Let’s face it: nothing screams “television royalty” quite like a stack of Emmy trophies. For decades, the Primetime Emmys have been the gold standard by which to measure TV greatness-from groundbreaking sitcoms and high-stakes dramas to sketch legends and competition shows that cut through the noise. But which series truly ruled the awards game? Time to cue up your favorite streaming app, because we’re counting down the 15 most Emmy-decorated shows ever-starting with the lower-ranking legends and climbing all the way to the reigning champ.
15. Will & Grace (18 Wins)
More than a sitcom, Will & Grace redefined the landscape of culture. All four leads, Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally, and Sean Hayes-won Emmys, and the show was quick to attract guest stars who also took home hardware. With its quick wit and bold storytelling, the series set a high bar from the moment it snagged Outstanding Comedy Series in season one.
14. The Sopranos (21 Wins)
A mob boss in therapy became the blueprint for prestige television. Full of powerhouse performances, with James Gandolfini and Edie Falco each taking home three Emmys, while its writers dominated the drama writing categories. It only won Outstanding Drama Series twice, but its influence still ripples through modern TV.
13. The West Wing (26 Wins)
If political idealism had a TV home, it was here. The West Wing swept the Emmys in its early years, collecting four Outstanding Drama Series wins and numerous acting awards for stars like Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, and Stockard Channing. And yes, the iconic walk-and-talks became a TV staple.
12. Cheers (28 Wins)
This Boston bar wasn’t just a sitcom setting- it was a television institution. With standout performances from Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Shelley Long, and Woody Harrelson, Cheers won over Emmy voters again and again, including four Outstanding Comedy Series trophies. And it gave birth to Frasier, which would soon make its own Emmy history.
11. RuPaul’s Drag Race (29 Wins)
Shantay, it stays. RuPaul and his runway empire have carved out a place in Emmy history. RuPaul himself became the most awarded Black artist ever at the Emmys, and the show has dominated categories like Outstanding Competition Program. The fashion, the drama, the heartfelt moments-this series is an Emmy-winning machine.
10. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (29 Wins)
But this wasn’t just a funny sitcom; it was a revolutionary one. Addressing feminism and workplace equality, among other themes, The Mary Tyler Moore Show pleased critics and voters alike. Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, Betty White, and more became Emmy staples, and the show’s influence remains to this day through spinoffs and countless successors.
9. Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (30 Wins)
John Oliver proved that comedy and deep investigative dives can coexist. This HBO series has been owning the Outstanding Variety Talk Series category for years, stacking trophies in writing and interactive programming as well. If you want laughs with a side of outrage and education, this is the show.
8. The Simpsons (37 Wins)
America’s favorite animated family has been collecting Emmys since the Reagan administration. With 12 wins for Outstanding Animated Program, in addition to multiple honors for guest voice actors, including Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob, The Simpsons hasn’t just made TV history; it’s practically defined it.
7. Frasier (37 Wins)
Refined humor, impeccable writing, and unforgettable characters made Frasier a critical darling. It won Outstanding Comedy Series five times and picked up numerous acting awards for Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce. It proved that not only can a spinoff succeed, but it can soar.
6. Game of Thrones (59 Wins)
Love the ending or not, there’s no denying that Game of Thrones dominated the Emmys: with its massive production values, four Outstanding Drama Series wins, and Peter Dinklage’s four acting trophies, the show turned fantasy TV into a global powerhouse. Even the title sequence earned Emmy love.
5. Saturday Night Live (90 Wins)
Few series have influenced modern humor as much. Since 1975, SNL has earned Emmy Awards in writing, acting, directing, and variety programming, successfully launching the careers of stars from Gilda Radner to Kate McKinnon. Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Eddie Murphy, the list of Emmy-winning alumni is similarly endless. It’s the undisputed king of Emmy wins.
4. Shōgun (18 Wins)
FX’s Shōgun broke all records for the most Emmys won in a single season of television. This show, with its breathtaking narrative and stellar performances, headlined by Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, swept several Creative Arts Emmys and added more at the main ceremony to make the series a modern epic.
3. The Crown (24 Wins)
But Netflix’s lavish royal drama reigned supreme for years, rotating out casts every two seasons while managing to keep the performances and production high-class. Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Gillian Anderson, among many more, took home Emmys. Season 4, featuring Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher, became a clean sweep across major categories.
2. Hill Street Blues (26 Wins)
Before prestige cop dramas existed, there was Hill Street Blues. The show dominated the early ’80s Emmys with deeply human storytelling, an ensemble cast ahead of its time, and four consecutive Outstanding Drama Series wins. Its fingerprints can be seen on every police drama that came after.
1. Modern Family (22 Wins)
With five consecutive wins for Outstanding Comedy Series, Modern Family revitalized the sitcom form with its groundbreaking mockumentary style, genuine emotional appeal, and outstanding cast. Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, and Eric Stonestreet took home individual acting Emmys, and the show became the defining comedy of its time.
From sketch comedy to royal dramas, animated mischief to epic fantasy, these Emmy giants didn’t just win trophies; they reshaped television. And behind every statue are the creators, performers, and crews that push boundaries, break molds, and tell the stories that live on long after the screen fades to black.