television shows from the past couple decades. Award-winning and critically acclaimed, these shows exemplify beautiful cinematography, superb acting, and beautifully scripted/directed work. While many are Drama, I did try to include some comedies and overall entertaining shows. The list also includes some of the best Netflix series and shows to binge-watch. With the exception of a few shows, like Twin Peaks, The Twilight Zone, and a few others, this list exemplifies the dramatic improvement in the medium of television. Over the past 10-15 years Television (mostly beginning with the advent of streaming shows online and the Netflix binge watching phenomena ) is beginning to surpass Film as the go-to medium for smart viewers looking for the best acting, directing, writing, and cinematography.
List activity
260 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
144 titles
- CreatorMark FrostDavid LynchStarsKyle MacLachlanMichael OntkeanMädchen AmickAn idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
- CreatorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAaron PaulAnna GunnA chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student in order to secure his family's future.
- CreatorDavid ShoreStarsHugh LaurieOmar EppsRobert Sean LeonardUsing a crack team of doctors and his wits, an antisocial maverick doctor specializing in diagnostic medicine does whatever it takes to solve puzzling cases that come his way.
- CreatorLiz BrixiusEvan DunskyLinda WallemStarsEdie FalcoMerritt WeverPaul SchulzeA drug-addicted nurse struggles to find a balance between the demands of her frenetic job at a New York City hospital and an array of personal dramas.
- CreatorTom FontanaStarsErnie HudsonJ.K. SimmonsLee TergesenA series chronicling the daily activities of an unusual prison facility and its criminal inhabitants.
- CreatorJenji KohanStarsTaylor SchillingDanielle BrooksTaryn ManningConvicted of a decade-old crime of transporting drug money, ordinarily law-abiding Piper Chapman is sentenced to 18 months behind bars and quickly discovers the realities of life-changing prison time.
- CreatorBrad FalchukRyan MurphyHalley FeifferStarsLady GagaKathy BatesAngela BassettAn anthology series centering on different characters and locations, showcasing different aspects of horror.
- CreatorRod SerlingStarsRod SerlingRobert McCordJay OverholtsOrdinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
- CreatorFrank DarabontStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusMelissa McBrideSheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to learn the world is in ruins and must lead a group of survivors to stay alive.
- CreatorGreg DanielsRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsSteve CarellJenna FischerJohn KrasinskiA mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, tedium and romance.
- CreatorPaul FeigStarsLinda CardelliniJohn Francis DaleyJames FrancoA high school mathlete starts hanging out with a group of burnouts while her younger brother navigates his freshman year.
- CreatorLarry DavidStarsLarry DavidCheryl HinesJeff GarlinLarry David stars as an over-the-top version of himself in this comedy series that shows how seemingly trivial details of day-to-day life can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events.
- CreatorLarry DavidJerry SeinfeldStarsJerry SeinfeldJulia Louis-DreyfusMichael RichardsThe continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.
- StarsMike SecherAlex Cameron DimezDerrick HesseleinDocumentary style show that explores in depth how drugs in modern day society are sold, processed, and how police are cracking down on it.
- StarsKevin O'LearyPhil CrowleyMark CubanAmbitious entrepreneurs present their breakthrough business concepts.
- CreatorNahnatchka KhanStarsKrysten RitterDreama WalkerMichael BlaiklockChloe is a New York party girl with the morals of a pirate. She causes trouble for her best friend James Van Der Beek and her naive small-town roommate June.
- StarsAnthony BourdainTom VitaleZamir GottaAnthony Bourdain, chef, writer, traveler, visits places all around the world sampling various foods.
- StarsAnthony BourdainTom VitaleDavid Scott HollowayAnthony Bourdain visits countries, delving into their political issues as well as indigenous food and culture.
- CreatorMorgan SpurlockStarsMorgan SpurlockAlexandra JamiesonDavid StacyAn unscripted, documentary-style program where an individual is inserted into a lifestyle that is completely different from his or her upbringing, beliefs, religion or profession for 30 days.
