There was an incredible amount of quality programming in 2024, and it's this time of year that the team here at Screen Rant puts together our list of the best TV shows of 2024. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the entertainment industry last year, TV No I was not disappointed. After an impressive array made up Screen Rant's list of the best TV shows of 2023, the New Year is still going strong into 2024. There may have been lulls and fewer options at the start of the year due to delays from last year's strikes, but that's not the case. prevented the emergence of stellar titles.
While some of 2024's best shows have been highly anticipated since their announcement (looking at you, Precipitation), others went completely unnoticed. With a mix of revivals, reimaginings, live-action adaptations, reality shows, and more, there really was a lot to choose from. After creating the team's list of the year's highlights, Screen Rant compiled the results to present the 25 best shows of 2024.
1
Conan O'Brien must go
The talk show host brings his charm to the travel show genre
Conan O'Brien Must Go follows the late-night host as he visits new friends he's met through his podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan. Diving deep with listeners from around the world, the film showcases the humor and connections made between the host and guests.
- Release date
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April 18, 2024
- Cast
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Conan O'Brien, Jordan Schlansky, Matt Gourley, Sona Movsesian
For Conan fans, seeing him channel his irreverent comedic nature to meet (and reconnect with) people around the world is reason enough to watch this new installment in the genre. Werner Herzog's opening narration promising chaos is a perfect reminder that this isn't your usual travel show, while also foreshadowing the affectionate parody of the genre that will follow.
Conan O'Brien must go It's better when it's not really what it claims to be. It's not just a travel blog (of which there are plenty already), it's a fun, warm celebration of people, with a host who knows exactly how to get the best out of them.
– Written by Simon Gallagher, Executive Editor
2
The Acolyte
Controversial Star Wars entry is worth watching
2024 was a strange year for Star Warswith Leslie Headland The Acolyte becoming incredibly controversial. That's a shame, because there's a lot to praise it for – including unforgettable fight choreography unlike anything we've seen in the franchise before. The dynamic between Amandla Stenbergy and Manny Jacinto is electric, so fresh and new, while Lee Jung-jae gives an intense and emotional performance as Master Sol.
In the background, The Acolyte is an attempt to push the limits of Star Wars, exploring the dark side itself. It doesn't work, but the ambition is remarkable.
– Written by Tom Bacon, Star Wars Editor-in-Chief
3
The Walking Dead: Those Who Live
A return to TWD that captures what made the series great
Created by Scott M. Gimple and Danai Gurira, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is a sequel to The Walking Dead television franchise. The series picks up some time after Michonne leaves the original series, as she seeks to reunite with her lover, Rick Grimes. Meanwhile, Rick finds himself in the middle of another war between the living and the dead.
- Release date
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February 25, 2024
- Cast
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Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Pollyanna McIntosh, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Terry O'Quinn
- Writers
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Scott M. Gimple, Danai Gurira
Bringing back original star Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes and MCU actor Danai Gurira as Michonne to create a powerful main duo, the spinoff lived up to its title by proving that there is life in UndeadIt's still creaking your bones.
With only six episodes and two characters to worry about, Those who live it distilled into what everyone loved about The Walking Dead in the first place – intense human drama, bloody-as-hell zombie action, and Rick effin' Grimes. Episode 4 was Those who liveIt's the jewel in the crown. “What We” offered a stand-alone story of love, loss and limbs — a perfectly tense and oddly humorous payoff after years of waiting for Rick and Michonne to meet.
– Written by Craig Elvy, Jr. Lead Features Editor
4
The boys
Superhero satire continues to impress
Launched amid an increasingly volatile political landscape, The boys chose to walk straight through fire in season 4, drawing a thinly veiled electoral parallel that hit close to the bone. The boys successfully maintained its traditional high standards, delivering another round of raucous, super-powered bombast. From Billy Butcher's tentacle twist to a nightmarish Spider-Man parody, The boys Season 4 defied the odds by somehow finding boundaries it hadn't yet crossed.
