The Ultimate List of the Top 100 Hollywood TV Series of All Time with Cast, Ratings, and Reviews

Hollywood has gifted the world some of the most iconic TV series, blending drama, comedy, action, and suspense into stories that captivate millions. From groundbreaking classics to modern masterpieces, this ultimate list of the top 100 Hollywood TV series of all time celebrates the best of the small screen. Each entry includes the main cast, IMDb rating (as of April 9, 2025), and a succinct review highlighting what makes it a standout. Whether you’re a binge-watcher or a casual viewer, this guide—spanning the 1950s to today—has something for everyone.

Let’s explore the greatest Hollywood TV series that have shaped entertainment history!

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Why Hollywood TV Series Dominate Global Screens

Television is Hollywood’s playground, where innovative storytelling meets top-tier talent. The best Hollywood TV series offer compelling characters, unforgettable moments, and production values that rival blockbuster films. From I Love Lucy’s pioneering sitcom laughs to Breaking Bad’s dark brilliance, these shows have set benchmarks for creativity and cultural impact. This list ranks them based on critical acclaim, audience love, and lasting legacy—perfect for anyone searching for the "top TV shows" to watch next.

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Top 100 Hollywood TV Series: The Definitive List

1. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

• Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt
• IMDb Rating: 9.5/10
• Review: Vince Gilligan’s masterpiece follows chemistry teacher Walter White (Cranston) turning to meth-making with former student Jesse Pinkman (Paul). Its slow-burn descent into moral chaos, paired with stellar performances, makes it the gold standard of drama. A must-watch for its tension and character depth.

2. The Sopranos (1999-2007)

• Cast: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli
• IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
• Review: This HBO gem redefined TV with Tony Soprano (Gandolfini), a mob boss juggling family and crime. Its raw emotion, sharp writing, and complex psychology set a new bar for serialized storytelling.

3. The Wire (2002-2008)

• Cast: Dominic West, Wendell Pierce, Sonja Sohn, Idris Elba
• IMDb Rating: 9.3/10
• Review: A gritty look at Baltimore’s drug trade, The Wire weaves a tapestry of cops, dealers, and institutions. Its realism and ensemble cast make it a slow-burn triumph of social commentary.

4. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

• Cast: Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey
• IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
• Review: Epic battles and shocking twists define this fantasy juggernaut. Though the finale split fans, its sprawling world and standout performances (Dinklage as Tyrion) keep it legendary.

5. Friends (1994-2004)

• Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer
• IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
• Review: Six pals in NYC deliver timeless laughs. Its relatability and chemistry make it a comfort-watch classic, still quoted decades later.

6. The Simpsons (1989-Present)

• Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
• Review: This animated satire of American life remains sharp after 30+ seasons. Homer, Marge, and the gang are cultural icons.

7. Mad Men (2007-2015)

• Cast: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
• Review: Don Draper (Hamm) navigates 1960s ad world with style and secrets. Its meticulous detail and emotional depth make it a period drama gem.

8. The Office (US) (2005-2013)

• Cast: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer
• IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
• Review: A mockumentary of workplace absurdity, led by Michael Scott (Carell). Its awkward humor and heart make it endlessly rewatchable.

9. Lost (2004-2010)

• Cast: Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway, Terry O’Quinn
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
• Review: Plane crash survivors unravel island mysteries in this polarizing hit. Its twists and ensemble cast keep you hooked, despite the divisive end.

10. Seinfeld (1989-1998)

• Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards
• IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
• Review: The “show about nothing” turned everyday quirks into comedy gold. Its wit and cast chemistry are unmatched.

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11-20: Modern Classics and Genre Pioneers

11. Stranger Things (2016-Present) - Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard - 8.7/10 - ‘80s nostalgia meets sci-fi thrills.
12. True Detective (2014-Present) - Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson (S1) - 8.9/10 - Anthology crime at its finest.
13. The West Wing (1999-2006) - Martin Sheen, Allison Janney - 8.9/10 - Idealistic politics with snappy dialogue.
14. Better Call Saul (2015-2022) - Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks - 9.0/10 - A Breaking Bad prequel that stands tall.
15. The Crown (2016-Present) - Claire Foy, Olivia Colman - 8.6/10 - Royal drama with regal finesse.
16. House M.D. (2004-2012) - Hugh Laurie, Olivia Wilde - 8.7/10 - Diagnostic genius with biting wit.
17. Sherlock (2010-2017) - Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman - 9.1/10 - Modern Holmes dazzles.
18. Fargo (2014-Present) - Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman - 8.9/10 - Darkly funny anthology brilliance.
19. Black Mirror (2011-Present) - Various - 8.7/10 - Tech dystopia with chilling twists.
20. Dexter (2006-2013) - Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter - 8.6/10 - Serial killer with a moral code.

