Top 10 Best Web Series of All Time: Iconic Shows You Should Watch at Least Once

Best Web Series of All Time: 10 Iconic Shows That Changed Television

1. Breaking Bad

Overview 

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Release: 2008–2013
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 62
Creator: Vince Gilligan
Main Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Bob Odenkirk, Giancarlo Esposito
Streaming: Netflix
IMDb Rating: Around 9.5/10

Breaking Bad is widely regarded as one of the defining television dramas of the modern era. The series follows Walter White, a high-school chemistry teacher who receives a devastating medical diagnosis and begins producing illegal drugs with his former student Jesse Pinkman.

What initially appears to be a desperate attempt to provide financial security for his family gradually transforms into a much darker journey involving crime, power, deception and moral decline. Bryan Cranston's portrayal of Walter White and Aaron Paul's performance as Jesse Pinkman became central to the show's success.

IMDb currently lists Breaking Bad at approximately 9.5/10 with millions of user ratings, placing it at the top of IMDb's current Top 250 TV chart. Netflix describes the series as the story of a terminally ill chemistry teacher who joins forces with a former student to manufacture crystal meth.

The series is particularly notable for its carefully developed characters and long-form storytelling. Rather than changing its protagonist suddenly, it gradually shows how individual choices can transform a person's identity.

2. Game of Thrones

Overview

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Adventure
Release: 2011–2019
Seasons: 8
Episodes: 73
Creators: David Benioff and D. B. Weiss
Main Cast: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maisie Williams
Streaming in India: JioHotstar and VI Movies & TV
IMDb Rating: Around 9.2/10

Based on George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Game of Thrones became one of the biggest global television phenomena of the 2010s.

The story is set primarily in Westeros, where powerful families compete for the Iron Throne. At the same time, supernatural threats emerge beyond the Wall, creating a second major conflict that gradually becomes central to the story.

The series combines political intrigue, family conflicts, warfare, fantasy, betrayal and shifting alliances. Characters such as Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen and Arya Stark became internationally recognised television characters.

IMDb currently records a rating of about 9.2/10 from millions of users. The show remains available in India through JioHotstar and VI Movies & TV according to current streaming listings.

Although its final season generated considerable debate among viewers, the scale and influence of the series remain significant. Its production design, visual effects, locations and large ensemble cast helped establish the possibility of blockbuster-scale television storytelling.

Also Read: All-Time Best Christmas Movies to Watch with Family and Friends

3. Mirzapur

Overview

Genre: Crime, Action, Drama, Thriller
Release: 2018–present
Seasons: 3 released
Episodes: 29 released across the series
Creators: Puneet Krishna, Karan Anshuman and Apurva Dhar Badgaiyan
Directors: Gurmeet Singh, Karan Anshuman, Mihir Desai and Anand Iyer
Main Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Vikrant Massey, Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Dugal
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: Around 8.4/10

Mirzapur is one of the most recognised Indian crime dramas of the streaming era. The story revolves around the Tripathi family and the criminal power structure of the fictional city of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

Akhandanand Tripathi, popularly known as Kaleen Bhaiya, controls a powerful criminal empire. His son Munna becomes increasingly ambitious, while brothers Guddu and Bablu are pulled into the violent world surrounding the Tripathi family after a confrontation changes their lives.

The series mixes crime, family conflict, ambition and revenge with a strong regional setting. Pankaj Tripathi's portrayal of Kaleen Bhaiya and the performances of Ali Fazal, Divyenndu and Rasika Dugal helped make the show particularly popular.

Amazon Prime Video currently lists three seasons, while IMDb places the series at approximately 8.4/10. Mirzapur: The Movie also expanded the franchise in 2026, demonstrating the continuing popularity of its fictional universe.

4. The Boys

Overview

Genre: Action, Superhero, Crime, Dark Comedy, Satire
Release: 2019–2026
Seasons: 5
Creator: Eric Kripke
Main Cast: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: Around 8.5/10

The Boys offers a very different interpretation of the superhero genre. Instead of presenting superheroes as universally heroic figures, the series explores what could happen if extremely powerful individuals were controlled by corporations and allowed to operate with little accountability.

The story follows Billy Butcher and a group of ordinary people known as the Boys. They attempt to expose and stop powerful superheroes whose public image hides darker behaviour.

