I’ve been rewatching every episode of The White Lotus over the last week and a half, and it got me thinking about the most rewatchable shows of all time, so I decided to put together a list of the 10 most rewatchable 1-hour cable or streaming series ever made.
Now, this list is specific to 1-hour cable or streaming drama series. I am also going to do a list of the most rewatchable network TV dramas, and I’ll be getting into comedies too, so stay tuned for those.
#10 Stranger Things (Netflix)
This is a huge hit for Netflix and offers something for older and younger audiences. It will definitely go down as one of the most rewatchable drama series for the streamer.
#9 Ozark (Netflix)
Ozark at number 9 would be the other one. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney are so fun to watch, and of course this series introduced us to the incomparable Julia Garner.
#8 The Americans (FX)
The Americans is an FX series set in the 1980s, but it never really ventures into those cheesy 80s hair, clothes, or music tropes. I’m a big fan of Matthew Rhys the actor and the person (see Brothers & Sisters), and he and Keri Russell are excellent in this. It made me so happy that they got an off-screen happily ever after.
#7 The Wire (HBO)
This may be one of the best-written shows of all time with one of the best casts of all time. If you were paying attention, you’d remember that a lot of the actors in The Wire started showing up in a lot of other TV shows. TV Writers in Writers’ Rooms everywhere loved talking about The Wire.
#6 Fargo (FX)
Another FX drama series. There’s an argument to be made that the Fargo TV series is better than the movie. But obviously we wouldn’t have the series if it weren’t for the movie. And I’d argue that both the movie and the series are extremely rewatchable.
#5 Game of Thrones (HBO)
More HBO here, and it won’t be the last. Look, some people can’t watch Game of Thrones the first time around, but those who like it like it a lot. And this isn’t just swords and white walkers and dragons, there is significant depth to character and relationships that really do elevate this series.
#4 Breaking Bad (AMC)
AMC’s Breaking Bad is another one of the greatest television shows ever written. It’s hard to think that Aaron’s Paul’s character Jesse was nearly killed off after a few episodes — but that did almost happen. And the truth is that Breaking Bad may never have happened were it not for number 3 on this list.
#3 Mad Men (AMC)
Mad Men put AMC on the map. And not only is this show rewatchable, but I’ve actually re-read scripts of Mad Men. Amazing writing, amazing cast, amazing time period. I can watch this over and over. And it may not surprise you that the show’s creator Matthew Wiener came from the second most rewatchable cable drama series of all time.
#2 The Sopranos (HBO)
HBO redefined television with this show, and I can rewatch this series pretty much on an annual basis. It’s like revisiting one of your favorite books.
#1 The White Lotus (HBO)
And for the number one most rewatchable cable or streaming drama series, I have to double down on The White Lotus. It is just so amazingly enjoyable — I want more and more and more. It combines high stakes with really dark humor and super memorable characters. All of that comes with the added bonus of escape because the series literally takes its audience on vacation to these amazing locations around the world.
Do you agree with these? Did I miss any?
I’m sure I did — Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Deadwood, Narcos, The Shield, House of Cards, Damages probably need an honorable mention, but please let me know what your most rewatchable cable or streaming TV dramas are in the comments.
