10 TV Shows That Ruled The World When They Were Airing

Whether these TV shows aired on a network or a streaming service, they made an impact on the cultural conversations of their time. When a massive number of people tune in for a series every time a new episode drops, it doesn't take long for the show to become part of the zeitgeist, even with audiences who aren't watching. Within this list, there's a lot of overlap with the best TV shows of all time since popularity plays into a series' longevity. There's a reason why these projects are well remembered today, even if they stopped airing decades ago.

Television has changed a lot over the years, and while the way that media is consumed might have changed, this doesn't mean people have stopped watching TV. There are many popular and underrated TV shows returning in 2025, and some might even have the staying power to be remembered as a highlight of the decade in the coming years. Plenty of TV series still on the air today have kept up their momentum and sway since they first premiered. It's hard to say what makes a show connect with so many people, but these series share that same quality.

10 Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)

One of HBO's most recent grounding-breaking hits

There's no question that HBO has been at the top of its game in the television landscape since the premium network first broke ground in the early 1970s. HBO is well known for pioneering many of the series that established the concept of prestige television, and the network/streaming service still delivers many iconic projects. However, it's impossible to talk about the contemporary era of HBO without mentioning Game of Thrones. As one of the most popular TV shows of the 2010s, it's undeniably memorable.

Based on the beloved fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones not only sparked a major high fantasy revival on television, but it proved that there was an audience base for these types of stories. While rewatching Game of Thrones today might not spark the same reaction when it first premiered, there was significant discourse about the violence, nudity, and graphic nature of the show. Though the series didn't skimp on the quality of drama, it didn't shy away from provoking intrigue and outrage at its programming, making it a vibrant talking point.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Game of Thrones (2011–2019)	89%	85%

9 Seinfeld (1989–1998)

A show about nothing became a television phenomenon

Seinfeld made its four stars and co-creators some of the most famous comedians of the 1990s, and they remain recognizable figures. Though its format and premise are similar to a traditional sitcom, Seinfeld was revolutionary because it took life's most mundane situations and mined them for comedy that left audiences rolling on the floor. Where other series created their drama and conflict from romantic tension and will-they-won't-they dynamics, Seinfeld mined the hilarious of everyday life and its pitfalls.

There are dated elements of the series, but when tuning into reruns of Seinfeld today, it still feels remarkably fresh and inspired. The writing is one of the most iconic parts of Seinfeld, as a viewer can jump into any episode of the show and instantly understand the character's motivations and relationships. Slightly edgier and more provocative than its contemporaries, Seinfeld found its audience and maintained it for many years, even if the Seinfeld pilot doesn't hold up, as the series found its footing in season 2.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Seinfeld (1989–1998)	89%	92%

8 MAS*H (1972–1983)

This dramedy changed the face of television forever

Setting a comedy in the middle of a war might seem like a strange idea, but MASH took the concept from the original 1970 movie and created something even more culturally relevant. Not only was MASH in conversation with contemporary issues, like the U.S.'s involvement in the Vietnam War, but it also spoke to a generation of people who wanted to see television grapple with serious subject matter. It might have started as a comedy, but MASH turned into a lot more than that.

Playing with form and style and directly commenting on the cost and tragedy of war made viewers just as likely to tune into MASH for the drama as the hilarity.

Alan Alda's leading role as Hawkeye might have drawn audiences in, but it was ultimately Alda's work behind the camera that helped shape MASH into a sensation. Many MASH episodes were historically relevant and were unlike anything audiences had seen on TV before. Playing with form and style and directly commenting on the cost and tragedy of war made viewers just as likely to tune into MASH for the drama as the hilarity.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
MAS*H (1972–1983)	N/A	88%

7 The Sopranos (1999–2007)

HBO was never the same after The Sopranos started airing

Widely considered the best TV show in history, The Sopranos has been off the air since 2007, but that hasn't diminished its impact or the number of audiences who are familiar with the show. Starring James Gandolfini as the iconic Tony Soprano, The Sopranos helped foster the popularity of the antihero on television and has lost none of its cultural cache or name recognition. While the mob and mafia genres had already been well worn by 1999, the creator, David Chase, found a way to make their concept new.

For a long time, The Sopranos series finale was the most-watched series finale in HBO history, with 11.9 million viewers in 2007, until it was unseated by Game of Thrones (via The Hollywood Reporter). Though HBO had been producing plenty of great TV before The Sopranos came along, it's unlikely that the network would have the reputation it does today without this revolutionary series. For a premium network to attract the number of viewers that The Sopranos did in the later '90s and early 2000s is impressive by any standards.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
The Sopranos (1999–2007)	92%	96%

6 Friends (1994–2004)

This sitcom has maintained its hold on comedy and popular culture

A group of six twenty-somethings living in New York City sounds like the premise of many major TV shows, but Friends was something entirely its own. It's hard to say exactly why Friends was so popular for all ten of its seasons, though the cast's chemistry and the relatable humor have something to do with it. However, a large part of its continued popularity and devoted fanbase is because it's so easy to care about the characters, and the emotional scenes are just as impactful as the comedy.

While Friends is unquestionably an episodic series, its serialized storylines kept audiences engaged, as so many revolved around the romantic entanglements of the core characters.

