100 best miniseries of all time

Dreamworks There’s no better way to unwind than with a little TV. There’s just something about slipping into a fictional world that has none of our real-life stressors or demands that puts our minds at ease in a way nothing else can. Unfortunately, those real-world stressors and demands leave us far less time and mental energy to indulge than we would like. Enter the miniseries. They might be the perfect solution for our “not enough time, not enough brain power” problem. Miniseries offer the same level of escapism and ability to binge-watch as conventional television, but without having to commit to 18 seasons of 30 episodes each. Plus, you’ve got decades of compelling miniseries to choose from in almost every imaginable genre. To help narrow down the choices, Stacker collected IMDb data on all miniseries/limited series on October 26, 2022, and ranked them according to their IMDb user rating, breaking ties by the number of votes. Only shows with more than 5,000 votes were considered. 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. It may be no surprise that BBC’s striking nature documentaries score highly on this list. But also scattered throughout the rankings, you’ll discover a mix of historical dramas, shocking true crime documentaries, sci-fi favorites, animated works, shows inspired by comics, and police procedurals that put a new twist on an old-school genre. Looking for a new miniseries to add to the “must-watch” list, or curious to see if a favorite miniseries made the cut? Read on to learn more about the 100 best miniseries of all time. You may also like: Controversial figures who still found success   #100. Long Way Down (2007) Big Earth – IMDb user rating:8.3 – Votes: 6,284 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Documentary A follow-up to “Long Way Round,” this BBC production follows Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they set out on another long-haul motorcycle journey, this time from Scotland to South Africa. Along the way, the men stop at three UNICEF facilities to help bring awareness to the humanitarian organization’s invaluable work. #99. Yuri!!! On Ice (2016) Mappa – IMDb user rating:8.3 – Votes: 8,492 – Rating: TV-14 – Genre(s): Animation, Comedy, Drama In this anime series, a downtrodden figure skater finds his love for the sport again with his idol-turned-coach’s help. The miniseries won a slew of awards at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. It also garnered significant praise for its depiction of same-sex relationships and anxiety. #98. Millennium (2010) Yellow Bird, – IMDb user rating:8.3 – Votes: 9,616 – Rating: Not Rated – Genre(s): Action, Crime, Mystery This six-part Swedish TV series is based on the movies drawn from Stieg Larsson’s mystery novels about a reporter and a computer hacker. The series strikes a balance between being a thriller and a drama, with lots of suspense. #97. This Is England ’88 (2011) Warp Films – IMDb user rating:8.3 – Votes: 10,722 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Comedy, Crime, Drama A spinoff of the film “This is England” and a sequel to the miniseries “This is England ’86,” “This is England ’88” follows the gang of skinheads–Woody, Lol, Shaun, and Smell–as they wrestle with growing up and breaking up. The show won the BAFTA for Best Mini-Series at the 2012 awards despite only being three episodes long. #96. This Is England ’86 (2010) Warp Films – IMDb user rating:8.5 – Votes: 8,617 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Comedy, Crime, Drama “This is England ’90” follows most of the gang as they dabble in rave culture and prepare for the FIFA World Cup. Each episode of the show is set in a different season, meaning significant chunks of time have passed between each installment– a setup the previous series didn’t utilize. #71. Who Killed Jessica? (2021) Harsh Beniwal // YouTube – IMDb user rating:8.5 – Votes: 8,656 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Comedy After getting in a fight with his girlfriend–the titular Jessica–Lokesh finds her murdered in their shared bedroom. This sets off a desperate search for her murderer before he’s convicted of killing her. The premise may sound as if “Who Killed Jessica?” is a twisty thriller, but it’s actually a laugh-out-loud comedy. Unable to find production company anywhere, distributed through YouTube You may also like: Best single-season TV shows #70. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:8.5 – Votes: 8,720 – Rating: TV-14 – Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” is an adaptation of John le Carré’s novel about a master spy who’s on the hunt for an undercover Soviet embedded in the British intelligence services. The complex spy drama features “one of the greatest performances ever seen on the small screen,” according to Paul MacInnes of The Guardian. #69. House of Cards (1990) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:8.5 – Votes: 14,481 – Rating: TV-14 – Genre(s): Drama This British political thriller follows the manipulative schemes of an ambitious conservative politician who attempts to become the prime minister. The popularity of the miniseries inspired Netflix to create an American version of “House of Cards” in 2013. #68. Summer Heights High (2007) Princess Pictures – IMDb user rating:8.5 – Votes: 14,593 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Family A sitcom shot in mockumentary style, “Summer Heights High” showcases the high school experience through the eyes of a performing arts teacher, exchange student, and disobedient