100 Best TV Shows of the 2020s So Far

100 Best TV Shows of the 2020s So Far

March 27, 2025

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No one could’ve predicted the chaos that came at the start of the 2020s. But amid pandemic lockdowns, political turmoil, and endless debates about the merits of AI, the human urge to tell stories remained as creative and compelling as ever. You can see that in the kinds of TV shows released in the past year. TV, dare we say, has never been better, and access has never been wider. Not only do we have an endless stream of platforms to choose from, we can also watch shows from all around the globe, on-demand. It’s no wonder viewers are at a loss on when to start. So to help you, we’ve gathered—and are gathering—the very best shows of the 2020s so far. Like all of our lists here in agoodmovietowatch, this one is dynamic, meaning it will be updated as we watch and review more shows along the way. With that, happy viewing!

51. Dark Winds

best

8.1

Genres

Crime, Drama

Actors

Eugene Brave Rock, Jessica Matten, Kiowa Gordon, Noah Emmerich

Moods

Discussion-sparking, Dramatic, Slow

Even without doing the important and long overdue work of uplifting Native American voices, Dark Winds manages to be an intriguing mystery, layered with complex performances and bolstered by the majestic expanse of the American Southwest (in the ‘70s no less!). Finally released from the shackles of supporting roles, Zahn McClarnon shines here; he’s in top form as the gritty but softhearted police officer who protects his tribe from encroaching federal forces. The mysteries that propel the show are compelling too; they have the same beats as any you’d expect from a crime thriller, but they’re seeped deep into Native American mysticism, making them intriguing and wholly unique. 

52. Like Water for Chocolate

best

8.1

Genres

Drama

Actors

Ana Valeria Becerril, Andrea Chaparro, Andres Baida, Ari Brickman

Moods

Character-driven, Dramatic, Emotional

With the gorgeous period costumes, the romance, and the familial dynamics, you would think that Like Water for Chocolate’s latest screen adaptation would be just the same as the film, albeit with a Bridgerton-esque style. To a certain extent, this is true, as the essence of the novel still remains intact and the production is greatly upgraded, however, the added runtime allows this latest adaptation to expand on the novel’s commentary on race and class, and how this played out within the Mexican revolution that was mostly glossed over in the film. Como Agua Para Chocolate captures the novel’s much more rich and layered flavors, in much more fulfilling and scrumptious ways.

53. Black Doves

best

8.1

Genres

Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama

Actors

Andrew Buchan, Andrew Koji, Ben Whishaw, Keira Knightley

Moods

A-list actors, Action-packed, Binge-Worthy

I would be okay if Black Doves was just a straightforward spy thriller; Knightley and Whishaw have enough charm, enigma, and kick-ass competence to make it work. But beyond the show’s cool and slick demeanor lies a wealth of other gems. It’s a heartwarming friendship tale for one, and a heartbreaking romance for another. It also manages to be funny at the right times, thanks to Sam’s bumbling accomplices, while evoking Christmas cheer. It sounds like a random mishmash of things, but Black Doves effortlessly blends its many tones and genres. Knightley and Whishaw ground the show’s ambition with their affecting performance as two cold-blooded killers who depend on each other’s trust and friendship. It also helps that there’s a depth to the deaths in Black Doves. There’s a nuance here that’s missing in most crime and action thrillers. Bodies are still dispensable, but you know why and how they’ve reached that point. If you want something smart and gripping that isn’t Die Hard to put on this holiday season, this could be it.

54. Our Flag Means Death

best

8.0

Genres

Action, Action & Adventure, Adventure

Actors

Con O'Neill, David Fane, Ewen Bremner, Guz Khan

Moods

Action-packed, Binge-Worthy, Easy

The scene: 1717, the Golden Age of Piracy; the people: brute criminals living on nothing but loot. Seems typical enough for a pirate story, but more than just an action-packed swashbuckling treat, Our Flag Means Death is also a raging ensemble comedy that is both modern and subversive as it dares to recast masculinity in a whole new light. 

The show follows Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), a flamboyant aristocrat who leaves his pampered life and turns to the sea in search of deeper meaning and purpose. Specifically, he’s out to figure out, once and for all, what it means to be a man. Does it entail remorseless murder and a stoic acceptance of one’s responsibility, as he’s been taught and taunted to do for so long, or is there more to it than that? The wannabe pirate gets closer to answering these questions when he meets and eventually falls for the legendary Blackbeard, played warmly and hilariously by Taika Waititi.

