With the debut of HBO’s “The Sopranos” there came a bold and exciting new era of modern television, which continues to evolve. Once considered inferior to film, TV is now often comparable to its big screen brethren in terms of production values, direction, and acting. Some of the best shows, meanwhile, arguably deliver more character nuance, thematic complexity, and storytelling sophistication than what one might find in the nearest movie theater. (Movies remain popular, however. See this list of the highest-grossing movies of all time.)
Given this rich landscape of 21st century television, the medium’s best episodes are synonymous with the best in visual entertainment, period. They’re also tightly associated with a lasting iconography, the kind of which spans decades and gives new generations the chance to enjoy pre-existing content. Just as a young viewer might have once fallen in love with “Jaws” or “The Godfather,” their counterparts today can reap similar joy from shows like “Dexter,” “Breaking Bad,” “Game of Thrones,” and others. (Among newer shows, these are the best TV seasons released in 2022.)
To determine the single best episodes on TV since 2000, 24/7 Tempo reviewed audience ratings on IMDb, an online movie and TV database owned by Amazon. Television episodes that aired in 2000 or later were ranked based on IMDb user rating as of February 2023. Only episodes with at least 5,000 user ratings were considered. In the case of a tie, the episode with the greater number of user votes was ranked higher.
Click here to see the single best episodes on TV since 2000
Source: Courtesy of Viz Media
50. This Person × and × This Moment (2014)
> Show: Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (5,568 votes)
> Directed by: Hiroshi Kôjina
> Starring: Koki Uchiyama, Aya Endô, Kikuko Inoue, Taiten Kusunoki
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Source: Courtesy of Disney XD
49. Not What He Seems (2015)
> Show: Gravity Falls (2012-2016)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (5,936 votes)
> Directed by: Stephen Sandoval
> Starring: Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, Alex Hirsch, Nick Offerman
Source: Courtesy of Viz Media
48. Anger × and × Light (2014)
> Show: Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (7,209 votes)
> Directed by: Hiroshi Kôjina
> Starring: Megumi Han, Mariya Ise, Kikuko Inoue, Ayumi Fujimura
Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network
47. Sozin’s Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno (2008)
> Show: Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (7,458 votes)
> Directed by: Joaquim Dos Santos
> Starring: Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Michaela Jill Murphy
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Source: Courtesy of FX Network
46. Charlie Work (2015)
> Show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005- )
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (8,801 votes)
> Directed by: Matt Shakman
> Starring: Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson
Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office
45. This Is Not for Tears (2019)
> Show: Succession (2018- )
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (9,251 votes)
> Directed by: Mark Mylod
> Starring: Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin
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Source: Courtesy of Fox Network
44. House’s Head (2008)
> Show: House (2004-2012)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (10,064 votes)
> Directed by: Greg Yaitanes
> Starring: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office (HBO)
43. All the Bells Say (2021)
> Show: Succession (2018- )
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (10,536 votes)
> Directed by: Mark Mylod
> Starring: Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Dagmara Dominczyk
Source: Courtesy of CBS
42. Return 0 (2016)
> Show: Person of Interest (2011-2016)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (10,542 votes)
> Directed by: Chris Fisher
> Starring: Jim Caviezel, Kevin Chapman, Amy Acker, Sarah Shahi
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Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
41. Remedial Chaos Theory (2011)
> Show: Community (2009-2015)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (12,308 votes)
> Directed by: Jeff Melman
> Starring: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown
Source: Courtesy of CBS
40. If-Then-Else (2015)
> Show: Person of Interest (2011-2016)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (12,772 votes)
> Directed by: Chris Fisher
> Starring: Jim Caviezel, Kevin Chapman, Amy Acker, Sarah Shahi
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Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
39. Modern Warfare (2010)
> Show: Community (2009-2015)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (12,910 votes)
> Directed by: Justin Lin
> Starring: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown
Source: Courtesy of Showtime Networks
38. The Getaway (2009)
> Show: Dexter (2006-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (13,984 votes)
> Directed by: Steve Shill
> Starring: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Desmond Harrington
Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
37. Hinokami (2019)
> Show: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019- )
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (14,651 votes)
> Directed by: Haruo Sotozaki, Toshiyuki Shirai
> Starring: Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitô, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
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Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
36. Goodbye, Michael (2011)
> Show: The Office (2005-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (15,831 votes)
> Directed by: Paul Feig
> Starring: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer
Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
35. I Will Never Give Up (2022)
> Show: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019- )
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (18,044 votes)
> Directed by: Haruo Sotozaki
> Starring: Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitô, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
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Source: Courtesy of USA Network
34. Hello, Elliot (2019)
> Show: Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (18,711 votes)
> Directed by: Sam Esmail
> Starring: Rami Malek, Carly Chaikin, Portia Doubleday, Michael Cristofer
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
33. Finale (2013)
> Show: The Office (2005-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (19,174 votes)
> Directed by: Ken Kwapis
> Starring: Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
32. Mizumono (2014)
> Show: Hannibal (2013-2015)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (20,061 votes)
> Directed by: David Slade
> Starring: Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas, Laurence Fishburne
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Source: Courtesy of BBC America
31. Blink (2007)
> Show: Doctor Who (2005- )
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (21,460 votes)
> Directed by: Hettie Macdonald
> Starring: David Tennant, Freema Agyeman, Carey Mulligan, Lucy Gaskell
Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
30. That Day (2019)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (38,103 votes)
> Directed by: Yoko Kanamori
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Hiroshi Tsuchida, Yasunori Matsumoto, Yûto Uemura
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Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics
29. To’hajiilee (2013)
> Show: Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (48,303 votes)
> Directed by: Michelle MacLaren
> Starring: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris
Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics (AMC)
28. Saul Gone (2022)
> Show: Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (48,992 votes)
> Directed by: Peter Gould
> Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Barbara Rosenblat
Source: Courtesy of Disney+
27. Chapter 16: The Rescue (2020)
> Show: The Mandalorian (2019- )
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (55,817 votes)
> Directed by: Peyton Reed
> Starring: Pedro Pascal, Omid Abtahi, Temuera Morrison, Gina Carano
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Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
26. The War Hammer Titan (2021)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (58,556 votes)
> Directed by: Yûichirô Hayashi
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Kishô Taniyama, Yû Kobayashi
Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
25. Two Brothers (2022)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (59,264 votes)
> Directed by: Yûichirô Hayashi, Teruyuki Omine
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Takehito Koyasu, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Toshiki Masuda
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Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
24. Declaration of War (2021)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (59,917 votes)
> Directed by: Yûichirô Hayashi, Teruyuki Omine
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Natsuki Hanae, Jirô Saitô
Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office
23. Hardhome (2015)
> Show: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (103,214 votes)
> Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik
> Starring: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington
Source: Courtesy of Viz Media
22. Zero × and × Rose (2014)
> Show: Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (7,444 votes)
> Directed by: Hiroshi Kôjina
> Starring: Banjô Ginga, Koki Uchiyama, Takashi Matsuyama, Issei Futamata
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Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
21. Re; (2008)
> Show: Code Geass (2006-2008)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (7,965 votes)
> Directed by: Gorô Taniguchi
> Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch, Jun Fukuyama, Yuri Lowenthal, Takahiro Sakurai
Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office
20. Everyone’s Waiting (2005)
> Show: Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (10,316 votes)
> Directed by: Alan Ball
> Starring: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose
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Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network
19. Sozin’s Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang (2008)
> Show: Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (12,478 votes)
> Directed by: Joaquim Dos Santos
> Starring: Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Michaela Jill Murphy
Source: Courtesy of Disney+
18. Shattered (2020)
> Show: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (13,003 votes)
> Directed by: Dave Filoni, Saul Ruiz
> Starring: Ashley Eckstein, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Filoni, Dee Bradley Baker
Source: Courtesy of Disney+
17. The Phantom Apprentice (2020)
> Show: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (14,340 votes)
> Directed by: Dave Filoni, Nathaniel Villanueva
> Starring: Ashley Eckstein, Julian Holloway, Katee Sackhoff, Dee Bradley Baker
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Source: Courtesy of Disney+
16. Victory and Death (2020)
> Show: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (14,987 votes)
> Directed by: Dave Filoni, Nathaniel Villanueva
> Starring: Ashley Eckstein, Dave Filoni, Dee Bradley Baker, Sam Witwer
Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
15. The View from Halfway Down (2020)
> Show: BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (17,452 votes)
> Directed by: Amy Winfrey
> Starring: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins
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Source: Courtesy of USA Network
14. 407 Proxy Authentication Required (2019)
> Show: Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (30,470 votes)
> Directed by: Sam Esmail
> Starring: Rami Malek, Elliot Villar, Christian Slater, Young M.A
Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
13. Midnight Sun (2019)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (44,112 votes)
> Directed by: Shintaro Itoga, Hiroyuki Tanaka
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Hiroshi Kamiya, Yui Ishikawa, Marina Inoue
Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics (AMC)
12. Plan and Execution (2022)
> Show: Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (47,823 votes)
> Directed by: Thomas Schnauz
> Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian
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Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
11. From You, 2000 Years Ago (2022)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (51,081 votes)
> Directed by: Yûichirô Hayashi, Naoki Matsuura
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Takehito Koyasu, Yôko Hikasa, Shiori Mikami
Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
10. Memories of the Future (2022)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (52,283 votes)
> Directed by: Kouki Aoshima, Yûichirô Hayashi
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Takehito Koyasu, Hiroshi Tsuchida, Yoshino Takamori
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Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
9. Perfect Game (2019)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (54,523 votes)
> Directed by: Tetsuya Wakano
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Daisuke Ono, Hiroshi Kamiya, Yui Ishikawa
Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics
8. Face Off (2011)
> Show: Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (65,808 votes)
> Directed by: Vince Gilligan
> Starring: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris
Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
7. Assault (2021)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (77,593 votes)
> Directed by: Yûichirô Hayashi, Jun Shishido
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Marina Inoue, Takehito Koyasu
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Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim
6. Hero (2019)
> Show: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (97,525 votes)
> Directed by: Masashi Koizuka, Tetsurô Araki, Akitoshi Yokoyama
> Starring: Yûki Kaji, Marina Inoue, Tomohisa Hashizume, Yoshimasa Hosoya
Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office (HBO)
5. The Rains of Castamere (2013)
> Show: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (109,389 votes)
> Directed by: David Nutter
> Starring: Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Richard Madden, Iain Glen
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Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics
4. Felina (2013)
> Show: Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (125,026 votes)
> Directed by: Vince Gilligan
> Starring: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris
Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office
3. The Winds of Winter (2016)
> Show: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (151,973 votes)
> Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik
> Starring: Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Kit Harington
Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office
2. Battle of the Bаstards (2016)
> Show: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 9.9/10 (214,240 votes)
> Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik
> Starring: Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Liam Cunningham
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Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics
1. Ozymandias (2013)
> Show: Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 10.0/10 (189,839 votes)
> Directed by: Rian Johnson
> Starring: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris
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