10 Best Historical TV Shows According to IMDb — The Definitive Ranked List
Looking for the best historical TV shows to binge-watch next? You've come to the right place. IMDb's massive community of film and television fans — among the most active and passionate audiences on the internet — has voted with their ratings, and the results might surprise you.
From painstakingly accurate World War II dramatizations and real-life tragedy miniseries to mythological anime and animated samurai revenge epics, the best historical TV shows span wildly different formats, cultures, and centuries. Here is the complete ranked list, explained in depth, so you can decide exactly where to start.
Quick Reference: Best Historical TV Shows by IMDb Rating
| Rank | Show | IMDb Rating | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Band of Brothers | 9.4/10 | Max (HBO) |
| 2 | Chernobyl | 9.3/10 | Max (HBO) |
| 3 | The Last Dance | 9.0/10 | Netflix / ESPN |
| 4 | Vinland Saga | 8.8/10 | Netflix / Crunchyroll |
| 5 | When They See Us | 8.8/10 | Netflix |
| 6 | Blue Eye Samurai | 8.7/10 | Netflix |
| 7 | Shōgun | 8.6/10 | Hulu / FX |
| 8 | The Crown | 8.6/10 | Netflix |
| 9 | Deadwood | 8.6/10 | Max (HBO) |
| 10 | Vikings | 8.5/10 | Prime Video |
#10 — Vikings (IMDb: 8.5/10)
Where to Watch: Prime Video | Seasons: 6
Vikings was a gamble when it premiered on the History Channel — a violent, mythology-heavy Early Middle Ages epic that had to survive in the shadow of Game of Thrones. Creator Michael Hirst had previously written Queen Elizabeth I biopics and The Tudors, but Norse mythology on basic cable was uncharted territory for everyone involved.
It worked. For six seasons, Vikings delivered a complex, morally layered story centered on Ragnar Lothbrok and his descendants. The show's greatest strength was its middle chapters — Seasons 2 and 3 are widely considered peak Vikings — with episodic IMDb averages pushing 8.6. The show dipped in Seasons 5 and 6, but the core of the series, particularly the iconic Season 4 episode "All His Angels" (the highest-rated episode of the entire run), remains genuinely extraordinary television.
A spinoff, Vikings: Valhalla, ran for three seasons on Netflix, extending the world Hirst created.
Why watch it: One of the rare shows that takes Norse mythology seriously while telling deeply human stories about power, faith, and family.
#9 — Deadwood (IMDb: 8.6/10 | IMDb Top 250: #143)
Where to Watch: Max | Seasons: 3 + 1 film
Deadwood is perhaps the most criminally underseen great television drama of the 21st century. Set in the lawless gold-rush town of Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s, it follows the collision between self-interested opportunists, idealistic lawmen, and the emerging forces of civilization — all rendered in a startling blend of Shakespearean profanity and meticulous period detail.
Ian McShane's Al Swearengen is one of television's great antiheroes. Timothy Olyphant's Seth Bullock is one of its great moral anchors. The show was cancelled before its time by HBO, leaving major storylines unresolved, though a 2019 film reunion provided some closure.
IMDb ratings for Deadwood are impressively consistent across all three seasons — mid-to-high 8s throughout — reflecting a show that maintained quality without the peaks and valleys that curse many episodic dramas. Its passionate fanbase has only grown in the decades since its cancellation.
Why watch it: The greatest Western ever made for television, with language that somehow feels both anachronistic and completely authentic.
#8 — The Crown (IMDb: 8.6/10 | IMDb Top 250: #145)
Where to Watch: Netflix | Seasons: 6
The Crown chronicled the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from her early days as a young monarch (played by Claire Foy in Seasons 1–2) through the controversies and tragedies of the modern Royal Family. Creator Peter Morgan, who had already written acclaimed historical scripts for films like The Queen and Frost/Nixon, brought his gift for humanizing historical figures to the grandest possible scale.
The production values were extraordinary — immaculate sets, period-perfect costumes, and real historical locations that transported viewers through decades of British history. Season 3 is widely considered the show's creative peak, anchored by Olivia Colman's remarkable performance in "Aberfan," the episode depicting the 1966 Welsh coal tip collapse that remains one of the most devastating hours of television ever produced.
The Crown's later seasons generated more controversy — Season 5 and 6 were criticized for a looser relationship with historical fact, particularly around Diana's story — and IMDb ratings reflect this, with the final seasons earning lower episode scores.
Why watch it: An intimate, politically sophisticated portrait of the 20th century filtered through one family's impossible position.
#7 — Shōgun (IMDb: 8.6/10 | IMDb Top 250: #161)
Where to Watch: Hulu / FX | Seasons: 1 (Season 2 in development)
Shōgun was the prestige drama event of 2024, and it has only grown in stature since. Set in feudal Japan at the turn of the 17th century, the FX series follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a warlord based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, as he navigates a deadly political landscape while a stranded English navigator becomes entangled in forces far beyond his understanding.
What made Shōgun genuinely historic — beyond its staggering beauty and tight storytelling — was Sanada's role as both star and executive producer. He wielded real creative authority over the production, ensuring the cultural integrity and authenticity of the series in a way rarely seen when Japanese history is depicted for Western audiences. The result is a story told from a Japanese perspective, with Japanese characters at the center.
The penultimate episode, "Crimson Sky," holds a 9.4 rating on IMDb — one of the highest scores for any single episode in television history. Shōgun won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor (Sanada).
Why watch it: The most culturally authentic and emotionally resonant depiction of feudal Japan ever produced for an American audience.
#6 — Blue Eye Samurai (IMDb: 8.7/10 | IMDb Top 250: #111)
Where to Watch: Netflix | Seasons: 1 (Season 2 confirmed)
Blue Eye Samurai is a hidden gem that anime fans have already discovered — but general audiences are still catching up. The Netflix animated series is set during Japan's Tokugawa period and follows Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine), a samurai of mixed heritage who is hunting the four Western men whose presence in Japan could identify her biological father — and earn him a brutal death.
Created by Amber Noizumi and Logan writer Michael Green, the show is ruthlessly violent. The creators issued content warnings to their own animators, insisting that every graphic element had to be justified by the narrative. The result is a series where the violence actually means something — which makes it far more powerful than comparable animated action shows.
The highest-rated episode, "The Tale of the Ronin and the Bride," holds a 9.5 rating and is widely cited as one of the greatest single episodes of animated television ever produced.
Why watch it: If you loved Shōgun and want to explore the same period through an animated lens with darker, more personal stakes.
#5 — When They See Us (IMDb: 8.8/10 | IMDb Top 250: #60)
Where to Watch: Netflix | Episodes: 4 (Limited Series)
When They See Us is the most important entry on this list — and among the most difficult to watch. Directed by Ava DuVernay, this four-part miniseries dramatizes the true story of the Central Park Five: five teenagers who were wrongfully convicted in 1989 of a brutal assault they did not commit.
DuVernay's series doesn't flinch from the institutional failures that destroyed these young men's lives — racial bias, coercive interrogation tactics, prosecutorial misconduct, and political maneuvering all play documented roles in their wrongful convictions. But where When They See Us truly distinguishes itself is its insistence on humanizing the exonerated men as people, not victims.
Jharrel Jerome's performance as Korey Wise — the longest-incarcerated of the five — earned him an Emmy Award. The feature-length "Part Four", focused entirely on Wise's experience, holds a 9.5 rating on IMDb and carries an emotional weight that is genuinely difficult to process.
In 2025, it was ranked among the five best limited series Netflix has ever produced.
Why watch it: Essential viewing — a devastating, necessary account of systemic injustice that remains deeply relevant to America's ongoing conversations about race and criminal justice.
#4 — Vinland Saga (IMDb: 8.8/10 | IMDb Top 250: #71)
Where to Watch: Netflix / Crunchyroll | Seasons: 2
Vinland Saga is proof that anime can do historical fiction better than almost any other medium. Set at the height of the Viking Age — yes, the same historical period as Vikings — this anime follows Thorfinn, a young warrior consumed by vengeance against the mercenary who murdered his father. But this show is not interested in validating his quest.
The true subject of Vinland Saga is the moral cost of violence — how pursuing revenge hollows out a person, and what happens when an identity built on hatred is finally stripped away. Season 1 is a relentless, beautifully crafted revenge saga. Season 2 is something rarer: a story about what comes after revenge, and how a person rebuilds a self without hatred at its core.
The Season 1 finale, "End of the Prologue," holds a mind-boggling 9.9 rating on IMDb — one of the highest individual episode scores in the site's history. The Season 2 finale holds a 9.7.
Why watch it: One of the most thematically ambitious anime series ever made, and a historical drama that takes its period and its characters seriously.
#3 — The Last Dance (IMDb: 9.0/10 | IMDb Top 250: #19)
Where to Watch: Netflix / ESPN+ | Episodes: 10
The Last Dance is the most watched sports documentary of all time — and it's easy to understand why. ESPN and Netflix partnered to retell the legendary final season of the 1997–98 Chicago Bulls, giving director Jason Hehir access to 10,000 hours of previously unseen footage to craft a 10-episode narrative.
It premiered in 2020 during COVID lockdowns and immediately became appointment viewing for sports fans and casual audiences alike. It is, unquestionably, one of the greatest achievements in sports storytelling.
That said, a notable caveat: Michael Jordan served as executive producer through his company Jump 23, and several former Bulls teammates have publicly disputed the series' characterization of certain events. The mythologizing of Jordan is real, and viewers should factor that into how they interpret the documentary's portrait of him.
Why watch it: The definitive account of the greatest basketball dynasty ever assembled — understanding its biases doesn't diminish the storytelling.
#2 — Chernobyl (IMDb: 9.3/10 | IMDb Top 250: #5)
Where to Watch: Max | Episodes: 5
Chernobyl is one of the most extraordinary limited series ever made, full stop. Written and created by Craig Mazin (The Last of Us), this HBO production dramatizes the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster — from the initial reactor explosion through the Soviet government's desperate, frequently corrupt, and ultimately heroic containment efforts.
