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TV shows have always transcended being just another medium for entertainment-it mirrors culture, influences conversations, and, from time to time, even changes narrative techniques. Over the decades, a limited few showed their groundbreaking ideas, memorable characters, and lasting influence.
This exclusive SoapCentral Suggestion List puts together nine of the best TV shows ever made, from the well-established classics to contemporary series redefining television at the moment, each pick being rated for popularity, cultural impact, and the legacy it uniquely leaves behind.
Obviously, if you enjoy nostalgic gems or glittering contemporary TV shows, this is a list that will prove why television is still one of the mightiest tools to tell a story.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers’ discretion is advised.
The SoapCentral Suggestion List: Top 9 Greatest Of All Time TV shows, ranked
1) The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone is still one of the most influential TV shows ever produced. Its anthology structure meant every episode could be a different story, and frequently combined elements of science fiction, morality, and social commentary. The reason it stands the test of time is how it addressed issues such as prejudice, war, and humanity's greed on a level that still resonates with us today.
Contemporary series like Black Mirror exist because of Serling's pioneering model. Even after decades, episodes like 'Time Enough at Last' and 'Eye of the Beholder' are taught in film schools.
2) The Simpsons
The Simpsons revolutionized TV show comedy when it first aired in 1989, and more than three decades on, it remains the longest-running primetime scripted show. Aside from the chuckles, the shows also influenced pop culture, forecasting actual events from smartwatches to political trends. Its initial seasons are highly regarded for witty dialogue and satirical commentaries on American family life.
The Simpsons has recently discovered a new fan base through Disney+ streaming, as reruns of classic shows are being rediscovered by younger audiences. Its longevity makes it one of TV show's greatest accomplishments.
3) The Sopranos
The Sopranos did not just tell a mob story-it reshaped television storytelling. It was a crime of organized violence, yet with a dose of human frailty in Tony Soprano, who was wrestling with anxiety and family pressures. It was something never employed before; therapy sessions gave the viewers an insight into the character's inner mind. The show went beyond just mafia and looked into American suburban life, identity, and morals.
Even in 2025, podcasts, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and reunions have exposed many hidden layers, which proves enough that The Sopranos remains just as influential and intriguing as the day it first appeared.
4) Six Feet Under
Six Feet Under was unique in its open-eyed examination of death and family existence. Based in a funeral parlor, the series tracked the Fisher family through the struggles of grief, relationships, and identity. What gave it strength was the fact that every episode began with an individual death, establishing the tone for contemplating mortality.
In 2021, the show's cast members reunited to discuss its impact, refreshing audiences' memories as to why the show is still relevant. Streaming services have brought it into the modern age, presenting it to new generations.
5) The Wire
Frequently labeled as "a novel for television," The Wire presented a realistic, multidimensional image of Baltimore through stories about drugs, politics, education, and the media. David Simon's invention eschewed stereotypes and treated law enforcers and those who were trapped in the system with equal seriousness. Its multilayered narrative has made it one of the most highly regarded TV shows in universities.
In recent years, anniversaries of the show have generated debate regarding its relevance to current social issues, demonstrating that The Wire is still a masterpiece.
6) Mad Men
Mad Men introduced audiences to the glamorous and tormented world of 1960s advertising. Jon Hamm's Don Draper was a TV icon, embodying ambition, deception, and reinvention. The series was distinguished by its attention to period detail, from fashion to actual events, and how they informed the characters.
This TV shoremains to be admired in scholarly debates on gender and media. Even as of 2025, streaming figures attest that new audiences are finding its chic storytelling and complex themes.
7) Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad pushed the anti-hero trope to unprecedented levels by following Walter White as he evolved from a gentle chemistry teacher to a ruthless drug lord. The performances by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul were cultural touchstones, earning several Emmy Awards. Its conclusion was acclaimed as almost flawless, giving closure without sacrificing intensity.
The series also gave rise to the hit spin-off Better Call Saul, which concluded in 2022, further solidifying the franchise's legacy. Breaking Bad was recently voted the best TV show of the past 25 years by Rotten Tomatoes critics. Even years on, its combination of suspense, ethics, and black humor captivates people on screens.
8) The Leftovers
While less well known than other programs on this list, The Leftovers is widely praised by reviewers as one of the greatest dramas of the 2010s. Developed by Damon Lindelof, the TV show starts after 2% of the world's population inexplicably vanishes, but rather than maintaining an eye on trying to find them, it delves into loss, religion, and survival.
Its emotional complexity and unconventional narrative approach have appealed to serious television viewers. In recent years, it has received renewed popularity on streaming, where new viewers have found its unsettling brilliance. Most critics now contend it deserved much more recognition when initially broadcast.
9) Succession
Succession ended its four-season reign in 2023, immediately becoming one of TV's all-time great dramas. Tracing the cutthroat Roy family, it combined acid-tongued satire with Shakespearean-scale family warfare. Jesse Armstrong's scripting, supported by performances that cannot be forgotten from Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, and Sarah Snook, made the series a winner of several Emmys, including Best Drama in its last season.
The show has also become a cultural reference point, creating countless memes, analyses, and business world analogies. Even after its end, it still influences discussions regarding power and legacy in the 21st century. Succession confirms that contemporary television can still produce defining cultural moments.
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This article is for informational purposes only. Rankings reflect editorial opinion and sources, not definitive authority. From the groundbreaking plots managed by The Twilight Zone to the "techno-art" of Succession, the nine shows celebrate that dance among television's evolution and ever-lasting prestige. Each has uniquely left its mark, whether altering the consumer or the working industry, to redefine the outcome of what great TV could yield.
This list, a fusion of the old with new, provides a blend of nostalgia, modernism, and cultural significance. From familiar classics to lesser-known treasures such as The Leftovers, these shows spotlight how storytelling can be enlightened by inspiring television shows.
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