The best TV shows of the 21st century, ranked

With the emergence of streaming, the 21st century has been marked by a boom in TV shows. So choosing the best shows since Y2K was no easy task. But the critics at Hollywood Reporter hashed this list out after months of intense debate. Here are their favorites to have come out so far in descending order from best to very good.

Photo: AMC

Matt Weiner's dark drama about professional men and women in the 1960s.
AMC (2007-2015)

Photo: AMC

The psychological masterpiece about the New York mafia.

HBO (1999-2007)

A biting satire on the depressing world of the 0.001%.

HBO (2018-2023)

A hilarious take on a sketch comedy series, from people who really lived it.

NBC (2006-2013)

A devastating look at how crime interacts with different areas of society.

HBO (2002-2008)

Photo: HBO

An experimental glimpse into the lives of some unique Indigenous teens.

FX/Hulu (2021-2023)

Photo: FX Network

The 'Breaking Bad' spinoff following the origin story of the lawyer "Saul Goodman."

AMC (2015-2022)

Love it or hate it, but this captured a generation of non-adults like no other.

HBO (2012-2017)

Just barely making the 21st-century cut, this teen sitcom was a launching pad for talent that would dominate Hollywood in the years to come.

NBC (1999-2000)

A soulful animated show about the rocky comeback of a sitcom star, who is a horse.

Netflix (2014-2020)

Photo: Netflix

The Hollywood Reporter particularly praises John Stewart's run as host.

Comedy Central (1996-present)

A spy thriller that may have been overlooked by many who would love it.

FX (2013-2018)

A documentary franchise that gives filmmakers the chance to tell some of sport's most interesting stories.

ESPN (2009-)

'White Lotus' creator Mike White first charmed audiences with this poignant but hilarious show.

HBO (2011-2013)

Donald Glover's experimental TV show that blurs the lines between great TV and music.

FX (2016-2022)

Photo: FX Networks

Walter White showed the world the dangers of drugs.

AMC (2008-2013)

Photo: AMC

A show that focuses on the birth of America's corporate world betwen the 80s and 90s.

AMC (2014-2017)

Much more than a high school football drama.

NBC and The 101 Network (2006-2011)

A unique anti-hero story and a leading contender for "the best show most people have never heard of," according to Hollywood Reporter.

SundanceTV (2013-2016)

You never realized how much you literally wanted to be in the head of these two weirdos.

Channel 4 (2003-2015)

A witty look at America's wild west.

HBO (2004-2006)

What started as a sitcom grew into a thoughtful satire.

FX (2016-2022)

The first, the best.

CBS (2000-)

An uncomfortable but gorgeously done look into the grey areas of assault against women.

BBC One and HBO (2020)

Photo: HBO

This comedy follows around a man whose job is to review experiences.

Comedy Central (2014-2017)

This dystopian thriller is the top sci-fi on the list.

Sci-Fi/SyFy (2003-2009)

This awkward sitcom follows an aggressively optimistic bureaucrat.

NBC (2009-2015)

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Be delighted by following this strange man down some bizarre rabbit holes in this one-of-a-kind documentary series.

HBO (2020-2023)

Like 'Girls,' but way funnier.

Comedy Central (2014-2019)

This epic fantasy had everyone talking... right up to its very disappointing end.

HBO (2011-2019)

Photo: HBO

Phoebe Waller-Bridge stuns the audience with this complicated look into the life of a woman.

BBC Three and Amazon Prime Video (2016-2019)

Photo: Amazon Prime

Probably the most accurate glimpse into the world of American politics.

HBO (2012-2019)

The prison drama that kicked off the streaming revolution.

Netflix (2013-2019)

Bringing the juicy world of Telenovelas to an English-speaking audience.

The CW (2014-2019)

An incredibly dark drama that traces what happened in the nuclear disaster.

HBO (2019)

Photo: HBO

A fictionalized look at an American police scandal.

FX (2002-2008)

An unexpected musical comedy on TV.

The CW (2015-2018)

An epic look at the horrors of war.

HBO (2001)

Photo: HBO

A dazzling glimpse into the adult movie industry in the 70s and 80s.

HBO (2017-2019)

Photo: HBO

An honest comedy centering on the existential angst of late 20-somethings.

HBO (2016-2021)

Photo: HBO

An incredible look at what happens after two strangers get into a road rage incident.

Netflix (2023)

Photo: Netflix

A post-apocalyptic literary adaptation focusing on humanity and art.

HBO Max (2021)

Photo: HBO

The only food and travel show on the list.

CNN (2013-2018)

A heartbreaking and sometimes surreal show that deals with death head on.

HBO (2014-2017)

Photo: HBO

A historical epic tracing the British monarchy.

Netflix (2016-)

Photo: Netflix

A fantastical telling of a dark and bright part of history.

Amazon Prime Video (2021)

Photo: Amazon Prime Video

This LA-based sitcom focuses on the city's Mexican American community.

Starz (2018-2020)

Photo: Starz

Hollywood Reporter says this is the best show to be made in the absurd style of '30 Rock.'

Comedy Central y Max (2019-2022)

Photo: Starz

A children's show with a sophisticated message.

Nickelodeon (2005-2008)

Photo: Nickelodeon

Just barely making the cut is this groundbreaking HBO show following four women exploring themselves and New York.

HBO (1998-2004)

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