In the ever-evolving world of television, where binge-watching has become a cultural staple, a new ranking from IMDb highlights what fans consider the pinnacle of episodic storytelling. According to a recent compilation by Us Weekly, the top 10 best TV episodes of all time, as determined by user ratings on the Internet Movie Database, are dominated by dramatic series from the 21st century, with HBO's Game of Thrones and AMC's Breaking Bad claiming six of the spots. This list, excluding anime and animated programs, underscores the impact of serialized narratives on modern audiences, with episodes scoring near-perfect marks and readily available on streaming platforms like HBO Max and Netflix.
The rankings, drawn from years of fan votes on IMDb, reflect a consensus on moments that blend high-stakes drama, emotional depth, and technical prowess. All episodes hail from shows released after 2000, signaling a shift in television quality during the streaming era. Us Weekly notes that these selections not only captivated viewers upon airing but continue to resonate, as evidenced by their accessibility on major services as of January 2026.
Claiming the 10th spot is the fifth episode of HBO's 2019 miniseries Chernobyl, titled "Vichnaya Pamyat." This installment, part of a dramatization of the 1986 nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine, focuses on the aftermath and a pivotal testimony. Valery Legasov, portrayed by Jared Harris, refuses to adhere to the Soviet Union's cover-up narrative. According to the Us Weekly analysis, Legasov "testifies that he perjured himself in his earlier account" and details how "Soviet mismanagement of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant led to the deadly accident." The episode's exploration of truth amid catastrophe earned it a spot on the list, and Chernobyl remains streamable on HBO Max.
Moving up to ninth is the series finale of Six Feet Under, which aired from 2001 to 2005 on HBO. Season 5, episode 12, "Everyone's Waiting," masterfully concludes the Fisher family's saga by revealing their futures through flash-forwards. As Claire Fisher, played by Lauren Ambrose, embarks on a new life, the episode depicts the eventual deaths of key characters including Ruth Fisher (Frances Conroy), David Fisher (Michael C. Hall), Keith Charles (Mathew St. Patrick), Brenda Chenowith (Rachel Griffiths), Federico Diaz (Freddy Rodriguez), and Claire herself. Us Weekly describes how these visions show the characters leading "long, mostly happy lives, but all of them have the same ending — death," reinforcing the show's theme that life should be savored given its inevitability. The series is available on HBO Max.
At number eight, Game of Thrones enters the fray with its season 6 finale, "The Winds of Winter," from the show's run between 2011 and 2019 on HBO. Without a large-scale battle, the episode centers on Cersei Lannister's (Lena Headey) ruthless consolidation of power. She orchestrates the destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing, eliminating multiple enemies in one fell swoop. This act crowns Cersei queen of the Seven Kingdoms but at the cost of her last child. Meanwhile, Jon Snow's (Kit Harington) true parentage is unveiled, and Daenerys Targaryen (Emia Clarke) sets sail for Westeros. As per Us Weekly, the episode marks a strategic turning point in the fantasy epic, streamable on HBO Max.
The seventh position goes to Better Call Saul, the 2015-2022 AMC prequel to Breaking Bad. Season 6, episode 7, "Plan and Execution," culminates a season-long con orchestrated by Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) and Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) against their former boss, Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian). The scheme succeeds in tarnishing Howard's reputation, leading to a tense confrontation that elevates the drama. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, heightening the stakes for the characters' moral descent. Us Weekly highlights how this installment "ruin[s] Howard’s reputation" and delivers a "final confrontation with the couple," making it a standout in the series now streaming on Netflix.
Ranking sixth is another Breaking Bad entry: season 4, episode 13, "Face Off," from the original 2008-2013 run. Here, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) finally outmaneuvers his nemesis, Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), by exploiting an unlikely ally who harbors even greater animosity toward the drug lord. The episode's climax, featuring Gus's demise, has become iconic, with Esposito's performance revitalizing his career. Us Weekly points out that Walt's "masterstroke" in discovering "someone who hated Gus more than him" leads to one of the series' most famous scenes, literally embodying the title "Face Off." The show is on Netflix.
