For TV buffs, IMDb’s Top 250 is the Hall of Fame: the most famous shows, voted for by millions, locked in cyberspace forever. But for all that influence, the list isn’t always infallible. Some classics and cult phenomena just can’t catch a break. Occasionally, because of flaws in IMDb’s system, occasionally because tastes change, and occasionally because, well, life isn’t always fair. These are 10 shows that ought to have a seat at the table but stay on the outside looking in.
10. Angel (1999–2004)
As the grimmer, more realistic counterpart to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel gained a loyal fan base with its film noir style and redemptive themes. Critics are prone to whine that it’s nearly as good as the first, but its 7.9/10 rating keeps it below the 250. Maybe spin-offs just aren’t held in the same esteem, but Angel’s trajectory deserved more respect.
9. O.J.: Made in America (2016)
This HBO miniseries is one of the most realistic and compelling dramatizations of the O.J. Simpson trial ever produced. With a score of 8.9, it ought to slice, but IMDb classifies it as a film because of its strange release and Oscar win. A technicality robs it of a rightful spot on the TV list.
8. Banshee (2013–2016)
Equal parts pulpy crime thriller and bare-fisted action drama, Banshee is about an ex-con who becomes a small-town sheriff. The series received an 8.4 rating but never quite achieved greatness as far as mainstream recognition is concerned. Grisly, stylish, and completely out there, it’s the definition of an underappreciated gem.
7. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
One of the best shows ever produced, M*A*S*H set the standard for blending comedy and drama. Its finale is one of the all-time TV greats. However, the Top 250 leans towards a youth demographic, and this classic becomes lost within the shuffle. The Korean War setting and age arguably prevent it from being placed higher on votes by new audiences, but its cultural significance cannot be rivaled.
6. Lost (2004–2010)
Few shows ever represented pop culture as Lost did. The mysterious island, the boundless speculation, and the shocking plot twists all kept fans in suspended disbelief week in and out. With an 8.3 rating, it’s a single short of the 250, likely due to the divisive last seasons and that detestable finale. Nevertheless, its reach and influence on serialized television cannot be exaggerated.
5. Girls (2012–2017)
Lena Dunham’s Girls divided audiences but transformed the conversation about millennial life on TV. Crude, awkward, and unabashedly honest, it broke the rules of depicting characters who weren’t necessarily likable. At 7.4, far outside the Top 250, its impact is hard to deny.
4. 24 (2001–2010)
Jack Bauer brought action TV back to life. The real-time programming, cliffhangers that never ended, and relentless pace made 24 a ratings success. Its legacy is complicated; subsequent seasons and political subject matter drove away some viewers, but at its best, it was electrifying. Its exclusion from the 250 is akin to a forgotten detail.
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Combining horror, comedy, and true-hearted character studies, Buffy became a genre-defining series. Its 8.3 rating suggests its devoted fan base, but not sufficient to rank it on the 250. Clichéd effects and off-camera antics may be reasons, but its DNA can be found in nearly every supernatural show in existence.
2. Scrubs (2001–2010)
One of the least common of circumstances that could turn from outrageous farce to gut-wrenching drama within the course of an episode, Scrubs built a world that felt inhabited and cherished. At 8.4, it’s close but not quite top 250. The nihilistic ninth season didn’t assist, but as it was its finest, it’s one of TV’s best.
1. Veep (2012–2019)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus has provided us with the greatest political satire on record with Veep. It’s whip-smart in screenplay, contains legendary insults, and the cast is flawless. It has an 8.4 rating and as many armloads of awards as can be imagined. It’s stunning that it’s not even ranked yet with all those awards. Too cynical maybe, but irrefutably genius.
The IMDb Top 250 is the web’s TV canon, but it is not absolute. The shows prove that genius, impact, and significance do not always add up to a high enough rating. At times, the best are still waiting for their proper invitation.