10 Top Series Novels & Stories

This question used to drive me crazy because 'highest ratings' is so vague. Are we talking Goodreads averages? Number of ratings? Professional critic scores? I eventually figured out you need to pick a specific platform and search for curated lists. For just raw, unfiltered reader opinion, I don't think you can beat Goodreads Listopia. Searching something like 'Best Fantasy Series of All Time' and then sorting the list results by 'average rating' gives you a crowd-sourced ranking that feels genuine.

Otherwise, if you want something more curated, 'best series' roundups from places like Esquire or Paste Magazine often have solid reasoning behind their picks, though they reflect one critic's taste. For me, the real trick is to find a reviewer on YouTube or a blog whose taste aligns with yours, and see what they've ranked highly. My own top series—things like 'The Stormlight Archive' or 'The Expanse'—rarely land in the same order on any two lists, which kind of proves the whole point.

Yeah, aggregation sites are the only practical way to get a consensus, but you gotta check the sample size. A series with a 4.8 average from 500 voters is less meaningful than a 4.5 from 200,000. I default to Goodreads for that exact reason, you can see both numbers right there.

I can tell you the top series vary wildly in seasons. 'Game of Thrones' wrapped up in 8 seasons, while 'Friends' gave us a cozy 10 seasons of laughs and love. 'The Big Bang Theory' lasted 12 seasons, proving Sheldon’s quirks never got old. 'Grey’s Anatomy' is still running with 19 seasons—how does Meredith Grey keep going? Then there’s 'Breaking Bad', a tight 5-season masterpiece. 'Stranger Things' is wrapping up with its 5th season soon, and 'The Office' (US) gave us 9 seasons of cringe-worthy hilarity. 'Supernatural' holds the record with a whopping 15 seasons of monster hunting. 'The Simpsons' is in a league of its own with 34 seasons and counting. Lastly, 'Modern Family' delivered 11 seasons of heartwarming family chaos. Some shows overstay their welcome, while others leave too soon. It’s fascinating how longevity doesn’t always equal quality—'Breaking Bad' proves less can be more. Meanwhile, 'Grey’s Anatomy' feels like it’s running on pure adrenaline at this point. If you’re looking for a quick binge, 'Stranger Things' is ideal; for a long haul, 'Supernatural' or 'The Simpsons' will keep you busy for months.

Streaming services are constantly shifting their libraries, but lately, I've been glued to my screen watching some absolute gems. For blockbuster hits, Netflix is crushing it with 'The Crown' and 'Stranger Things'—their production value is insane. HBO Max still reigns for prestige dramas like 'House of the Dragon,' while Disney+ is my go-to for Marvel's 'Loki.' Don't sleep on Apple TV+ either; 'Ted Lasso' is pure serotonin.

If you're into niche stuff, Paramount+ has 'Yellowstone' spinoffs, and Hulu's 'The Bear' is a masterclass in tension. Honestly, I rotate subscriptions based on what’s hot—right now, it’s all about Netflix and Max for me. The convenience of having so many options makes binge-watching way too easy.