Choosing a new TV show to watch can feel overwhelming, as so many great series boast daunting episode counts, but the most bingeable shows fly by in no time. While there’s a lot to be said about miniseries that can be enjoyed in just one day, many of the most beloved shows of all time were given the space to develop their characters and storylines over several seasons and hundreds of episodes. While 24-episode seasons have mostly become a thing of the past, plenty of long-running shows with vast numbers of episodes have maintained their popularity on streaming services.
Some of the best TV shows of all time were long-running series that grew a devoted fanbase over the course of many years on the air. While the fast-paced, tightly constructed narratives of modern TV make for thrilling viewing, longer shows allow supporting characters to develop their own series-long arcs and for enjoyable filler episodes to expand upon the universe of the series. For anyone looking to really sink their teeth into an incredible bingeable series, all these shows have something special to offer.
10
House (2004 – 2012)
8 Seasons / 177 Episodes
The medical drama House perfectly balanced intriguing medical mysteries with the compelling characterization of a cynical anti-hero. Through an astounding performance from Hugh Laurie as the cantankerous genius physician, House depicted his specialized diagnostic team uncovering the truth behind mysterious illnesses, all while fascinating series-long arcs play out over the course of its enjoyable eight seasons. By striking the perfect balance of standalone stories and overarching narratives, it’s easy to binge through several seasons of House in a short amount of time.
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While Laurie’s amazing performance was a core reason to check out the show, it also boasted a strong supporting cast and plenty of great guest stars that kept things from getting boring. While Dr. House seemed to possess the magic knowledge needed to solve almost any medical problem, seeing how he failed to do the same for his own personal life added to the show’s appeal. As a no-nonsense, drug-addicted protagonist, House’s satisfying formula, strong hook, good characters, and sense of humor made it one of the most successful series of the 2000s.
9
The X-Files (1993 – 2002, 2016 – 2018)
11 Seasons / 218 Episodes
The X-Files was the perfect blend of monster-of-the-week style storytelling paired with a constantly developing mythology and deep series lore. As one of the best shows of the 1990s, The X-Files was made during a time when 24-episode seasons were the norm, and shows were given the time and space to develop loyal fan bases. Featuring FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), this pair’s mismatched philosophies regarding the supernatural made their investigations into paranormal cases all the more interesting.
With Mulder as a true believer and Scully as a classic skeptic, The X-Files took inspiration from classic sci-fi horrors while also being influenced by earlier shows like The Twilight Zone and Twin Peaks. Through its original series, movies, revival, and spin-offs, The X-Files grew into a popular franchise and was one of the most successful sci-fi properties of all time. While the revival seasons in 2016 and 2018 may not have quite reached the heights of the show’s glory days, The X-Files remains an endlessly bingeable show.
8
Fringe (2008 – 2013)
5 Seasons / 100 Episodes
Clocking in at the nice round number of 100 episodes, Fringe was an astounding sci-fi procedural series that rarely gets its due for how insanely bingeable and compelling it was. Through explorations of time travel, alternate universes, and high-concept sci-fi themes, as it progressed, Fringe started focusing on engaging season-long arcs and serialized storytelling that leaned into the most outlandish and unexpected possibilities of the sci-fi genre.
With a slow-building mythology that hooked you in over time, it was impossible not to be drawn in by Fringe’s parallel universes, government experiments, and the nature of reality itself literally breaking down. With John Noble’s performance as the brilliant but unstable scientist Walter Bishop anchoring the series with great characterization, Fringe also had plenty of fantastic supporting characters and villains. As a modern classic that’s just waiting for sci-fi fans to sink their teeth into it, the most disappointing thing about Fringe was that there wasn’t more of it.
7
Smallville (2001 – 2011)
10 Seasons / 217 Episodes
While nobody likely imagined the Superman origin story told in Smallville managing to run for over 200 episodes, this superhero series managed to strike the perfect balance of action, teen drama, and long-term storytelling. With Tom Welling as a young Clark Kent, the core premise of this superhuman alien discovering his abilities and destiny was a unique take on an iconic character that hooked viewers right from the get-go. Add to that Michael Rosenbaum’s portrayal of the billionaire’s son Lex Luthor and you’ve got a fascinating insight into the untold backstory of some of the greatest characters in comic book history.
One of the most engaging things about Smallville was just how ever-present Superman’s origins are within the cultural zeitgeist, and watching as Clark discovers the truth of his existence episode by episode was a thrill to witness. Smallville came out in an era before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and while its special effects may feel dated at some points, it’s incredible just how well it’s held up. Any superhero enthusiasts looking for a new show to binge should do themselves a favor and check out Smallville.
