Best Emmy-nominated shows of all time

Ruby’s Tuna The first Emmy Awards show took place at the Hollywood Athletic Club in 1949. Hosted by Walter O’Keefe, tickets to the show were $5, and just six awards were handed out–one of which went to a ventriloquist. Named after the image-orthicon camera tube, or “immy,” which was instrumental in capturing images for television, the Emmys were created by the Television Academy to award excellence in the television industry. The Emmy Award statue was designed to be a winged woman, representing the arts, holding up an atom, representing science. It was modeled after television engineer Louis McManus’ wife Dorothy McManus. As time went on, the Emmy Award gained acclaim and grew into one of the most prestigious awards in the entertainment industry. In celebration of the Emmy Awards Sept. 12, Stacker compiled a comprehensive ranking of the best Emmy-nominated shows based on IMDb user ratings, with ties broken by votes. Data was sourced in May 2022. All drama, comedy, competition, variety, anthology, and limited series that were nominated for at least one Emmy and have more than 2,500 IMDb user votes were considered in the ranking. Nature documentary series were not considered in this list. Over the years, the Emmys have become an awards show where anything might happen. From an impromptu make-out between “Veep’s” Julia Louis-Dreyfus and “Breaking Bad’s” Bryan Cranston to an unsuccessful prank to steal Betty Thomas’ award to Viola Davis’ powerful speech on diversity in the entertainment industry–the Emmy Awards have always brought together visionaries and artists with diverse perspectives. You may also like: 25 most popular Emmy-nominated shows of 2019 #50. Six Feet Under Home Box Office (HBO) – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 2001-2005 The dark HBO series “Six Feet Under” captures the lives of a dysfunctional family who own a funeral home in Los Angeles. Led by Oscar-winning “American Beauty” screenwriter Alan Ball, the show received 23 Emmy nominations in its first season alone. The same year, the series won a Golden Globe for best drama series and a Peabody Award for entertainment. #49. Fleabag Two Brothers Pictures – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 2016-2019 Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s British dramedy follows Fleabag, a complicated, viciously funny Londoner played by a magnetic Waller-Bridge. While season one explored Fleabag’s trauma, its second season delivered a transcendent and devastating love story as Fleabag falls in love with an attractive priest (Andrew Scott). The Academy took notice, with the second season nominated for 11 Emmy awards and taking home six, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress for Waller-Bridge, and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. #48. Battlestar Galactica British Sky Broadcasting – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 2004-2009 “Battlestar Galactica” tells the story of a society obliterated by their android enemies, the Cylons. The last of this society remains to venture forth to the fabled 13th planet: Earth. As a much-loved sci-fi series, it’s no surprise that this show earned several nominations in special effects, but the show also earned a notable number of nominations for its strong writing. #47. Rome Home Box Office (HBO) – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 2005-2007 This historic drama set in the last days of the Roman Republic stars Kevin McKidd as Lucius Vorenus, a Roman soldier serving the republic as it transitions to an empire. It features many well-known figures of the Roman era including Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, making it an easy favorite for history buffs. With recurring nominations in costume design, makeup, and visual effects, this show excels at its ability to transport viewers back in time. #46. The Crown Left Bank Pictures – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 2016-present While “The Crown” is most notable for its exorbitant production budget of $130 million, making it the most expensive TV series ever made, the Netflix show has earned its place as a TV heavy hitter. Following the intriguing life of Queen Elizabeth II, “The Crown” takes the audience through the difficult ins and outs of navigating royal life. The show’s impressive cast and dedicated following earned it 13 Emmy nominations in 2018, with the show winning five that year. You may also like: Best ‘Law & Order SVU’ episodes #45. Downton Abbey Carnival Film & Television – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 2010-2015 This BBC creation took the U.S. by storm, quickly gaining a massive cult following from American audiences. This unlikely hit transports audiences back to the post-Edwardian era and into the Grantham family’s sprawling estate, from which the show gets its title. Led by notable British stars including Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville, the show also helped launch the careers of newcomers like Michelle Dockery. #44. Mad Men AMC – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 2007-2015 A period drama that centers on a 1960s New York City ad agency and its talented (and complicated) employees, “Mad Men” aired on AMC for seven seasons. The show earned dozens of Emmy nominations for its acting, writing, and visual style over the course of its run, but its most significant win came when it took home the trophy for Outstanding Drama Series after its first season, making it the first basic cable program to do so. #43. Arrested Development 20th Century Fox Television – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 2003-2019 “Arrested Development” follows the misadventures of the Bluth family in Orange County, California. The once-wealthy family faces trouble when its patriarch is charged with a white-collar crime, which leaves them all penniless. Through five seasons and one movie, “Arrested Development” charmed audiences with its somewhat frustrating humor, and it solidified the careers of many of its actors, including Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, and Portia de Rossi. #42. South Park Comedy Central – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 1997-present From the comedic minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, this long-running animated series follows the boisterous, troublemaking adventures of foul-mouthed friends Cartman, Kenny, Stan, and Kyle. The show often borders on the offensive but has kept viewers engaged by putting a comedic spin on topical political and social issues that are otherwise very serious. #41. The Boys