Mazin approached the material with an almost obsessive commitment to scientific accuracy and factual integrity, which paradoxically makes the horror more effective, not less. Every revelation — about the radiation levels, the Soviet bureaucracy's lies, the sacrificial decisions made by ordinary people — lands with compounding dread because you understand exactly what is happening and why it matters.
The average IMDb score per episode is 9.5 — an almost unheard-of level of sustained excellence. The finale, which deploys a forensic accounting of human failure as its primary horror mechanic, is the highest-rated episode of the series.
At its peak, Chernobyl briefly held the title of highest-rated show on IMDb with a 9.7, beating Breaking Bad and both seasons of Planet Earth.
Why watch it: The definitive dramatization of institutional failure, scientific courage, and the human cost of political dishonesty — more relevant than ever.
#1 — Band of Brothers (IMDb: 9.4/10 | IMDb Top 250: #4)
Where to Watch: Max | Episodes: 10
Since 2001, Band of Brothers has stood as the gold standard of historical television drama. Co-created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg in the afterglow of Saving Private Ryan, this HBO miniseries follows Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment from their grueling training through the most brutal moments of the Western European campaign in World War II.
What makes Band of Brothers extraordinary isn't just its production scale (which was five times larger than Saving Private Ryan per episode) — it's the deliberate choice to prioritize gritty authenticity over spectacle. Rather than casting major movie stars, Hanks and Spielberg brought in relatively unknown actors who could disappear into their roles.
Damian Lewis, who plays Major Dick Winters, hadn't yet starred in Homeland or Billions. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Simon Pegg, and Andrew Scott all appear in minor, pre-fame roles. The result is an ensemble that feels like a real unit — not a collection of recognizable faces.
As the highest-rated miniseries on IMDb, Band of Brothers holds a current rating of 9.4/10 — a position it has maintained for over two decades.
Why watch it: The single greatest war drama ever made for television, and a definitive statement about human brotherhood under impossible conditions.
What Makes the Best Historical TV Shows Work?
Looking across this list, certain patterns emerge that separate the great historical TV shows from the merely competent ones:
Authentic representation. Shōgun's commitment to Japanese perspective. When They See Us's insistence on humanizing the Central Park Five. Blue Eye Samurai's unflinching look at racial identity in Tokugawa Japan. The best historical shows refuse to sanitize their subjects.
Character over spectacle. Band of Brothers didn't cast big stars. Deadwood built its world through language, not action sequences. The character work always comes first.
Emotional truth over factual rigidity. History is messy and contradictory. The best historical dramas find the emotional core of a moment and build outward from there.
Willingness to be difficult. Chernobyl is deeply uncomfortable to watch. When They See Us is devastating. Vinland Saga refuses to romanticize its violence. The best historical TV shows don't let viewers off the hook.
FAQ: Best Historical TV Shows on IMDb
Q: What is the highest-rated historical TV show on IMDb? Band of Brothers holds the top spot with a 9.4/10 rating and is ranked #4 on IMDb's Top 250 TV list. Chernobyl is close behind at 9.3/10 (#5 on the Top 250).
Q: Is Chernobyl historically accurate? Chernobyl is widely praised for its scientific and historical accuracy. Creator Craig Mazin worked extensively with experts and historians. However, some characters are composites or dramatizations of real people.
Q: What streaming service has the most historical TV shows? Max (HBO) leads with Band of Brothers, Chernobyl, Deadwood, and The Crown. Netflix is a strong second with When They See Us, Vinland Saga, and Blue Eye Samurai.
Q: Is Shōgun based on a true story? Shōgun is based on James Clavell's 1975 novel, which in turn drew inspiration from real historical figures — particularly Tokugawa Ieyasu (Toranaga) and English navigator William Adams (Blackthorne).
Q: Is Vinland Saga anime or live-action? Vinland Saga is an anime series based on Makoto Yukimura's manga of the same name. Despite being animated, it's grounded in Viking Age history and is considered one of the most accurate historical anime productions.
Q: What is The Last Dance about? The Last Dance is a 10-part documentary series about the 1997–98 Chicago Bulls, focusing on Michael Jordan's final season with the team, with Michael Jordan serving as executive producer.
Suggested External Authority Links
- IMDb Top 250 TV Shows — full official ranking
- Band of Brothers on Wikipedia — production history and real Easy Company background
- HBO Official Site — streaming access for Band of Brothers, Chernobyl, and Deadwood
- Central Park Five — Wikipedia — historical background for When They See Us
- Chernobyl disaster — Wikipedia — factual context for the HBO miniseries
Conclusion
The best historical TV shows according to IMDb cover an extraordinary range — from the fields of Normandy to the halls of Runway magazine, from Viking longboats to the reactors of Pripyat. What they share is a commitment to treating the past — and the people in it — with honesty, complexity, and emotional intelligence.
Whether you're a history buff, a drama fan, or just someone looking for something exceptional to watch, this list is your definitive starting point. Band of Brothers remains the crown jewel, but every single entry on this list offers something genuinely irreplaceable. Pick one tonight. You won't regret it.