Season 4 wasn't perfect – slow pacing and an ill-advised doppelganger storyline detracted from a powerful run. However, Hugh Campbell Sr.'s tragic death, the excellent additions of Firecracker and Sister Sage, and the unforgettable superhuman centipede scene, no matter how hard you try, ensured The boysThe penultimate season reached new heights by delving into new depths of depravity.
– Written by Craig Elvy, Jr. Lead Features Editor
5
Blue
The most profound and moving children's program on television
Blue
Bley is an Australian animated children's program centered on a family of talking dogs. Bluey is an Australian Blue Heeler Cattle Dog and, along with her sister Bingo, mom and dad, Bluey always finds herself in the middle of an adventure.
- Release date
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September 30, 2018
- Cast
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David McCormack, Melanie Zanetti, Ninthe van Schie, Brad Elliott, Myf Warhurst, Meg Washington, Dan Brumm
- Creator(s)
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Joe Brum
22024 saw the Blue Empire grows with three packages of very funny “minisodes”, in addition to the premiere of the third part of season 3 in January on Disney+. But the year will be remembered by fans for the release of “The Sign”.
A 28-minute special released alongside two other episodes in April, the heartwarming episode finds the Heelers about to move house and is easily one of the most profound and emotionally evocative narratives of any TV show ever. That this comes in an animation about talking dogs is still shocking, but there's no getting around the fact that Blue It's just really, really good.
– Written by Simon Gallagher, Executive Editor
6
Abbott Elementary
Three seasons later, and I still can't get enough of Quinta Brunson's workplace comedy. While Janine is obviously the anchor of the series, each cast member brings something different to the table, creating a wonderfully strange ensemble managing the chaos in a Philadelphia public school. Abbott Elementary continues to effectively balance hilarious scenarios with important social commentary, especially regarding underfunded public schools. Brunson's series brings to light many issues that schools, students, families, and educators deal with daily.
I hope Quinta Brunson and Janine have a long career ahead of them at Abbott Elementary, because I never want to graduate from television.
– Written by Kara Hedash, Jr. Lead Features Editor
7
Silo
High-stakes science fiction continues to thrill
Silo I'm finally back after over a year, and I'm happy to say that the second season still justifies calling the show one of the best sci-fi titles currently available. However Silo Season 2's story is divided into two overlapping stories – Juliette's adventure in Silo 17 and the growing unrest in Silo 18 – it seems to be heading towards something significant that will have a big impact on all the characters.
Rebecca Ferguson continues to be highlighted among Silocast, but the introduction of Steve Zahn's Solo added another mysterious layer to Season 2. With the rebellion brewing, the stakes will only increase.
– Written by Kara Hedash, Jr. Lead Features Editor
8
Hacks
A perfect third season proves that the show still has a lot to tell
Hacks
Hacks is a comedy-drama series created by HBO that follows two women, Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels, a comedian and a writer, who team up to revitalize their careers. When Deborah Vance realizes she is about to lose her Las Vegas residency for her comedy act, she is assigned a new writer named Ava, who has essentially been blacklisted from career opportunities due to a tweet she sent in poor taste. Both desperate to make things work, the two come together, filling the gaps in each other's lives, professionally and personally.
- Release date
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May 13, 2021
- Cast
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Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins
- Seasons
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2
When the Hacks When the season 2 finale aired, many people (myself included) thought it would be as fitting as the series finale. Renewing the show for a third season, however, was the best thing that could have happened.
Hacks season three answered lingering questions with more humor, grace, and banter than anyone thought possible. It culminates in a stunning season finale that completely changes Ava and Deborah's dynamic again, and in a way that ensures Season 4 hits the ground running. Deborah will host Late Night – something she's always wanted – but Ava's lingering threat is sure to be a source of tension between the two after that shocking final scene that shows Ava has learned more from Deborah than just comedy.
