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30 Must-Watch TV Shows That Stand the Test of Time
Discover 30 must-watch TV shows spanning genres and eras with Wegic. These classics continue to captivate audiences across generations.
I'm not sure if you enjoy watching TV in front of the screen, but I'm a true TV enthusiast. If you are also a TV program enthusiast like me, looking for classic TV programs that can withstand the test of time to pass the time? Then you've come to me and found the right person. This article lists 30 must-watch TV shows for you, each renowned for its unique storytelling, cultural influence, and enduring appeal. From timeless comedies that never make you laugh to gripping dramas that make you restless, these shows have become benchmarks in television history. Today, we have carefully selected the 30 best TV showsof all timefor you to solve your viewing difficulties. Let's take a look together!
The Golden Age of Television
Although the popularity of television has declined, people's love for television has not diminished in the slightest, especially since some programs have long since become a cultural phenomenon and cemented their place in history. Not only did these iconic series attract a lot of attention, but they also influenced pop culture and television production standards.
For example, "The Sopranos" revolutionized the narrative structure of TV dramas, while "Seinfeld" redefined the sitcom genre with the concept of "nonsensical show". These shows remain very popular decades after they first aired, serving as a testament to the high quality of their content.
Why These Shows Endure
What makes a TV show stand the test of time? It is influenced by many factors. Strong, well-developed characters that viewers can connect with on a personal level often form the backbone of these series. In addition, programs that deal with universal themes or offer new perspectives on social issues resonate across generations. Superior technology, such as innovative filming techniques, screenwriting, and acting, also plays an important role in differentiating these shows from the rest. According to the rankings of critics and viewers, these TV shows with a good reputation on the Internet have these characteristics, and it is precisely because of these characteristics that fans have been very fond of these TV series and shows for many years.
The Top 30 Must-Watch TV Shows
The pinnacle of sitcoms
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Friends
Friends is undoubtedly a regular on the best TV shows of all time list. Since its premiere in 1994, this drama has topped the list of classic sitcoms for ten consecutive years. The plot revolves around the lives of six characters with vastly different personalities in New York. Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe, three women, and Ross, Chandler, and Joey, three men, intertwine their friendships, love, and daily life trivialities, creating countless hilarious and touching moments.
At present, this drama has gained a huge fan base worldwide, and even after many years of completion, it still maintains extremely high views on major streaming platforms. According to statistics, the audience of Friends covers a wide age range, whether young or middle-aged, you can find resonance in the drama. On Reddit, there are countless discussion posts about "Friends", and fans are enthusiastic about sharing classic lines and scenes from the show, exploring the emotional entanglements between characters, which is enough to prove its position in the hearts of the audience. Friends, with its light-hearted and humorous style and relatable plot, has become an insurmountable peak in sitcoms.
Image From:BBC
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The Legend of Song Fei
Another classic sitcom, "The Legend of Song Fei", stands out with its unique narrative style of "about nothing". The drama abandons the common dramatic conflicts and plot lines of traditional sitcoms, and instead focuses on the trivial matters in the daily lives of the protagonist Song Fei and his friends. However, it is precisely this precise capture and exaggerated interpretation of life details that make the audience feel that even ordinary daily life contains many interesting stories. The characters in the drama have distinct personalities, and the dialogues are full of wisdom and satire, with many lines becoming classics. At Rotten Tomatoes, 'The Song Dynasty Chronicles' received extremely high ratings and was hailed by many film critics as an outstanding representative of the' best TV shows of all time Rotten Tomatoes'. Its innovation and influence on sitcoms continue to this day.
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Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is also a standout sitcom. This drama features several highly intelligent but slightly lacking scientists as the main characters, showcasing their various interesting stories in academic research and daily life. Sheldon's quirky personality, Leonard's helplessness, Penny's passion, these distinct characters collide to create countless brilliant sparks. The series cleverly combines scientific knowledge with humorous comedy, satisfying the audience's curiosity about the field of science and bringing a relaxed and enjoyable viewing experience.
