Best Emmy-nominated shows of all time

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2013-2018

Based on the 1990 BBC series as well as Michael Dobbs' 1989 novel, both of the same name, the U.S. version of "House of Cards" follows Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a Democrat from South Carolina who is passed over for secretary of state and exacts his revenge with his equally manipulative wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright).

After sexual assault allegations against Spacey surfaced in 2017, he was fired, and Wright was put in the starring role for the show's final season. Throughout its six seasons, "House of Cards" made Netflix a player in the prestige TV game and earned 56 Emmy nominations, winning seven.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2019-present

"The Mandalorian" was the first live-action TV show in the ever-growing roster of adventures set in a galaxy far, far away. The "Star Wars" Disney+ series follows a new set of characters, including Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and "Baby Yoda"—a colloquial name for the adorable puppet creature that's not Yoda but another creature of the same species who is a toddler at age 50. "The Mandalorian" has won 14 Emmys of the 48 it's been nominated for throughout its first three seasons.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2019-present

After an avalanche of superhero films and series over the past decade, TV creative Eric Kripke swooped in to capture the antihero sentiment by developing "The Boys" for Amazon Prime. In a satirical fashion, the dark show investigates questions like "What happens when a superhero kills an innocent bystander in the process of saving the city?" and other unaddressed aspects of caped crusading. Though it's been nominated for eight Emmys, "The Boys' has yet to take an award home.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2011-present

Netflix's sci-fi anthology of dystopian, technology-based vignettes earned a cult following with its particular brand of psychological storytelling. From killer robot bees to a cartoon bear elected to office, each episode encapsulates a different fear that audiences didn't know they had. The series itself has only been nominated for one Emmy throughout its six seasons so far.

However, in 2018, Netflix released a film in addition to the series titled "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch" with multiple endings; it was the streaming service's first foray into interactive entertainment, and it won two Emmys, including Outstanding Television Movie, in 2019.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2006-2013

A show about everyone's favorite murderer with a heart of gold, "Dexter" made gruesome crime scenes complex and bingeable. Michael C. Hall stars as psychopathic Dexter, a blood-splatter analyst by day and killer of wrongdoers at night. Hall earned five Emmy nominations for his starring role between 2008 and 2012 and the series overall was nominated for 24, four of which it won.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2016-2025

The beloved Netflix show "Stranger Things" will likely satisfy any craving for '80s sci-fi kitsch. It follows a group of childhood friends in a typical Midwestern town, only this one comes with government labs, alternate realities, and monsters. In four seasons, "Stranger Things" has been nominated for 57 Emmys and has won 12, mostly for its sound mixing, music, makeup, and main title sequence.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2009-present

Over the years, ESPN's "30 for 30" docuseries has become one of the most successful sports shows on television. Each 60-minute episode highlights a different athlete, game, or moment in sports history, often shining a light on stories frequently overlooked or generally unknown. The original show has done so well that it spawned a series of spinoffs, shorts, and podcasts that give fans more of the stories they crave. The original series has been up for three Emmys throughout its 14 years on the air, though the shorts have won a statue in the past.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2013-2018

One of world-renowned chef Anthony Bourdain's final TV series, CNN's "Parts Unknown," introduced viewers to unique foods in some of the world's more unexplored cultures. The travelogue earned 31 Emmy nominations throughout its 12-season run and won five for Outstanding Informational Series.

The last episode of the show, which premiered after Bourdain's death in June 2018, saw him return to his old stomping grounds, Manhattan's Lower East Side, resulting in a particularly emotional and poignant finale.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 1976

Like the Oscars, the Emmys have always loved historical epics, so it's no surprise that "I, Claudius" garnered favor with the Television Academy in the 1970s. The miniseries—which aired in the U.K. on the BBC in 1976 and in the U.S. on PBS' "Masterpiece Theater" the following year—traces the history of the early Roman Empire, narrated by the now-elderly Roman Emperor Claudius. The 12-episode miniseries was nominated for three awards at the 1978 Emmys, winning one.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2014