- CreatorBrad FalchukRyan MurphyHalley FeifferStarsLady GagaKathy BatesAngela BassettAn anthology series centering on different characters and locations, showcasing different aspects of horror.
- CreatorFrank DarabontStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusMelissa McBrideSheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to learn the world is in ruins and must lead a group of survivors to stay alive.
- StarsLester HoltKeith MorrisonAndrea CanningLong-running news-magazine/investigation series.
- CreatorJudy TygardStarsPeter Van SantErin MoriartyMaureen MaherOne of television's most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style.
- CreatorSteven LevitanChristopher LloydStarsEd O'NeillSofía VergaraJulie BowenThree different, but related, families face trials and tribulations in their own uniquely comedic ways.
- CreatorMitchell HurwitzStarsJason BatemanMichael CeraPortia de RossiLevel-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.
- CreatorJackie Marcus SchafferJeff SchafferStarsMark DuplassJonathan LajoieNick KrollAn ensemble comedy that follows a group of old friends in a fantasy football league who care deeply about one another -- so deeply that they use every opportunity to make each other's lives miserable.
- StarsMike SecherAlex Cameron DimezDerrick HesseleinDocumentary style show that explores in depth how drugs in modern day society are sold, processed, and how police are cracking down on it.
- StarsDrew PinskyShelly SpragueBob ForrestEight celebrities check into rehab under Dr. Drew for 21 days.
- CreatorSam MettlerRob SharenowStarsCandy FinniganJeff VanVonderenKen SeeleyAddicts try to overcome their addictions with the help of their families and others.
- DirectorDan PritzkerStarsAnthony ColemanJackie Earle HaleyShanti LowryA silent film about Louis Armstrong as a young boy and how he acquired his first cornet.
- CreatorRandall MoldaveEric SmallStarsPenn JilletteTellerShera PollinsThe comedy illusionist duo explore various topics and debunk what they consider misconceptions about them.
- CreatorVince GilliganPeter GouldStarsBob OdenkirkRhea SeehornJonathan BanksThe trials and tribulations of criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill in the years leading up to his fateful run-in with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
- CreatorAnthony CiprianoCarlton CuseKerry EhrinStarsVera FarmigaFreddie HighmoreMax ThieriotA contemporary prequel to Psycho, giving a portrayal of how Norman Bates' psyche unravels through his teenage years, and how deeply intricate his relationship with his mother, Norma, truly is.
- CreatorKevin WilliamsonStarsJames Van Der BeekKatie HolmesMichelle WilliamsTwo childhood best friends, Dawson and Joey, go through different stages of adolescence together. Their friendship is later tested when they both start a relationship with different people.
- CreatorLaura DernMike WhiteStarsLaura DernDiane LaddSarah BurnsA self-destructive woman who has a spiritual awakening becomes determined to live an enlightened life, creating havoc at home and work.
- CreatorDiablo CodyStarsToni ColletteJohn CorbettRosemarie DeWittA woman struggles to find a balance between her dissociative identity disorder and raising a dysfunctional family.
- CreatorJenji KohanStarsMary-Louise ParkerHunter ParrishAlexander GouldWhen a suburban mother turns to dealing marijuana in order to maintain her privileged lifestyle after her husband dies, she finds out just how addicted her entire neighborhood already is.
- CreatorChad HodgeStarsSiobhan Fallon HoganToby JonesShannyn SossamonA Secret Service agent goes to Wayward Pines, Idaho in search of two federal agents who have gone missing in the bucolic town. He soon learns that he might never get out of Wayward Pines alive.
- StarsDavid AckroydArthur KentChristopher ChaconExplore the stories, events, legends and myths that have incited debate throughout the ages.
- CreatorBen BestJody HillDanny McBrideStarsDanny McBrideSteve LittleKaty Mixon GreerMany years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach Physical Education at his old middle school.
- CreatorMike ClattenburgStarsJohn Paul TremblayRobb WellsMike SmithThree petty felons have a documentary made about their life in a trailer park.
