Top 10 TV Shows of the Decade (So Far)

Say what you will about the age of prequels, sequels, reboots, and… whatever “Velma” is, but this “Game of Thrones” franchise series seriously holds its own! With such an expansive world with deeply intricate lore, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of story left to be told. Focusing solely on the Targaryen lineage, the show is able to dig its claws into themes of power and loyalty with a more familial focus. There’s a ton of drama and plot twists to keep both fans and newcomers to the George R.R. Martin universe on the edge of their seats! And we would be remiss if we didn’t highlight the obvious: it has dragons.

This 2024 drama from Hulu took the world by storm! As an adaptation of the novel of the same name, “Shōgun” perfectly represents the political complexities of feudal Japan. The writing of the series especially shines– each character is fully realized, with no sacrifices made to plot or historical accuracy. Of course, this is still a fictional tale, but Western audiences in particular can expect to be educated as they’re entertained! So, if you’re a fan of historical fiction and you haven’t added this show to your watchlist, we seriously suggest you do so as soon as possible!

Who said the sitcom was dead? We certainly didn’t! Led by the magnificent Quinta Brunson both on-screen and behind the scenes, this mockumentary is equal parts heart and hilarity. While educators can definitely expect to relate to both the frustration and hijinks that ensue at “Abbott Elementary,” everyone can enjoy the series’ quick wit and cleverly crafted situations. Despite being a fictional comedy, you can’t help but feel as if each character is taken straight from reality! Plus, you’ll come away from each episode with a little more appreciation for the teachers that had put up with our– uh, we mean– lovingly impacted our lives!

Nathan Fielder doesn’t miss… an opportunity to make us cringe. Drawing from his experiences creating “Nathan for You,” Fielder’s sophomore series highlights how nothing in life can truly go as you expect– even if you rehearse it. And by “rehearse,” we mean actual “lights, camera, action” level rehearsing! Filled with his signature awkward interactions and truly hilarious “how-is-this-not-scripted” moments, the show is one you simply have to see to believe. But beyond its comedic elements, “The Rehearsal” poses philosophical questions about human nature, how we connect with one another, and interrogates the artificial nature of television. The latter is a theme that Fielder builds on in his 2023 series “The Curse,” a bizarre but fascinating drama co-starring Emma Stone and Benny Safdie.

There’s plenty of survival dramas out there to enjoy, but this series has stood out amongst the rest. It’s nearly impossible not to become engrossed in the mystery and horror that “Yellowjackets” delivers! Following a soccer team stranded in the woods, we watch two parallel storylines unfold– their present conditions, and its future repercussions. “Yellowjackets” is thrilling and thought-provoking, exploring the limits of human behavior and unpacking the collective trauma the women experience. With such a powerful female-driven ensemble, each individual performer still excels and masterfully brings depth to their character. While audiences (hopefully) can’t relate to their experiences in the wilderness, their stories still resonate with anyone with challenging histories of their own.

This is the only animated series to make this elite list, and anyone who’s seen “Arcane” will have no questions as to why! Set in the universe of the video game “League of Legends,” the series is visually stunning, action packed, and super emotionally compelling. While it’s not the first video game to television adaptation, it certainly redefined expectations and raised the bar as far as what was possible in the genre. Folks who aren’t familiar with the franchise can enjoy learning the story of the cities of Piltover and Zaun, while loyal fans can revel in the faithful and masterful recreation of the lore!

A murder mystery, a satirical commentary on class and privilege, and an all-star ensemble dramedy rolled into one… this series really has it all! Oh, and of course, it has Jennifer Coolidge. “The White Lotus” doesn’t hit you over the head with its cultural critiques– it’s written flawlessly by writer and creator Mike White. He utilizes the unique character dynamics and illustrious settings to underline his message about the often overlooked costs of wealth in our society. But beyond being brilliant, the show is so quotably funny and rewatchable. Plus, being an anthology series, there’s no shortage of stories to be told in “The White Lotus” universe– so we imagine many seasons in our future!

When discussing breakout series of the 2020s, it only makes sense that a pandemic-centric drama would top the charts. Another incredible television adaptation of a video game, “The Last of Us” is a heart wrenching post-apocalyptic tale that puts its characters' relationships front and center. The two lead actors– Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay– deliver incredibly nuanced performances, conveying the grief and peril that they endure as they journey across the country together. While the first season in its entirety is sensational, the series third episode “Long, Long Time” is one of the greatest television episodes in, well, a long, long time.

If we were ranking the best television opening credits sequences, “Severance” would be number one. This sci-fi thriller has one of the most original, fascinating concepts we’ve seen on television in a long time. A tech company, Lumon Industries, makes its employees undergo a procedure in which their work selves and their out-of-work selves are “severed” from one another– with no knowledge of each other’s lives or emotions. The conspiracies at the company unfold, led by Adam Scott’s character Mark, and the stakes keep getting higher and higher until the series’ explosive season one finale. No spoilers here– we wouldn’t want to rob you of the experience of watching it for yourself!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

This Heartwarming Comedy Scores With Lovable Characters, Positive Vibes, and… Teamwork!

A Fresh, Unique Coming-Of-Age Story That Brings Indigenous Experiences to the Forefront

Smart & Einbinder Are an Unstoppable Duo in This Sharp, Generation-Bridging Comedy

“Star Wars” Fans Can Revel in This Magnificent Dive Into the Origins of the Rebel Alliance

A Cultural Moment of a Series With Gut-Wrenching Twists and Class-Conscious Themes

2022’s hottest Halloween costume just became a new hit show! We’re kidding… No one thought that Halloween costume was hot. “The Bear” is an instant classic dramedy series, realistically portraying the high stress energy of a restaurant back-of-house, interlaced with a raw, intense family dynamic. With a slew of standout performances, each scene is completely captivating– whether it has you wracked with anxiety, or shedding some tears. While there are certainly some dark moments, ultimately the series is hopeful, heartwarming and inspirational. Even with a short tenure, “The Bear” has made a lasting impact on the television scene!