The Greatest Soap Operas of All Time
From daytime to primetime, soap operas have been a staple of television since Faraway Hill first aired in 1946. However, it wasn’t until the 50s that soaps really took off. Many of the most popular soap operas from the 50s first began as radio programs. For the next 6 decades, American soap operas ruled the airways during both daytime and primetime, becoming obsessions for millions of people. Many of these soap operas spanned decades, introducing many new characters and twisty plots all the time.
Many soaps dealt with the same types of settings. Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, and The Doctors were all set in hospitals, while many other popular TV soaps like Dynasty surrounded the lives of wealthy families. There were also a few supernatural soap operas over the years, such as Dark Shadows, Passions, and Port Charles.
As the World Turns, General Hospital, and The Young and the Restless were the highest rated soaps at one point in time. Primetime soaps, airing only once a week, have become incredibly popular as well.
What are the best soap operas ever? This list of the best soap operas of all time has been ranked by the community. Cast your votes for the greatest soap operas below and see how the soaps you think are great rank.
- 1Maurice Benard, Steve Burton, Michael Easton
- Premiered: April 1, 1963
Set in the fictitious town of Port Charles, this long-running daytime drama boasts a tableau of endlessly enthralling storylines rooted in the lives of the staff and patients at a prominent general hospital. With a focus on medicine and romance, the series has successfully delved into issues both personal and professional, capturing the hearts of millions with its engaging characters and dramatic plot twists. General Hospital is unparalleled for its ability to engage viewers by exploring themes of love, danger, and family, all while maintaining the medical setting that sets it apart from other soap operas.
- 2Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray
- Premiered: April 2, 1978
Revolving around the tumultuous and gripping affairs of the affluent Ewing family, this groundbreaking prime-time soap opera overflows with opulence, glamour, and deceit. Set on the sprawling Southfork Ranch in Texas, the series exposed the power struggles, betrayals, and passionate romances between a cast of unforgettable characters, with the notorious oil tycoon J.R. Ewing at the center of it all. Riveting and addictive, Dallas remains a gold standard of television drama with its captivating blend of wealth, rivalry, and family conflicts.
- NEW
- Premiered: September 18, 2023
- 3Suzanne Rogers, Lauren Koslow, Josh Taylor
- Premiered: November 8, 1965
Set in the fictional Midwestern town of Salem, this long-running series has captivated audiences for decades with its intricate web of colorful characters and gripping storylines that intertwine love, loss, and redemption. From star-crossed romances to suspenseful mysteries, Days of Our Lives offers an ever-evolving world in which complex relationships are constantly tested by shifting loyalties and unexpected twists. The series is heralded for its ability to delve into both light-hearted and serious matters, consistently captivating viewers and keeping them on their toes.
- 4Cameron Mathison, Michael E. Knight, Alicia Minshew
- Premiered: January 5, 1970
Located in the mythical town of Pine Valley, this iconic daytime drama centers on the trials and tribulations of its residents, tackling a myriad of intense issues such as blackmail, murder, and forbidden love. Through its dynamic characters and engrossing plots, All My Children seamlessly blends earnest emotion with sinister intrigue, making it one of the most memorable and enduring soap operas in television history. A true hallmark of the genre, this series stands as a testament to the power of compelling storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit.
- 5Peter Bergman, Eric Braeden, Christel Khalil
- Premiered: March 26, 1973
Set in the opulent world of Genoa City, this spellbinding drama focuses on two influential families at odds with each other – the Newmans and the Abbotts – amid a tempestuous sea of tangled relationships, high-stakes business deals, and illicit affairs. Delivering a myriad of emotional, suspenseful, and sensational storylines, The Young and the Restless has steadily entranced viewers with its unyielding exploration of ambition, love, and deception. Richly layered, the series continually raises the bar for soap opera storytelling by skillfully blending the allure of wealth with the complexities of human experience.
- 6Hayden Panettiere, Kourtney Kardashian, Marcia Cross
- Premiered: July 15, 1968
Based in the fictionalized city of Llanview, this captivating daytime drama invites audiences into an intricate web of unforgettable characters and intense situations that span from realistic family drama to otherworldly mysteries. One Life to Live was revolutionary in addressing controversial social issues while simultaneously spinning enthralling tales of love, heartbreak, and redemption. With its unique balance of realism and fantasy, the series crafted a world filled with passion, danger, and unpredictability that left viewers constantly speculating and yearning for more.