- StarsMorgan SpurlockBrian Walkingstick BurgessPaul DebevecCNN and Morgan Spurlock investigate intriguing topics of our times by digging deep to learn how the real story unfolds from the inside.
- StarsJay MohrJoe RoganBill BellamyThe comics from season one face off against the comics from season two.
- StarsJan C. GaravagliaJeff ColtSandy LudwigA Florida medical examiner takes viewers through puzzling cases while explaining procedures and conclusions.
- StarsSharon MartinJody FladerAndrew D. ErathInvestigations of multiple mysterious and violent cases.
- StarsLindsay LohanMatt HarrellDina LohanFollows actress Lindsay Lohan as she attempts to rebuild her life after years of public struggles.
- CreatorJonathan MurrayMary-Ellis BunimStarsJanelle CasanaveAlton Williams IIArissa HillA new version of the long-running MTV reality show, which looks to unite people from different backgrounds and find a common ground.
- CreatorGay RosenthalStarsJim ForbesDavid WildAlexander MilasMusical artists, their careers, their highs, their lows and everything in between are profiled and interviewed.
- StarsPhil CrowleyChip BolcikBeng SpiesDocumentary series exploring a topic, headline, or person that became the ground zero for a revolution in culture; told by the people who were on the front lines of the story.
- StarsVictoria GottiCarmine Agnello Jr.Frank AgnelloCamera crews record the everyday experiences of Victoria Gotti and her three sons.
- StarsOzzy OsbourneSharon OsbourneJack OsbourneA look at the home and family life of Ozzy Osbourne.
- CreatorMeredith StiehmStarsKathryn MorrisDanny PinoJohn FinnThe Philadelphia homicide squad's lone female detective finds her calling when she's assigned "cold cases," older crimes that have never been solved.
- CreatorRob McElhenneyGlenn HowertonStarsCharlie DayGlenn HowertonRob McElhenneyFive friends with big egos and small brains are the proprietors of an Irish pub in Philadelphia.
- CreatorVeena SudStarsMireille EnosJoel KinnamanBilly CampbellA police investigation, the saga of a grieving family, and a Seattle mayoral campaign all interlock after the body of 17-year-old Rosie Larsen is found in the trunk of a submerged car.
- CreatorBrian McGreevyLee ShipmanStarsFamke JanssenBill SkarsgårdLandon LiboironSecrets are just part of daily life in the small Pennsylvania town of Hemlock Grove, where the darkest evils hide in plain sight.
- CreatorChristopher McQuarrieStarsJason WilesDaisy BettsChadwick BosemanSeveral strangers awaken and find themselves imprisoned inside a small ghost town. They quickly search for answers and along the way start to question each other's motives.
- StarsAphrodite JonesRandy ThomasJonathan Brown-TeaTrue Crime with Aphrodite Jones follows one of the nation's top crime writers, Aphrodite Jones, as she goes behind the scenes of famous murder cases to uncover hidden secrets and new information to shed new light on these sensational stories.
- StarsKathleen GarrettSkoti CollinsDavid HillIn SOLVED career defining cases are presented by investigators. Forensic analysts, trace evidence experts, crime scene technicians, forensic document examiners, forensic linguistics, handwriting experts and computer forensic specialists add their incredible investigation techniques to help solve compelling murder cases.
- StarsDanny WallaceDave McRaePamela Des BarresA documentary series unlocking the hidden secrets, psychological flaws and events that result in the tragic deaths of global icons.
- CreatorDarrin ReedStarsJon TafferP.J. KingMia MastroianniJon Taffer, a bar/nightclub consultant, and his team of experts offer their expertise, helping real bar owners "rescue" their failing establishments by overcoming challenges and possibly saving them from closing.
- StarsChristopher Crutchfield WalkerKiff VandenHeuvelGeno McDermottThe heartbreaking, mystifying and unbelievable stories of loved ones who have disappeared and the families that never give up hope.
- StarsDavid O'BrienDonna PendergastCarl SchmidtSometimes the same set of evidence can tell two very different stories. This series delves deep into the forensics of criminal cases where two sets of experts must battle it out to find the truth. In the end, the jury gives its verdict: guilty or innocent. Which interpretation of the evidence do you believe? You decide.