In fifth place, Mr. Robot (2015-2019 on USA Network) shines with season 4, episode 7, "407 Proxy Authentication Required." This thriller, centered on hacker Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), shifts to a psychological core during a coerced therapy session with Krista Gordon (Gloria Reuben). Forced by criminal Fernando Vera (Elliot Villar), the session delves into Elliot's dissociative identity disorder and his alter ego, Mr. Robot. Vera seeks insights into Elliot's psyche, receiving an unintended revelation through a confession. According to Us Weekly, the episode "dialed things back considerably" from the show's tech-heavy plot, providing a breakthrough "probably not in the way he intended." It's available on Netflix.
The fourth spot returns to Game of Thrones with season 3, episode 9, "The Rains of Castamere." Airing in 2013, this episode adapts the infamous "Red Wedding" from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels, shocking even book readers with its on-screen brutality. At a wedding in the fantasy realm's Westeros, guests Robb Stark (Richard Madden), his wife Talisa (Oona Chaplin), and mother Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) are betrayed and massacred, violating sacred hospitality customs. Us Weekly explains that the Starks "found out the hard way that the rules had changed," marking a series turning point where no character is safe. The full series streams on HBO Max.
Third place honors Breaking Bad's finale, season 5, episode 16, "Felina," which aired in 2013. Walter White returns to Albuquerque for redemption and revenge, achieving emotional closure with wife Skyler (Anna Gunn) and spectacularly eliminating his foes. The episode ties up loose ends, circling back to the show's origins and earning acclaim as one of television's greatest conclusions. Us Weekly states it "brought Walter White’s story to a close, but not without giving him some emotional closure," and is "widely considered to be one of the greatest series finales." Viewers can find it on Netflix.
Near the top, at number two, Game of Thrones delivers season 6, episode 9, "Battle of the Bastards," from 2016. This penultimate episode features Jon Snow leading Stark loyalists against Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) in a massive clash for Winterfell. The battle's scale rivals big-screen epics, with brutal depictions of medieval warfare. Us Weekly praises how it "elevated [the] tradition into a truly cinematic experience," noting that "few fantasy films have matched the scale the series achieved here." As with other Game of Thrones episodes, it's on HBO Max.
Crowning the list at number one is Breaking Bad's season 5, episode 14, "Ozymandias," which holds a rare perfect 10 rating on IMDb. Broadcast in 2013, this episode depicts the unraveling of Walter White's empire following a desert shootout. His double life as a meth kingpin is exposed to son Flynn (RJ Mitte), causing the family's implosion. Us Weekly calls it "the fall of the house of Walter White," emphasizing that it didn't delay the revelation—Skyler already knew—but the aftermath serves as the series' ultimate pivot. Streaming on Netflix, it exemplifies why Breaking Bad redefined prestige TV.
These rankings, compiled by Us Weekly from IMDb data, reveal patterns in viewer preferences: a penchant for finales, battles, and moral reckonings. Shows like Game of Thrones, with three entries, highlight the fantasy genre's grip, while Breaking Bad's three spots affirm the enduring appeal of anti-hero tales. The exclusion of animated content focuses the list on live-action dramas, potentially overlooking gems from other formats.
Broader context shows IMDb's influence since its inception in 1990, evolving from a hobbyist site to a global authority with over 250 million users. Fan-voted lists like this one shape cultural conversations, often boosting streams—Us Weekly mentions related recommendations such as the 35 best shows on HBO Max in January 2026. Yet, rankings are subjective; while IMDb aggregates millions of votes, individual tastes vary, as seen in ongoing debates over Game of Thrones' later seasons.
Looking ahead, as streaming wars intensify, these episodes' legacy persists. Platforms like HBO Max and Netflix continue to host them, ensuring new generations discover why "Ozymandias" or "Battle of the Bastards" resonate. Industry experts, though not directly quoted here, often cite such moments as benchmarks for storytelling ambition. With television production booming—over 500 scripted series annually by recent estimates—these timeless entries remind viewers of the medium's power to provoke, entertain, and endure.