6
The Office (2005 – 2013)
9 Seasons / 201 Episodes
As perhaps the most popular comfort show of all time, countless viewers have enjoyed The Office’s hilarious nine seasons multiple times over. While the original Ricky Gervais British sitcom had a typically short two-season run, its American counterpart was able to keep the laughs coming for over 200 episodes. With an astounding ensemble cast and all-time great comedy characters like Steve Carell’s Michael Scott, The Office captured the excitement, romances, and mundanity of office life at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
While The Office took some time finding its own identity in its first season, once the show found its footing, it was a relentlessly bingeable series that goes by in a breeze. From classic episodes like “The Dinner Party” to the cringe-worthy antics of “Scott’s Tots,” The Office was packed with unforgettable moments. With five Primetime Emmy Awards, including one for Outstanding Comedy Series, The Office remains one of the best sitcoms of all time.
5
Gilmore Girls (2000 – 2007)
7 Seasons / 153 Episodes
With strong writing, great characters, and snappy dialogue, Gilmore Girls was a flagship series for The WB during the early 2000s. Starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as the mother and daughter Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, this cozy, feel-good series had some serious cross-generational appeal. Telling the story of a single mother and her academically minded teenager, Gilmore Girls walked the tightrope between Lorelai being her daughter’s best friend versus a parental figure in her times of need.
With plenty of low-stakes drama, engaging love stories, and fun side characters, despite boasting over 150 episodes, Gilmore Girls went by in a flash. As a result of its enduring popularity on streaming, Netflix even revived the series in 2016 for the four-part miniseries Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Packed with pop culture references to the early 2000s, Gilmore Girls was a perfect comfort series whose fans rewatch time and again.
4
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005 – Present)
16 Seasons / 170 Episodes
While to a new viewer the 16 seasons and 170 episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia feel like a major commitment, those who have caught up on the show will be well aware just how insanely bingeable it is. Telling the chaotic story of a group of self-centered, heavy-drinking, narcissistic misfits running a dive bar, the early promotion for this series was not wrong when it described it as “Seinfeld on crack.” With plenty of self-contained antics as the gang increasingly makes life worse for everyone around them, it’s just too easy to hit next episode when watching Always Sunny.
Through fast-paced energy and mile-a-minute dialogue, Always Sunny started off great and became even better with the addition of cast members like Danny DeVito. With the series creators Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day also starring in and writing the show, the fact that there’s such a connection between its writers and performers meant the series never lost its spark. With 16 seasons and counting, Always Sunny has earned its status as the longest-running live-action sitcom of all time.
3
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)
7 Seasons / 144 Episodes
With the perfect mix of episodic and serialized storytelling, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was one of the most intensely bingeable series ever made. What started as a teenage girl trying to balance her fate as a slayer with challenges of school, friends, and relationships quickly developed into an incredible depiction of female empowerment. Through a mix of self-aware humor and fast-paced action, Buffy truly stood out as an integral series in understanding the cultural landscape of the 1990s.
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Whether you rooted for Buffy’s relationships with Angel, Spike, or even Riley, every season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer offered constant evolution and thrilling big bads for the Scooby gang to face off against. Through world-ending threats and everyday high school grievances, Buffy’s richly realized world and genre-bending writing meant it was easy to just keep watching. With a revival series in the works, there’s never been a better time to go back and binge-watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
2
Orange Is The New Black (2013 – 2019)
7 Seasons / 91 Episodes
While Orange is the New Black ostensibly followed the story of Piper Chapman’s time at the all-female Litchfield Prison for criminal conspiracy and money laundering, the show’s real power was in its ensemble cast. Although there were plenty of ongoing narratives throughout this Netflix series, what made it so endlessly watchable was the way it switched perspectives between all the different inmates each episode. By focusing on all the different reasons and backstories of these incarcerated women, Orange is the New Black powerfully exploited its infinite storytelling possibilities.
As one of Netflix’s first shows, Orange is the New Black was an important contributor to the streaming service gaining widespread popularity as viewers eagerly signed up to find out what all the fuss was about. Through a flashback structure that kept you hooked throughout, one of the impressive things about the series was how it blended offbeat comedy with some truly poignant emotional moments. With lots of cliffhangers and plot twists, Orange is the New Black was an incredible bingeable series made all the better through its diverse cast of talented women.
1
Lost (2004 – 2010)
6 Seasons / 121 Episodes
Nothing hooks viewers in quite like an intriguing mystery just waiting to be unpacked, and this was something that Lost did better than almost any other show. Starting right from its incredible pilot, watching the survivors of Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 made for thrilling viewing, as each episode gave just enough information about the truth behind the mysterious island to leave you begging for more. With a talented ensemble cast whose backstories were richly explored, Lost was a masterclass in cryptic storytelling that was well aware of the power of a shocking cliffhanger.
Practically every episode of Lost ends with a shocking revelation, meaning that the show’s 121 episodes go by in a flash, as it’s easy to burn through multiple episodes a day just waiting to see what happens next. While some viewers were upset over how the show eventually wrapped up, more so than any other series, Lost was about the journey and not the destination, as it made for the perfect watercooler conversation topic throughout its six-year run. With great characters and a truly engrossing premise, Lost was one of the most bingeable series ever made.
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