Top 10 TV Shows That Defined the 2020s

No show shook the global entertainment landscape quite like Squid Game, the Korean thriller that took Netflix by storm and became a cross-cultural phenomenon. Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the series depicted debt-ridden participants forced to play deadly children's games for a chance at life-changing wealth.

Its social commentary on economic inequality, human desperation, and systemic injustice struck a nerve worldwide. The show’s visceral imagery, memorable characters, and high-stakes tension made it impossible to ignore. From Halloween costumes to parodies, Squid Game became embedded in global pop culture almost overnight.

Its success opened the doors for more international content in mainstream Western markets, proving that language barriers no longer hinder great storytelling. Squid Game wasn’t just a hit — it was a defining television moment of the 2020s.

Mike White’s The White Lotus took viewers inside luxury resorts to explore themes of privilege, power, and interpersonal dysfunction, making it one of the most distinctive anthology series of the decade. Each season featured a new location and ensemble cast, but the core remained the same — a critique of modern wealth and morality wrapped in a murder mystery.

With rich writing, unpredictable storytelling, and standout performances — particularly from Jennifer Coolidge — the series became a critical and audience favorite. The show’s ability to balance humor, discomfort, and suspense created a unique tone that no other show quite matched.

Its beautiful settings masked the darker truths about class, race, and entitlement, making The White Lotus one of the most culturally resonant and visually stunning TV shows of the 2020s.

In a decade full of reboots and spin-offs, Wednesday stood out as a fresh, genre-bending hit that reinvented a classic character for a new generation. Centered on Wednesday Addams from the Addams Family, the Netflix series brought a gothic high school mystery to life, blending dark comedy, teen drama, and supernatural intrigue.

Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday became an instant cultural icon, influencing fashion trends and internet memes. Her deadpan wit, layered emotions, and dance sequences quickly went viral. The show’s aesthetic and storytelling style made it popular with both longtime fans and younger viewers discovering the character for the first time.

With Tim Burton’s signature visual flair and a cast of quirky, endearing characters, Wednesday redefined how legacy IPs could thrive in the streaming era, becoming one of the most talked-about TV shows of the 2020s.

Among the most original concepts of the decade, Severance introduced viewers to a surreal corporate nightmare that struck a chord in the post-pandemic work-from-home era. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller, the series imagines a world where employees undergo a brain procedure that separates their work and personal memories, creating two distinct identities.

The show’s eerie minimalism, mind-bending twists, and slow-burn tension made it a standout in Apple TV+’s growing lineup. Adam Scott led a brilliant ensemble cast, and the storytelling cleverly explored themes like corporate dehumanization, memory, and identity.

With its Kafkaesque tone and visual symbolism, Severance appealed to both sci-fi fans and those weary of modern office life. Its critical acclaim and growing fanbase positioned it as one of the most thought-provoking and stylish series of the 2020s.

At a time when the world felt increasingly cynical, Ted Lasso offered a warm and hopeful alternative that charmed millions. This Apple TV+ comedy, starring Jason Sudeikis as a relentlessly positive American football coach leading a British soccer team, started with a simple premise and grew into a heartfelt story about empathy, leadership, and resilience.

What made the show resonate was its sincere emotional depth. Ted’s kindness isn’t just a gimmick — it becomes a force of change, helping others around him grow while dealing with his own silent battles. The show tackled mental health, friendship, toxic masculinity, and personal growth in a way that was both accessible and meaningful.

In an era of antiheroes and dark themes, Ted Lasso became one of the most important TV shows of the 2020s for proving that optimism, vulnerability, and compassion could be just as compelling as conflict and chaos.

Though it began in the late 2010s, Stranger Things became a defining TV show of the 2020s thanks to its massive cultural footprint and storytelling evolution. Created by the Duffer Brothers, this Netflix juggernaut blended 80s nostalgia, sci-fi horror, and heartfelt coming-of-age drama into one of the most beloved shows of the streaming era.