Image From:Youtube
The depth and shock of a drama series
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Breaking Bad
When it comes to the Best TV shows of all time, Breaking Bad is sure to be missed. This series starring Brian Cranston tells the story of Lao Bai, a terminally ill high school chemistry teacher, who gradually degenerates from a kind, ordinary person to a ruthless drug lord to leave enough property for his family. With its delicate plot portrayal, superb performances by the actors, and profound themes, the series caused a huge sensation as soon as it was broadcast. Each episode is full of tense and exciting plots and in-depth exploration of human nature, allowing the audience to think about the boundaries between morality and survival while worrying about Lao Bai's fate. On Metacritic, "Breaking Bad" has a high rating of 96 points, which also expresses the recognition of the show and fully demonstrates its excellence in story, performance, and production, making it a benchmark among drama series.
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Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is also a blockbuster. Based on the novels of George R. R. Martin, this fantasy epic series builds a vast and complex continent of Westeros. In the play, multiple families compete fiercely for the Iron Throne, and the struggle for power, betrayal and loyalty, war, and love are intertwined, forming a magnificent picture. The show has invested heavily in production, whether it is the magnificent war scenes or the exquisite costumes and props, they have reached the level of a movie. After its premiere, Game of Thrones quickly became a global craze, with discussions about the plot flooding social media. Although the finale of the final season sparked some controversy, it had a profound impact on the development of fantasy TV series.
Image From: Steam
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Mad Men
Mad Men is set in the American advertising industry in the 60s of the 20th century, showing the social landscape and human nature of that era. Don Draper, the protagonist of the show, is a creative director of an advertising agency who is full of struggles and secrets. Through a delicate plot, the series deeply depicts workplace competition, family conflicts, and the impact of social changes on people's lives. Its exquisite retro graphics, exquisite costumes and props, and accurate grasp of the complex emotions of the characters make it stand out among the drama series of Best TV Shows of All Time, and it has won many awards in major awards.
Image From:RobMark
Classic episodes of other genres
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ER Story
In the field of medical dramas, "ER Story" is a classic among the best TV shows. The play is set in an emergency room in Chicago and realistically shows the work and life of medical staff in a high-pressure environment. Through the emergency treatment cases in the play, the fragility and tenacity of life, as well as the professionalism and responsibility of medical staff, are shown. The actors' excellent performances portray the speed of life and death in the emergency room and the warmth and coldness of people. "ER" ran for 15 seasons, becoming one of the longest-lived medical dramas in history, providing an important reference for later medical drama creation.
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Star Trek
The classic representative of science fiction dramas, the Star Trek series, is also an integral part of the best TV shows of all time. Beginning with the original Star Trek: The Original Series, this sprawling sci-fi universe has expanded to include multiple TV series and movies. "Star Trek" has attracted countless science fiction fans with its grand cosmology, imagination of future technology, and thinking about the fate of mankind. The play explores profound themes such as racial equality and the ethics of science and technology, and conveys a positive spirit of exploration. "Star Trek" not only had a profound impact in the field of film and television, but also promoted the development of aerospace technology and science fiction culture in the real world, becoming a milestone work of science fiction drama.
Image From:Vox
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Rome
The historical drama "Rome" has taken its place in the "Best TV Shows of All Time" with its brilliant recreation of the history of ancient Rome. The play has achieved the ultimate in scene construction, costumes and props and historical detail restoration, presenting the audience with a real and charming ancient Roman world. The play includes the political struggles of historical figures such as Caesar and Octavian, as well as the lives of ordinary soldiers and civilians, closely combining historical events with the fate of the characters. Although it has only aired for two seasons, "Roma" has won the love of many historical drama lovers with its high-quality production and wonderful plot, and has become a model for historical drama creation.
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The Simpsons
It has been more than 30 years since the animated series "The Simpsons" began in 1989, and this show is also an evergreen in the Best TV Shows of All Time. This animated drama with pornographic cartoon characters as the protagonists ridicules and criticizes the political, cultural, family and other aspects of American society in a humorous and satirical way. The characters in the play are distinct, the plot is absurd and full of practical significance, and many predictions about the future have even been fulfilled in reality. Not only is The Simpsons loved by children, but it has also attracted a large adult audience, and its influence has long since expanded beyond animated series to become an important part of American culture.
