If there’s one thing 2024 taught us, it’s that even with competition from movies and social media, television (both broadcast and streaming) remains undefeated. From gritty dramas that left us gasping on the edge of our seats to comedies that had us wheezing into our popcorn, this year’s small-screen offerings brought the heat.
Whether you were glued to the kitchen chaos of The Bear, traveling back 200 years to Westeros in House of the Dragon, or laughing (and crying) through Bookie, TV in 2024 didn’t just entertain—it owned.
With acting performances that could shatter award ceilings and writing so sharp it could cut glass, these shows gave us characters to root for, worlds to lose ourselves in, and watercooler moments we’ll be dissecting well into 2025. Sit back, relax, and let’s revisit the shows that had us binging, theorizing, and screaming “Just one more episode!”
18. Mr. and Mrs. Smith – Prime
Prime Video’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith brought fresh energy to the classic spy-romance story with an updated twist. Starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, the series reimagined the iconic couple as secret agents navigating a crumbling marriage while embarking on thrilling missions.
Glover’s comedic timing and Erskine’s emotional depth created a dynamic partnership, seamlessly blending humor, action, and heartfelt moments. Co-created by Glover and Francesca Sloane, the show featured razor-sharp writing and stylish direction, making it both an adrenaline rush and an emotional rollercoaster.
With high-stakes espionage, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of romantic tension, Mr. and Mrs. Smith stood out as one of 2024’s most entertaining new series.
17. Only Murders in the Building – Hulu
Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building returned for another captivating season, proving that the comedic murder-mystery formula still has plenty of life left. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez continued to charm as the unlikely trio of amateur sleuths investigating yet another bizarre crime in their eccentric apartment building.
Season 4 raised the stakes with its most shocking murder yet, adding new layers to the characters while maintaining its trademark wit and clever twists. Showrunner John Hoffman brought fresh energy to the series, weaving in flashbacks and red herrings that kept audiences guessing until the final reveal. Guest stars like Paul Rudd and Jane Lynch added an extra spark to the season, while the core cast’s chemistry remained as delightful as ever.
Balancing humor, heart, and intrigue, Only Murders in the Building cemented its status as one of the most entertaining and original shows of 2024.
16. Fallout – Prime
Prime Video’s Fallout exploded onto the screen in 2024, turning the beloved post-apocalyptic video game series into a gripping TV spectacle. Created by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan (Westworld), the show delivered a visually stunning and narratively rich exploration of a world ravaged by nuclear war. Walton Goggins shined as the enigmatic Ghoul Wanderer, while Ella Purnell brought heart and grit to her role as the Vault Dweller navigating a wasteland filled with danger and moral ambiguity.
The series didn’t shy away from tackling heavy themes like survival, trust, and humanity’s resilience, all while staying true to the quirky, dark humor of its source material.
With its sprawling set pieces, razor-sharp writing, and jaw-dropping visual effects, Fallout was a triumph, earning it a spot among the year’s best shows.
15. Landman – Paramount+
Paramount+’s Landman burst onto the scene in 2024, offering a gritty exploration of the high-stakes, morally complex world of West Texas oil rigs. Billy Bob Thornton delivered a powerhouse performance as Hap Strickland, a seasoned oilman grappling with the changing tides of the industry and his own past mistakes.
The series, created by Taylor Sheridan, brought his signature blend of tension, complex characters, and stunning landscapes to the story of power, greed, and survival. With sharp writing and a supporting cast that included Juno Temple and Walton Goggins, Landman quickly established itself as a standout drama, drawing comparisons to Sheridan’s other hits like Yellowstone and Hell or High Water.
14. Shōgun – FX on Hulu
FX’s Shōgun was a sweeping epic that brought James Clavell’s classic novel to life. Hiroyuki Sanada delivered a commanding performance as Lord Toranaga, while Cosmo Jarvis shone as the conflicted English navigator John Blackthorne.
Showrunner Justin Marks and director Hiroshi Kurosaki crafted a visually stunning and emotionally resonant adaptation, blending political intrigue with intimate character moments.
