Tv
@Billionhands

Iconic Series That Left Their Mark on Pop Culture

598 votes

100% verified

  1. 1

    Friends

    153 votes
    imdb-icon
    rating graph-icon
    rotten tomatoes-icon
    2.4 M

    It marked the 90s and early 2000s

    (+1)

    Friends became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its relatable humor and endearing characters, influencing fashion, language, and the way sitcoms are conceived to this day. Its impact endures across generations, maintaining constant relevance in cultural conversations.

    • Unparalleled influence on pop culture

  2. 2

    Stranger Things

    144 votes
    imdb-icon
    metacritic-icon
    rating graph-icon
    rotten tomatoes-icon
    2.2 M

    Accumulated 404.10M viewing hours in the first half of 2025

    (+4)

    Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon, reviving 80s nostalgia and introducing a new generation to the decade's aesthetics and music. Its impact is evident in fashion, references in other media, and the global conversation it sparked.

    • Audience has been steadily increasing

    • Became the series with 781.04 million hours viewed in the first 17 days since its release

    • Addictive pacing

    • Fantastic setting

  3. 3

    The Sopranos

    82 votes
    imdb-icon
    metacritic-icon
    rating graph-icon
    rotten tomatoes-icon
    1.3 M

    Popularized the suit with a tie and shirt of the same color

    (+4)

    The Sopranos revolutionized television by introducing a complex and morally ambiguous anti-hero, Tony Soprano, exploring profound themes like family, the human psyche, and the American Dream in an unprecedented way. Its sophisticated narrative and impact on how TV series are conceived and consumed firmly establish it as a cultural milestone.

    • Explored themes such as identity, family, mental health, and morality

    • Put HBO on the map

    • Had a cultural impact

    • Changed television

  4. 4

    The Simpsons

    80 votes
    rating graph-icon
    rotten tomatoes-icon
    1.3 M

    Won the 2019 Emmy® Award for Outstanding Animated Program

    (+3)

    The Simpsons is an iconic series that has left an indelible mark on pop culture with its satirical humor and its ability to comment on American society. Its longevity and influence on language, comedy, and animation solidify it as a television pillar.

    • Irreverent jabs at everything and everyone

    • Animated comedy that continues to make history

    • Over 500 laugh-out-loud episodes

  5. 5

    Seinfeld

    69 votes
    imdb-icon
    rating graph-icon
    1.1 M

    One of the biggest successes in television history

    (+4)

    Seinfeld revolutionized television comedy by focusing on the trivialities of everyday life, coining phrases and concepts that became deeply integrated into popular language. Its observational humor and focus on flawed characters set a precedent for countless subsequent comedies, solidifying its status as a pop culture pillar.

    • Cultural impact in the 90s

    • Everyday humor

    • Influence on pop culture

    • Worldwide cultural phenomenon

  6. All the rankings you can imagine

    Thousands of verified votes to discover the best. Your vote here counts

  7. 6

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer

    36 votes
    imdb-icon
    rating graph-icon
    rotten tomatoes-icon
    564.6 K

    It has had an impact on many different cultures

    (+4)

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer revolutionized television with its clever blend of supernatural horror, teen drama, and self-aware humor. The show tackled complex themes like identity, friendship, and trauma through monster metaphors, deeply resonating with a generation and setting a precedent for future genre narratives.

    • It influenced fantasy and science fiction series

    • She is a feminist icon

    • Pioneer in the feminist struggle

    • Breaks the stereotypes of a helpless girl

  8. 7

    Star Trek: The Original Series

    22 votes
    imdb-icon
    rating graph-icon
    rotten tomatoes-icon
    341.2 K

    It is a morality tale

    (+4)

    Star Trek: The Original Series laid the groundwork for modern television science fiction, introducing innovative concepts and a focus on exploration and diversity that resonated deeply within popular culture. Its themes of utopia, diplomacy, and human potential inspired generations of viewers and creators, leaving an enduring legacy in film, literature, and technology.

    • It has cultural influence beyond science fiction

    • Progressive stances

    • Variety of chapters and stories

    • Pacifying message

  9. 8

    The Twilight Zone

    6 votes
    imdb-icon
    filmaffinity-icon
    96.3 K

    Cultural phenomenon

    (+3)

    The Twilight Zone is an iconic series that left an indelible mark on pop culture thanks to its bold and often unsettling narratives, which explored social and philosophical themes through science fiction and horror. Its anthology format and distinctive visual and narrative style have influenced countless subsequent television shows, films, and literary works, solidifying its status as a television pillar.

    • Innovative for its time

    • Inspires novelists, screenwriters, and filmmakers

    • Cultural impact

  10. 9

    I Love Lucy

    6 votes
    imdb-icon
    rating graph-icon
    rotten tomatoes-icon
    98.9 K

    Established many of the rules and practices of the sitcom

    (+2)

    I Love Lucy revolutionized television comedy with its groundbreaking use of multi-camera filming and laugh tracks, setting a standard for future sitcoms. Its timeless humor and beloved characters have made it a cornerstone of popular culture, influencing countless shows and maintaining its relevance across decades.

    • Foundational and pioneering fiction

    • Part of popular culture

  11. 10

    Breaking Bad

    0 votes
    metacritic-icon
    rotten tomatoes-icon
    325

    Exciting and highly addictive

    (+3)

    Breaking Bad has established itself as an iconic series due to its masterful storytelling and the profound transformation of its protagonist, Walter White. Its influence extends through countless cultural references, memes, and academic discussions, demonstrating its lasting impact on how television series are conceived and consumed.

    • Charismatic protagonist

    • Powerful

    • The ending is insane

Did you miss something?

Add it!Add it!

This ranking changes with every vote and every series you share. Do you know of a must-see production that belongs here? Add it and vote! Together we'll make this list the definitive guide to the series that shaped our culture.