English

The 20 Best TV Shows of All Time: Reddit Reviews & Where to Watch

TV Show Expert

21 Jul 2025 — 4 min read

Explore the 20 best TV shows of all time, as acclaimed by Reddit users for their captivating stories and iconic characters. This article details the air dates, main casts, Reddit reviews, and where to stream these legendary series.

1. The Sopranos

Air Date: January 10, 1999.
Main Cast: James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano), Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano), Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/television users hail it as a "masterpiece," with u/introdittor praising Gandolfini’s iconic role. r/thesopranos’ u/IQs_of_136_teshted calls it a must-watch.
Where to Watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video.

2. Breaking Bad

Air Date: January 20, 2008.
Main Cast: Bryan Cranston (Walter White), Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman), Anna Gunn (Skyler White).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/cookie_flash gives it a 10/10, while u/introdittor from r/television lauds its intelligent writing.
Where to Watch: Netflix, AMC+.

3. The Wire

Air Date: June 2, 2002.
Main Cast: Dominic West (Jimmy McNulty), Wendell Pierce (Bunk Moreland), Michael K. Williams (Omar Little).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/popculturechat’s u/Cailly_Bard7 calls it "unforgettable," and u/introdittor from r/television highlights Omar’s impact.
Where to Watch: HBO Max.

4. Game of Thrones

Air Date: April 17, 2011.
Main Cast: Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/Letterboxd’s u/[Deleted Account] loves the early seasons, though u/Watchingnetflix1234 from r/television critiques the rushed Season 8.
Where to Watch: HBO Max.

5. The Leftovers

Air Date: June 29, 2014.
Main Cast: Justin Theroux (Kevin Garvey), Carrie Coon (Nora Durst), Ann Dowd (Patti Levin).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/Significant-Cow-3102 ranks it top 3 for emotion, with u/introdittor calling it "beautiful."
Where to Watch: HBO Max.

6. Mad Men

Air Date: July 19, 2007.
Main Cast: Jon Hamm (Don Draper), January Jones (Betty Draper), Elisabeth Moss (Peggy Olson).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/popculturechat’s u/Cailly_Bard7 praises its writing, and r/televisionsuggestions notes its cultural significance.
Where to Watch: Netflix, AMC+.

7. The Office (US)

Air Date: March 24, 2005.
Main Cast: Steve Carell (Michael Scott), Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute), John Krasinski (Jim Halpert).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/Letterboxd’s u/[Deleted Account] calls it the best comedy, though u/coolguides notes a dip post-Carell.
Where to Watch: Peacock, Netflix.

8. Better Call Saul

Air Date: February 8, 2015.
Main Cast: Bob Odenkirk (Saul Goodman), Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler), Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmantraut).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/cookie_flash prefers it over Breaking Bad, with u/introdittor praising Gilligan’s work.
Where to Watch: Netflix, AMC+.

9. The Simpsons

Air Date: December 17, 1989.
Main Cast: Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson), Julie Kavner (Marge Simpson), Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpson).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/coolguides’ u/Glum_Passage3240 misses early seasons, citing u/joswie’s cultural impact note.
Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu.

10. Lost

Air Date: September 22, 2004.
Main Cast: Matthew Fox (Jack Shephard), Evangeline Lilly (Kate Austen), Jorge Garcia (Hurley Reyes).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/cookie_flash cherishes it as their first series love, with u/[Deleted Account] defending its ending.
Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu.

11. Twin Peaks

Air Date: April 8, 1990.
Main Cast: Kyle MacLachlan (Dale Cooper), Michael Ontkean (Harry S. Truman), Mädchen Amick (Shelly Johnson).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/Letterboxd’s u/[Deleted Account] loves its mystery, and u/Ranchoddas9 from r/FilmClubPH calls it a GOAT.
Where to Watch: Paramount+, Showtime.

12. The West Wing

Air Date: September 22, 1999.
Main Cast: Martin Sheen (Jed Bartlet), Rob Lowe (Sam Seaborn), Allison Janney (C.J. Cregg).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/Present-Ad-8186 praises its drama, with r/TwoBestFriendsPlay noting its influence.
Where to Watch: HBO Max.

13. Seinfeld

Air Date: July 5, 1989.
Main Cast: Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld), Jason Alexander (George Costanza), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine Benes).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/itsmynewnick enjoys its humor, with r/coolguides citing its 8.71 rating.
Where to Watch: Netflix.

14. Deadwood

Air Date: March 21, 2004.
Main Cast: Timothy Olyphant (Seth Bullock), Ian McShane (Al Swearengen), Molly Parker (Alma Garret).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/rigzbee ranks it top 5, with u/maverick_06 noting its absence from modern lists.
Where to Watch: HBO Max.

15. Boardwalk Empire

Air Date: September 19, 2010.
Main Cast: Steve Buscemi (Nucky Thompson), Kelly Macdonald (Margaret Schroeder), Michael Pitt (Jimmy Darmody).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/rigzbee defends its sleeper status, with u/Watchingnetflix1234 planning to watch.
Where to Watch: HBO Max.

16. Succession

Air Date: June 3, 2018.
Main Cast: Brian Cox (Logan Roy), Jeremy Strong (Kendall Roy), Sarah Snook (Siobhan Roy).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/rigzbee praises its Emmy win, while u/Watchingnetflix1234 questions its appeal.
Where to Watch: HBO Max.

17. Friends

Air Date: September 22, 1994.
Main Cast: Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Courteney Cox (Monica Geller), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/television’s u/Watchingnetflix1234 grew up with it, calling it emotional, with u/NotSoSnarky loving its chemistry.
Where to Watch: Max.

18. The Shield

Air Date: March 12, 2002.
Main Cast: Michael Chiklis (Vic Mackey), Walton Goggins (Shane Vendrell), CCH Pounder (Claudette Wyms).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/televisionsuggestions’ u/itsmynewnick enjoys its intensity, with r/TvShows noting its complexity.
Where to Watch: Hulu.

19. True Detective (Season 1)

Air Date: January 12, 2014.
Main Cast: Matthew McConaughey (Rustin Cohle), Woody Harrelson (Martin Hart), Michelle Monaghan (Maggie Hart).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/popculturechat’s u/Cailly_Bard7 calls it S-tier, with u/Ioanniche from r/televisionsuggestions ranking its pilot top 3.
Where to Watch: HBO Max.

20. The Walking Dead

Air Date: October 31, 2010.
Main Cast: Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Melissa McBride (Carol Peletier).
Reddit Reviews/Comments: r/thewalkingdead’s u/Inevitable_Entry_861 calls Season 5 "peak," though u/gith630 notes a dip post-Season 7, appreciating later binges.
Where to Watch: You can watch The Walking Dead on Netflix and AMC+.