Karl Urban plays Billy Butcher, Jack Quaid plays Hughie Campbell and Antony Starr plays Homelander. The performances, dark humour and social satire have become important elements of the show's identity.

The fifth season was released in 2026 and completed the main television series. Amazon Prime Video lists five seasons, while IMDb currently records approximately 8.5/10 from around one million user ratings.

The series is particularly relevant for viewers interested in superhero stories that combine action with satire and commentary on celebrity culture, corporate power and public image.

5. Daredevil

Overview

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Superhero, Thriller
Release: 2015–2018
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 39
Creator: Drew Goddard
Main Cast: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson
Streaming in India: JioHotstar and VI Movies & TV
IMDb Rating: Around 8.6/10

Daredevil follows Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer who operates as a masked vigilante in New York City's Hell's Kitchen.

During the day, Murdock works within the legal system. At night, he uses his heightened senses and combat abilities to fight criminals. The story also explores his complicated relationship with Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin.

Charlie Cox's performance as Matt Murdock and Vincent D'Onofrio's portrayal of Wilson Fisk are among the major attractions of the series.

The original series consists of three seasons and 39 episodes. IMDb currently gives it approximately 8.6/10 from more than half a million ratings.

The show's combination of courtroom drama, organised crime, character development and superhero action helped distinguish it from many conventional superhero productions.

The character has subsequently returned to the Marvel television universe through Daredevil: Born Again, giving the original series additional relevance for audiences following Marvel's interconnected storytelling.

6. The Walking Dead

Overview

Genre: Horror, Drama, Thriller, Post-Apocalyptic
Release: 2010–2022
Seasons: 11
Episodes: 177
Developer: Frank Darabont
Main Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira
Streaming in India: Netflix
IMDb Rating: Around 8.1/10

The Walking Dead begins with police officer Rick Grimes waking from a coma and discovering that civilisation has collapsed following a zombie outbreak.

Instead of focusing only on zombies, the series gradually becomes a story about survival, leadership, family, morality and the conflicts that develop between human communities.

Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes becomes the central character during much of the series, while characters such as Daryl Dixon, Carol Peletier, Michonne and Maggie Greene develop their own major storylines.

The series concluded in 2022 after 11 seasons and 177 episodes. IMDb currently records a rating of approximately 8.1/10 from more than one million user ratings.

The finale was also significant for AMC. The network reported that the 90-minute final episode became the most-watched single episode in AMC+ history at the time and marked the 177th episode of the main series.

The show's success also produced multiple spin-offs, keeping The Walking Dead universe active after the conclusion of the original series.

7. Sacred Games

Overview

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Release: 2018–2019
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 16
Creator: Vikramaditya Motwane
Directors: Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Neeraj Ghaywan
Main Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Kalki Koechlin, Ranvir Shorey
Streaming: Netflix
IMDb Rating: Around 8.5/10

Sacred Games occupies an important place in India's streaming history. The series became Netflix's first original series in India and helped demonstrate that Indian audiences could connect with sophisticated long-form crime storytelling.

The story follows police officer Sartaj Singh and gangster Ganesh Gaitonde. A mysterious phone call from Gaitonde sets Sartaj on a dangerous investigation involving crime, politics, religion and Mumbai's underworld.

Saif Ali Khan plays Sartaj Singh, while Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays Ganesh Gaitonde. Pankaj Tripathi, Kalki Koechlin and Ranvir Shorey also play important roles.

Netflix lists two seasons and 16 episodes. The second season was directed by Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan, with Vikramaditya Motwane serving as showrunner.

The series is based on Vikram Chandra's novel of the same name and remains an important milestone in the growth of India's original OTT content.

8. Afsos

Overview

Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Release: 2020
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 8
Director: Anubhuti Kashyap
Main Cast: Gulshan Devaiah, Heeba Shah, Anjali Patil, Ratnabali Bhattacharjee
Streaming in India: Amazon MX Player
IMDb Rating: Around 7.5/10

Afsos is one of the more unusual titles included in the supplied reference list. The series combines dark comedy, suspense and philosophical ideas around death and immortality.

The central character is Nakul, a man struggling with life who becomes connected to a deadly assassin. What follows is an increasingly strange chain of events involving attempts to die, attempts to survive and the mysterious possibility of immortality.

Gulshan Devaiah leads the series as Nakul, while Heeba Shah and Anjali Patil play important roles.

The eight-episode series was directed by Anubhuti Kashyap. IMDb currently lists it at approximately 7.5/10.