The animated miniseries "Over the Garden Wall" focuses on two half-brothers (voiced by Elijah Wood and Collin Dean) as they travel through a mysterious forest to return home, encountering many mystical creatures along the way. The 10-episode Cartoon Network series was nominated for Outstanding Animated Program and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation at the 2015 Emmys, and it managed to win both awards.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2003-2006

Regarded as one of the greatest comedy sketch shows of all time, "Chappelle's Show" became the avenue through which the world got to know comedian Dave Chappelle after a series of bit TV and movie roles in the '90s. His boundary-pushing comedy cuts to the core of America's racist past and present—and some of his remarks since have gotten him into trouble. Nevertheless, Chappelle's 2000s Comedy Central hit was nominated for three Emmys, though it never won one.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2000-present

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" took "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David out from behind the camera to the spotlight, where he served up his signature deadpan comedy style. Only winning two Emmys out of its more than 50 nominations, what the HBO series lacks in awards, it makes up for in very quotable dialogue and longevity. Its first eight seasons ran mostly consecutively between 2000 and 2011; then, it returned for a ninth season in 2017. After a slight break, its 10th and 11th seasons aired in 2020 and 2021, and its 12th and final season hits HBO in 2024.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 1999-2000

The show that launched a thousand careers, "Freaks and Geeks" remains a single-season legend. Conceived from the mind of a young Judd Apatow, the series captures the uncomfortable angst and confusion of teens growing up in early 1980s suburbia. The cast includes James Franco, Busy Philipps, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and Linda Cardellini, and it won the Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series in 2000. The series was also up for two additional Emmys that year but didn't win.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2014-2020

Raphael Bob-Waksberg's animated dramedy "BoJack Horseman" is an imaginative blend of self-deprecation, snappy pop culture wit, and thorough character development. Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul, and Paul F. Tompkins fill up the stacked main voice cast, but the series has even more star power in its long list of A-list guests, from Angela Bassett and Alan Arkin to Lisa Kudrow and Lin-Manuel Miranda. However, in its six-year run, "BoJack Horseman" didn't manage to win any Emmys; though it was nominated for three.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 1990-1991

David Lynch's iconic first television series follows an FBI agent named Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) as he investigates the murder of Laura Palmer, a young woman in the town of the title. Known for its unconventional narrative and surreal tone, "Twin Peaks" introduced the masses to Lynch's now-signature filmmaking style and it earned two Emmy nods along the way.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2005-present

One of the longest-running sitcoms on TV, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" follows the depraved and scheming exploits of Dee, Mac, Charlie, Dennis, and Frank—a group of friends dubbed "The Gang." With many of the outlandish, moral-bending plotlines resulting in slapstick humor, it's not surprising this show earned its three Emmy nominations in stunt coordination.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2020-2023

The ultimate feel-good show, Apple TV+'s "Ted Lasso" is about a football coach in the U.S. (Jason Sudeikis) who moves across the pond to lead a struggling soccer club in the U.K. The titular character's optimistic demeanor and lack of knowledge initially alienate his new team, but his persistence eventually wins them over. After its first season, "Ted Lasso" broke an Emmys record: With 20 nominations, it became the most-nominated freshman comedy in the awards' history. In just three seasons, "Ted Lasso" managed to scoop up 61 Emmy nominations in total, 11 of which it won.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2015-2017

Like "House of Cards," "Narcos" was another early hit from Netflix. This one chronicled the life of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and other cartels throughout the region during the rise of the cocaine trade from the 1970s to the 1990s. The series, which earned three Emmy nominations, was followed by another show centering on the drug trade, "Narcos: Mexico," which struggled to find the same critical success.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2023-present

Despite genre television often having a hard time making it into awards conversations, HBO's adaptation of the beloved zombie video game "The Last of Us" was an immediate success. The show follows Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler who must escort 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the country amid the fallout of a zombie apocalypse. It scored a whopping 24 Emmy nominations in 2023, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Pascal, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Ramsey, who is nonbinary, and Outstanding Drama Series.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2016-2019

A former member of the Church of Scientology (she joined alongside her family as a child), actor Leah Remini has become an outspoken critic of the controversial religion in recent years. Her A&E docuseries digs into the darker side of Scientology through the experiences of Remini, her co-host, ex-Scientology official Mike Rinder, and other former members. Each of the series' three seasons was nominated for the Outstanding Informational Series or Special Emmy; it won once, along with another Emmy for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special in 2020.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 1999-2006

