50 best miniseries of all time
50 best miniseries of all time
There's no better way to unwind at the end of a long day than with a little TV. There's just something about slipping into a fictional world that has none of our real-life stressors that puts our minds at ease. Unfortunately, those real-world demands leave us far less time to indulge in a new show than we would like.
Thankfully, TV show seasons have gotten shorter and shorter lately—down from 15 episodes on average for network series in 2018 to 10 episodes in 2023, according to a 2024 report from Parrot Analytics. But, when you're already behind on a show that has two seasons under its belt, 20 episodes is certainly a significant time commitment.
Enter miniseries. They might just be the perfect solution to our "not enough time" problem. Miniseries offer the same level of escapism and ability to binge-watch as conventional television, but without having to commit to multiple seasons.
With the atmospheric rise of streaming platforms in the last decade, limited series and miniseries have found a renewed appreciation. They allow audiences to blissfully watch an entire story through to its end without fear of cancellation and production companies to invest in promising ideas without needing to worry about long-term appeal and relevance.
But, it's not just new miniseries that are worth watching; there are decades of compelling options to choose from in almost every imaginable genre. To help narrow down the choices, Stacker collected IMDb data on all miniseries and limited series and ranked them according to their IMDb user rating, breaking ties by the number of votes. Only shows with 5,000 votes or more were considered. Data is as of July 26, 2024. The analysis also looks at reviews from The New York Times, Rotten Tomatoes, Forbes, NPR, The Guardian, and other media to see what the critics say.
Are you looking for a new miniseries to add to the "must-watch" list, or curious to see if a favorite made the cut? Read on to learn more about the 50 best miniseries of all time.
#50. Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 2004
"Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" is a show within a show: there's the lost low-budget horror series from the 1980s that is now getting its first airing and the titular director's commentary series about said lost show. Matthew Holness stars as Garth Marenghi, an act he'd been doing since 2000 with "Fright Night" at the famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
#49. Jesus of Nazareth
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 1977
This miniseries, from director Franco Zeffirelli, brings the life of Christ to the screen using a blend of narratives from the New Testament. The all-star cast includes Anne Bancroft, Ian McShane, Christopher Plummer, and Robert Powell, who received accolades for his portrayal of Jesus Christ, including a BAFTA nomination. Pope Paul VI reportedly endorsed the miniseries when it debuted.
#48. Generation Kill
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 2008
The seven-parter "Generation Kill" is an HBO miniseries based on Evan Wright's book about working as an embedded journalist with the Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Emmy-winning miniseries balances masterful storytelling and period details while showing viewers the disturbing realities of war.
#47. Battlestar Galactica
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 2003
The most-watched miniseries on cable in 2003, "Battlestar Galactica" updates the 1970s show of the same name about the struggles of the last remaining humans. The miniseries won a handful of niche awards for its incredible special effects and was also nominated for three Emmys.
#46. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 2011
Intended as a prequel to the Starz series "Spartacus," this miniseries focuses on gladiator Gannicus, who becomes a champion in a time before there was honor in the arena. New York Times critic Ginia Bellafante said it has an "apocalyptic video-game look" with ample amounts of sex and violence.
#45. The Haunting of Hill House
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 2018
A massive hit for Netflix, "The Haunting of Hill House" is a horror series loosely based on the Shirley Jackson 1959 novel of the same name that follows five adult siblings terrorized by the paranormal experiences they had at their childhood home. The series, told in alternating timelines, culminates in the bone-chilling event that finally drove the family from the house. The show is so scary it drove horror icon Stephen King to call it "close to a work of genius."
#44. The Queen's Gambit
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 2020
Anya Taylor-Joy stars as a chess prodigy who wrestles with drug and alcohol use in this Netflix miniseries. The show, set in the '50s and '60s, is based on a 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The show, which won 11 Emmy Awards, is the streaming service's most-watched scripted limited series of all time, as of Aug. 24, 2024.
#43. Brideshead Revisited
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 1981
This drama, adapted from Evelyn Waugh's novel of the same name, centers on the life and flings of a man named Charles Ryder for the 20 years leading up to the 1940s. The miniseries, which stars Jeremy Irons as Ryder, won a handful of BAFTAs and an Emmy.