Image From:The Verge
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True Detective
The suspense drama "True Detective" also stands out among many TV series with its unique narrative and wonderful plot. Each season tells the story of a combination of different detectives investigating a bizarre case, full of mystery and reversal. Through delicate characterization and excavation of the dark side of human nature, the series creates a breathtaking, suspenseful atmosphere. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson's brilliant rivalry in the first season impressed audiences, earning them high reviews on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
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Westworld
The western drama "Westworld" is set in a future Westworld full of technology, and explores the relationship between artificial intelligence and humans. The park's robotic receptionists were originally intended to provide visitors with an immersive western adventure, but as their programs evolved, they became self-aware. Through complex plots and deep philosophical reflections, the series triggers the audience's in-depth discussion on the development of science and technology, ethics and morality, and occupies an important position in the list of Best TV Shows of All Time.
Image From:Variety
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Boston Law
The legal drama "Boston Law" has become a classic with its humorous style. In the play, a group of lawyers with different personalities show the changes in the legal and political world in the process of handling various complex cases. Combining the thrill of courtroom debates with the humorous interactions between the characters, while exploring the complex relationship between law, morality and humanity, the series has a loyal followers.
Image From:Hulu
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The fantasy series "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" continues the grand worldview of the "Lord of the Rings" series, showing the audience the wonderful story of the Second Age of Middle-earth. The show has invested heavily in special effects, character building, and plot structure, recreating a fantasy world full of magic and adventure, and has become a popular discussion drama since it aired.
Image From:Amazon.com
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Modern Family
The family drama "Modern Family" is a pseudo-documentary that chronicles the daily lives of three different families. The family members in the play have different personalities, and through the contradictions, understanding, and love between them, the warmth and joy of family life are shown. Exploring modern family relationships in a light-hearted and humorous way, the show has received critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike, won multiple Emmy Awards, and won the Best TV Shows of All Time family drama category.
Image From:Disney Plus
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Lost
The adventure drama "Lost" tells the story of a passenger plane crashing on a mysterious island, and the survivors' adventure to survive on the island. The series is full of suspense, mystery and human tests, various bizarre phenomena on the island, conflicts and cooperation between survivors, so that the audience has always maintained a high degree of enthusiasm for chasing the drama. Its complex plot and deep exploration of human nature make it a classic of the adventure genre in "Best TV Shows of All Time".
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Shield
The police drama "Shield" breaks the narrative mode of traditional police dramas, and shows the darkness and struggle in the process of law enforcement from the perspective of a police force on the edge of the law. In order to maintain law and order, the protagonist of the play, Vic McGee, often uses some illegal means, and this complex character setting and tense and exciting plot make "Shield" unique among many police and bandit dramas.
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Black Mirror
Each episode of the sci-fi drama "Black Mirror" is an independent story, reflecting the impact of modern society and technological development on human life through different sci-fi settings. From the dangers of social media to the addiction to virtual reality, the series provokes deep reflections on technology and human nature with dark humor and satire, and maintains a super high rating on Best TV Shows of All Time on Rotten Tomatoes.
Image From:Netflix
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The Office
The comedy "The Office" is a pseudo-documentary that shows the daily work and life of employees in a paper company. The show is full of absurd and hilarious plots and humorous jokes about workplace culture, and the characters are distinctive. Michael Scott's antics and Jim and Pam's love story have left a deep impression on the audience, and it is a highly recommended comedy series on Best TV Shows of All Time Reddit.
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Dr. House
The medical drama "Dr. House" features the genius doctor Gregory House, who solves many intractable diseases with his superb medical skills and unique diagnostic methods. The series not only shows wonderful medical cases, but also deeply portrays Dr. House's complex personality and the relationship between him and his team members, so this drama is also very popular among medical dramas.
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Breaking Bad
The drama "Breaking Bad" is a spin-off of "Breaking Bad" and tells the story of lawyer Saul Goodman before he becomes the cunning lawyer in "Breaking Bad". The series continues the high-quality production of "Breaking Bad", and shows the process of the protagonist gradually moving from a kind little lawyer to depravity through a delicate plot, which has been well-received in many drama series.