Years before he won an Oscar for "The Social Network" script, Aaron Sorkin created "The West Wing," a lauded NBC series that took audiences inside the professional and personal lives of fictional White House staffers. Over seven seasons, "The West Wing" earned an incredible 95 Emmy nominations, with 26 wins, including for performances by Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Alan Alda, John Spencer, and Stockard Channing, and four wins for Outstanding Drama Series.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2014-present

After earning three Emmys for his work as a writer and contributor on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," John Oliver's comedic chops and distinct voice got the attention of HBO in the early 2010s. His series, "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," has earned 61 Emmy nominations and 26 wins since its debut almost a decade ago.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2012-2016

The Disney animated series "Gravity Falls" follows the story of twins who are sent to spend the summer with their great-uncle in the mysterious town of the title. The children's show has a star-studded cast, including Jason Ritter and Linda Cardellini, and it won two animation Emmys over its two seasons.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2019

Immediately critically acclaimed for its staggering performances, "When They See Us" follows the Central Park Five, a group of Black and Latino teens who were falsely charged with assaulting a woman jogging in the famous New York City park in 1989. The miniseries takes place over 25 years, from the time the teens are first questioned to their overdue exoneration in 2002. Nominated for 16 Emmys at the 2019 ceremony, the miniseries took home two awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for Jharrel Jerome.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2018-2023

"Succession" is a satirical dramedy about a family fighting each other to control their massive media conglomerate. The HBO series was created by Jesse Armstrong and has won 13 Emmy awards of the 75 it has been nominated for throughout its four seasons, including two for Outstanding Drama Series.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 1989-1998

This iconic sitcom from Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David follows four single friends battling the absurdities of living in New York City (or it's about nothing, depending on who you ask). Redefining New York humor, "Seinfeld" grew a massive national audience throughout its nine seasons and has maintained its devoted fanbase for decades. In its prime in the '90s, the series won 10 Emmys and was up for 58 more.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2014-2024

Based on the Coen brothers' 1996 feature film of the same name, each season of this anthology series centers on a crime in a different era with an entirely new cast and story—all of which inevitably lead back to Fargo, North Dakota. The Coen brothers executive-produced the series with creator Noah Hawley, and the show has featured many highly acclaimed actors over its five seasons, including Billy Bob Thornton, Kirsten Dunst, Chris Rock, and Ewan McGregor. Of its 55 Emmy nominations, "Fargo" has won six, including Outstanding Miniseries in 2014.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2014-present

Much like "Fargo," "True Detective" is a crime anthology series that switches up its plots and stars each season. Created by Nic Pizzolatto, the HBO series follows detectives over various eras and has earned rave reviews from critics for its strong performances and unique cinematography. Cast members over its four seasons have featured Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Mahershala Ali, Woody Harrelson, Rachel McAdams, and Jodie Foster. And as the body counts rise, so do the Emmys for "True Detective"—it's been nominated for 22 Emmys so far and has won five.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 1994-2004

Racking up a whopping 62 Emmy nominations—including six wins—"Friends" launched the careers of some of the biggest stars of the '90s and 2000s, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and the late Matthew Perry. Throughout the two decades since the show went off the air, its fandom has seemingly only grown, earning favor with Gen Zers via streaming.

- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2007

Nonfiction programming is seldom celebrated as much as the more popular television categories, like dramas, comedies, and miniseries. But "The War," a seven-part docuseries on how World War II affected the lives of various American families, managed to break through, reaching 37.8 million people and making history for PBS. The docuseries was directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, who are behind numerous Emmy-winning nonfiction projects on this list. "The War" received seven Emmy nominations and won three, including one for Keith David, who served as the narrator.

- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 1990

More than a decade before "The War," this docuseries, also from Ken Burns before he began working with Lynn Novick, showcased a comprehensive retelling of the American Civil War. It was nominated for two Emmys at the 1991 ceremony—Outstanding Informational Series and Outstanding Individual Achievement for an Informational Program—and it went on to win both.

- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2021

Trading in orcs and elves for restored footage of rock bands, "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson gave audiences an intimate look at the most popular rock band of all time with "The Beatles: Get Back." For the Disney+ miniseries, Jackson used never-before-seen footage from the band recording their 12th studio album, "Get Back," which was later renamed "Let It Be" and accompanied a 1970 documentary of the same name about the making of the album.

More than a half-century later, Jackson's "The Beatles: Get Back" follows the group in their most tumultuous era, leading up to their famous 1969 rooftop concert and tragic breakup. The docuseries went on to earn five Emmy nominations and subsequently won each award it was up for in 2022.

- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 1992-1995

This iconic show from the DC Universe followed the escapades of the dark, moody protagonist and his trusty sidekick Robin. While the Batman series of the 1960s largely represented its main characters as campy crime-fighters, the '90s animated version was praised for its film-noir aesthetic and the complexity of its characters. "Batman: The Animated Series" earned one Emmy nomination throughout its run, Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in 1993, which it did indeed win.

- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2021-present

Considering it became one of Netflix's most-watched series of all time when it premiered in 2021, it is no surprise that "Arcane" also earned some love from the Television Academy. Based on the popular video game franchise "League of Legends," the show focuses on two sisters on opposite sides of a brewing war. Out of its five Emmy nominations, the series won four, including the trophy for Outstanding Animated Program in 2022.

- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2002-2003

In an unexpected mashup of genres, "Firefly" is a Western space drama set in the year 2517, where humans occupy a new star system. It follows the ragtag renegade crew who live aboard a spaceship called Serenity. Though it only ran for one season, "Firefly" earned accolades from critics and its passionate fandom ultimately led to a 2005 feature film titled "Serenity." It even became a rare sci-fi series to earn an Emmy, though it was for special effects.

- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2015-2022

A spinoff of the AMC sensation "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul" follows the life of Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) before he became Walter White's morally corrupt lawyer. In the spinoff, the character is a small-time lawyer named Jimmy McGill, just trying to survive in an exploitative world.

While the spinoff had a built-in fanbase thanks to the success of "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul" earned accolades in its own right, pulling in dozens of Emmy nominations throughout its six seasons. With more than 50 nominations and no wins yet, "Better Call Saul" has the dubious honor of being one of the most-nominated series to never win an Emmy, which could change in 2024.

- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2005-2013

Welcome to the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Under the guidance of Michael Scott (Steve Carell), a group of oddball office workers in Pennsylvania bring humor (and heart) to the workplace. Shot as a single-camera mockumentary, "The Office" earned 42 Emmy nominations and five wins and launched the comedy careers of huge stars like Carell, John Krasinski, and Mindy Kaling.

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 1995-1996

"The Beatles Anthology" preceded "The Beatles: Get Back" as an intimate look into the music and personal relationships of the legendary rock band decades after their infamous separation in 1974. In addition to using archival footage, "The Beatles Anthology" saw then-surviving members—Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison (who died in 2001)—appear in interview segments recorded exclusively for the docuseries over four years. Though "The Beatles Anthology" was up for three Emmys in 1996, it didn't win any of those awards.

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 2017

Clocking in at 18 hours over its 10-episode run, this epic docuseries from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick focuses on subjects directly involved in the war of the title. Burns and Novick accessed more than 24,000 photographs and examined 1,500 hours of archival footage for the series. "The Vietnam War," which was up for four Emmys, features an intense original score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, two primary members of Nine Inch Nails.

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 1959-1964

With a four-note theme song that instantly makes your heart race and raises the hairs on your neck, "The Twilight Zone" set the precedent for TV that blurs the boundaries between horror, sci-fi, and drama. With an impressive 156-episode run, the series has become a prominent part of pop culture. The original series was nominated for seven Emmys and won three for writing and cinematography.