#42. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 1994
"The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" is the last installment of a series about the famous detective and his astute assistant Dr. Watson. Fans of the series appreciated the show's faithfulness to Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories.
#41. The Untold History of the United States
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 2012–2013
In this 10-part mini-docuseries, director Oliver Stone dives into some of the lesser-understood events in American history of the last century (think the Cold War and America's decision to use an atomic bomb in Japan). A companion book of the same name, authored by Stone and historian Peter Kuznick, was published when the series came out and quickly became a New York Times Bestseller.
#40. Greatest Events of WWII in Colour
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 2019
"Greatest Events of WWII in Colour" rehashes some of the war's biggest events utilizing (colorized) original footage. Its 10 episodes cover topics such as Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Hiroshima, and the Liberation of Buchenwald.
#39. From the Earth to the Moon
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 1998
Using Andrew Chaikin's 1994 book "A Man on the Moon" as inspiration, "From the Earth to the Moon" details the iconic Apollo space program from the creation of NASA to the last lunar mission. The filmmakers and actors in the series (including Tom Hanks, Peter Scolari, and Tony Goldwyn) worked closely with real-life astronauts on the miniseries, which added depth and authenticity to the production.
#38. Long Way Round
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 2004–2010
"Long Way Round" follows actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they set out on a 20,000-mile motorcycle journey from London to New York. To get there, they traversed 12 countries and 19 time zones in about four months. The successful documentary miniseries spawned two sequels: "Long Way Down" in 2007 and "Long Way Up" in 2020.
#37. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 1999
Set in the Meiji Restoration era, "Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal" is an anime miniseries that follows an assassin as he discovers his humanity and forms a relationship with a young woman. The quality of both the animation and the voice acting captivated viewers and earned the miniseries rave reviews.
#36. It's a Sin
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 2021
The five episodes of "It's a Sin" chronicle the lives of three friends over a decade in the U.K. as they navigate their sexuality and life in the big city during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The primary actors were all lesser-known (Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells). Several bigger names, like Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Fry, and Tracy-Ann Oberman, fill supporting roles.
#35. The Offer
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 2022
"The Godfather" is a cornerstone of American cinema, and "The Offer"—a biographical drama— tells the story of how the film came to be. Starring Miles Teller, Matthew Goode, Giovanni Ribisi, Colin Hanks, Dan Fogler, Juno Temple, and Burn Gorman, the show chronicles the hurdles the film faced in getting approval, beginning production, and handling all the interpersonal conflicts that arose on set and behind the scenes.
#34. Dopesick
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- On air: 2021
"Dopesick" may be based on a nonfiction book of the same name, but not all of the stories it tells are true (though some certainly are). The award-winning series examines how folks from all walks of life have been affected by the opioid epidemic sweeping America. A stacked cast appeared in the project, including Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosario Dawson, Kaitlyn Dever, and Will Poulter.
#33. World War II in Colour
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2009
"World War II in Colour" is a history documentary that rehashes WWII through colorized footage. The show goes from the end of WWI to WWII through the dropping of the atomic bomb and the events that set the stage for the Cold War. While it doesn't ever go into too much depth about anything, it offers a perfect overview for those looking to learn a little more about this portion of history.
#32. One Strange Rock
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2018
Acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky is behind this miniseries that tells the story of how life survives and thrives on Earth through the perspective of eight astronauts. Will Smith hosts the 10-part series with astronauts who have spent time in space offering their perspectives, including Chris Hadfield (166 days in space), Nicole Stott (104 days), Jeffrey A. Hoffman (50 days), Mae Jemison (eight days), Leland Melvin (23 days), Mike Massimino (23 days), Jerry Linenger (143 days), and Peggy Whitson (665 days).
#31. Lonesome Dove
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 1989
In this Western, a pair of former Texas Rangers embark on a cattle drive to Montana, renewing their sense of adventure along the way. The New York Times credits the show for revitalizing both the Western and miniseries genres.
#30. 1883
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 2021–2022
The massive success of Paramount's neo-Western series "Yellowstone" led to "1883," the first of five spinoff series. The 10-episode miniseries centers on Elsa Dutton (played by Isabel May), who serves as the narrator as the Dutton family leaves Texas and makes the difficult journey out west to Montana, where they eventually build the Yellowstone Ranch.
