Top 20 Most Popular TV Shows of All Time

For many years in the late 2000s and 2010s, “The Big Bang Theory” was the biggest comedy on TV. A show about a group of nerds and, eventually, their love interests, it did big numbers on network television, despite the era of streaming getting underway during its 12-year run. Although often criticized during and after its time on-air for engaging in stereotypes (among other reasons), “The Big Bang Theory” still has a broad appeal and plenty of devoted fans. Its record-setting run for a sitcom and level of success were enough to earn it spin-offs and a place in pop culture. And now for the real #20…Bazinga!

Perhaps the most popular and recognizable anthology series of all time, “The Twilight Zone” tells a different fantasy, sci-fi, and/or horror story every episode. Many of its stories remain timeless, as they frequently examine off-kilter and strange events, usually with an ironic or shocking twist ending. So much about “The Twilight Zone” has become embedded in our popular consciousness, from individual episodes, to its name being a shorthand for weird situations, to its opening theme music. While it has been remade, rerun, imitated, and parodied countless times, there’s simply no beating the original.

Zombies have always been popular, but “The Walking Dead” brought the genre to TV and positively exploded in popularity. The post-apocalyptic series kept audiences hooked year after year, with a great balance of character drama, action, and horror. Along with being a cable ratings juggernaut, “The Walking Dead” has also spawned more than its share of spin-offs - like, seriously, a ridiculous number of spin-offs! Although debate continues to rage on when or if it fell off, “The Walking Dead” fanbase, much like a horde of “walkers,” is impossible to ignore.

If you haven’t heard of “Bluey,” you’re clearly not around a lot of kids. The global success of an Australian children’s show may shock you initially, but once you get to know what “Bluey”’s all about, it’s really not that surprising. The story of the titular puppy, as well as the rest of her family and friends, “Bluey” has proven incredibly successful, not only with its target audience, but with parents and adults as well. The series not only presents silly and adorable adventures that appeal to children, but also depicts modern family life in a positive and uplifting way. It’s little wonder why it’s been doing huge numbers worldwide.

Netflix has had a number of smash hit shows, but “Stranger Things” is in a league of its own. Set in the 1980s, “Stranger Things” follows the residents of a small town who encounter various supernatural phenomena, mostly stemming from a dark parallel dimension. While it obviously appeals to fans of ‘80s movies, “Stranger Things” has attracted plenty of younger fans too. The series perfectly blends science fiction, horror, drama, and comedy to provide a little something for every viewer. An overnight success, “Stranger Things” has continued to be a much talked about show throughout its run, with memes and trending topics galore.

When people think of “prestige television,” “The Sopranos” is generally one of the first shows that springs to mind. The mafia drama helped usher in a golden age of high-quality TV, impacting not only the perception of the medium as a legitimate way to tell engrossing stories, but also influencing the popularity of anti-heroes. Mob man Tony Soprano is among TV’s most iconic characters, and his family and fellow co-workers in “waste management” aren’t far behind! “The Sopranos” had a tremendous impact on the TV landscape of the 21st century, but while it was influential, there are other premium cable series that surpassed it in popularity.

Arguably the most universally loved animated series ever made, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is not only popular, it’s dang-near perfect! The story of Aang, the eponymous final airbender, “Avatar” depicts his journey to defeat the Fire Nation and bring peace to his world. The series has a phenomenal cast of characters, most of whom experience significant development throughout. It has phenomenal fight scenes, beautiful animation, hilarious comedy, and some incredibly heartwarming moments. “Avatar: The Last Airbender”’s popularity, like the avatar themselves, is always getting passed on to the next generation.

Dramedies may be everywhere nowadays, but back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, “M*A*S*H” was helping pioneer the idea on TV. The series followed a group of army surgeons during the Korean War. While it was initially more of a comedy, its satirical elements, wartime setting, and topical reflection of the then-current Vietnam War all lent well to drama as well. It made for riveting viewing then, and it remains fantastic today. And if all that isn’t enough to convince you of the show’s popularity, there’s the fact that “M*A*S*H” continues to hold the record for the most watched episode of American television ever, decades after its conclusion.

Popular, funny, and influential - “Lucy” had it all! Possibly the most influential multi-camera sitcom of all time, “I Love Lucy” set the standard for most of the comedies that followed it - including using multiple cameras and a live audience. Lucy and Ricky’s misadventures in love are hysterical, and, despite being a product of their time, have remained beloved for decades. The series holds the record for the highest average rating for a season of television. “I Love Lucy” has been enjoyed by millions for nearly as long as television has existed, and will doubtless continue to be for years to come.

Children’s television tends to have enduring popularity, and “Sesame Street” is not only one of the longest running kids shows in the world, it’s one of the longest TV series period! Generations of children and adults around the world have enjoyed getting to know Big Bird, Bert & Ernie, Elmo and the rest of the gang on Sesame Street. Through its catchy songs, Muppets, and various animated segments, “Sesame Street” has helped educate and entertain. And while it may be aimed at developing minds, the show never talks down to children either. No matter “how you get to Sesame Street,” everyone finds themselves there eventually.