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 2020

Blending archival footage and candid interviews, this 10-hour ESPN docuseries revolves around the prolific career of basketball star Michael Jordan and the legendary '90s Chicago Bulls. About 90 individuals were interviewed for the miniseries, giving viewers an in-depth and authentic look at Jordan's time in the NBA, particularly his final season with the Bulls from 1997-1998. The series went on to win one of the three Emmys it was up for in 2020, taking home the award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 2013-present

After sociopathic scientist Rick Sanchez reunites with his adult daughter and moves in with her family, he takes his grandchildren traveling through alternate dimensions in this Adult Swim animated series. The Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland cartoon is not for kids, but critics seem to love it; it has won two of the five Emmys it's been up for, both of which were coveted Outstanding Animated Program awards.

- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 2010-2017

This modern update of British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original series stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the ever-perceptive detective Sherlock Holmes. Set in current times, "Sherlock" brings the Victorian-era archetypal detective's expertise into today's forensic landscape. A TV movie titled "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" was also released in 2016 to continue the show's storyline. The original "Sherlock" series was nominated for 12 Emmys, winning seven, while the movie was up for six and won two.

- IMDb user rating: 9.2
- On air: 1999-2007

"The Sopranos" was an iconic precedent-setting drama. HBO's mob masterpiece changed how television shows portray nuanced and complex stories with character development that rivals feature films. The series also established the likable antihero in Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), laying the groundwork for Walter White ("Breaking Bad") and Don Draper ("Mad Men") to follow.

"The Sopranos" is one of the most-nominated in Emmys history with 112 nods and 21 wins; it won Outstanding Drama Series twice and actors Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Drea de Matteo, and Joe Pantoliano each took home at least one award for their performances.

- IMDb user rating: 9.2
- On air: 2011-2019

Based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling fantasy book series "A Song of Ice and Fire," "Game of Thrones" took the world by storm. Arguably one of the most iconic shows of the 21st century so far, the series integrated incredible visual effects, strong character development, and sophisticated writing to create cliffhangers that left viewers on the edge of their seats until the following week. With a whopping 159 Emmy nominations—outdoing "The Sopranos"—the show won 47 Emmys total in its eight seasons on HBO.

- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- On air: 2005-2008

This animated series from Nickelodeon portrays a world divided into four nations—the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads—with the Fire Nation hoping to overthrow the other three. The Avatar, who can control all four elements, has disappeared but returns to bring back peace to the world."Avatar: The Last Airbender" has become known for its innovative incorporation of the Japanese tradition of anime with Western animation, earning it a 2007 Emmy nod for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less).

- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- On air: 2002-2008

Created by former crime reporter David Simon, "The Wire" is set in West Baltimore and takes on the perspectives of both criminals and law enforcement. The HBO series gained a dedicated following over its five seasons and two Emmy nominations (but no wins).

- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- On air: 2019

Focusing on the titular nuclear power plant disaster of 1986, the limited series "Chernobyl" quickly became one of the most revered shows of 2019. Featuring career-defining performances from Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård, "Chernobyl" examines the efforts of various scientists during the fallout of the disaster. The series was nominated for an impressive 19 Emmys and won 10 of them, including Outstanding Limited Series.

- IMDb user rating: 9.4
- On air: 2001

Three years after collaborating on "Saving Private Ryan," actor-director duo Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg partnered up once again for "Band of Brothers." Based on the Stephen Ambrose book of the same name, the series revolves around the soldiers of Easy Company, 506th Infantry Regiment during World War II. The miniseries offers an authentic—and harrowing—depiction of the war, never flinching or moving away from its dark realities. In 2002, it was up for 20 Emmy awards and took home seven, including Outstanding Miniseries.

- IMDb user rating: 9.5
- On air: 2008-2013

The best Emmy-nominated show of all time, according to IMDb users, is Vince Gilligan's drama "Breaking Bad." Following the story of high school chemistry teacher-turned-meth kingpin Walter White (Bryan Cranston), the series introduced viewers to the ultimate antihero of the 21st century. Pushed into cooking meth by the financial burden of his inoperable lung cancer, Walter juggles his unfortunate situation with the moral slippery slope that eventually destroys his life. Throughout its five-season run, "Breaking Bad" was nominated for 56 Emmys and won 16, including Outstanding Drama Series for its penultimate and final seasons in 2013 and 2014.

Additional writing by Kaiya Shunyata. Story editing by Jaimie Etkin. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire.