Watchworthy

The Best Shows Currently On The Air 

Ranker Community
Originally by Ranker Community
Updated May 20, 2020 978.9k votes 47.9k voters 674.9k views 146 items

List Rules Only shows on TV or airing on streaming platforms right now, including series that are on hiatus or seasonal breaks.

What are the best shows currently on the air? Some of the entries on this list are without question among the greatest TV shows of all time. Fortunately for us, they haven't been canceled, and they're still thrilling us with great drama, hilarious comedy, and outstanding storylines. However, some of these great shows ended in 2020. Which TV show that's airing right now is the best? That's for you to decide, with your votes. Be sure to add any of your current favorite TV shows that aren't listed, too. You can also re-rank this list any way you like!

If you're wondering what to watch on TV and you had to choose just a few top shows airing today, which currently airing TV programs do you believe are the best? Some of the most popular shows on this list are premium cable original programs, including HBO's Westworld, Showtime's Homeland, and AMC's The Walking Dead. Netflix is also home to some of these titles, such as Stranger Things. Many of these are also the highest rated tv shows according to critics and audience polls. 

Hopefully, all of these great shows, from old favorites like Modern Family to newer hits like Better Call Saul, will remain on the air for years to come. But even if some shows end too soon, the greats will still be remembered as some of the best TV shows of recent memory, don't you think?

Data-driven recommendations based on voting from over 40 million monthly visits to Ranker. Try the free app
list ordered by
1
Stranger Things is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Winona Ryder, David Harbour & Finn Wolfhard (Netflix)

Premiered: 2016

Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Horror, Supernatural, Period drama

Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016) is an American science fiction-horror web television series created by The Duffer Brothers. When a young boy (Noah Schnapp) disappears, his mother (Winona Ryder), ...more

More Stranger Things ❯

Who Would Be In 'Stranger Things' If It Were Cast In The '80s? #3 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #22 of 344 The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time

2
Outlander is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
MarciaComoletti added Starring Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan & Tobias Menzies (Starz)

Premiered: 2014

Genres (Tv): Historical drama, Adventure, Romance, Fantasy

Outlander (Starz, 2014) is a historical drama television series developed by Ronald D. Moore, based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon. A married former WWII nurse (Caitriona Balfe) is ...more

More Outlander ❯

#46 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #120 of 344 The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time #182 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

3
Vikings is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
TammyLRogers added Starring Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick & Clive Standen (History)

Premiered: 2013

Genres (Tv): Historical drama, Action-adventure

Vikings (History, 2013) is a historical drama television series created by Michael Hirst. A farmer (Travis Fimmel) rises to fame by successful raids into England, and eventually becomes a ...more

More Vikings ❯

Turns Out The Real Inspiration For 'Vikings' Lagertha Is Even Tougher Than The TV Version #32 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years #12 of 391 TV Shows That Only Smart People Appreciate

4
Westworld is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton & Jeffrey Wright (HBO)

Premiered: 2016

Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Drama, Western

Westworld (HBO, 2016) is an American science fiction western thriller television series created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, and based on the 1973 film. In a technologically advanced Wild ...more

More Westworld ❯

Everything That Happened In 'Westworld' Season 3, Episode 1, 'Parce Domine' #24 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #29 of 344 The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time

5
The Flash is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Grant Gustin, Candice Patton & Danielle Panabaker (The CW)

Premiered: 2014

Genres (Tv): Superhero, Action, Sci-fi, Drama

The Flash (The CW, 2014) is an American superhero television series developed by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, and Geoff Johns, based on the DC Comics character. CSI Barry Allen (Grant ...more

More The Flash ❯

The Best Characters On 'The Flash' #44 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #40 of 344 The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time

6
Better Call Saul is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
MattSchwarck added Starring Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks & Rhea Seehorn (AMC)

Premiered: 2015

Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Drama, Comedy

Better Call Saul (AMC, 2015) is an American television drama series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, and a spinoff prequel of Breaking Bad. The trials and tribulations of lawyer, Jimmy ...more