#29. The Century of the Self
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2002
This documentary series from British director Adam Curtis focuses on how the work of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, and "the father of PR," Edward Bernays, was weaponized by governments and those in power. The series illustrates how these revolutionary advances in psychology shifted culture from needs-based to desires-based, which created the consumerist, capitalist societies we live in today.
#28. Not Me
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2021–2022
Thai drama "Not Me" made a splash when it debuted in 2021. The miniseries, which ran for 14 episodes, centers on twin brothers White and Black (both played by Atthaphan Phunsawat) who were separated at a young age when their parents split up but who can still feel each other's pain. The show's action begins when Black is attacked, and White disguises himself as Black to try to find those who wronged him.
#27. I, Claudius
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 1976
"I, Claudius" dives into the history of the Roman Empire through the narrations of Emperor Claudius from 24 B.C. to A.D. 54. Jace Lacob of the Daily Beast called it "spellbinding" and "one of the best dramas ever to air on television."
#26. Das Boot
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 1985
"Das Boot" tells the story of a German U-boat crew on a patrol mission at the beginning of World War II. It captures the claustrophobia of living on a U-boat with intense realism.
#25. Over the Garden Wall
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2014
The plot of this animated miniseries involves two half-brothers who discover peculiar and fantastical things during an adventure through a mysterious forest. Stunning visuals and a surprisingly complex storyline made watching "Over the Garden Wall" a winning experience for audiences.
#24. Pride and Prejudice
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 1995
This cult-favorite miniseries focuses on the love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy as they overcome differences in social standing in high society. A scene featuring Mr. Darcy, played by Colin Firth, in a wet shirt has gone down in history as "one of the most unforgettable moments in British TV," according to Fiachra Gibbons of The Guardian.
#23. When They See Us
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 2019
"When They See Us" is a crime miniseries that centers on the case of the Central Park Five—a group of teen boys who were falsely prosecuted for allegedly raping and assaulting a jogger in New York City in 1989. The four episodes "chronicle an epic legal failure and help to restore a sense of the men as individuals," according to The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg.
#22. Africa
- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2013
It took four years and some 2,000 hours of footage for the BBC to complete "Africa," a miniseries examining the continent's wildlife. In stunning visuals, it features rarely filmed animal behavior, such as white-necked rockfowl building nests.
#21. Dekalog
- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 1989–1990
"Dekalog" dives into the ethical dilemmas faced by residents of a housing project in Poland during the 1980s through 10 one-hour episodes, each inspired by the Ten Commandments. Robert Fulford of The National Post called it "the best dramatic work ever done specifically for television."
#20. The Beatles: Get Back
- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- On air: 2021
Peter Jackson directed this miniseries about the making of The Beatles' "Let It Be" album that would in turn be performed for a live audience. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, and Olivia Harrison co-produced the nearly eight-hour show, utilizing footage from a never-finished documentary filmed while the band was making the album.
#19. The War
- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2007
Yet another WWII-focused miniseries, "The War" tells the story of history's biggest conflict through the lens of four small American towns. Several real-life veterans provide source material, and a handful of famous actors (including Tom Hanks and Samuel L. Jackson) lend their voices to the additional written source material, bringing it to life in a new way.
#18. Cosmos: Possible Worlds
- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2020
A follow-up to "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey," "Cosmos: Possible Worlds" explores lost worlds, worlds yet to come, and the various worlds humans may inhabit far, far in the future. Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts the show, which Seth MacFarlane co-produced.
#17. Apocalypse: The Second World War
- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2009
In six episodes, this French documentary about World War II covers the rise of Nazism through the surrender of Japan. Its use of actual footage helps viewers see what the war was like through the eyes of reporters, soldiers, members of the Resistance, and everyday people.
#16. The Civil War
- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 1990
Ken Burns' iconic documentary miniseries "The Civil War" received a host of awards, including nods from the Emmys, the Peabody Awards, and Television Critics Awards for its skillful retelling of the events of the American Civil War. It helped popularize the film technique known as the Ken Burns effect, which involves panning and zooming on still images to create a sense of movement for video production.
#15. Human Planet
- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2011
While other BBC nature documentaries focus on where the animals live, "Human Planet" takes a documentary-style approach to human habitats. The filmmakers shot footage in around 40 countries, including some of the most far-flung places on Earth. The miniseries has since faced criticism for "editorial breaches," causing BBC to withdraw the series from distribution.