People seem to forget just how gigantic this show was. Millions tuned in every week to see what the survivors of a plane crash on a mysterious island would get up to next. And it wasn’t just viewing figures. Once an episode aired, its contents were discussed extensively online with every detail, every clue examined from every angle. Along with its many mysteries, “Lost” also delivered gripping drama and emotional storytelling, with an extensive use of flashbacks. The performances were exceptional, the music still haunts us, and it was among the first network TV shows to bring a truly cinematic level of quality to its production. Whether you think it stuck the landing or not, “Lost” never “lost out” on attention.

Sometimes you wanna’ go where everybody knows your name - and everybody knows the name of this sitcom! The ultimate comfort show of the ‘80s and early ‘90s, “Cheers” followed the staff and regulars of the titular bar, getting away from their troubles and discovering a found family in each other. The witty writing, unforgettable characters, and fantastic chemistry between the ensemble cast turned the series into one of the most consistently watched American TV shows throughout its run. If we were to raise our glasses to this show, we would be among good company.

When it comes to the most watched and most discussed shows of the 2010s, “Game of Thrones” reigns nearly unopposed. The dark epic fantasy series had nearly everyone talking with each new epic battle, twist, or betrayal. The power struggles of Westeros managed to grip our world in a way few shows can in the era of streaming. The positively massive cast is stacked with incredible performances and every level of production, from the music to the visual effects to the costumes, set new bars for excellence (and expense) in the TV industry. Its success has also seen an increase in epic fantasy on the small screen. While it doesn’t take our Iron Throne, there’s no denying how massive “Game of Thrones” has been.

While scripted dramas and comedies tend to dominate the airwaves, variety shows have also been tremendously popular. And easily the biggest and longest running name in the game is “Saturday Night Live.” Along with showcasing up-and-coming and established musical acts, “SNL” provides a variety of sketches each week, with each show hosted by a new celebrity guest. The series is half a century old and counting, with many of its bits becoming iconic practically overnight. Plus, “SNL” has been the launching point for the careers of practically every comedic actor you can name. While how popular it is may fluctuate depending on the year or the cast, “Saturday Night Live” remains a fixture of TV.

There are dozens of wildly popular police procedurals, but few of them have achieved the kind of longevity and popularity of “Law & Order.” Its formula of showcasing not only the investigation into crimes, but also the prosecution of them proved a winning one. So popular in fact that, in addition to being on the air for 20 years, “Law & Order” has spawned numerous spin-off shows (including international versions), as well as a revival in the 2020s. The fact that its cases often take inspiration from real-world crimes and the frequently revolving cast is consistently fantastic, and it’s little wonder why “Law & Order” has remained so popular for so long.

This iconic crime drama broke all expectations. The story of Walter White, a dying science teacher who turns to producing drugs to provide for his family, should be much familiar to anyone watching this. Even if you haven’t seen the show yourself, chances are you’ve heard about it, because fans never stop singing its praises. The acting and character development are among the best television has ever seen. The writing is intricately plotted. Even the cinematography is great. It’s funny, it’s scary, it’s thrilling, it truly fires on all cylinders. A hit with critics and audiences alike, “Breaking Bad” repeatedly broke the internet and it still blows our minds how good this series was.

There are workplace sitcoms, and then there’s “The Office.” It may be a remake, but the American version vastly eclipsed the original in popularity. The workers at Dunder Mifflin paper company, led by the affably incompetent Michael Scott, have become an iconic part of pop culture. The relatable, yet outrageous characters, heartwarming romances, and gut busting comedy have helped turn “The Office” into one of the go-to comfort comedies of the 21st century. Although highly acclaimed and watched when it was on the air, “The Office” has maintained its popularity thanks to being streamed almost constantly since it concluded. It takes something this big to satisfy millions - “that’s what she said.”

It was only a matter of time, right? “The Simpsons” holds several records when it comes to long running TV series. The eponymous animated family and the residents of their town have entertained audiences for decades. Their catchphrases have been added to dictionaries. Various moments and episodes are forever ingrained in our minds. The series has spawned merchandise, video games, and a movie. Whether you feel its golden age is behind it, or it’s just as strong as ever, “The Simpsons” has left a big yellow mark on the television landscape and on pop culture in general.

While even described by itself as “a show about nothing,” there’s nothing negligible about “Seinfeld”’s popularity. Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer’s various misadventures toed the line perfectly captured the absurdity of everyday life with a cynical and sarcastic edge unlike anything at the time. Quotes from the show are part of everyday vernacular now, and even the little musical stings are iconic. The series was one of only a handful of series to finish on top in the ratings. And, thanks to being absolutely everywhere in syndication and online, it has remained a fixture of television. That’s gold Jerry - GOLD!

There have been a lot of sitcoms centered around a group of friends before this show and since. But none of them have achieved the kind of explosive, widespread appeal as “Friends.” The ensemble of six actors are all perfectly hilarious in their own ways. There’s great character development, romance, and quotable lines galore. The ratings were gigantic while it was airing, and syndication and streaming have only proved the show’s longevity. “Friends,” much like one of the series’ many Thanksgivings, is often chaotic, yet entirely comforting. Whatever wholesomeness or laughs you’re seeking, “Friends” will always “be there for you.”




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