13. Dark Matter – Apple TV+
Apple TV+’s Dark Matter, based on Blake Crouch’s bestselling novel, brought cerebral science fiction to the screen with stunning results. Joel Edgerton led the cast with a gripping performance, while Jennifer Connelly added depth and gravitas to her complex role.
Showrunner Blake Crouch’s intricate plotting and emotional depth turned the series into a standout, while directors Jakob Verbruggen and Lisa Joy crafted visually arresting episodes. The show’s exploration of alternate realities was both thrilling and deeply human, setting a high bar for the sci-fi genre.
12. Monsters: The Menendez Brothers – Netflix
Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology returned with a gripping portrayal of the Menendez Brothers’ trial. Gus Halper and Miles Gaston Villanueva gave hauntingly nuanced performances as Erik and Lyle Menendez, capturing the emotional complexity of their story.
Murphy’s sharp eye for detail, paired with showrunner Ian Brennan’s meticulous scripts, turned a well-known case into a compelling exploration of family dysfunction and societal pressure.
11. Them: The Scare – Prime
Them: The Scare took Amazon’s anthology series to chilling new heights. Creator Little Marvin and showrunner Lena Waithe crafted a season that combined supernatural horror with powerful social commentary.
Deborah Ayorinde delivered a spellbinding performance, anchoring the series’ exploration of fear, prejudice, and survival. The show’s unsettling visuals and layered storytelling left audiences haunted long after the credits rolled.
10. The Franchise – Max
HBO’s The Franchise delivered biting satire with an inside look at Hollywood’s obsession with superhero movies. Created by Jon Brown and Armando Iannucci, the series brought sharp humor and a stellar ensemble cast, including Himesh Patel and Jessica Hynes.
The writing skewered the absurdity of studio politics, while the cast’s comedic timing made it one of the funniest shows of the year.
9. Bookie – Max
Sebastian Maniscalco brought his comedic brilliance to Bookie, a Peacock original about a struggling bookmaker navigating the absurdities of life. The series, created by Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, combined sharp writing with Maniscalco’s relatable humor.
Balancing laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt storytelling, Bookie emerged as one of the freshest comedies of the year.
8. X-Men ’97 – Disney+
Marvel’s X-Men ’97 struck the perfect balance between nostalgia and reinvention. Showrunner Beau DeMayo revived the beloved animated series with vibrant visuals and complex storylines that honored the original while introducing fresh layers. Cal Dodd reprised his role as Wolverine with gritty charm, while the writing team kept the character dynamics sharp and engaging. This reboot was a love letter to fans and a thrilling entry point for new viewers.
7. House of the Dragon – Max
Season 2 of House of the Dragon brought the Targaryen civil war to the forefront, delivering a season filled with more political intrigue, familial betrayal, and epic battles. Following King Aegon II’s coronation and the death of Queen Rhaenyra’s son, House Targaryen was divided in two. Aegon ruled King’s Landing from the Iron Throne, backed by Alicent and the Green Council, while Rhaenyra and her Black Council plotted their next move from Dragonstone.
The stakes grew higher as both factions sought the loyalty of Westeros’s great houses, amassing armies and dragons for the inevitable clash.
With standout performances by Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, and Olivia Cooke, and an expanded ensemble cast that included Abubakar Salim, Freddie Fox, and Gayle Rankin, the show captured the grandeur and heartbreak of war.
6. Superman & Lois (Final Season)
The CW’s Superman & Lois soared to new heights in its fourth and final season, delivering an emotionally satisfying conclusion to the Kent family’s journey. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch gave their best performances yet as Clark Kent and Lois Lane, balancing the high stakes of Superman’s heroic battles with the deeply personal challenges of family life.
The final season pulled out all the stops, including an epic showdown with Lex Luthor, portrayed with chilling intensity by Michael Cudlitz. Meanwhile, the series explored poignant themes of legacy, resilience, and what it truly means to be a hero. Showrunner Todd Helbing ensured that the season tied up loose ends while honoring the heart of the series: the love and unity of the Kent family.