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21-30: Comedy and Drama Titans

21. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-Present) - Larry David - 8.8/10 - Cringe comedy perfection.
22. Parks and Recreation (2009-2015) - Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman - 8.6/10 - Small-town hilarity with heart.
23. The Mandalorian (2019-Present) - Pedro Pascal - 8.6/10 - Star Wars meets Western grit.
24. Succession (2018-2023) - Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong - 8.8/10 - Dysfunctional dynasty drama.
25. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021) - Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher - 8.4/10 - Cop comedy with soul.
26. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023) - Rachel Brosnahan - 8.7/10 - Stand-up in ‘50s flair.
27. 30 Rock (2006-2013) - Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin - 8.3/10 - Absurd TV satire.
28. Ted Lasso (2020-2023) - Jason Sudeikis - 8.8/10 - Feel-good soccer charm.
29. The Good Place (2016-2020) - Kristen Bell, Ted Danson - 8.2/10 - Afterlife comedy with a twist.
30. Veep (2012-2019) - Julia Louis-Dreyfus - 8.4/10 - Political farce at its sharpest.

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31-40: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Crime Legends

31. Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009) - Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell - 8.7/10 - Sci-fi with human stakes.
32. The Expanse (2015-2022) - Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper - 8.5/10 - Space opera realism.
33. Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017) - Kyle MacLachlan - 8.8/10 - Surreal mystery masterpiece.
34. The Walking Dead (2010-2022) - Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus - 8.1/10 - Zombie survival saga.
35. Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014) - Steve Buscemi - 8.6/10 - Prohibition-era crime epic.
36. Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014) - Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman - 8.6/10 - Biker gang grit.
37. Justified (2010-2015) - Timothy Olyphant - 8.6/10 - Modern Western lawman.
38. The Boys (2019-Present) - Karl Urban, Jack Quaid - 8.7/10 - Superhero satire with edge.
39. Peaky Blinders (2013-2022) - Cillian Murphy - 8.8/10 - Gangster style and substance.
40. Ozark (2017-2022) - Jason Bateman, Laura Linney - 8.5/10 - Money-laundering tension.

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41-50: Golden Age Gems

41. The Twilight Zone (1959-1964) - Rod Serling - 9.1/10 - Timeless anthology twists.
42. MAS*H (1972-1983) - Alan Alda, Loretta Swit - 8.5/10 - War comedy with heart.
43. Cheers (1982-1993) - Ted Danson, Shelley Long - 8.0/10 - Barstool laughs and love.
44. All in the Family (1971-1979) - Carroll O’Connor, Jean Stapleton - 8.4/10 - Social satire pioneer.
45. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977) - Mary Tyler Moore - 8.3/10 - Career woman comedy.
46. I Love Lucy (1951-1957) - Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz - 8.6/10 - Sitcom trailblazer.
47. The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968) - Andy Griffith - 8.4/10 - Small-town charm.
48. Taxi (1978-1983) - Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito - 7.9/10 - Quirky cabbie tales.
49. Hill Street Blues (1981-1987) - Daniel J. Travanti - 8.2/10 - Cop drama innovator.
50. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966) - Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore - 8.4/10 - Classic workplace laughs.

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51-60: 2000s Powerhouses

51. Entourage (2004-2011) - Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven - 8.4/10 - Hollywood bro fantasy.
52. Deadwood (2004-2006) - Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane - 8.6/10 - Wild West grit.
53. Six Feet Under (2001-2005) - Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall - 8.7/10 - Death and family drama.
54. The Shield (2002-2008) - Michael Chiklis - 8.7/10 - Corrupt cop intensity.
55. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011) - Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton - 8.7/10 - Football heart.
56. 24 (2001-2010) - Kiefer Sutherland - 8.4/10 - Real-time action thrills.
57. Arrested Development (2003-2019) - Jason Bateman, Will Arnett - 8.7/10 - Dysfunctional family farce.
58. Firefly (2002) - Nathan Fillion - 9.0/10 - Cult sci-fi Western.
59. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) - Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel - 8.2/10 - Quirky town charm.
60. How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014) - Josh Radnor, Neil Patrick Harris - 8.3/10 - Romantic sitcom twists.

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61-70: Modern Hits and Revivals

61. The Last of Us (2023-Present) - Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey - 8.7/10 - Post-apocalyptic emotion.
62. Yellowstone (2018-Present) - Kevin Costner - 8.7/10 - Ranch dynasty drama.
63. Cobra Kai (2018-Present) - Ralph Macchio, William Zabka - 8.5/10 - Karate Kid nostalgia.
64. Mindhunter (2017-2019) - Jonathan Groff - 8.6/10 - Serial killer profiling.
65. Narcos (2015-2017) - Wagner Moura, Pedro Pascal - 8.8/10 - Drug cartel chaos.
66. House of the Dragon (2022-Present) - Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy - 8.4/10 - GoT prequel fire.
67. The Bear (2022-Present) - Jeremy Allen White - 8.6/10 - Kitchen stress brilliance.
68. Severance (2022-Present) - Adam Scott - 8.7/10 - Work-life dystopia.
69. Atlanta (2016-2022) - Donald Glover - 8.6/10 - Surreal hip-hop tales.
70. Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020) - Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara - 8.5/10 - Fish-out-of-water laughs.

