Top 10 Best TV Series (Shows) of the 2000s

The 2000s, the turn of a new millennium, were a treasure trove of compelling, heart-stopping, and laughter-inducing series that forever changed the television landscape.

The decade witnessed an explosion of innovative concepts and genres that pushed the boundaries of what was deemed possible on the small screen. Whether it was the brutal, unapologetic reality of life as a mob boss in New Jersey, the hilariously chaotic lives of a group of office employees, the twists and turns in the lives of survivors on a remote island, or the deeply layered stories from a high school chemistry teacher turned meth dealer, these shows held you captive in their worlds.

Remember how you tuned in every week, eagerly waiting for the next episode? How you laughed, cried, and sometimes even yelled at your screen? Those shows, those characters became a part of your life, didn't they? And that's the power of great television: its ability to reel you in and make you feel as if you're living alongside these characters, experiencing their highs and lows.

The Top Ten
  1. Lost

    Lost is an American television drama series that originally aired on the American Broadcasting Company from September 22, 2004, to May 23, 2010, over six seasons, comprising a total of 121 episodes. Created by J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber, the series follows the survivors of a commercial... read more

    I had no idea about this show until my friends introduced me to it. By the fourth episode (you all know), my love for it took off.

    The best show I have ever seen. I don't think it got bad at all. I loved it to the very beginning. For those of you lucky enough to have never seen it, start it today!

    Lost is one of the best shows that will ever be on TV. Great actors, deep plot always keeps you hooked.

    A variety of genres keep the show great. There is no way you can't like Lost.

    Be it drama, comedy, adventure, horror, science fiction, romance... Dude, Lost has it all.

  2. Supernatural

    This haunting series follows the thrilling and terrifying journeys of Sam and Dean Winchester, two brothers who travel across America to battle supernatural forces. After their mother is killed by a demonic entity, their father raises them to become hunters of mysterious and deadly creatures.... read more

    This is the best show on TV. A good indicator is that it has been on for 15 years and is still on top.

    The only reason it's stopping at this time is that the actors wanted to go out while it's on top and not wait for it to run out of steam.

    It's my favorite show. I've watched it from the first episode. No other show makes me sad, happy, scream, and sometimes grossed out.

    Exciting plots, brilliant character development, and truly emotional scripts with a phenomenal cast. What's not to like?

  3. The Office

    The Office is an American television comedy series that aired on NBC from March 24, 2005, to May 16, 2013. The show is an adaptation of the British series of the same name created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It became a cultural phenomenon and is especially known for its mockumentary style... read more

  4. Dexter

    Dexter is an American crime drama television series that originally aired from 2006 to 2013. Its first season is based on Jeff Lindsay's novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, and the series follows Dexter Morgan, a forensic bloodstain pattern analyst who is also a vigilante serial killer.... read more

  5. House

    House is an American medical drama television series that originally aired on Fox for eight seasons, from November 16, 2004, to May 21, 2012. The series stars Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, a brilliant but misanthropic diagnostician. The show was widely acclaimed for its writing, character development... read more

    The best TV series ever, perfect for people who prefer either comedy or drama. It has the perfect balance between both genres.

    Hugh Laurie is fantastic in this role. No one could have played it as well as he did. He was born for that role.

    A show that follows the same formula for almost every episode but keeps every episode fresh and new thanks to its interesting characters and medical cases.

    An entertaining series with a genius doctor handling life-and-death situations in his "own way" with late brilliant theories.

  6. SpongeBob SquarePants

    SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It has become one of Nickelodeon's most popular and longest-running shows, attracting both children and adults.... read more

  7. The Sopranos

    The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story centers on Tony Soprano, a fictional New Jersey Mafia boss portrayed by James Gandolfini. The series explores the difficulties Tony faces as he tries to balance his family life with managing a criminal organization... read more

  8. Prison Break

    Prison Break is an American crime drama television series created by Paul Scheuring for Fox. Its original four-season run aired from August 29, 2005, to May 15, 2009, followed by a fifth season in 2017. The series follows brothers Lincoln Burrows and Michael Scofield as they attempt to escape prison... read more

    Prison Break is the greatest TV show I have ever watched in my life. It is absolutely thrilling.

    One of the best shows ever made. It's worth watching.

  9. Family Guy

    Family Guy is an American adult animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a family consisting of Peter, Lois, their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie, and their anthropomorphic dog, Brian. The show is set in the fictional city of Quahog... read more

    Basically the Simpsons of the 2000s.

  10. The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

    The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (also known simply as Billy and Mandy) is an American animated television series created by Maxwell Atoms for Cartoon Network. It originated as part of Grim and Evil before becoming a separate series.... read more

  11. The Newcomers
  12. ?

    Last of the Summer Wine

  13. ?