- CreatorGordon CassidyRobert Fisher Jr.George VerschoorStarsGary FredoJohn CarozzaPat BattistiniMurder in Small Town X is an unscripted drama series in which ten ordinary people compete to track down a fictional killer in a town filled with improvisational actors playing the suspects and witnesses.
- CreatorWinnie HolzmanStarsBess ArmstrongWilson CruzClaire DanesA 15-year-old girl and her trials and tribulations of being a teenager and dealing with friends, guys, parents, and school.
- CreatorMichele AbbottIlene ChaikenKathy GreenbergStarsJennifer BealsLeisha HaileyLaurel HollomanFollows the lives and loves of a small, close-knit group of lesbian women living in Los Angeles as well as the friends and family members that either support or loathe them.
- CreatorLorne MichaelsStarsThe Saturday Night Live BandDon PardoDarrell HammondA famous guest host stars in parodies and sketches created by the cast of this witty show.
- CreatorTina FeyStarsTina FeyAlec BaldwinTracy MorganLiz Lemon, head writer of the sketch-comedy show "TGS with Tracy Jordan", must deal with an arrogant new boss and a crazy new star while trying to run a successful television show without losing her mind.
- CreatorPaul T. ScheuringStarsDominic PurcellWentworth MillerAmaury NolascoA structural engineer installs himself in a prison he helped design, in order to save his falsely accused brother from a death sentence by breaking themselves out from the inside.
- StarsMichelle AlexanderCarlyn BurchellMiles CarneyA macabre web site called Darknet links the tales in this chilling anthology series whose protagonists face a range of unnamable horrors.
- CreatorBrannon BragaAdam SimonStarsJanet MontgomeryShane WestSeth GabelSupernatural horror loosely based on Salem's 17th century witch trials.
- CreatorBryan FullerStarsHugh DancyMads MikkelsenCaroline DhavernasExplores the early relationship between renowned psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter and a young FBI criminal profiler who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers.
- CreatorDarlene HuntStarsLaura LinneyOliver PlattGabriel BassoA suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well.
- CreatorReg WatsonLara RadulovichStarsKate AtkinsonKatrina MilosevicRobbie MagasivaThe confronting look into the lives of the inmates and prison staff of Wentworth Correctional Centre as they navigate the ups and downs of their lives in the prison system.
- CreatorJ.J. AbramsAlex KurtzmanRoberto OrciStarsAnna TorvJoshua JacksonJohn NobleAn F.B.I. agent is forced to work with an institutionalized scientist and his son in order to rationalize a brewing storm of unexplained phenomena.
- CreatorAlon AranyaJeffrey NachmanoffOmri GivonStarsToni ColletteTate DonovanRhys CoiroA premiere surgeon is blackmailed in a plot to assassinate the president after her family is taken hostage by a rogue federal agent.
- CreatorJohn LoganStarsJosh HartnettTimothy DaltonEva GreenExplorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, scientist Victor Frankenstein and medium Vanessa Ives unite to combat supernatural threats in Victorian London.
- DirectorAndy WolkStarsMandy PatinkinThomas GibsonLola GlaudiniThe apparent death by Satanic ritual brings the BAU to a small town, and the profiling morphs into a search when it's learned that a teenage girl is missing.
- CreatorPaul AbbottJohn WellsStarsEmmy RossumWilliam H. MacyEthan CutkoskyA scrappy, feisty, fiercely loyal Chicago family makes no apologies.
- CreatorMichelle AshfordStarsMichael SheenLizzy CaplanCaitlin FitzGeraldDrama about the pioneers of the science of human sexuality whose research touched off the sexual revolution.
- CreatorTerence WinterStarsSteve BuscemiKelly MacdonaldMichael ShannonAn Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.
- CreatorSoo HughStarsLily RabeBarry SloaneMilo VentimigliaAn unseen force is manipulating society's most innocent--our children--to act in favor of its cause. As the kids unwittingly help this unknown enemy, the clock counts down in this suspenseful race to save humanity.
