Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, and the 15 best HBO shows ever, ranked
3. Game of Thrones
Based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series, Game of Thrones premiered on HBO in 2011 and completely changed the mainstream perspective on the fantasy genre. The show became an instant success and had millions tuning in each week to watch battles, betrayals, romances, and triumphs. It’s forever one of the most popular shows of all time and though the final season definitely doesn’t live up to the ones previous, it’s still one of the best shows of all time as well.
Game of Thrones follows the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the characters who inhabit it, including kings, queens, bastards, and even creatures like the White Walkers. As several people fight for the Iron Throne throughout the seasons, alliances are formed, enemies are made, and many, many deaths occur. The show does not shy away from killing off important characters, and it does a great job of subverting traditional TV tropes.
It should come as no surprise that Game of Thrones was a critical and financial success, winning an impressive 59 Emmy awards in its eight-season run, including the award for Outstanding Drama Series four times.
2. The Sopranos
Arguably the most influential series on this list is The Sopranos, which was created by David Chase and debuted in 1999. The show follows the life of Tony Soprano, a mob boss living in New Jersey, as he navigates the balance between his family life as a father and husband and his responsibility to the criminal organization. Though it’s not the first to ever do it, The Sopranos is often regarded as the show to make the anti-hero archetype popular with its complex and unethical protagonist.
It’s easy to become fascinated with the characters and storylines of The Sopranos. Not only can we relate to them in their everyday struggles of relationships, family, and mental health, but we also can’t help but root for them even when they’re doing bad things. The masterful storytelling weaves together impactful plotlines featuring well-developed and multi-dimensional characters. What else can you ask for in a show?
The Sopranos is also a commentary on the concept of the American Dream and explores the dynamics of societal and moral values.
If you haven’t watched The Sopranos, you’re seriously missing out. The series won 21 total Emmy awards during its run, including the award for Outstanding Drama Series twice.