With its mix of thrilling action sequences, heartfelt storytelling, and a powerful sendoff for one of television’s most beloved superhero families, Superman & Lois concluded on a high note, reminding fans why the Man of Steel continues to inspire.
Tyler Hoechlin has secured his place as TV’s best live action Superman.
5. The Bear – FX on Hulu
Season 3 of The Bear cemented its status as a masterclass in tension-filled storytelling and character exploration. Jeremy Allen White delivered another Emmy-worthy performance as Carmy, navigating the pressures of his burgeoning restaurant while struggling with personal demons.
The standout episode, “Napkins,” written by Catherine Schetina and directed by Ayo Edebiri, gave Liza Colón-Zayas’s Tina a deeply emotional backstory, elevating the series with its heartfelt narrative. Creator Christopher Storer continued to balance chaos and intimacy, making The Bear one of the most authentic portrayals of human connection on TV.
4. Evil (Final Season) – Paramount+, Netflix
Paramount+’s Evil bowed out with a spine-chilling and emotionally charged final season that cemented its place as one of TV’s most inventive supernatural dramas. Created by Robert and Michelle King, the show continued to blur the line between science and the supernatural as the trio of Kristen (Katja Herbers), David (Mike Colter), and Ben (Aasif Mandvi) faced their most harrowing cases yet.
The final season didn’t hold back, delivering shocking twists and tying up long-running mysteries, including the fate of the enigmatic demonic entity, Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson). Herbers shone in a deeply emotional performance as Kristen’s personal struggles collided with her professional life, while Colter’s portrayal of David’s unwavering faith added gravitas to the show’s exploration of good versus evil.
With its signature mix of horror, humor, and philosophical musings, Evil delivered a finale that was both thought-provoking and terrifying, leaving fans in awe of its bold storytelling and unforgettable characters. It was a fitting sendoff to a series that dared to push boundaries and redefine the supernatural genre.
3. From – MGM+
Horror fans couldn’t look away from From, which delivered its scariest season yet. Created by John Griffin, the show’s mix of supernatural terror and psychological drama was brought to life through Harold Perrineau’s captivating performance as Boyd Stevens, sheriff of what has begun to be known as “Fromville.”
The writing team, led by Griffin and Jeff Pinkner, crafted chilling story arcs that deepened the mystery of the town’s origins. With atmospheric direction and stellar acting, From remained a favorite for horror enthusiasts.
2. The Penguin – Max
Colin Farrell’s transformation into Oswald Cobblepot in HBO Max’s The Penguin was nothing short of mesmerizing. Created by Matt Reeves and Lauren LeFranc, the series delved into Gotham’s criminal underworld, exploring Cobblepot’s rise to power with gritty realism.
Farrell’s performance was matched by Cristin Milioti’s layered portrayal of Sofia Falcone, while the show’s dark, noir-inspired aesthetic elevated the storytelling.
1. The Presidential Election – Every 24 Hours News Network
Yes, we’re all exhausted from the nonstop chatter about the 2024 Presidential Election—but let’s be honest, no scripted drama could match the chaos of this historic year in U.S. politics. Not even the best writers’ rooms could have dreamt up the twists and turns: an incumbent president dropping out at the midnight hour, the first Black and Asian female presidential candidate stepping up, and a divisive figure making an extraordinary political comeback.
Try topping that, Adam McKay!
And who could forget the meme generator of the year: “They’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats.” Sure, the election fatigue is real (just ask MSNBC, whose ratings took a nosedive), but whether you loved it, hated it or were terrified by it, there was no better drama in 2024 than the Presidential Election.
Honorable mentions include: Industry, American Crime Story: The Aaron Hernandez Story, Baby Reindeer, Ripley, The Boys, Creature Commandos, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, St. Denis Medical, Hacks, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Teacup, Black Doves, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Agatha All Along, Terminator Zero, Sugar, Ted.
From the dramatic highs of The Bear to the hilarious lows of The Franchise, 2024 was a banner year for television. These shows didn’t just entertain—they defined the year, leaving us eagerly anticipating what 2025 has in store.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
REELated:
2024 in Review: The year’s best ads