The fourth season, released in 2022, elevated the series to new heights with deeper character arcs, darker themes, and the introduction of iconic villain Vecna. It became a global event, dominating social media and reviving interest in retro music and aesthetics — Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” became a chart-topping hit decades after its original release.

Stranger Things resonated not just with fans of genre fiction but with anyone who appreciated well-crafted characters and emotional storytelling. Its blend of horror, humor, and heart made it one of the top pop culture phenomena and most influential shows of the 2020s.

Netflix’s sprawling historical drama about the British monarchy continued to captivate audiences through the 2020s, and The Crown became a benchmark for prestige television based on real events. Spanning decades of royal history, each season introduced new actors to portray Queen Elizabeth II and her evolving circle, offering a dynamic view of tradition, duty, and scandal.

With impeccable production design, period-accurate costumes, and emotionally rich storytelling, The Crown dramatized everything from the Suez Crisis to the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. It balanced personal intimacy with political intrigue, allowing audiences to see historical figures not just as icons but as deeply human characters.

While not without controversy over its interpretation of events, the series remained one of the most critically acclaimed shows of the decade. Its ability to blend history and drama with such elegance ensured that The Crown defined the 2020s as a leader in high-quality biographical television.

Few shows have sparked as much conversation, admiration, and controversy as Euphoria, the boundary-pushing teen drama that captured the raw energy of Gen Z. Created by Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya in a career-defining role, the series is known for its stylized visuals, intense performances, and willingness to confront heavy topics like addiction, identity, mental health, and trauma.

Zendaya’s portrayal of Rue, a struggling teen with substance abuse issues, earned her multiple awards and praise for its emotional honesty. The supporting cast, including Hunter Schafer and Sydney Sweeney, brought depth to their characters and helped shine a light on gender, sexuality, and social dynamics in the digital age.

With its glitter-soaked aesthetic and pulsating soundtrack, Euphoria was more than just a teen show — it became a cultural phenomenon that reflected the anxieties and aspirations of a generation. Its impact on fashion, music, and storytelling made it one of the defining shows of the 2020s.

Adapting video games into television has often been met with skepticism, but The Last of Us shattered expectations and redefined the genre. Based on the beloved PlayStation game, this HBO drama brought the post-apocalyptic journey of Joel and Ellie to the screen with emotional depth and cinematic scale. Led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the series became an instant hit for both gamers and new viewers.

Set in a world ravaged by a fungal infection that turns humans into monsters, the show explores survival, grief, hope, and love in the harshest of conditions. What made it stand out was its character-driven storytelling, where even side characters were given meaningful arcs and emotional weight. The third episode, focused on Bill and Frank, became a standout moment of the decade for its tender portrayal of love amidst chaos.

With a visual style that rivaled big-budget films, strong performances, and a faithful yet elevated adaptation of the source material, The Last of Us was one of the best TV shows of the 2020s for fans of deep emotion and genre storytelling done right.

One of the most critically acclaimed and culturally influential shows of the decade, Succession dominated the 2020s with its razor-sharp writing and Shakespearean family drama. Created by Jesse Armstrong, this HBO series dives deep into the lives of the ultra-wealthy Roy family, owners of a global media empire, as they battle for control of the company and each other’s respect.

What sets Succession apart is its masterful blend of biting satire and raw emotional complexity. The dialogue is fast, clever, and darkly funny, revealing the insecurities and ambitions of its deeply flawed characters. Brian Cox’s patriarch Logan Roy looms over every episode like a storm cloud, while Jeremy Strong’s Kendall Roy delivers one of the most complex and compelling performances in recent television history.

Beyond the boardroom betrayals and backstabbing siblings, the show mirrors real-world issues like corporate influence, media ethics, and wealth inequality. It’s a character study that becomes a critique of late capitalism and legacy obsession. With its unforgettable score, stylish direction, and quotable scripts, Succession is a TV show that defined the 2020s by portraying power, privilege, and dysfunction with chilling clarity.