– Written by Graeme Guttmann, TV News senior editor
9
Outlander
Time travel romance reaches epic conclusion
Outlander returned for the second part of the penultimate season in late 2024, and while many shows start to lag after a decade, Claire and Jamie continue to impress. At this point, the Outlander The story takes place in three different eras, with time travelers wandering through each, and yet it doesn't feel too complicated. Instead, the series is marching toward what promises to be an intensely satisfying conclusion – and the path takes us through the usual twists, turns, problems, and even an episode where Jamie is presumed dead (again).
While the final season promises to finally answer all of our questions (including what Jamie was doing in the 1940s in season one), season 7 is doing a phenomenal job of lining up the big questions.
– Written by Rose Graceling-Moore, lead editor at Evergreen
10
Arcane
League of Legends takes animation to new heights
Arcane
Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx), who end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark underground city, whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. . Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure.
- Release date
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November 6, 2021
- Seasons
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2
There has literally never been an animated show like Arcane. The most expensive animated TV show of all time, it features lavish animation and surprisingly deep and intense character arcs. What's truly remarkable, though, is the ease with which the story handles his deep knowledge; so many franchises get overwhelmed by the depth of the worlds they live in, but Arcane avoids this by simply focusing so tightly on your stars.
The first season set the bar impossibly high, but Arcane the second season somehow exceeded that, and the future of League of Legends universe was certainly assured.
– Written by Tom Bacon, Star Wars Editor-in-Chief
11
Black Doves
Keira Knightly shines in this brilliantly unique spy thriller
Black Doves
Black Doves is a drama series centered on the complex interplay between espionage and personal relationships. Focusing on Helen Webb, an experienced spy who struggles to balance her secret missions with a turbulent family life, the series delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal and sacrifice. Starring Keira Knightley, the film examines the moral ambiguities faced by those who live double lives in service to their countries.
- Release date
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December 5, 2024
- Cast
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Keira Knightley, Sarah Lancashire, Ben Whishaw, Andrew Koji, Andrew Buchan, Omari Douglas, Kathryn Hunter, Sam Troughton, Ella Lily Hyland
- Character(s)
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Sam Young, Helen Webb, Stephen Yarrick, Uncredited, Bill, Eleanor, Reed, Jason, Williams, Arnie, Alex, Richard Eaves, Michael
- Seasons
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1
I'm not normally a big fan of spy thrillers, but Black Doves instantly captivated me with the captivating and hilarious chemistry between Keira Knightley as a spy/politician's wife and Ben Whishaw as her fellow sniper. Taking familiar beats from the genre and still breaking the formula, Black Doves It has it all – action, political emotions, romance, drama, humor, a secret world of assassins à la John Wick and some unexpected twists. It's Keira Knightley's best project since she left Pirates of the Caribbeanand may have just crashed True love for his most compelling Christmas story.
– Written by Jordan Williams, Film and TV Editor
12
My Lady Jane
Perfectly Done Historical Romance
My Lady Jane
My Lady Jane is a Prime Video original series created by Gemma Burgess. The story is a “what if” style story of English royal history, where King Henry VIII's son Edward, Lady Jane Grey, and her husband Guildford survive their real-life deaths. In the retelling of the story, Jane Gray takes the central role, becoming queen and immediately facing nefarious villains.
- Release date
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June 27, 2024
- Cast
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Emily Bader, Edward Bluemel, Jordan Peters, Anna Chancellor, Dominic Cooper, Jim Broadbent, Will Keen, Rob Brydon, Kate O'Flynn, Máiréad Tyers, Robyn Betteridge
- Seasons
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1
My Lady JaneThe only major flaw was that the promotion simply didn't do the show justice – seeming, at first glance, like a fun and intentionally historically inaccurate period piece about the short-lived titular queen. However, the series is much more than a Bridgerton– play that re-imagines the story, thanks to the addition of fantasy elements that change the story from a religious conflict to one between humans and humans who can transform into animals.
The fantasy element is smart, funny, and well thought out, and the story's complex twist fits the time period and battle for the throne perfectly. But even these pale in comparison to the romance's beats and the perfect chemistry between Emily Bader (Lady Jane Grey) and Edward Bluemel (Lord Guildford Dudley). Lady Jane Gray is a show that leaves romance fans screaming, kicking with joy… and downright furious that the show was canceled after just one season.
