The Best TV Episodes of the 21st Century (So Far)

Published: February 21, 2024 by Josie Green

There are more new television shows now than ever before. According to FX Research, in 2022, a record 599 original scripted series for adults aired on streaming services and television – up from 210 in 2009. But with the nearly limitless options out there, some shows have seen unparalleled success.

“Breaking Bad,” a crime drama that has become the most critically acclaimed television show of all time, was so popular that it gave rise to a highly successful spinoff series, “Better Call Saul”. Both of these shows boast individual episodes that have been voted some of the best episodes in modern television.

To determine the best TV episodes of the 21st century, 24/7 Tempo reviewed IMDb data on audience reception for television episodes. Television episodes aired January 1, 2001 or later were ranked based on average IMDb user rating as of October 2023. Only episodes with at least 5,000 user reviews were considered. In the case of a tie, the show with more audience votes was ranked higher.

In addition to the many episodes of “Breaking Bad” and its offshoot, seven of the best TV episodes aired since 2001 are from the Japanese anime series “Attack on Titan,” which ran from 2013 to 2023. Other animated shows, including “BoJack Horseman” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, also made the list.

“Game of Thrones,” another of the most-watched series ever, has four episodes on the list – although none are from the controversial last season. Multiple fantasy series in the Star Wars universe make appearances, as do beloved comedies including “The Office” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” (Here are fan-favorite comedies that critics hated.)

50. “Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 2”

"Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 2" | Ashley Eckstein in Star Wars: Rebels (2014)

Source: Courtesy of ABC and Disney

N/A

Source: Courtesy of ABC and Disney

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (6,959 votes)
Television show: Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018)
Original airdate: March 30, 2016
Starring: Taylor Gray, Freddie Prinze Jr., Dave Filoni, Ashley Eckstein

49. “One For All”

"One For All" | Kenta Miyake in My Hero Academia (2016)

Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim

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Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (7,154 votes)
Television show: My Hero Academia (2016-Present)
Original airdate: May 11, 2019
Starring: Daiki Yamashita, Kenta Miyake, Akio Ôtsuka, Jennifer Alyx

48. “Sozin’s Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno”

Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (8,608 votes)
Television show: Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
Original airdate: July 19, 2008
Starring: Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Michaela Jill Murphy

47. “Re;”

"Re;" | Johnny Yong Bosch and Jun Fukuyama in Code Geass (2006)

Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim and Bandai Entertainment

N/A

Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim and Bandai Entertainment

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (9,566 votes)
Television show: Code Geass (2006-2008)
Original airdate: September 28, 2008
Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch, Jun Fukuyama, Yuri Lowenthal, Takahiro Sakurai

46. “Anger × and × Light”

Source: Courtesy of Viz Media

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (9,660 votes)
Television show: Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)
Original airdate: February 24, 2019
Starring: Megumi Han, Mariya Ise, Kikuko Inoue, Ayumi Fujimura

45. “Zero × and × Rose”

Source: Courtesy of Viz Media

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (9,734 votes)
Television show: Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)
Original airdate: January 20, 2019
Starring: Banjô Ginga, Kôki Uchiyama, Takashi Matsuyama, Issei Futamata

44. “Charlie Work”

"Charlie Work" | Charlie Day in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005)

Source: Courtesy of FX Network

N/A

Source: Courtesy of FX Network

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (9,788 votes)
Television show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-Present)
Original airdate: February 4, 2015
Starring: Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson

43. “House’s Head”

Source: Courtesy of Fox Network

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (10,873 votes)
Television show: House (2004-2012)
Original airdate: May 12, 2008
Starring: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard

42. “Return 0”

Source: Courtesy of CBS

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (10,896 votes)
Television show: Person of Interest (2011-2016)
Original airdate: June 21, 2016
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Kevin Chapman, Amy Acker, Sarah Shahi

41. “Time’s Arrow”

"Time's Arrow" | Matthew Broderick in BoJack Horseman (2014)

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

N/A

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (12,817 votes)
Television show: BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
Original airdate: September 8, 2017
Starring: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins

40. “If-Then-Else”

Source: Courtesy of CBS

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (13,109 votes)
Television show: Person of Interest (2011-2016)
Original airdate: January 6, 2015
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Kevin Chapman, Amy Acker, Sarah Shahi

39. “Remedial Chaos Theory”

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (13,212 votes)
Television show: Community (2009-2015)
Original airdate: October 13, 2011
Starring: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown

38. “Modern Warfare”

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (13,736 votes)
Television show: Community (2009-2015)
Original airdate: May 6, 2010
Starring: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown

37. “Shattered”

Source: Courtesy of Disney+

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (14,617 votes)
Television show: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
Original airdate: May 1, 2020
Starring: Ashley Eckstein, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Filoni, Dee Bradley Baker

36. “The Getaway”

Source: Courtesy of Showtime Networks

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (14,942 votes)
Television show: Dexter (2006-2013)
Original airdate: December 13, 2009
Starring: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Desmond Harrington

35. “The Phantom Apprentice”

Source: Courtesy of Disney+

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (16,222 votes)
Television show: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
Original airdate: April 24, 2020
Starring: Ashley Eckstein, Julian Holloway, Katee Sackhoff, Dee Bradley Baker

34. “Free Churro”

"Free Churro" | Will Arnett in BoJack Horseman (2014)

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

N/A

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (17,416 votes)
Television show: BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
Original airdate: September 14, 2018
Starring: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins

33. “Goodbye, Michael”

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (17,490 votes)
Television show: The Office (2005-2013)
Original airdate: April 28, 2011
Starring: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer

32. “Hello, Elliot”

"Hello, Elliot" | Carly Chaikin in Mr. Robot: Hello, Elliot (2019)

Source: Courtesy of USA Network

N/A

Source: Courtesy of USA Network

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (20,508 votes)
Television show: Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
Original airdate: December 22, 2019
Starring: Rami Malek, Carly Chaikin, Portia Doubleday, Michael Cristofer

31. “Finale”

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (20,778 votes)
Television show: The Office (2005-2013)
Original airdate: May 16, 2013
Starring: Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms

30. “Mizumono”

Source: Courtesy of Lions Gate Films

IMDb user rating: 9.8/10 (20,933 votes)
Television show: Hannibal (2013-2015)
Original airdate: May 23, 2014
Starring: Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas, Laurence Fishburne