The Ultimate TV Series Bucket List: 100 Shows to Binge Watch

If you’re looking for the best TV series to watch, you’ve come to the right place.
In today’s world of streaming platforms and endless options, sometimes it can be overwhelming to choose what TV series to watch next. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive list of 100 must-watch TV series to help you navigate through the sea of options and find your next binge-worthy show. From gripping dramas to hilarious comedies, our list has something for everyone. Our list includes heart-wrenching stories that will make you cry and lighthearted comedies that will make you laugh. With one of these fantastic shows, you can enjoy endless entertainment. So grab your favorite snack, cozy up on the couch, and get ready to embark on a journey of entertainment.

Drama TV Series

1. Breaking Bad (2008-2013) – A high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine in order to secure his family’s future.
2. Game of Thrones (2011-2019) – Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros.
3. House of the Dragon (2022-present) – A prequel to Game of Thrones that follows the Targaryen family and their rise to power.
4. The Crown (2016-present) – Follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.
5. Stranger Things (2016-present) – In a small town where everyone knows everyone, a group of kids uncover supernatural mysteries.
6. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present) – Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.
7. Westworld (2016-present) – Follows the events that unfold in a futuristic, Western-themed amusement park.
8. The Office (2001-2003) – A mockumentary following the lives of office employees at the Slough branch of Wernham Hogg paper company.
9. Better Call Saul (2015-2023)– A spin-off prequel to Breaking Bad that follows the life of con-man turned lawyer Jimmy McGill, who becomes the morally dubious Saul Goodman.
10. I Love Lucy – A classic sitcom from the 1950s that follows the comedic antics of Lucy and her husband Ricky Ricardo.

Comedy TV Series

1. Friends (1994-2004) – Follows the lives of six friends living in New York City.
2. The Office (2005-2013) – A mockumentary following the lives of office employees at Dunder Mifflin paper company.
3. Parks and Recreation (2009-2015) – Follows the absurd antics of an Indiana town’s public officials as they pursue sundry projects to make their city a better place.
4. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-present) – Follows a team of detectives in Brooklyn’s 99th precinct.
5. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-present) – A housewife in the 1950s decides to become a stand-up comic.
6. The Big Bang Theory – Follows the lives of a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with their neighbor, a beautiful aspiring actress. (2007-2019)
7. Friends from College – Follows a group of friends who attended Harvard together and are now facing the challenges of adulthood. (2017-2019)
8. Silicon Valley – Follows a group of programmers who are trying to start a tech company in Silicon Valley. (2014-2019)
9. The Good Place – Follows the afterlife adventures of a group of individuals who find themselves in the “good place” after they die. (2016-2020)
10. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – A dark comedy series that follows the ridiculous antics of a group of friends who own a bar in Philadelphia.
11. South Park – An animated sitcom that has been on the air since 1997, following the absurd adventures of four boys living in Colorado.

Crime TV Series

1. The Sopranos (1999-2007) – Follows the life of New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano.
2. The Wire (2002-2008) – Follows the Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.
3. Narcos (2015-2017) – Follows the rise and fall of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and the Medellín drug cartel.
4. True Detective (2014-present) – Follows various police investigations and the effect they have on the detectives involved.
5. Mindhunter (2017-present) – Follows FBI agents in the Behavioral Science Unit as they interview serial killers to solve open cases.
6. Peaky Blinders – Follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family in Birmingham, England, in the aftermath of World War I. (2013-present)
7. Narcos: Mexico – Follows the rise of the Guadalajara drug cartel in the 1980s as DEA agent Kiki Camarena tries to take them down. (2018-present)
8. Fargo (2014-present) – is a crime anthology series created by Noah Hawley and is based on the 1996 film of the same name by the Coen brothers. Each season of the series tells a different story, but all take place in the same universe and are connected by themes and characters.

Fantasy TV Series

1. The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) – Follows hobbit Frodo Baggins as he and a fellowship seek to destroy the One Ring.
2. Harry Potter (2001-2011) – Follows young wizard Harry Potter and his friends as they attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
3. The Witcher (2019-present) – Follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter.
4. His Dark Materials (2019-present) – Follows the journey of Lyra Belacqua as she searches for her kidnapped friend and uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children.
5. The Mandalorian (2019-present) – Follows a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy.

Science Fiction TV Series

1. Doctor Who (1963-present) – Follows the adventures of the Doctor, a time-traveling alien from the planet Gallifrey.
2. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) – Follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-D as they explore the galaxy.
3. Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009) – Follows the last surviving humans as they flee from their destroyed home planets and seek a new home.
4. The Expanse (2015-present) – Follows a group of characters as they navigate the political tensions between Earth, Mars, and the Belt.
5. Black Mirror (2011-present) – Features standalone episodes that explore the dark side of technology and its effects on society.