More Better Call Saul ❯

Fan Theories For The Final Season Of 'Better Call Saul' That Just Might Be True #13 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #41 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

7
The Walking Dead is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal & Sarah Wayne Callies (AMC)

Premiered: 2010

Genres (Tv): Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, Suspense, Drama, Horror Film, Thriller, + more

The Walking Dead (A&E, 2010) is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed by Frank Darabont, based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie ...more

More The Walking Dead ❯

Things The Original Walking Dead Fans Hate About The TV Show #22 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #5 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

8
Supernatural is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles & Katie Cassidy (The WB Television Network)

Premiered: 2005

Genres (Tv): Supernatural drama, Black comedy, Drama, Horror Film, Mystery, + more

Supernatural (The CW, 2005) is an American fantasy horror television series created by Eric Kripke. Two brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), follow their father's ...more

More Supernatural ❯

The Best Supernatural Characters #7 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watchlisted on Longest Running US Drama Shows

9
The 100 is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
petra-r- added

Premiered: 2013

Genres (Tv): Drama, Dystopian, Sci-fi, Action

The 100 (The CW, 2014) is an American post-apocalyptic science fiction drama television series developed by Jason Rothenberg, loosely based on the book by Kass Morgan. 97 years after a nuclear ...more

More The 100 ❯

#23 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #45 of 344 The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time #110 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

10
The Blacklist is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
dennis-sedgwick added Starring James Spader, Megan Boone & Diego Klattenhoff (NBC)

Premiered: 2013

Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Action, Thriller, Mystery

The Blacklist (NBC, 2013) is an American crime thriller television series created by Jon Bokenkamp. In exchange for immunity from prosecution, a high-profile criminal (James Spader) volunteers ...more

More The Blacklist ❯

Ranking the Best Seasons of 'The Blacklist' #26 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #72 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

11
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ... is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
udontneedtoknowmyname added

Premiered: 2013

Genres (Tv): Drama, Action, Adventure Film, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., or simply Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., is an American television series created for ABC by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen, based on the Marvel ...more

More Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ❯

The Best 'Agents OF S.H.I.E.L.D.' Storylines #95 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #23 of 344 The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time

12
American Horror Story is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott & Evan Peters (FX)

Premiered: 2011

Genres (Tv): Anthology, Horror, Supernatural

American Horror Story (FX, 2011) is an American anthology horror television series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. An anthology series centering on different characters and locations, ...more

More American Horror Story ❯

All Of Evan Peters's Roles In 'American Horror Story,' Ranked By Fans #17 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #31 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

13
South Park is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Trey Parker, Matt Stone & Mary Kay Bergman (Comedy Central)

Premiered: 1997

Genres (Tv): Animation, Television comedy, Sitcom, Satire, Animated cartoon, + more

South Park (Comedy Central, 1997) is an American adult animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. In the small town of South Park, four boys get caught up in all sorts of bizarre ...more

More South Park ❯

The Best South Park Characters of All Time #49 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watchlisted on Longest Running Animated Series

14
Brooklyn Nine-Nine is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
AbbyHaslem added Starring Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz & Terry Crews (NBC)

Premiered: 2013

Genres (Tv): Comedy, Sitcom, Police procedural

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC, 2013) is an American police procedural comedy television series created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur. Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), an immature but talented NYPD ...more

More Brooklyn Nine-Nine ❯

The Best Characters On 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' #67 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #76 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

15
The Simpsons is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright & Julie Kavner (Fox)

Premiered: 1989

Genres (Tv): Animation, Television comedy, Comedy, Family Film

The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by the ...more

More The Simpsons ❯

The Best Simpsons Characters of All Time #27 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watchlisted on Longest Running Animated Series

16
Law & Order: Special... is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni & Ice-T (NBC)

Premiered: 1999

Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Police procedural, Drama, Live action, Legal drama, + more

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 1999) is an American police procedural, legal, crime drama television series set in New York City. In the style of the original Law & Order, ...more

More Law & Order: Special Victims Unit ❯

The Best Law & Order SVU Guest Stars #61 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watchlisted on Longest Running US Drama Shows

