25. Waco (2018)
If you’re looking for an action-packed TV miniseries, you’ll want to moveWacoto the top of your watchlist.
This six-episode miniseries depicts the 51-day standoff between the FBI, ATF, and the Branch Davidians (a religious sect founded by David Koresh). The perspectives of both sides are explored throughout the siege, resulting in a devastating fire around the compound.
The standoffs are worth appreciating, and the cast puts in solid performances, but the sympathetic David Koresh (played by Taylor Kitsch) might put you off. Regardless, if you want escalating action with a historical context,Wacois your best choice for the weekend.
24. 11.22.63 (2016)
What if you had a chance to literally redefine history via time travel? That’s the question that Hulu’s TV miniseries11.22.63—based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name—is willing to answer.
This sci-fi mystery thriller follows an English teacher Jake Epping (played by James Franco), who’s given a chance to travel back in time to three years before John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
However, once there, his growing attachment to the time period threatens to compromise his mission.
While the events (and twists) of the JFK assassination are the series' highlights, Jake’s personal journey is both tense and touching.
Related:The Best TV Shows About Time Travel, Ranked
23. Little Fires Everywhere (2020)
If you love haunting domestic dramas likeBig Little LiesandSharp Objects, then you’ll definitely love Hulu’sLittle Fires Everywhere.
Based on the best-selling novel, the story centers on Elena Richardson (played by Reese Witherspoon)—a suburban mother, journalist, and landlord—whose unpredictable circumstances match her own unpredictability.
As you watch, you’ll inevitably be compelled to take a side regarding Elena’s moral decisions, and it’s thrilling to watch Reese Witherspoon’s excellent performance. But the one who steals the show is Kerry Washington as the artist who stands in sharp contrast to her.
22. Over the Garden Wall (2014)
This is the only animated miniseries on our list, which should tell you how good it must be. Seriously, don’t overlook this one!
Over the Garden Walltells the story of two half-brothers Wirth (voiced by Elijah Wood) and Greg (voiced by Collin Dean), who pass through a mysterious forest on their way home. Along their path are various creatures and marvels for them to behold and reconsider.
Over the Garden Wallwas released almost a decade ago, back when fantasy TV and animation were still being pushed and developed into powerful storytelling mediums. With mood and mystery hauling the story ahead, it makes for a tranquil but engaging watch.
Related:The Best Spooky Animated Movies and TV Series for Halloween
21. Roots (2016)
Alex Haley’s novelRootsis one of the most important pieces of literature about the African-American slavery experience.
Back in 1977, theRootsminiseries adaptation made big waves. Now, we also have the 2016 adaptation that doesn’t displace the first, but instead adds to the tapestry and once again reminds us of that long, dark chapter of American history.
The 2016 version ofRootsdoesn’t pull its punches when it comes to the horrors and hardships faced by Kunta Kinte (played by Malachi Kirby) and the rest. Kirby brings humanity and resilience to the Gambian man who’s robbed of his freedom but not his spirit.
Related:The Best Period Drama Series of All Time
20. Show Me a Hero (2015)
The Wire’s David Simon is all about hard-hitting dramas, and that’s certainly true withShow Me a Hero.
This HBO miniseries brings to light the simple tale of former police officer Nick Wasicsko (played by Oscar Isaac), who’s running for mayor of Yonkers at a time when desegregation and integration were stirring up racial tensions all over the city.
Show Me a Herogets raw with its details of race, class, and economic status of then-Yonkers. By avoiding a heroic portrait and leaning into his barebones loyalty, Isaac’s Wasicsko is an underdog to root for.
Related:The Best HBO TV Shows of All Time, Ranked
19. The Good Lord Bird (2020)
The Good Lord Birdis an amazing period piece about abolitionist leader John Brown (played by Ethan Hawke) and his soldiers as they conduct raids during the period of Bleeding Kansas.
The story is seen from the perspective of enslaved boy Henry Shackleford (played by Joshua Caleb Johnson) as he joins Brown’s unit.
As far as historical war epics go, this series knocks it out of the park with its depiction of John Brown’s heroics, with Ethan Hawke’s performance matching Brown’s nobility. Add the intense battle scenes and character progression? You get a miniseries worth binging.
Related:The Best Showtime TV Shows of All Time, Ranked
18. Black Bird (2022)
One of the most talked-about series of 2022,Black Birdnot only adds to the repertoire of great crime dramas but surpasses many of them.
Taron Egerton plays Jimmy Keene, a drug and arms dealer who’s offered a deal: to cooperate with the FBI and extract information from convicted serial killer Larry Hall (played by Paul Walter Hauser).
The interplay between Keene and Hall is the highlight of the series, with the tension between the two convicted men brimming with a uniquely intimate kind of hostility.
The deeper Keene gets with Hall and the operation, the higher the stakes become, and it makes for a great David Fincher-inspired crime saga.