student. The quirky format of the show–similar to “The Office”–earned it favorable reviews. #67. The Defiant Ones (2017) Home Box Office (HBO) – IMDb user rating:8.5 – Votes: 14,799 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Documentary, Biography, Crime Directed by Allen Hughes, this four-part documentary takes a look at the partnership between Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, who together founded Beats Electronics. The filmmakers used a groundbreaking editing technique they dubbed the “empathy cut” to add meaningful depth of imagery over the narrative, according to editor and writer Doug Pray. #66. Scenes from a Marriage (1973) Cinematograph AB – IMDb user rating:8.5 – Votes: 16,577 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Drama Ingmar Bergman’s 1973 miniseries “Scenes From a Marriage” portrays the 10-year decline of a marriage, in which one spouse is a divorce lawyer and the other a psychology professor. Audiences appreciated the miniseries’ realism and dialogue. You may also like: 50 famous firsts from TV history #65. Horace and Pete (2016) Pig Newton – IMDb user rating:8.5 – Votes: 16,777 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Comedy, Drama “Horace and Pete” stars Louis C.K. and Steve Buscemi as the titular characters who operate a shabby Brooklyn bar. One of the unique features of this miniseries is its highly topical barroom discussions, which felt extremely current to viewers when the show was released online. #64. Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004) Discovery UK – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 5,411 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Documentary, Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking leads viewers through some of the biggest topics in the field–like aliens, time travel, and how the universe began–in this three-episode astronomical documentary. Each episode features lush computer-generated imagery and voiceovers from Stephen Hawking and Benedict Cumberbatch. #52. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Hound of the Baskervilles (1981) Gosteleradio USSR – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 6,053 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Adventure, Crime, Mystery As you might have guessed by the title, this series is an adaptation of the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novel of the same name. What you might not have guessed is that it’s a Soviet Union production and done entirely in Russian. Fans of the series have said this is one of the best “The Hound of the Baskervilles” adaptions they’ve ever seen (and there are lots out there) thanks to its writing, pacing, and willingness to make slight alterations to the source material as needed. #51. Brideshead Revisited (1981) Granada Television – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 7,421 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Drama, Romance This drama centers on the life and flings of a man named Charles Ryder for the 20-year period leading up to the 1940s. It received a slew of British Academy Television Craft Awards for editing, music, costume design, sound, and makeup. You may also like: 100 worst TV shows of all time #50. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1994) Granada Television – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 7,975 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Crime, Drama, Mystery “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. #49. The Untold History of the United States (2012-2013) Ixtlan Productions – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 9,210 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Documentary, History, War Director Oliver Stone dives into some of the lesser-understood events in American history (think, the Cold War and America’s decision to use an atomic bomb in Japan) of the last century. A companion book of the same name was published when the series was released and quickly became a New York Times Bestseller. #48. From the Earth to the Moon (1998) Clavius Base – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 12,316 – Rating: TV-14 – Genre(s): Action, Drama, History “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 worked closely with the real-life astronauts portrayed in the miniseries, which added depth and authenticity to the production. #47. Long Way Round (2004-2010) Elixir Films – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 14,228 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary, Adventure “Long Way Round” follows Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they set out on a motorcycle journey from London to New York. The documentary miniseries was called “the ultimate road trip” by The New York Times. #46. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal (1999) Studio DEEN – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 14,895 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Animation, Action, Adventure 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. You may also like: 50 of the best ‘SNL’ skits #45. North & South (2004) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 32,765 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Drama, Romance This BBC miniseries explores topical issues like class and gender through the story of a woman and her family who move from southern England and try to readjust to life in the north. While the show was not expected to do well, it became a hit with fans who appreciated the deep portrayal of the working classes. #44. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015) HBO Documentary Films – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 46,528 – Rating: TV-14 – Genre(s): Documentary, Biography, Crime This jaw-dropping miniseries investigates real estate heir Robert Durst and the unsolved crimes in which he was a suspect. It delivers fresh storytelling stemming from a nearly decade-long research project. #43. Dopesick (2021) John Goldwyn Productions – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 55,960 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Drama “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. Several big stars appeared in the project, including Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosario Dawson, Kaitlyn Dever, and Will Poulter. #42. The Haunting of Hill House (2018) FlanaganFilm – IMDb user rating:8.6 – Votes: 241,290 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Drama, Horror, Mystery A massive hit for Netflix, “The Haunting of Hill House” is a horror series loosely based on the Shirley Jackson 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 their home. The show is so scary it drove horror icon Stephen King to call it “close to a work of genius.” #41. The Queen’s Gambit (2020) Red Production Company – IMDb user rating:8.7 – Votes: 31,432 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, History The five episodes of “It’s a Sin” chronicle the lives of three gay men 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. #34. The Century of the Self (2002) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:8.8 – Votes: 5,951 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Documentary, 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. #33. Over the Garden Wall (2014) Cartoon Network Studios – IMDb user rating:8.8 – Votes: 56,015 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Animation, Short, Adventure 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. #32. Pride and Prejudice (1995) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:8.8 – Votes: 85,052 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Drama, Romance 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. #31. I, Claudius (1976) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:8.9 – Votes: 17,649 – Rating: Not Rated – Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History “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.” You may also like: 50 best sci-fi shows of all time #30. Das Boot (1985) Bavaria Film – IMDb user rating:8.9 – Votes: 30,321 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Drama, War “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. #29. When They See Us (2019) ARRAY Filmworks – IMDb user rating:8.9 – Votes: 120,478 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Biography, Crime, Drama “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. #28. The Other Me (2019) Blonde Audiovisual Productions – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 5,255 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Crime, Drama, Mystery This Greek series follows an eccentric criminology professor tasked with helping the police solve a series of strange murders. While not a direct sequel, the show brings back many of the characters from the 2016 film of the same name. Sotiris Tsafoulias directed both projects. #27. The War (2007) Florentine Films – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 5,313 – Rating: TV-14 – Genre(s): Documentary, History, War 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. #26. Apocalypse: The Second World War (2009) CC&C Clarke Costelle & Cie – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 12,619 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Documentary, History, War 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. You may also like: Can you answer these real ‘Jeopardy!’ clues about TV shows? #25. Africa (2013) BBC Bristol – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 16,099 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary 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. #24. The Beatles: Get Back (2021) Walt Disney Pictures – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 22,349 – Rating: PG-13 – Genre(s): Documentary, Biography, Music Peter Jackson directed this miniseries about the making of The Beatles’ “Let It Be” album. 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. #23. Dekalog (1989-1990) Sender Freies Berlin (SFB) – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 25,745 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Drama “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.” #22. Human Planet (2011) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 26,402 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary 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. #21. Frozen Planet (2011-2012) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 30,631 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary From the producers behind “Planet Earth” and “The Blue Planet,” “Frozen Planet” is a nature documentary miniseries that looks at life in the most frigid places on the planet. It was acclaimed for its visual depiction of climate change and how it affects glaciers and ice shelves. You may also like: 100 best TV dramas of all time #20. The Blue Planet (2001) ARD (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland) – IMDb user rating:9 – Votes: 39,705 – Rating: TV-G – Genre(s): Documentary “Blue Planet” describes itself as “the first-ever comprehensive series on the natural history of the world’s