55. Yellowjackets

best

8.0

Genres

Drama, History, Horror

Actors

Christina Ricci, Ella Purnell, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Juliette Lewis

Moods

Binge-Worthy, Dark, Gripping

When a girls soccer team is left stranded in the wilderness, things quickly descend from worrisome to outright, delightful, and sometimes unbearably weird. It’s a classic tale of survival injected with fresh mystery and drama, and as you watch these girls navigate humanity in all its extremes—from the primal urge to live to the existential need to bond—you’re left feeling both wildly entertained and deeply disturbed all at once. 

Though Yellowjackets has drawn comparisons to beloved stories like Lost and Lord of the Flies, its unique pulse on the female experience is arguably its own thing: a sure and instant classic in the making. 

56. For All Mankind

best

8.0

Genres

Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Science Fiction

Actors

Casey Johnson, Casey W. Johnson, Coral Peña, Cynthy Wu

Moods

Binge-Worthy, Dramatic, Inspiring

What if the 1960s space race never ended? For All Mankind imagines such a world; here, Russia’s cosmonauts arrive on the moon first, the galaxy holds resources beyond belief, and global wars have expanded in stakes and scale. More than just the final frontier, outer space is now the focal point of warring nations hungry to capitalize and claim new assets. 

For All Mankind’s out-of-this-world premise alone make it a thrilling watch, but you’ll be glad to know that the show also feels intimate and affecting thanks to its fully fleshed-out characters. If you’re looking for an epic but grounded story to lose yourself in, this is it. 

57. Lost Ollie

best

8.0

Genres

Animation, Drama, Family

Actors

Gina Rodriguez, Jake Johnson, Jonathan Groff, Kesler Talbot

Moods

Dramatic, Emotional, Lovely

The Netflix four-part miniseries Lost Ollie is a bit like if Toy Story was adapted into a live-action dramedy. You’ll recognize the premise immediately: lost toy comes to life and loyally sets out on a journey to find its kid. But stuffed in between those points are poignant moments and reflections about life, family, and being.

The film isn’t also afraid to touch on darker themes, so if you’ve always wished for a slightly more mature but still kid-friendly version of this narrative—and if you’re a fan of the likes of Paddington the Velveteen Rabbit—then you’ll enjoy Lost Ollie.

58. Trying

best

8.0

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Actors

Esther Smith, Imelda Staunton, Oliver Chris, Ophelia Lovibond

Moods

Easy, Emotional, Feel-Good

Trying is a realistic but charming take on couples venturing to build a life and stable future for themselves. Heavy themes are tackled here, like infertility, infidelity, and parenthood, but the immensely likable couple that is Nikki and Jase guide us through the murky ups and downs of them all. Their heart and humor aren’t just comforting to watch, they’re also inspiring in a TV age obsessed with heavy dramatics. Like Ted Lasso, Abbott Elementary, and other well-meaning shows like it, Trying is a bit of lighthearted fare that we’d do well to indulge in every now and then.

59. Little America

best

8.0

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Moods

Anthology, Character-driven, Discussion-sparking

Based on Epic magazine’s column of the same name, Little America is an anthology series based on real-life immigrant stories. The episodes vary in plot, topic, and even era—they’re as diverse as the characters themselves—but they are all connected by one thing: the hope of achieving the American Dream. In one episode, an Iranian father sets out to build his family’s dream home in a bid to prevent his son from moving out. In another, a second-generation Korean-American struggles to find his calling, much to the dismay of his war-survivor parents (“What do you know about suffering?” the mother, played by Parasite’s Lee Jung-eun asks when her son complains about med school).

Co-created by Lee Eisenberg, Kumail Nanjiani, and Emily Gordon (The Big Sick) and directed by Sian Heder (CODA), Little America is a heartwarming collection of stories, as moving as it is urgent. It’s easy to miss this over splashier shows on TV, but trust that this one’s worth tuning into.

60. Extraordinary

best

8.0

Genres

Action & Adventure, Comedy

Actors

Bilal Hasna, Mairéad Tyers, Robbie Gee, Safia Oakley-Green

Moods

Binge-Worthy, Character-driven, Easy

Imagine if the show Girls was Marvel-ized (or if you like, Derry Girls blended with Encanto): that’s kind of what this series is, but actually good.

It has all the trappings of a quarter-life-crisis sitcom—broke 25-year-olds with big dreams and little prospects living under one roof—while also being set in a world where everyday humans develop a superpower by the age of 18. The British series follows Jen, a late bloomer who has yet to find her power. Having had enough of sucky jobs and boyfriends, she sets out to discover her power in the hopes of finally knowing more about herself. It’s a bizarre premise with an authentic, endearing core that’s certainly worth checking out.

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