Action TV Series

1. 24 (2001-2010) – Follows the life of counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer as he races against the clock to foil terrorist plots.
2. Alias (2001-2006) – Follows the double life of CIA agent Sydney Bristow as she balances her work life with her personal life.
3. Daredevil (2015-2018) – Follows the life of blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who fights crime as the vigilante Daredevil.
4. The Punisher (2017-2019) – Follows the life of Frank Castle, a former Marine who becomes a vigilante after his family is killed.
5. The Boys (2019-present) – Follows a group of vigilantes who set out to take down corrupt superheroes.

Horror TV Series

1. American Horror Story (2011-present) – Follows different characters and locations each season, with a focus on horror and the supernatural.
2. Stranger Things (2016-present) – Features supernatural elements and horror themes.
3. The Walking Dead (2010-present) – Follows a group of survivors as they navigate a world overrun by zombies.
4. Penny Dreadful (2014-2016) – Follows various characters as they face off against supernatural threats in Victorian England.
5. The Haunting of Hill House (2018) – Follows a family as they confront the ghosts of their past while living in a haunted house

Romance TV Series

1. Outlander (2014-present) – Follows a World War II nurse who is transported back in time to 18th century Scotland.
2. Jane the Virgin (2014-2019) – Follows the life of Jane, a young woman who becomes pregnant after being accidentally inseminated.
3. Bridgerton (2020-present) – Follows the lives of the wealthy Bridgerton family in Regency-era England.
4. You (2018-present) – Follows a bookstore manager who becomes obsessed with a customer.
5. The End of the F***ing World (2017-2019) – Follows two young outsiders who embark on a road trip together.

Historical TV Series

1. Rome (2005-2007) – Follows the lives of two soldiers and their families as they navigate the political and social landscape of ancient Rome.
2. Vikings (2013-2020) – Follows the life of legendary Norse hero Ragnar Lothbrok and his family.
3. The Last Kingdom (2015-present) – Follows the life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon who is raised by Vikings.
4. Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014) – Follows the life of Atlantic City treasurer Enoch “Nucky” Thompson during the Prohibition era.
5. The Crown (2016-present) – Follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.
6. The Crown – A historical drama that follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from her early days as a princess to her present-day rule.
7. Mad Men – A drama series set in the 1960s that follows the lives of employees working at an advertising agency.
8. Downton Abbey – A period drama set in the early 20th century that follows the lives of an aristocratic family and their servants.
9. The Tudors – A historical drama that chronicles the reign of King Henry VIII of England.

Thriller

1. Killing Eve (2018-present) – Follows the lives of two women: a bored, talented, low-level MI5 security officer and a talented, psychopathic assassin.
2. Ozark (2017-present) – Follows a family who moves to the Ozarks and becomes entangled with local criminals.
3. The Night Manager (2016) – Follows a former British soldier who is recruited by MI6 to infiltrate the inner circle of an arms dealer.
4. Bodyguard (2018) – Follows a war veteran who is assigned to protect a British politician with controversial views.
5. Homeland (2011-2020) – Follows a CIA officer who becomes convinced that a prisoner of war has been turned by al-Qaeda and is planning to carry out a terrorist attack on American soil.

Ultimate TV Series Bucket List forAnimation

1. Rick and Morty (2013-present) – Follows the adventures of an eccentric and alcoholic scientist and his grandson.
2. The Simpsons (1989-present) – Follows the lives of the Simpson family and their friends in the town of Springfield.
3. South Park (1997-present) – Follows the lives of four young boys in the town of South Park, Colorado.
4. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008) – Follows a young boy who must master the elements in order to save the world from a tyrannical ruler.
5. BoJack Horseman (2014-2020) – Follows the life of a washed-up actor who is also a horse.

Documentary TV Series

1. Planet Earth (2006) – A nature documentary that explores the diversity of life on Earth.
2. Making a Murderer (2015-present) – Follows the case of Steven Avery, a man who was exonerated of rape after 18 years in prison, only to be accused of murder shortly after.
3. The Jinx (2015) – Follows the life of Robert Durst, a real estate heir who has been accused of multiple murders.
4. Tiger King (2020) – Follows the life of Joe Exotic, a zoo owner who became embroiled in a murder-for-hire plot.
5. The Keepers (2017) – Follows the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a Baltimore nun and Catholic high school teacher.