Related:The Best Crime TV Shows About Anti-Heroes Who Break the Law
17. Maniac (2018)
Looking for a more genre-heavy miniseries? ConsiderManiac, the American remake of the Norwegian comedy drama, this time starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill.
Maniacfollows two strangers assigned as test subjects for a clinical trial, only to find themselves taking psychedelic trips into their emotions. But in this case, the miniseries goes even further than just hallucinations.
It almost feels like Netflix’s take onEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, where both characters' memories are interpreted via a psychedelic lens. With its ethereal futuristic tone, it’s worth the trip!
Related:The Best Netflix Original Series You Might Have Overlooked
16. Maid (2021)
Some limited series are so grounded, so realistic, so down-to-Earth that they end up pulling the rug from under you with the sheer audacity of their bleak authenticity. Such is the case withMaid.
Alex (played by Margaret Qualley) is a young mother who’s trapped in an abusive relationship while juggling her job as a house cleaner and trying to get government assistance to support her daughter.
The Netflix Original miniseries speaks harsh truths of the unfair system that governs us, keeping us down and out even as we try our best to escape and make a better life for ourselves.
Maidpaints a vivid picture of the hardships faced by those in poverty, who are stuck for reasons beyond themselves. Qualley’s performance makes for a cathartic journey that’s outstanding but tough to watch.
15. John Adams (2008)
Most of us only know John Adams as the second President of the United States, but his life goes beyond his role in founding the United States.
This acclaimed HBO miniseries gives a more human take on the man of John Adams (played by Paul Giamatti), his wife Abigail (played by Laura Linney), and his administration during a very contentious time in American history.
John Adamsworks as a direct history lesson (despite taking some creative liberties) and it provides a compelling look at several other historical figures. Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Laura Linney as Abigail Adams are the main reasons to see this.
Related:The Most Underrated Hollywood Actors of Our Time, Ranked
14. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
For horror fans,The Haunting of Hill Houseis a breath of fresh air and a must-watch by horror maestro Mike Flanagan, who’s created several of the most interesting pieces of modern horror.
Loosely based on Shirley Jackson’s novel,The Haunting of Hill Houseelevates what could’ve been tired horror clichés by incorporating family drama and personal crises.
And that’s really the lasting legacy of this miniseries: a study of the Crain family and their interpersonal dynamics as they confront the supernatural entity that’s been haunting them since childhood.
Related:The Best Horror TV Shows of All Time
13. Godless (2017)
After he embraced the Neo-Western genre withLogan, writer Scott Frank took on a more traditional and more ambitious Western project in the Netflix showGodless.
Set in 1884, this miniseries follows outlaw Roy Goode (played by Jack O’Connell) as he flees from his ruthless mentor Frank Griffin (played by Jeff Daniels) and retreats to a New Mexico town entirely populated by women.
For Western fans, expect spectacular showdowns that pay homage toThe Magnificent SevenandThe Searchers—showdowns that are spectacularly delivered by standout female characters.Godlessis an epic Western that’s absolutely worth watching.
Related:The Return of the Western: Movies and TV Shows That Brought It Back
12. The Night Of (2016)
The Night Ofis an absolute must-watch for crime noir fans. Based on a 2008 British series, this HBO miniseries centers on the mysterious case of a Pakistani-American—who’s accused of murdering a female college student—and his unusual lawyer.
In every episode, you can see strong influences by Michael Mann’s and David Fincher’s movies. Every episode builds on the tension of the last, leading to a tense and climactic trial. With just eight episodes,The Night Ofis one you’ll want to binge start to finish.
Related:The Best TV Shows About Jail, Prison, and Inmates
11. The Pacific (2010)
A companion piece toBand of Brothers,The Pacificfocuses more on the Pacific War and even more specifically the 1st Marine Division.
The story is primarily spent on three officers who are each assigned to different regiments, and doing this offers a broad scope of the skirmishes and struggles that took place against the Japanese.
While comparisons toBand of Brotherswill always be made between the two—withBand of Brotherswidely considered to be superior—The Pacificstands out for its intimate, zoomed-in focus.
Between Robert Leckie (played by James Badge Dale), Eugene Sledge (played by Joseph Mazzello), and John Basilone (played by Jon Seda), the horrors are all the more gripping to experience.
Related:The Best War TV Shows of All Time, Ranked
10. Mare of Easttown (2021)
HBO has been making the rounds with brilliant crime dramas over the years, withThe UndoingandThe Staircasegarnering a lot of attention. But above them all stands the great miniseriesMare of Easttown.
Starring Kate Winslet as the titular detective, the seven-episode series explores her burrowing tragedy and her struggling redemption as she attempts to solve the recent murder of a young mother.
It’s haunting to witness Mare on her downward spiral as she plunges down while wrestling for peace. Backed by Winslet’s heart-wrenching performance, alongside a great cast,Mare of Easttownkeeps us guessing and leaves us breathless.
