The Sopranos ranks first among these TV shows of all time, and The Wire ranks second. All five contenders were evaluated on the same published criteria, and their weighted scores determine the order from highest to lowest.
Best overall
The Sopranos, associated with HBO, is one of the tv shows evaluated for this list. It is the strongest all-around choice in this group, with its clearest strengths in craft and enjoyment. The craft assessment focuses on execution, originality, and command of the format. Impact is the main point to compare with the nearby contenders before choosing it.Strongest alternative
The Wire, associated with HBO, is one of the tv shows evaluated for this list. It is the closest alternative to the top choice, with its clearest strengths in accessibility and enjoyment. The accessibility assessment focuses on ease of entry for a broad audience. Replay value is the main point to compare with the nearby contenders before choosing it.Best balanced contender
Breaking Bad, associated with AMC, is one of the tv shows evaluated for this list. It offers a balanced middle-ground choice, with its clearest strengths in impact and craft. The impact assessment focuses on cultural influence and staying power. Replay value is the main point to compare with the nearby contenders before choosing it.Best specialist contender
Mad Men, associated with AMC, is one of the tv shows evaluated for this list. It is a more specialized alternative, with its clearest strengths in enjoyment and accessibility. The enjoyment assessment focuses on how rewarding it is for its intended audience. Replay value is the main point to compare with the nearby contenders before choosing it.Best situational contender
Succession, associated with HBO, is one of the tv shows evaluated for this list. It is the most situational option in this top five, with its clearest strengths in accessibility and replay value. The accessibility assessment focuses on ease of entry for a broad audience. Enjoyment is the main point to compare with the nearby contenders before choosing it.Three independent write-ins unlock an honorable mention. The 10 strongest active mentions are shown; inactive mentions archive after 12 months. At 25 monthly votes, a contender enters a scoring review for possible top-five promotion.
No honorable mentions yet. Repeated write-ins merge automatically.
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The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.
| Criterion | #1The Sopranos | #2The Wire | #3Breaking Bad | #4Mad Men | #5Succession |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | 90 | 91 | 86 | 85 | |
| 92 | 89 | 94 | 87 | 84 | |
| 95 | 96 | 89 | 92 | 84 | |
| 95 | 97 | 86 | 89 | 90 | |
| 94 | 89 | 86 | 86 | 90 | |
| AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result | 94.2 | 91.9 | 90.1 | 87.9 | 85.8 |
| Community adjustmentVote-share influence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Current published scoreBaseline + community | 94 | 92 | 90 | 88 | 86 |
Select any two contenders above.
We’ll line up what matters.
HBO
HBO
#1 · Highest weighted score
#2 · Second-highest weighted score
Craft
Accessibility
Enjoyment
Enjoyment
Impact
Replay value
SummaRank compared recognized critical lists, awards history, audience staying power, accessibility, and influence on the form, using current material from American Film Institute, British Film Institute, Television Academy and the linked official or research references. Each contender was scored independently on the same five-part scorecard: Craft 30%, Impact 25%, Enjoyment 20%, Accessibility 15%, Replay value 10%. The weighted total determines the published order from highest to lowest; criterion strengths are not assigned by rank position, and verified community voting can make a limited, visible adjustment.
The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.
| Criterion | #1The Sopranos | #2The Wire | #3Breaking Bad | #4Mad Men | #5Succession |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | 90 | 91 | 86 | 85 | |
| 92 | 89 | 94 | 87 | 84 | |
| 95 | 96 | 89 | 92 | 84 | |
| 95 | 97 | 86 | 89 | 90 | |
| 94 | 89 | 86 | 86 | 90 | |
| AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result | 94.2 | 91.9 | 90.1 | 87.9 | 85.8 |
| Community adjustmentVote-share influence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Current published scoreBaseline + community | 94 | 92 | 90 | 88 | 86 |