- StarsCordelia ZawarskiMark LaursenAnna RossThe shocking eyewitness accounts of terrified people whose dream homes have become nightmares are brought to life in vivid, blood-curdling style.
- CreatorLena DunhamStarsLena DunhamAllison WilliamsJemima KirkeA comedy about the experiences of a group of girls in their early 20s.
- CreatorJohn McNamaraStarsDavid DuchovnyGrey DamonGethin AnthonyA gritty 1960s cop drama about LAPD detective Sam Hodiak and his trainee, who must deal with gangs, brutal crimes, changing times, family crises and unhinged manipulative small-time crook Charles Manson, who's slowly building his cult.
- CreatorCallie KhouriStarsHayden PanettiereClare BowenCharles EstenFollows the lives and tragedies of rising and fading country music stars in Nashville, Tennessee.
- CreatorJay BeattieJill E. BlotevogelDan DworkinStarsWilla FitzgeraldBex Taylor-KlausJohn KarnaA serialized anthology series that follows a group of teenagers being targeted by a masked serial killer.
- CreatorDenis LearyStarsDenis LearyJohn CorbettElizabeth GilliesA middle-aged once famous rock singer, who desperately wants his glory days back, finds out he has a talented daughter, who wants to reunite and front his old band - and date his guitar player. They're dysfunctional, but they don't care.
- StarsCeciliaSamuel RobinsonLeanna'Beyond Scared Straight!' will once again show young offender intervention programs, only these have evolved since 'scaring teens is no longer as easy of a task.' Each of the four episodes will focus on a different prison program, following a group of at-risk teens and preteens going through the program and then catching up with them one month later.
- StarsChristina RicciClea DuVallCole HauserFictionalized account of actual events and people surrounding Lizzie Andrew Borden after her controversial acquittal of the double murder of her father and stepmother in 1892.
- StarsJason HawesSteve GonsalvesDave TangoIn each episode, Jason Hawes and his team of paranormal investigators, TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) investigate paranormal activity across the country and search for answers in the nation's most haunted locations.
- CreatorPeter NowalkStarsViola DavisBilly BrownJack FalaheeA group of ambitious law students and their brilliant criminal defense professor become involved in a twisted murder plot that promises to change the course of their lives.
- CreatorBlake CrouchChad HodgeStarsMichelle DockeryJuan Diego BottoTerry KinneyLetty Raines is a thief and con artist whose life is always one wrong turn, one bad decision, from implosion. Which is just how she likes it.
- CreatorRichard PriceSteven ZaillianStarsRiz AhmedJohn TurturroBill CampAfter a night of partying with a woman he picked up, a man wakes up to find her stabbed to death and is charged with her murder.
- CreatorJessica GoldbergStarsAaron PaulMichelle MonaghanEmma GreenwellA man who converts to a controversial following suffers from a crisis of faith.
- CreatorRobert CarlockTina FeyStarsEllie KemperJane KrakowskiTituss BurgessA woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over again in New York City.
- CreatorDavid FarrStarsTom HiddlestonHugh LaurieElizabeth DebickiThe night manager of a Cairo hotel is recruited to infiltrate an arms dealer's inner circle.
- CreatorBrian KoppelmanDavid LevienAndrew Ross SorkinStarsPaul GiamattiDamian LewisMaggie SiffNew money means no mercy as Mike Prince takes the Axe Capital throne. Chuck Rhoades is convinced no one should have that much wealth - or power. As all the players seek out new alliances, only one thing's for certain - wealth means war.
- CreatorFred ArmisenCarrie BrownsteinJonathan KriselStarsFred ArmisenCarrie BrownsteinKyle MacLachlanA sketch-comedy series that parodies life in Portland, Oregon.
- CreatorLee DanielsDanny StrongStarsTerrence HowardTaraji P. HensonJussie SmollettA hip-hop mogul must choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million dollar company, while his ex-wife schemes to reclaim what is hers.