Current streaming information lists Afsos on Amazon MX Player with advertising. Its unusual premise and relatively short runtime make it different from the longer crime sagas that dominate many Indian OTT recommendations.

9. Breathe

Overview

Genre: Crime, Drama, Psychological Thriller
Release: 2018
Seasons: 1 in the original series
Episodes: 8
Director: Mayank Sharma
Main Cast: R. Madhavan, Amit Sadh, Sapna Pabbi
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: Around 8.2/10

Breathe is an Indian psychological crime thriller built around two men whose lives collide because of a critically ill child.

Danny, played by R. Madhavan, is desperate to save his son, who requires a lung transplant. Kabir, played by Amit Sadh, is a determined Crime Branch officer investigating a series of apparently unrelated deaths involving organ donors.

The investigation gradually brings Danny and Kabir into direct conflict.

Mayank Sharma directed the first season, while R. Madhavan, Amit Sadh and Sapna Pabbi lead the cast. Prime Video lists eight episodes for the original 2018 season, while IMDb currently gives the series approximately 8.2/10.

The series is particularly notable for creating tension through a moral dilemma rather than relying only on conventional action. Its central question revolves around how far a parent might go to protect a loved one.

The franchise later expanded with Breathe: Into the Shadows, featuring a different central storyline and cast.

10. The Family Man

Overview

Genre: Spy Thriller, Action, Comedy, Drama
Release: 2019–present
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 26
Creators: Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K.
Directors: Raj & DK, Suman Kumar and Tusshar Seyth
Main Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nimrat Kaur
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: Around 8.6/10

The Family Man combines espionage with everyday family life. The central character, Srikant Tiwari, appears to be an ordinary middle-class family man but secretly works as an intelligence officer.

The series follows his efforts to investigate national security threats while dealing with the pressures of marriage, parenting and ordinary domestic responsibilities.

Manoj Bajpayee's performance as Srikant Tiwari is at the centre of the show. Priyamani plays his wife Suchitra, while Sharib Hashmi plays his colleague JK Talpade.

The third season was released in November 2025 and expanded the story with Jaideep Ahlawat, Nimrat Kaur and other new characters. Prime Video lists three seasons, including seven episodes in Season 3.

IMDb currently places the series at approximately 8.6/10. The combination of action, humour and family drama has helped the show become one of the prominent Indian espionage series of the streaming era.

What Makes These Web Series Stand Out?

Strong Character Development

One common feature across these shows is their focus on characters rather than only plot. Walter White's transformation, Srikant Tiwari's double life and Ganesh Gaitonde's criminal journey all demonstrate how character development can keep audiences invested for multiple seasons.

Different Genres and Storytelling Styles

The ten series cover a broad range of genres. Game of Thrones represents fantasy, The Walking Dead focuses on post-apocalyptic horror, Daredevil combines superheroes with crime drama, while Breathe and Sacred Games focus on Indian crime and psychological storytelling.

The Growth of Indian OTT Content

Several titles in the list also demonstrate the expansion of Indian streaming entertainment. Sacred Games helped Netflix establish original Indian programming, while Mirzapur, Breathe and The Family Man became important titles for Amazon Prime Video's Indian content catalogue.

Streaming Has Changed Long-Form Storytelling

Traditional television often depended on fixed schedules and episode-by-episode viewing. Streaming platforms changed that model by making complete seasons available to audiences and allowing creators to develop more complex narratives.

This shift has also made international shows more accessible to Indian viewers. Today, audiences can move between American dramas, Indian crime thrillers, Korean productions, fantasy series and documentaries within the same streaming ecosystem.

Final Thoughts

The idea of the best web series of all time will always depend partly on individual taste. A viewer interested in crime may prefer Breaking Bad or Sacred Games, while fantasy fans may choose Game of Thrones. Those interested in superheroes can turn to Daredevil or The Boys, whereas Indian espionage fans may prefer The Family Man.

The ten titles discussed here were selected from the supplied reference list and updated using current information available in September 2026. Their continued presence in audience discussions, strong IMDb ratings and long-term cultural influence demonstrate how web series have evolved from an alternative form of entertainment into one of the most important formats in global television.

For someone beginning to explore acclaimed web series, this list provides a broad starting point across crime, fantasy, horror, superhero entertainment, psychological thrillers, dark comedy and Indian OTT storytelling.