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71-80: Underrated Gems and Cult Favorites

71. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000) - James Franco, Seth Rogen - 8.8/10 - Teen angst perfection.
72. The Leftovers (2014-2017) - Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon - 8.3/10 - Mysterious grief drama.
73. Hannibal (2013-2015) - Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy - 8.5/10 - Stylish horror brilliance.
74. Banshee (2013-2016) - Antony Starr - 8.4/10 - Action-packed crime thrills.
75. The Americans (2013-2018) - Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys - 8.4/10 - Cold War spy tension.
76. Pushing Daisies (2007-2009) - Lee Pace - 8.3/10 - Whimsical death tales.
77. Terriers (2010) - Donal Logue - 8.4/10 - PI charm cut short.
78. Rectify (2013-2016) - Aden Young - 8.3/10 - Quiet redemption story.
79. Carnivàle (2003-2005) - Nick Stahl - 8.4/10 - Dust Bowl mystery.
80. Your Honor (2020-2023) - Bryan Cranston - 7.6/10 - Legal moral twists.

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81-90: Genre Innovators

81. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) - Sarah Michelle Gellar - 8.3/10 - Teen horror with heart.
82. The X-Files (1993-2018) - David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson - 8.6/10 - Paranormal pioneer.
83. ER (1994-2009) - George Clooney, Noah Wyle - 7.9/10 - Medical drama intensity.
84. NYPD Blue (1993-2005) - Dennis Franz - 7.7/10 - Gritty cop realism.
85. Law & Order: SVU (1999-Present) - Mariska Hargitay - 8.1/10 - Crime procedural longevity.
86. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015) - William Petersen - 7.7/10 - Forensic trailblazer.
87. Chuck (2007-2012) - Zachary Levi - 8.2/10 - Nerdy spy fun.
88. Supernatural (2005-2020) - Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki - 8.4/10 - Monster-hunting epic.
89. Fringe (2008-2013) - Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson - 8.4/10 - Sci-fi weirdness.
90. Alias (2001-2006) - Jennifer Garner - 7.6/10 - Spy thriller flair.

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91-100: Timeless Classics and New Favorites

91. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) - Patrick Stewart - 8.7/10 - Sci-fi exploration icon.
92. The Golden Girls (1985-1992) - Bea Arthur, Betty White - 8.2/10 - Senior citizen laughs.
93. Frasier (1993-2004) - Kelsey Grammer - 8.2/10 - Sophisticated sitcom spin-off.
94. Happy Days (1974-1984) - Ron Howard - 7.4/10 - ‘50s nostalgia hit.
95. The Brady Bunch (1969-1974) - Robert Reed - 6.8/10 - Family TV staple.
96. Bewitched (1964-1972) - Elizabeth Montgomery - 7.6/10 - Magical sitcom charm.
97. Only Murders in the Building (2021-Present) - Steve Martin, Selena Gomez - 8.1/10 - Murder mystery laughs.
98. Slow Horses (2022-Present) - Gary Oldman - 8.2/10 - Spy misfit thrills.
99. What We Do in the Shadows (2019-Present) - Kayvan Novak - 8.6/10 - Vampire mockumentary.
100. Reservation Dogs (2021-2023) - Devery Jacobs - 8.2/10 - Indigenous teen tales.

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The Evolution of Hollywood TV Series

1950s-1970s: The Golden Age Beginnings

Shows like I Love Lucy and The Twilight Zone laid the foundation with innovation and storytelling. Sitcoms ruled, while anthology series brought variety.

1980s-1990s: Cable and Complexity

Cable TV birthed The Sopranos and The X-Files, introducing serialized depth and genre experimentation.

2000s: The Prestige Era

HBO and AMC led with Breaking Bad and Mad Men, turning TV into cinematic art.

2010s-Present: Streaming Revolution

Netflix, Hulu, and beyond gave us Stranger Things and The Mandalorian, blending nostalgia with fresh narratives.

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What Makes a Hollywood TV Series Great?

The best Hollywood TV series excel in:

• Writing: Sharp dialogue (The West Wing) or intricate plots (Lost).
• Acting: Standout turns like Gandolfini or Cranston.
• Impact: Cultural resonance, from Friends catchphrases to Game of Thrones watercooler moments.
• Innovation: Genre-defining like The Wire or Black Mirror.

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How We Ranked These Shows

This list balances IMDb ratings, awards, fan devotion, and historical significance. Breaking Bad tops for its near-perfect execution, while Reservation Dogs sneaks in for its fresh voice. It’s a mix of mainstream hits and cult classics for broad appeal.

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Conclusion: Your Next Binge Awaits

From The Sopranos’ mob intrigue to Ted Lasso’s optimism, these top 100 Hollywood TV series offer endless entertainment. Whether you’re into drama, comedy, or sci-fi, this list—complete with cast, ratings, and reviews—guides you to the best TV shows of all time. What’s your favorite? Drop it in the comments and start your next binge today!