17
Family Guy is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein & Seth Green (Fox)

Premiered: 1999

Genres (Tv): Black comedy, Animation, Sitcom, Animated cartoon, Comedy, + more

Family Guy is an American adult animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; ...more

More Family Guy ❯

American Dad! Is A Way Better Show Than Family Guy, And Here's Why #56 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watchlisted on Longest Running Animated Series

18
Shameless is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy & Ethan Cutkosky (Showtime)

Premiered: 2011

Genres (Tv): Comedy, Drama

Shameless (Showtime, 2011) is an American comedy-drama television series developed by John Wells, based on the 2004 British series. Led by drunk patriarch Frank (William H. Macy), the poor and ...more

More Shameless ❯

Every Season of 'Shameless', Ranked Best to Worst #11 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #90 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

19
NCIS is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly & Pauley Perrette (CBS)

Premiered: 2003

Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Action/Adventure, Police procedural, Drama, Thriller, + more

NCIS is an American police procedural drama television series, revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts investigations ...more

More NCIS ❯

The Greatest Guest Stars on NCIS, Ranked #100 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #43 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

20
Fargo is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Allison Tolman & Colin Hanks (AMC)

Premiered: 2014

Genres (Tv): Comedy, Drama, Crime

Fargo (FX, 2014) is an American black comedy drama anthology television series created by Noah Hawley, and inspired by the 1996 film. Various chronicles of deception, intrigue and wrong doings ...more

More Fargo ❯

The Best Characters on Fargo (the TV Show), Ranked #41 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #98 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years

21
Last Week Tonight with J... is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
surag added Starring John Oliver, David Kaye & Noel MacNeal (HBO)

Premiered: 2014

Genres (Tv): Satire, news, comedy

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO, 2014) is an American late-night talk and news satire television program hosted by comedian John Oliver. The half-hour-long show takes a satirical look at ...more

More Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ❯

#348 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #25 of 391 TV Shows That Only Smart People Appreciate #157 of 455 The Funniest TV Shows of All Time

22
Rick and Morty is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
kuzronk added Starring Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell & Spencer Grammer (Adult Swim)

Premiered: 2013

Genres (Tv): Adult animation, Sci-fi, Comedy, Adventure

Rick and Morty (Adult Swim, 2013) is an American adult animated science-fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon. Cynical mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his fretful, easily ...more

More Rick and Morty ❯

The Schwiftiest Rick and Morty Characters #159 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #19 of 727 The Best Cartoons of All Time

23
Late Night with Jimmy Fa... is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Roots & Steve Higgins (NBC)

Premiered: 2009

Genres (Tv): Talk show, Variety show, Comedy, Late night television

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show that aired weeknights at 12:35 am Eastern/11:35 pm Central on NBC in the United States. The hour-long show, which premiered on ...more

More Late Night with Jimmy Fallon ❯

#233 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years #1,081 of 1,329 The Best Guilty Pleasure TV Shows #20 of 55 The Best Late Night Talk Shows of All Time

24
Black Mirror is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Toby Kebbell & Rory Kinnear (Channel 4)

Premiered: 2011

Genres (Tv): Drama, Thriller, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Black Mirror (Netflix, 2011) is a British television anthology series created by Charlie Brooker. The show features speculative fiction with dark and sometimes satirical themes that examine ...more

More Black Mirror ❯

All The Technology From Black Mirror, Ranked From Terrifying To Useful #82 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #80 of 344 The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time

25
It's Always Sunny in Phi... is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Best Shows Currently On The Air
Starring Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton & Rob McElhenney (FXX)

Premiered: 2005

Genres (Tv): Sitcom, Black comedy

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FXX, 2005) is an American television sitcom created by Rob McElhenney. A group of five depraved underachievers: twins Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton) and ...more

More It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia ❯

It's Always Sunny Memes That Imagine Quarantine At Paddy's Pub #55 of 804 The Best TV Shows To Binge Watch #34 of 383 The Best TV Shows of The Last 20 Years