Image From:The Bona Venture
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Fairy Tale Town
The fantasy drama "Fairy Tale Town" brings together many classic fairy tale characters into a modern town, showing the stories of fairy tale characters in the real world in a unique narrative way. Snow White, Cinderella, Queen Evil, and other characters experience new adventures and challenges in the town, and the series skillfully blends fairy tales and reality, attracting many fantasy drama lovers and topping the fantasy drama list of Best TV Shows of All Time on Ranker.
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Prison Break
"Prison Break" This series is a classic of action-adventure TV series. The story revolves around Michael Schofield's elaborate plan to escape from prison to save his brother Lincoln, who was wrongfully imprisoned. With his high IQ and detailed knowledge of the prison structure, Michael presents the complex process of escaping from prison to the audience in an exquisite way. Not only does the play have a tense and exciting prison escape plot, but after the brothers escape from prison, they also have to evade the pursuit of the police while uncovering the huge conspiracy behind it. The tight plot and interlocking suspense keep the audience tense at all times, and each season brings new surprises and challenges. On Reddit, there has been a lot of talk about Prison Break, making it a classic that can't be stopped.
Image From:Netflix
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The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is a popular fantasy series, and The Vampire Diaries has many fans on the Best TV Shows of All Time list. Set in the mysterious town of Falls, the show tells the story of the emotional entanglement between Elena, a human girl, and her vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon, and their relationship with various supernatural creatures. The play perfectly integrates love, friendship, and family feuds with fantasy elements such as vampires, werewolves, and witches, and creates many characters with distinct personalities. Stefan's kindness and gentleness, Damon's righteousness and evil, both left a deep impression on the audience. The beautiful graphics and the ups and downs of the plot made it maintain high ratings during the broadcast, and it also received good reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, becoming one of the representatives of fantasy romance dramas.
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Stranger Things
"Stranger Things" is a series that combines sci-fi, horror and nostalgia elements, and has become a popular series on the TV drama list since it aired. Set in an American town in the 80s, a young boy mysteriously disappears, his friends, family, and the local police begin to search for answers, and with the emergence of Eleven, a girl with superpowers, a mysterious event about secret experiments and supernatural powers gradually emerges. The show is a clever nod to the classic film and television productions of the 80s, and the retro style, wonderful special effects, and innocent camaraderie between children have kept audiences hooked.
Conclusion
These 30 best TV shows of all time cover a variety of genres such as sitcoms, dramas, medical dramas, science fiction dramas, historical dramas, animated dramas, etc., each of which has reached an extremely high level in its respective field. They have stood the test of time and still exude a unique charm. These classic dramas not only bring us entertainment, but also make us think more deeply about life, human nature, and society through wonderful plots and profound themes.
Whether it's referencing trending discussions on Reddit, checking out professional ratings from Rotten Tomatoes, or Metacritic, these 30 must-watch TV shows are worth including in your watch list. When you're free, open up a classic series and immerse yourself in the wonderful world they build, and feel the charm of the classic across time and space. I believe that these masterpieces that have been created over the years will bring you an unforgettable audio-visual feast and a profound spiritual touch. Check it out now if you're interested!
Wondering which streaming platforms to watch the best TV shows? Check out the articles below:
FAQs
What is the #1 most-watched TV show of all time?
According to a list compiled by IMDB, the most-watched TV series of all time is Game of Thrones. This series follows "nine noble families who fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia."
What is the longest-running TV show?
The longest-running TV show is "Guiding Light", which ran for 72 years. It began as a radio show in 1937 and transitioned to television in 1952, airing on CBS until its cancellation in 2009. While it was on television for 57 years, its total lifespan, including the radio show, was 72 years.
What TV series has a 9.5 rating?
This cult classic drama is a thrilling ride that gave many of its first-time viewers sleepless nights as it follows the most unconventional anti-hero: a mild-mannered chemistry teacher with terminal lung cancer who turns into a ruthless drug lord.
What is the oldest commercial still airing?
The world's longest-running TV commercial is the Discount Tire Company's Thank you commercial, produced by Swartwout Productions (Arizona, USA) and first aired in 1975. The same commercial has been aired continuously every year in parts of the USA.
What is the number one commercial of all time?
What is the most famous commercial of all time? The most famous commercial is Apple's "1984" ad. This ad, aired during the 1984 Super Bowl, is widely regarded as a turning point in advertising history.
Written by
Kimmy
Published on
Jul 2, 2025
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