– Written by Rose Graceling-Moore, lead editor at Evergreen
13
Mr and Mrs Smith
A perfect retelling of the spy couple movie
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a TV adaptation of the 2005 film starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine take on the series' lead roles as spies who are placed in an arranged marriage for a secret mission only to develop real feelings for each other.
- Release date
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February 2, 2024
- Seasons
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1
While Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie may be the most iconic iterations of Mr. Smith, Donald Glover's Amazon series contains a far superior showcase of emotional depth, spy antics, and character development. Instead of being a comedy that uses its stars' chemistry to complement non-stop action scenes, the Amazon film Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a compelling wedding drama wrapped in an effective spy thriller.
The stakes are at an all-time high for this manufactured marriage turned authentic, and the chemistry, humor, acrobatics and pain displayed by Glover and Erskine in every episode of Mr. and Mrs. Smith makes it one of the most striking and refreshing entries in the recent spy genre.
– Written by Jordan Williams, Streaming Movies/TV Features Editor
14
X-Men '97
A near-perfect revival of a Saturday morning cartoon classic
X-Men '97
X-Men '97 is the direct continuation of the popular 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. Picking up where season three left off, Marvel's revival brings back famous mutants like Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto and Nightcrawler, who battle villains like Mr.
- Release date
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March 20, 2024
- Cast
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Jennifer Hale, Chris Potter, Alison Sealy-Smith, Lenore Zann, Cal Dodd, Catherine Disher, Adrian Hough, Ray Chase, Chris Britton, George Buza
- Seasons
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1
- Creator(s)
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Beau De Mayo
The cynics among us might suggest that essential Marvel watches in the MCU era are a rarity. But these people probably didn't count on X-Men '97 reviving a beloved, nearly 30-year-old Saturday morning cartoon in a way that so captivated Marvel fans.
X-Men '97 takes what worked with the original design and adjusts everything intelligently, without losing the essence of its success. The revived show is also bold, reflecting its original adult audience and real-world considerations about which TAS was less blatant. This might not just be the good standard of X-Men adaptations, it might even be a better animated series than the generally unchallenged Batman juggernaut. Batman: The Animated Series.
– Written by Simon Gallagher, Executive Editor
15
The Bear
Carmy's struggles continue to make compelling viewing
The Bear
Set in a Chicago diner, The Bear follows Carmy Berzatto, a young, professionally trained chef who returns to take over his family's business after the unexpected death of his brother. At odds with many of the store's employees due to her culinary background, Carmy struggles to maintain order and prevent the store from fully talking. Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmy alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ayo Edebiri.
- Release date
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June 23, 2022
- Seasons
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2
- Writers
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Christopher Storer
BiaThe third season of r didn't live up to the expectations set by the first two, for many, but it remains the best representation of restaurant life and family dysfunction on the small screen today. And after two breakneck-paced seasons, The Bear could be doing something very meta in season three. As it begins to penetrate deeper into the family found in the restaurant, it matches the rhythms of a competent brigade rather than the chaos of the opening, and mirrors Carmy's inner life as he struggles to fully connect with what he has created.
The best episode of the season, however, was not in the restaurant. 'Ice Chips' takes place almost entirely in the hospital as Sugar gives birth, and is a devastatingly raw look at mothers and daughters – proving that The Bear Still has what it takes to break hearts.
– Written by Rose Graceling-Moore, lead editor at Evergreen
16
Bridgerton
A hot season focusing on secondary characters (and that carriage ride)
Bridgerton It's a series that has aged like a fine wine. While it's not always perfect, its ability to balance its romantic stories with that of a large cast has always made for an obsessive binge-watching experience.
The Season 3 drama was especially delightful. This made me root for the supporting characters' stories as much as I did for Colin and Penelope getting together and already kissing. From Benedict's sexual awakening to Francesca's gentle romance with John Stirling to Violet's relationship with Lord Anderson, Season 3 is packed with great subplots that continue to wrap up the ever-growing Bridgerton cast.