    Lunar Jim

  14. The Contenders
  15. Teen Titans

    Teen Titans is an American animated television series created by Glen Murakami and based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name. It originally aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2006, with its first two seasons also airing on Kids' WB. The series follows a team of young superheroes as they... read more

  16. Six Feet Under

    Six Feet Under is an American drama television series created and produced by Alan Ball. It premiered on HBO in the United States on June 3, 2001, and ended on August 21, 2005, spanning five seasons and 63 episodes. The acclaimed show explores the lives of the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in... read more

  17. 24

    24 is an American action drama television series that aired on the Fox network. It was created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran and stars Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, a counterterrorism agent. The show is known for its real-time storytelling format and high-stakes plots involving national security... read more

    This is action and suspense at its very best on TV. Jack Bauer kicks major ass. No one can ever beat him.

    Old school action, the best main character on a TV show ever. Suspense is golden. Each character, even some you expect to be generic, is diverse and unique. They are always tangled or involved in the plot.

  18. Arrested Development

    Arrested Development is an American television sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz. The series originally aired on Fox for three seasons from November 2, 2003, to February 10, 2006. It was later revived on Netflix for two additional seasons, which aired from May 26, 2013, to March 15, 2019.... read more

    This is the most clever show in the history of existence. You can watch one episode five times, and there are still things you would've missed.

    Arrested Development is by far the funniest show of the decade. It's a shame it got canceled. How is it number 22?

  19. Top Gear (U.K.)

    Top Gear is a British television series focused on motor vehicles, primarily cars. A revival of the original 1977 program, it began airing in its new format in 2002. It became the world's most widely broadcast factual television program, although the BBC placed it on indefinite hiatus after production... read more

    Jeremy, James, and Richard have made amphibious cars, people carriers, Reliant Robin space shuttles, rally cars, cheap police cars, VW Scirocco ads, caravan conkers, caravan trains, and mobility scooters.

    And you guys think that Lost is better than Top Gear?

    The political correctness brigade has damaged many TV programs. However, I'm glad to report that Top Gear is one of the few programs that's unharmed.

    Who needs a would-be drama from some hack called Abrams when you can have a factual entertainment show called Top Gear?

  20. Smallville

    Smallville is an American television series developed by writer-producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and based on the DC Comics character Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show aired from 2001 to 2011 and follows the young Clark Kent before he becomes Superman. It ran for ten... read more

    A very spectacular and mature series about young Superman.

  21. The Big Bang Theory

    The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, who also served as executive producers alongside Steven Molaro. The show follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with friends and romantic partners. It featured several notable guest stars throughout... read more

    One of the funniest TV shows ever. Definitely one of the top 15 of the 2000s.

    Adorable show. Breath of fresh air.

    I just love those autistic nerds!

  22. American Idol

    American Idol is an American reality television singing competition that first aired on June 11, 2002. The series completed its twenty-fourth season in May 2026. More contestants and winners have continued to join its roster since the show moved from Fox to ABC in 2018. American Idol has launched the... read more

    Kelly Clarkson raised her fame through American Idol. Enough said.

  23. Curb your Enthusiasm

    Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy television series produced and broadcast by HBO. It began with an hour-long special on October 17, 1999, followed by a 12-season series that premiered on October 15, 2000, and concluded on April 7, 2024. The series was created by Larry David, who stars as... read more

  24. True Blood

    True Blood is a fantasy drama series that aired on HBO from 2008 to 2014 and was created by Alan Ball. It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries novels by Charlaine Harris. The story is set in a fictional Louisiana town where vampires coexist with humans after the invention of synthetic blood. The... read more

  25. Mad Men

    Mad Men is an American period drama television series created by Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate Television. The series premiered on AMC on July 19, 2007, and concluded on May 17, 2015. Set primarily in the 1960s, it follows the lives of employees at an advertising agency in New York City.

  26. How I Met Your Mother

    How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from September 19, 2005, to March 31, 2014. The series follows Ted Mosby as he recounts to his children the events leading up to how he met their mother. The show is set in Manhattan and features an ensemble cast including Josh... read more

  27. Lizzie McGuire

    Elizabeth Brooke McGuire, famously known as Lizzie, is the main character in the television series Lizzie McGuire. She is portrayed as a caring, rational, and cooperative person, while her animated alter ego expresses her inner thoughts and feelings.... read more

  28. The Wire

    The Wire is an American crime drama television series set and produced in Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by HBO in the United States. It originally aired from June 2, 2002, to March 9, 2008.

    Remember when TV was great? The Wire (absolute top), Dead Like Me, Deadwood, Six Feet Under. There were so many creative, absorbing dramas and humorous shows in the early 2000s.

    What's on now? Mostly trash. Thank God for PBS.

    Arguably the best show ever made, 2 spaces under a Disney sitcom.

  29. Heroes

    Heroes is an American superhero drama television series that aired on NBC from 2006 to 2010. Created by Tim Kring, the show centers on ordinary people who discover that they have superhuman abilities and explores how these powers affect their lives. Its first season was a critical and commercial success... read more

    A promising show, but something is missing from it. Anyway, it's a series that's worth watching.

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