While Friends is unquestionably an episodic series, its serialized storylines kept audiences engaged, as so many revolved around the romantic entanglements of the core characters. As one of the best TV shows set in New York City, Friends is simultaneously relatable and aspirational. This is a fine line to walk, but when done right, it's the perfect formula for making a show seem fresh and contemporary while paving the way for it to age well with time.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Friends (1994–2004)	78%	93%

5 Succession (2018–2023)

For several seasons, Succession Sundays were an exciting pop culture event

Like many other HBO shows, Succession was wisely distributed weekly, with new episodes premiering on Sundays for its final season. This built anticipation and made viewers question what new bombshell would be dropped the following week when the next episode finally dropped. From the series pilot, it was clear that Succession was more than just an indictment of the rich and powerful ruling class and had an intense streak of dark humor at its core that made even the most unbearable moments enjoyable.

There aren't any likable characters in Succession, as the Roy family is a group of awful, manipulative people who use their privilege to overwhelmingly hurt the world and hurt others. However, there's something seductive about watching them fight for the approval of a father who will never give it and witnessing them do terrible things to each other with every new installment. Saying goodbye to Succession in 2023 marked the end of an era for HBO.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Succession (2018–2023)	95%	88%

4 The Walking Dead (2010–2022)

Zombie shows got an explosive makeover thanks to The Walking Dead

Though The Walking Dead had its ups and downs throughout its seasons, the number of spinoff shows alone is enough to indicate how much of a cultural touchstone the franchise has become. Based on the beloved comic book series of the same name, The Walking Dead ran for eleven seasons and managed to surprise critics and audiences with each successive story. Though zombie narratives aren't new in film and television, The Walking Dead wasn't a typical tale of the undead.

As the characters and universe of The Walking Dead live on in the new series, it's unlikely that the original show will be forgotten anytime soon.

Like all great survival and post-apocalyptic TV shows, The Walking Dead was well aware that the Walkers weren't the biggest villains in the story; the humans were. When put in a life-or-death situation like the world of The Walking Dead, each character demonstrates what kind of a person they truly are, and many lose their humanity. As the characters and universe of The Walking Dead live on in the new series, it's unlikely that the original show will be forgotten anytime soon.

TItle	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
The Walking Dead (2010–2022)	79%	78%

3 Grey's Anatomy (2005–Present)

After 20 years, Grey's Anatomy is still going strong

The Shonda Rhimes universe has come a long way since Grey's Anatomy first premiered in 2005, but this medical drama is still the heart and soul of the prolific TV creator's oeuvre. For twenty years, Grey's Anatomy has been a hallmark of the network TV landscape, and though it looks a little different today, the series is still going strong. Though many actors have come and gone in Grey's Anatomy, resulting in many tragic deaths and exits, some actors and viewers have been with the show since the beginning.

It's hard to imagine what the network TV schedule would look like without Grey's Anatomy drawing in millions of audience members every year. ThoughGrey's Anatomy season 2 was the peak of the series' viewership, with an average of 20.07 million viewers per episode, the show is still a significant draw for ABC (via Comic Book Resources). When the show finally does come to an end, it will be regarded as one of the most successful series of the 21st century.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Grey's Anatomy (2005–Present)	84%	71%

2 Lost (2004–2010)

Lost didn't lose steam after its incredible pilot episode

For all its uncanny mysteries and unexpected plot twists, Lost was a phenomenon, and the many risks the series took paid off in the long run. Though the last few seasons of Lost did see a decline in quality, it remained an engaging and exciting show until the very end, centering on its iconic characters. The Lost pilot episode is one of the most famous in TV history, and for good reason, but there's a lot more to the show than the pilot.

There was a need for a great show like Lost on television, and the series quickly stepped up to fulfill this niche and give audiences an unforgettable mystery that built on itself with every season.

Seamlessly blending sci-fi and supernatural elements into its story, Lost had something for everyone and used its ensemble cast to the best of its abilities. There was a need for a great show like Lost on television, and the series quickly stepped up to fulfill this niche and give audiences an unforgettable mystery that built on itself with every season. Even at its most convoluted, Lost never stopped entertaining its viewers.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Lost (2004–2010)	86%	89%

1 The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)

This anthology series is the best of its kind

The Twilight Zone (1959)

Creator(s)
Seasons: 5

Often imitated but never duplicated, The Twilight Zone has inspired countless copycats and revolutionized the anthology format, but few shows have ever lived up to its legacy. Premiering during a critical time in history, as science fiction grabbed hold of the cultural conversation, The Twilight Zone delved into the underbelly of the idyllic nuclear family life that had been promoted by television during this period. It may be over sixty years old, but The Twilight Zone is just as sharp today as it was many years ago.

While every episode of The Twilight Zone holds a unique insight into social rules and the folly of modern society, there are some unforgettable installments that are widely discussed today. With incredible guest stars who brought each brilliantly written episode to life and stories that tackled every kind of cultural issue viewers could think of, The Twilight Zone left no stone unturned. Though a revival was attempted in 2019, nothing compares to the iconic nature of the original.

Series	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)	92%	96%

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