#14. Frozen Planet
- IMDb user rating: 9
- On air: 2011–2012
From the producers behind "Planet Earth" and "The Blue Planet," "Frozen Planet" is a nature documentary miniseries that examines life in the planet's most frigid places. Despite being met with mixed reviews for its visual depiction of climate change and how it affects glaciers and ice shelves, the series drew millions of views.
#13. The Beatles Anthology
- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 1995–1996
The Fab Four teamed up for "The Beatles Anthology," an autobiographical documentary miniseries that traces the journey of the band through archival footage. It allowed fans of the Beatles to see previously unreleased performances and hear two new songs.
#12. The Vietnam War
- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 2017
This 18-hour miniseries by renowned filmmaker Ken Burns shares firsthand accounts of people who fought in the Vietnam War, as well as those who opposed it. "The Vietnam War" offers a refreshing and sobering look at one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history.
#11. Life
- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 2009
"Life," a documentary miniseries by David Attenborough and a legendary team of filmmakers depicts some of the strangest behaviors of Earth's species in all their glory. It allows audiences to see macaques bathing in the Japanese Alps, an ibex escaping a predatory fox near the Dead Sea, and ragged-tooth sharks feeding on sardines off the coast of South Africa.
#10. The Last Dance
- IMDb user rating: 9.1
- On air: 2020
"The Last Dance" traces the career of basketball great Michael Jordan and the legendary 1990s Chicago Bulls, featuring previously unaired footage. The compelling documentary series includes interviews with a variety of NBA stars, including Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.
#9. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
- IMDb user rating: 9.2
- On air: 2014
Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts this follow-up to the 1980 "Cosmos," which explores the past, present, and future of the universe. Just like its predecessor, the miniseries was critically acclaimed and nominated for many awards.
#8. Seven Worlds One Planet
- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- On air: 2019
David Attenborough narrates this BBC nature series that highlights the unique wildlife on each of the Earth's seven continents. The show, admittedly huge in scope, required more than 1,500 people who captured footage in 41 countries over 1,794 days to complete.
#7. Cosmos
- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- On air: 1980
The first installation in the "Cosmos" series, this 13-episode show tackles some of science's most popular questions: What is the origin of life? How big is space? Do aliens exist? Narrated by Carl Sagan, who also helped write the script, the show was a runaway success when it first aired.
#6. Blue Planet II
- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- On air: 2017
A follow-up to 2001's "The Blue Planet," this nature documentary miniseries sent filmmakers on a years-long mission involving 125 expeditions to capture life under the sea. It earned recognition for its rich cinematography and unique footage of species and behavior rarely shown on television.
#5. Chernobyl
- IMDb user rating: 9.3
- On air: 2019
This historical drama tells the story of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the efforts to clean up the area. It offers a thought-provoking portrayal of the dangers of dishonest leaders and abuse of authority.
#4. Planet Earth
- IMDb user rating: 9.4
- On air: 2006
This $10-million BBC nature documentary series sent 20 camera crews on an international journey to film life on Earth, garnering huge audiences and critical acclaim. The documentary was among the earliest nature series shot in high-definition.
#3. Band of Brothers
- IMDb user rating: 9.4
- On air: 2001
Created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, HBO's "Band of Brothers" used interviews with members of the real-life Easy Company to share the story of the exceptionally brave 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during World War II. The miniseries strikes a balance between "the ideal of heroism with the violence and terror of battle," according to Caryn James of The New York Times.
#2. The Godfather Saga
- IMDb user rating: 9.5
- On air: 1977
"The Godfather Saga" is a miniseries that combines "The Godfather" and "The Godfather Part II." The series features additional footage that never made the big screen and also combines the existing films and re-edits them in chronological order for TV audiences.
#1. Planet Earth II
- IMDb user rating: 9.5
- On air: 2016
The highly acclaimed follow-up to 2006's "Planet Earth" explores the changes that have occurred in Earth's many habitats, including mountains, cities, grasslands, and jungles, over the past 10 years. It brings viewers close to fragile wilderness settings and the fascinating creatures who call it home.
Data reporting by Luke Hicks. Additional writing and editing by Jaimie Etkin. Story editing by Cynthia Rebolledo. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