Related:The Best Female Rage TV Shows and Series, Ranked
9. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015)
The Jinxlooks at the life of Robert Durst, the once-prominent New York real estate heir who achieved notoriety in 2015 with one of the most shocking revelations in television.
This documentary miniseries started out as a profile of Robert Durst, whom filmmaker Andrew Jarecki admired. Their interactions are full of intrigue as the pressure seeps under Jarecki and his crew.
But when Durst makes an accidental revelation, unaware that his microphone was on,The Jinxbecomes truly gripping.
Related:The Best Netflix Documentaries That Are Eye Opening
8. Watchmen (2019)
At the center of theWatchmenHBO miniseries is Tulsa detective Angela Abar (played by Regina King), who dons the alter ego “Sister Night” to investigate the death of her colleague, which is linked to white supremacist forces.
It expands on the same worldbuilding and continuity of the graphic novel series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, even as it carves its own identity within the franchise.
Watchmenpacks an even stronger punch with its timely themes, building on top of its superhero theatrics, intriguing characters, and awesome fist-pumping moments throughout.
7. Unorthodox (2020)
Unorthodoxis the story of a 19-year-old Jewish woman named Esty (played by Shira Haas), who’s stuck in an arranged marriage and leads a hostile life within her ultra-Orthodox community in New York.
She denounces everything and flees to Berlin to live a more liberated life, and her husband tries to catch her.
This Netflix series is a fiery slow-burn from start to finish. You can truly feel the longing that comes from Esty’s eyes as she rejects her family’s traditions and strives toward her musical ambitions. This fact-based story is truly a gut punch to the heart.
6. The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
The Queen’s Gambitis one of the most popular miniseries of the decade, and it’s easy to see why.
Based on a 1983 novel, Scott Frank embraces the source material—a high-stakes story about chess—and produces a strong redemption arc for protagonist Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy).
Harmon is a chess prodigy from an early age, and her talents are only boosted by her addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Like many before her, she’s one in a line of compelling anti-heroes, and it’s Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance that brings her out and makes her so memorable even years later.
Related:The Best Geeky TV Series on Netflix
5. Patrick Melrose (2018)
InPatrick Melrose, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the titular Patrick Melrose, a wealthy Englishman with a serious addiction to heroin, drugs, and alcohol that stems from his father’s cruelty and his mother’s neglect.
What follows is a farcical spiral of failures as he attempts to overcome his intense vices, which aren’t so easy to defeat.
You can picture Melrose as a tragic figure, whose personal struggles against his inner demons are hard to watch. Yet he easily fits in with other tragic anti-heroes like Don Draper, Walter White, and Bojack Horseman. For that, you will feel invested in his arc.
Related:The Greatest TV Characters Who Struggle With Addiction
4. O.J.: Made in America (2016)
Have you forgotten the time when O.J. Simpson was a football superstar and beloved icon? This five-part miniseries brings us back to his glory days—back before his infamous trial—and allows us to witness the rise and fall of an underdog.
WatchingO.J.: Made in Americamakes you feel like a journalist covering for Simpson. You’ll feel inspired by his humble beginnings, feel angered by his actions, and feel pity for the rest. For a saga so familiar, it still has powerful storytelling.
Related:The Greatest Documentary Filmmakers (And Their Best Films)
3. When They See Us (2019)
When They See Ushighlights the lives and tragedies of the Central Park Five, five teenagers of color who were falsely accused and prosecuted of assault charges on a female jogger in 1989. Ava DuVernay directed all four episodes.
The miniseries explores the stories of each of the five boys, but the most alarming arc goes to Korey Wise (played by Jharrel Jerome), who was unknowingly dragged into a case he was never aware of. It’s harrowing to witness, which serves to highlight the issue of racial injustice in America.
Related:The Best Legal TV Shows With Lawyers and Courtrooms
2. Chernobyl (2019)
One of the greatest TV series ever produced by HBO,Chernobylportrays the events of the 1986 nuclear plant disaster, the officials trying to recover the truth, and the cleanup efforts. Years after its initial release,Chernobylremains just as haunting.
It never pulls punches on showing the severity of the disaster’s fallout.Chernobylalmost feels like a horror film, where every piece of information discovered is scary. This is best exemplified by the famous scene of workers clearing the rooftop of rubble.
Related:The Best 4K HDR TV Shows That Are Visually Stunning
1. Band of Brothers (2001)
The greatest miniseries of all time,Band of Brothersshowcases the best of Steven Spielberg’s talent and expertise as a director. What he did for film withSaving Private Ryan, he does the same for TV withBand of Brothers.
This 10-episode HBO miniseries follows the US Army’s “Easy” Company on their brutal skirmishes and struggles in German-occupied France during World War II.
Beyond the impressive war scenes and outstanding ensemble, this miniseries highlights themes of heroism and brotherhood. In the end, you will have a far greater appreciation for our WW2 veterans.
Read next:The Best Steven Spielberg TV Shows, Ranked