– Written by Mae Abdulbaki, lead critic and features writer
17
Precipitation
A whimsical, blood-splattered new apocalypse for Fallout fans
Precipitation
Based on the video game franchise of the same name, Fallout is a drama series set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. The series follows the survivors of the human race in an alternate timeline of the 1950s, where nuclear war has devastated Earth, spawning large irradiated areas and mutated humans who now roam the planet.
- Release date
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April 10, 2024
- Seasons
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1
- Creator(s)
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Graham Wagner, Geneva Robertson-Dworet
We've seemingly entered the golden age of video game adaptation – and Precipitation on Prime it is unmissable.
Precipitation It plays almost like Fallout 5 and accomplishes this franchise progression with stellar production quality and captivating cinematography. The writing has a humor that matches the strange tone of the video games, without going back to silly jokes. Props and locations feel ripped straight from the game, the soundtrack is beautiful, and the bloody violence contrasts perfectly with the surprisingly whimsical nuclear wasteland.
Precipitation on Prime isn't just a good Fallout product, it's a great TV show in its own right that fans and non-fans alike can enjoy and celebrate.
– Written by Kazden Risk, Social Media Manager
18
Agatha all the time
The MCU's Surprising Success We Didn't Know We Needed
Agatha all the time it seemed like it would be a fun and spooky Marvel release that would fit into the Halloween season, even if it wasn't particularly memorable. But week after week, the WandaVision spinoff drew me in with the story of Kathryn Hahn's Agatha Harkness and her band of misfit witches, until I was as emotionally invested as I was with any other character in the MCU. Episode 7 was where Agatha all the time really shined, but the show overall was a delightful trip into the magical side of the MCU and left me excited to see more of Agatha and Billy Maximoff (Joe Locke).
– Written by Molly Freeman, editor-in-chief of Superheroes
19
The penguin
The latest solo supervillain story that impresses
The penguin
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime drama spin-off television series from the 2022 film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin, begins his rise in Gotham City's underworld as he fights with his late boss's daughter, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family's empire.
- Release date
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September 19, 2024
- Cast
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Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O'Connell, Clancy Brown, James Madio, Scott Cohen, Michael Zegen, Carmen Ejogo, Theo Rossi
- Seasons
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1
- Character(s)
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Oz Cobb, Sofia Falcone, Victor Aguilar, Johnny Viti, Nadia Maroni, Francis Cobb, Salvatore Maroni, Milos Grapa, Luca Falcone, Alberto Falcone, Eve Karlo, Julian Rush
- Prequel
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The Batman (2022)
Released after Colin Farrell's supporting role in Matt Reeves' BatmanHBO The penguin Step into the shoes of iconic DC villain Oz Cobb. Masterfully avoiding the usual pitfall of villain-focused spin-offs by refusing to humanize Oz, the show was a revelation, expanding the lore of Gotham City in an urgent and compelling way.
Farrell is again excellent, but the real star of the show was Cristin Milioti as his gang war rival Sofia Falcone, who broke into the highest tier of live-action Batman villains. The story is great, with several episodes that stand out, but the ending is so good that it takes the breath away from you.
– Written by Simon Gallagher, Executive Editor
20
Baby reindeer
Complex, dark and totally compelling
Baby reindeer is easily one of the strangest and most anxious shows to hit screens this year, and that's considered the highest of compliments. What Baby reindeer What it did, beautifully, was explore the push-pull parasocial dynamic of fearing a pursuer's attentions but also desiring his single-minded adoration. With that said, Baby reindeer It's not an easy watch – in fact, it's downright punishing at times – but that's what makes it so fascinating.
A level of emotional complexity and tangled psychology are what make it so compelling; Baby reindeer It doesn't offer a simplistic good versus evil narrative, but a darkness that is as rich and complex as it is frustrating. It doesn't offer catharsis, but if we are patient, Baby reindeer offers one of the most rewarding viewing experiences in recent memory.
— Written by Alisha Grauso, Features Editor