Best TV Shows 2024 – Top Picks by Critics and Awards

2024 delivered a diverse landscape of television, with streaming platforms and traditional networks releasing more than 30 original series on Netflix alone. From spy thrillers achieving perfect critical scores to prestige dramas exploring intensely personal stakes, the year established new benchmarks for serialized storytelling across multiple genres.

Critical consensus and audience reception frequently diverged this year, creating distinct categories of must-watch content. While some series garnered universal acclaim across both metrics, others sparked significant debate between professional reviewers and general viewers regarding narrative direction and tonal shifts.

What Are the Best TV Shows of 2024?

Key Insights on 2024 Television:

• Slow Horses Season 4 achieved the highest critical rating of 2024 with a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Four series maintained perfect or near-perfect critical scores above 96%
• The Rotten Tomatoes Awards recognized seven distinct series across major categories
• Netflix released over 30 original series throughout the year
• Critical and audience scores diverged significantly on several major releases, including True Detective: Night Country (93% vs 55%)
• Crime dramas and psychological thrillers dominated streaming recommendations

What TV Shows Should I Watch in 2024?

Returning Series Maintaining Excellence

Slow Horses represents the gold standard for returning programming. The fourth season earned the Rotten Tomatoes Award for Best Returning Series while maintaining its perfect critical streak. Critics noted the season’s increasingly personal stakes alongside continued quality throughout its six-episode run.

Only Murders in the Building reached its fourth season with 93% critical approval, retaining its status as one of television’s most acclaimed comedies. The season featured metatextual storytelling and high-profile guest appearances, earning an 88% audience score.

Breakout Limited Series

The Penguin emerged as the year’s standout limited series, earning the Rotten Tomatoes Award in that category. The crime drama explored Gotham’s underworld through a prestige television lens distinct from its cinematic origins.

Say Nothing achieved 94% critical approval as a limited series examining historical conflict. The show maintained strong audience support at 87%, avoiding the polarization seen in other dramas.

Best TV Shows by Genre and Platform in 2024

Netflix Originals and Acquisitions

With over 30 releases, Netflix dominated volume in 2024. Ripley distinguished itself through black-and-white cinematography and psychological depth, earning an 8.1 IMDb rating from over 54,000 votes. The Gentleman matched that IMDb score as a stylish crime adaptation based on Guy Ritchie’s 2019 film.

Three Body Problem generated significant discussion despite mixed critical reception, securing a 7.5 IMDb rating from more than 151,000 voters. Griselda chronicled the life of cocaine kingpin Griselda Blanco as part of the platform’s true crime offerings.

For viewers awaiting genre content, The Sandman Season 2 – Release Dates Cast and Finale Guide provides additional context on fantasy series scheduling.

Prestige Drama and Historical Fiction

Pachinko returned for its second season with 97% critical approval and strong audience retention at 95%. The multi-generational epic maintained its visual and narrative standards from the first season.

Matlock rebooted the classic franchise with a 90% critical score, though audience reception settled at 78%, indicating some divergence between critic and viewer expectations for the legal procedural.

Science Fiction and Genre Programming

X-Men ’97 received critical recognition as part of the Rotten Tomatoes Award winners, reviving the animated franchise with modern storytelling techniques while maintaining its 1990s aesthetic.

Three Body Problem represented the year’s most ambitious science fiction undertaking, adapted from the acclaimed novel series by Liu Cixin.

Top Award-Winning and Upcoming TV Shows 2024

Complete Rotten Tomatoes Award Winners

The awards recognized Shogun as Best Series, highlighting the historical epic’s continued dominance. The Penguin’s limited series award confirmed HBO’s strength in standalone storytelling.

X-Men ’97, Evil, Heartstopper, and Fallout each secured specialized category wins, demonstrating the breadth of quality across animation, supernatural drama, romantic comedy, and video game adaptation.

Critical vs. Audience Divide

The Tourist: Season 2 exemplified the year’s rating divergences, earning 96% critical approval while capturing only 54% audience support. This 42-point gap represented one of the largest disparities among top-tier programming.

Conversely, Heartstopper: Season 3 maintained alignment with 100% critical and 94% audience scores, indicating universal appeal across demographic groups.

When Did 2024’s Defining Shows Premiere?

1. Early 2024: True Detective: Night Country (HBO) inaugurated the year with Jodie Foster and Kali Reis starring in the “frighteningly atmospheric” fourth installment.
2. Spring 2024: Three Body Problem (Netflix) and Ripley (Netflix) established the year’s psychological thriller standards.
3. Mid-2024: Slow Horses: Season 4 (Apple TV+) and Pachinko: Season 2 (Apple TV+) launched during the summer awards consideration period.
4. Late Summer 2024: The Penguin (HBO/Max) debuted as a limited series, while Only Murders in the Building: Season 4 (Hulu) returned.
5. Fall 2024: Heartstopper: Season 3 (Netflix) and Matlock: Season 1 (CBS/Paramount+) premiered alongside Say Nothing (FX/Hulu).
6. Year-End 2024: Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (Peacock) and Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos (HBO) closed the year with historical crime narratives.

What Do We Know for Certain About 2024’s Rankings?

Why Did These Shows Define 2024?

The television landscape in 2024 favored escalating personal stakes over spectacle. Slow Horses maintained its intelligence-focused spy narrative through four seasons by deepening character relationships rather than expanding scale.

Franchise extensions dominated through careful curation. The Gentleman translated Guy Ritchie’s cinematic style to episodic format, while X-Men ’97 respected nostalgic audiences while attracting new viewers. These adaptations succeeded by honoring source material without becoming beholden to it.

The prevalence of limited series like The Penguin and Say Nothing reflected industry trends toward contained storytelling, reducing barrier to entry for viewers concerned with long-term commitment while maintaining cinematic production values.

What Are Critics Saying About 2024’s Best Television?

“Slow Horses continues to prove that smart, character-driven espionage can thrive in an era of high-concept spectacles, with stakes becoming increasingly personal in its fourth season.”

— Rotten Tomatoes Editorial

“Only Murders in the Building remains one of television’s most delightful comedies, combining metatextual humor with genuine emotional resonance.”

— Rotten Tomatoes Critical Consensus

“True Detective: Night Country is frighteningly atmospheric, anchored by powerhouse performances from Jodie Foster and Kali Reis.”

— Rotten Tomatoes Critical Consensus

Which 2024 TV Show Should You Watch First?

For viewers seeking the consensus best of 2024, Slow Horses: Season 4 offers the highest critical validation available, streaming on Apple TV+. Those prioritizing audience alignment should consider Heartstopper: Season 3 on Netflix, which maintained near-perfect scores across both metrics. Crime drama enthusiasts have multiple entry points through Ripley, The Gentleman, or The Penguin depending on preference for psychological depth, stylistic action, or franchise expansion. For platform navigation assistance, see Where to Watch The Pitt – Max, Hulu and Free Options for additional streaming guidance.

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