1. The Office: The nine-season sitcom, The Office, has become one of the most iconic shows from the 2010s. The show began following only the professional lives of the characters but quickly began following the day-to-day lives and drama of the characters on the show, pulling its audience through the roller coaster lives they all lead. This is the number one show of the decade because of its ability to break the fourth wall and its unbelievable quotability. 

2. Game of Thrones: The fantasy series roughly following the book of the same name has created a major impact on American culture, leading its audiences on an eight-season journey and watching as each of the characters grow into who they are meant to be. The hit series gave many actors their start and enabled the showcasing of some amazing CGI and special effects. The show’s impact and enormity landed it the number two spot. 

3. Stranger Things: The 2016 sci-fi Netflix series gave several actors their start and another shot on screen for the Golden-Globe winner, Winona Ryder. With the ability to keep the audience on edge and hooked to every episode, the show continues to grow. It comes close to the top, barely beating out the long-running Grey’s Anatomy only because of its powerful and mysterious storyline.

4. Grey’s Anatomy: Even after McDreamy left the show and Evil Spawn became her person, Meredith Grey, played by the brilliant Ellen Pompeo, delivered five more seasons of the heartbreaking show. With a highly dramatic plot and emotional characters of intricate backstories, the 14-year show continues to pull at heartstrings, settling it at number four.

5. NCIS: Even though the show has experienced many different casting changes, it has still managed to stay strong throughout the years, currently in its 17th season. It has created a large franchise and fan base over the years, branching into a total of three different shows, in three different cities. The show comes in at number five, just barely below Grey’s Anatomy, pulling on the heart of every dedicated fan. 

6. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The hit TV Series made its debut in 1999 and after the premiere of its 21st season in September of 2019 became the longest-running action series on television. The show itself was a spin-off from the original Law & Order series but has now become a much bigger success. The show has managed to stay relevant throughout the years by creating heart-wrenching subplots and creating cases “ripped from the headlines.” The show and cast have won many awards over the years and doesn’t look like it will end any time soon, cementing its placement on our list. 

7. Glee: From 2009 to 2015 the dramedy left many fans laughing and singing. However, due to the passing of the beloved Cory Monteith and an abrupt ending two seasons later, the inspirational show stands at number six.

8. American Horror Story: This fantasy series can be a little hard to follow at times, with each season following a different setting and storyline, but eventually, all connecting. The show creatively reuses its actors in each new season and story. With each new season, they seem to follow a myth or dark patch of American History. The show has had a large impact and offers an interesting plotline for all its loyal fans, placing it at number seven. 

9. Supernatural: Just like the past decade, the family business will wrap up in 2019 with the final season. Two brothers, mysteries and a lot of danger lead into one of the most engaged fan bases there is. While not having as high a rating as other shows, the audience has pushed for more and more every time, allowing it to be at number eight.

10. The Walking Dead: Based on the comic books that were first published in 2003, The Walking Dead starred Andrew Lincoln began in 2010. The show has gone through ten seasons and also released a spin-off series of Fear the Walking Dead, which shows the beginning of the end. Many loved characters have left the show, but throughout the years, the audience still continues to be hooked. The amount of drama in the show and the anxiety created for its fans during cliff hangers set this show at spot ten.

Honorable Mentions:

Criminal Minds: Though the tv show started in 2005 and has undergone multiple cast changes, it has stayed strong for fifteen years, a feat not easily accomplished in the world of entertainment. It has created a massive fanbase and even though it is coming to an end, the fans are as passionate as ever. The show did begin to lose a little interest in the subsequent loss of two of the original characters, Derrick Morgan and Aaron Hotchner, but the writers and producers managed to salvage the series for a few more seasons. Because of its huge impact and long run, the show just narrowly missed a spot on the list. 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, an Amazon Original dramedy, premiered in 2017 and quickly became a success. The show and its cast won at least a dozen different awards. The series follows Miriam ‘Mitch’ Maisel, a young, single, and Jewish mother in the 1950s who realizes she has a knack for stand-up comedy after her husband leaves her. As Miriam struggles to start her comedy career, she works to support her family and meets new friends and performers. The show has just released its third season and continues to be a success. It’s sure to have a lasting impact on society but has not yet proved its importance.