Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best TV Shows With Life Lessons, Ranked
Voting Rules
Vote up the TV shows with positive values that best taught viewers valuable life lessons.
TV shows can serve a greater purpose than mere escapism. Many of the greatest series ever to make the airways taught households valuable life lessons. Parents can gather around the television with their kids knowing their children are learning something they can take with them the rest of their lives. Even shows that are completely oriented for adults can teach grown-ups important lessons about themselves they can apply to their work and romantic lives. TV shows with life lessons are important in how they can change lives. Which ones made a positive impact in your life?
Some shows have lessons that are readily apparent on the surface. For example, the show Friends teaches us how important it is to have a solid group of friends in your life. It also teaches people to not give up on love once they are in their 30s. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt may have a lot of jokes, but underneath the humor is a genuine plea for all of us to make the best out of bad circumstances. If Kimmy can make the best out of being a mole woman, then you can make the best out of whatever you are going through.
TV series that taught lessons have changed lives and offered comforting escapes. Instead of focusing on one-off life lesson episodes, this list will focus on lessons emphasized throughout the entire series. Vote for the ones that really spoke to you.
Latest additions: The Baby-Sitters Club, The Crown, Grey's Anatomy
How I Met Your Mother, a delightful sitcom, tugs at the heartstrings as it imparts valuable lessons about love, friendship, and life. Follow the journey of Ted Mosby, Robin, and the rest of their gang as they navigate hurdles of adulthood, teaching audiences to value emotions and embrace change with open arms.
Actors: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan
Friends, a timeless classic, captures the essence of camaraderie in the lives of six close-knit chums, carving lessons about love, ambition, and the importance of supporting each other while overcoming turbulence. This feel-good show, set against the backdrop of New York City, reminds folks that there is no issue too daunting, as long as reliable friends come along.
Actors: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a hilarious workplace comedy, revolves around a diverse group of detectives and their quirky captain, exploring themes of loyalty, justice, and friendship. Not only does the show tickle one's funny bone, but it also sheds light on serious matters, delivering key life lessons with a light-hearted touch.
Actors: Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio
Game of Thrones, a riveting epic, transports viewers to the mythical world of Westeros, divulging the complex entanglements of power, family, and loyalty. Through gripping narratives of beloved characters like Jon Snow and Arya Stark, the show often conveys sobering realizations about the human condition in a fantastical setting.
Actors: Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Aidan Gillen
Breaking Bad, a gritty and intense drama, chronicles the transformation of Walter White, a chemistry teacher turned drug lord. As viewers follow both his incredible intellect and moral descent, they're reminded of the fine line between good and evil, and the consequences that arise from crossing it.
Actors: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, RJ Mitte, Dean Norris
Atypical, a heartfelt dramedy, shines a light on Sam, a young man with autism, as audiences witness his touching journey of self-discovery. The show addresses relationships, parenthood, and identity, emphasizing that despite our differences, we all share a common struggle: the pursuit of happiness.
Actors: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Keir Gilchrist, Michael Rapaport, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Amy Okuda