oceans.” Each of the series’ eight episodes dives into a different aspect of marine life, from the deepest, unexplored depths to the dying coral reefs. #19. Cosmos: Possible Worlds (2020) Cosmos Studios – IMDb user rating:9.1 – Votes: 6,517 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary 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 McFarlane co-produced. #18. The Civil War (1990) American Documentaries Inc. – IMDb user rating:9.1 – Votes: 16,593 – Rating: TV-14 – Genre(s): Documentary, History, War 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. #17. The Vietnam War (2017) Florentine Films – IMDb user rating:9.1 – Votes: 24,794 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Documentary, History, War 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. #16. Life (2009) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:9.1 – Votes: 40,987 – Rating: TV-G – Genre(s): Documentary “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. You may also like: Classic TV quotes that are now part of everyday vocabulary #15. Persona (2018) AY Yapim – IMDb user rating:9.1 – Votes: 41,150 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Crime, Drama, Mystery A man with Alzheimer’s disease and the only female officer in his city’s homicide unit cross paths in this twisty Turkish crime drama. Critics praised the series’ production values, calling it some of the finest in Turkish TV history. #14. TVF Pitchers (2015) Contagious Online Media Network – IMDb user rating:9.1 – Votes: 67,381 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Comedy, Drama This miniseries has earned a cult following for its story of the successes and challenges experienced by young entrepreneurs who leave their 9-to-5 jobs to attempt to create a successful startup. The tale draws inspiration from the HBO series “Silicon Valley,” but adapts it for an Indian audience. #13. The Last Dance (2020) ESPN Films – IMDb user rating:9.1 – Votes: 121,477 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Documentary, Biography, History “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. #12. A Summer Story (2019-2021) Daring Ones Films – IMDb user rating:9.2 – Votes: 5,738 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Drama Set throughout two summers, “A Summer Story” follows an Indian American girl who, upon visiting Bombay for the first time, befriends three local boys. The series is filmed, edited, and written by Shivam Jemini, who also stars in the show. #11. The Beatles Anthology (1995-1996) Apple Corps – IMDb user rating:9.2 – Votes: 9,127 – Rating: TV-14 – Genre(s): Documentary, Music The Fab Four teamed up for “The Beatles Anthology,” an autobiographical documentary miniseries that traces the journey the band through archival footage. It allowed fans of the Beatles to see previously unreleased performances and hear two new songs. You may also like: 25 of the most expensive TV series of all time #10. Seven Worlds One Planet (2019) BBC Studios – IMDb user rating:9.3 – Votes: 5,455 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary 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. #9. Blue Planet II (2017-2022) BBC Natural History Unit (NHU) – IMDb user rating:9.3 – Votes: 41,096 – Rating: TV-G – Genre(s): Documentary 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. #8. Cosmos (1980) KCET – IMDb user rating:9.3 – Votes: 41,175 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary 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. #7. Our Planet (2019) Silverback Films – IMDb user rating:9.3 – Votes: 43,487 – Rating: TV-G – Genre(s): Documentary Netflix’s first nature documentary, “Our Planet,” was an instant hit with fans of similar miniseries, like “Frozen Planet” and “The Blue Planet,” when it debuted in 2019. The conservation-focused miniseries, which takes a close look at the impact of humans on the environment, was on track to be streamed by 25 million households within the first month of hitting the Netflix library. #6. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014) Cosmos Studios – IMDb user rating:9.3 – Votes: 121,775 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary 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. You may also like: 50 best Western TV shows of all time #5. Planet Earth (2006) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – IMDb user rating:9.4 – Votes: 209,172 – Rating: TV-PG – Genre(s): Documentary 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. #4. Band of Brothers (2001) DreamWorks – IMDb user rating:9.4 – Votes: 464,566 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Drama, History, War 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. #3. Chernobyl (2019) Home Box Office (HBO) – IMDb user rating:9.4 – Votes: 740,320 – Rating: TV-MA – Genre(s): Drama, History, Thriller 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. #2. The Godfather Saga (1977) Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images – IMDb user rating:9.5 – Votes: 5,724 – Rating: null – Genre(s): Crime, Drama, Thriller “The Godfather Saga” is a miniseries that combines “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II.” The series contains no new material, but instead combines the existing films and re-edits them in chronological order for TV audiences. #1. Planet Earth II (2016) BBC Natural History Unit (NHU) – IMDb user rating:9.5 – Votes: 144,292 – Rating: TV-G – Genre(s): Documentary The highly anticipated 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. You may also like: Best TV shows with the worst endings