Ultimate TV Series Bucket List for Musical

1. Glee (2009-2015) – Follows a high school glee club as they navigate the challenges of high school and their own personal lives.
2. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019) – Follows a young woman who moves across the country to be with her ex-boyfriend.
3. Smash (2012-2013) – Follows the creation of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe.
4. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (2020-present) – Follows a young woman who can hear the innermost thoughts of people around her through song and dance.
5. Galavant (2015-2016) – Follows a knight who sets out on a quest to save his love from an evil king.

Political TV Series

1. The West Wing (1999-2006) – Follows the lives of the staff of the White House during the fictional presidency of Josiah Bartlet.
2. House of Cards (2013-2018) – Follows the life of a ruthless politician who will stop at nothing to gain power.
3. Designated Survivor (2016-2019) – Follows the life of a low-level Cabinet member who becomes President of the United States after a catastrophic attack on the Capitol.
4. The Thick of It (2005-2012) – Follows the lives of the staff of the fictional Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship.
5. Borgen (2010-2013) – Follows the life of Birgitte Nyborg, a politician who becomes the first female Prime Minister of Denmark.

Medical

1. Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present) – Follows the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they work to save lives and navigate their personal lives.
2. House (2004-2012) – Follows the life of a brilliant but misanthropic doctor who leads a team of diagnosticians at a fictional teaching hospital.
3. ER (1994-2009) – Follows the lives of the doctors and nurses at a busy Chicago emergency room.
4. The Knick (2014-2015) – Follows the lives of the staff at the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City in the early 1900s.
5. Scrubs (2001-2010) – Follows the lives of medical residents at a fictional hospital.

Ultimate TV Series Bucket List for Sports

1. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011) – Follows a high school football team in a small Texas town.
2. All American (2018-present) – Follows a high school football player who is recruited to play for a Beverly Hills high school.
3. Ted Lasso (2020-present) – Follows a small-time American football coach who is hired to coach a Premier League soccer team in England.
4. Last Chance U (2016-2020) – Follows junior college football teams as they try to earn scholarships and move on to four-year universities.
5. Cheer (2020) – Follows the lives of a cheerleading team from Navarro College as they prepare for the national championship.

Ultimate TV Series Bucket List for Travel

1. Parts Unknown (2013-2018) – Follows Anthony Bourdain as he travels to various regions around the world, sampling local cuisine and culture.
2. No Reservations (2005-2012) – Follows Anthony Bourdain as he travels to various regions around the world, sampling local cuisine and culture.
3. Rick Steves’ Europe (2000-present) – Follows Rick Steves as he travels to various regions of Europe, offering tips on local customs, cuisine, and culture.
4. Somebody Feed Phil (2018-present) – Follows Phil Rosenthal as he travels to various regions around the world, sampling local cuisine and culture.
5. An Idiot Abroad (2010-2012) – Follows Karl Pilkington as he travels to various regions around the world, experiencing different cultures and customs.

Food

1. Chef’s Table – A documentary series that profiles different world-renowned chefs and their culinary creations.
2. MasterChef – A cooking competition series where amateur chefs compete for the title of MasterChef.
3. The Great British Baking Show – A baking competition series where amateur bakers compete for the title of Britain’s best baker.
4. Ugly Delicious – A food and travel series that explores different cultural dishes and their origins.
5. Salt Fat Acid Heat – A documentary series that explores the four essential elements of cooking and their impact on different dishes.

Documentary Ultimate TV Series Bucket List

1. Making a Murderer – A true crime documentary series that follows the case of Steven Avery, who was convicted of murder in Wisconsin.
2. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst – A true crime documentary series that follows the life of Robert Durst, a millionaire suspected of multiple murders.
3. Tiger King – A true crime documentary series that follows the life of Joe Exotic, a zoo owner and convicted felon.
4. Wild Wild Country – A documentary series that explores the controversial Rajneeshpuram community in Oregon in the 1980s.
5. The Keepers – A true crime documentary series that follows the unsolved murder of a nun in Baltimore.

Ultimate TV Series Bucket List for Reality

1. Survivor – A reality competition series where contestants are stranded on a deserted island and must compete in challenges to win immunity and avoid elimination.
2. The Amazing Race – A reality competition series where teams of two race around the world, competing in challenges to win a cash prize.
3. The Bachelor/The Bachelorette – A reality dating series where contestants compete for the affections of a single person.
4. Shark Tank – A reality series where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors, hoping to secure funding.
5. RuPaul’s Drag Race – A reality competition series where drag queens compete in challenges to win the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar.