The demand for new and exciting TV shows has grown in recent years. Streaming services have risen to the challenge, producing a slew of compact and easily bingeable TV shows. These shows, known as miniseries, limited series, event series, and even anthologies, consist of a handful of episodes that allow the viewer to watch an entire season in a short timeframe. Longer than a movie, but shorter than a typical season, terms like miniseries and limited series can be used interchangeably, though technically the former is shorter.
The concept of a miniseries first hit the scene back in the 1970s and 1980s but tapered off once cable began to air its own TV shows. It wasn’t until the mid-2000s that the miniseries came back with a vengeance. In the 2010s, the Academy began to refer to a show whose length was over two hours as a limited series. This number has been extended by some networks to four hours. Though not limited to this, other rules, such as the non-continuity of characters, still apply. While by no means a precursor, these short, sweet, and eventful shows have grown in popularity over the last few years thanks in part to the rise of streaming platforms that allow users to watch these newly cultivated classics wherever, whenever they'd like. Let’s take a look at some of the best TV miniseries you can stream at any time.
Updated on March 16th, 2024, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
30 War & Peace (2016)
Directed by Tom Harper (who also worked primarily on Peaky Blinders), this epic dramatization of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel is intertwined across thousands of storylines, all of which intersect in some way or other. We follow aristocrats Pierre, Natasha and Andrei, as they navigate high society affairs of early 19th century Saint Petersburg while dealing with their own dreams and desires. However, as larger events and greater purposes stand before them, their lives are torn apart. From geopolitical clashes to human tragedy, War & Peace covers almost everything.
Historic Spectacle at Its Finest
It is perhaps impossible to bring justice to Tolstoy’s sprawling epic and encompass every event that took place in the Napoleonic era. But this BBC drama gets quite close to achieving it. Starring an A-list cast led by Paul Dano, Lily James and James Norton, the television miniseries features superb cinematography and glorious production values that befit its namesake. It brings the novel to new dimensions in ways that are both immense and intimate. The characters are enriched with sublime performances and the period details add intrigue.
29 Godless (2017)
Godless
- Release Date
- November 22, 2017
- Cast
- Jeff Daniels , Michelle Dockery , Jack O'Connell , Scoot McNairy , Thomas Brodie-Sangster , Tantoo Cardinal , Sam Waterston , Kim Coates
- Main Genre
- Western
An outstanding Western miniseries created, written and directed by Scott Frank, Godless transports you to the lawless mining town of La Belle, New Mexico. Governed primarily by women, the town has given refuge to a man named Roy Goode, who is not only on the run from a gang led by a ruthless outlaw, Frank Griffin, but also seeking a fresh start. He lives with a hardened widower named Alice Fletcher. When word about Griffin and his gang arrives in La Belle, things barrel toward an epic showdown.
An Epic Female-Driven Western
Quite underrated considering just how remarkably gorgeous it is, this Western miniseries leaves viewers on the edge of their seats with each episode. Meticulously crafted and beautifully shot, it brings the isolated 1880s town to roaring life. The cast, which consists of Jack O'Connell, Jeff Daniels and Michelle Dockery, draws their inner vengeance and grit to bring realism to their roles. Both complex and committed, Godless is a show that also pays a lot of focus to its heroine. The series has received a dozen Primetime Emmy nominations, of which it has won three: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music.
28 Sharp Objects (2018)
Sharp Objects
- Release Date
- July 8, 2018
- Cast
- Amy Adams , Patricia Clarkson , Chris Messina , Matt Craven , Henry Czerny , Madison Davenport , Miguel Sandoval , Elizabeth Perkins
- Main Genre
- Drama
Amy Adams stars in this psychological thriller based on Gillian Flynn's 2006 debut novel of the same name. The series premiered on HBO in 2018, and it follows Camille Preaker (Adams), a traumatized journalist who returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls. In the process, she reconnects with her overbearing mother and younger sister and is forced to confront deep-seated, unresolved issues and personal memories. As more secrets are revealed, Preaker’s Missouri town becomes home to several intertwining tales.
Amy Adams Stuns as the Lead
To say that the miniseries brings justice to Flynn’s novel would be an understatement. Sharp Objects also allows Adams to channel her most raw and disturbing performance of all time as the troubled and alcoholic Camille Preaker. The slow-burn tension built by the protagonist’s repressed emotion drives the narrative towards a chilling conclusion but grips you tight along the way. Under the unflinching direction of Jean-Marc Vallée, the dialogue is as subtle and pointy as barbed-wire, and the intensity is excellent.
27 Unorthodox (2020)
Unorthodox is an Emmy-winning miniseries based on a true story. It centers around Esty Shapiro, a 19-year-old Jewish woman who is unhappy with her arranged marriage in a strict Hasidic Jewish community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Determined to break free, she escapes from home and travels to Berlin, where her estranged mother lives. While grappling with the loss of her old life, she learns new ways and rejects the beliefs she grew up with.
Award-Winning Autobiographical Drama
Shira Haas delivers a captivating and star-making performance as Esty, and under the bold direction of Maria Schrader, the series offers an experience that is cultural, sensitive, and urgent. Schrader makes sure to respect the source material, Deborah Feldman’s autobiography, while also shedding light on a world hidden from the rest, where women go through an emotional awakening and end up empowering many others in the process. The overall aesthetic of the miniseries is beautiful and thought-provoking.
26 Scenes from a Marriage (2021)
The five-episode limited series, Scenes from a Marriage, is an emotional dissection of modern relationships. Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain star as Jonathan and Mira, a happily married couple who get praised for hanging in there for so long. However, when Mira returns from a business trip with a shocking revelation, they are forced to reassess the complicated nature of their relationship. Across five years, we see their intimate marriage turn into resentment.
A Masterclass In Acting
HBO’s adaptation of Ingmar Bergma 1973 Swedish miniseries brought back the same intensity and power of the original. As it examines love, desire, gender roles in a relationship, and simmering unhappiness, the series veers into sincere and relevant terrain. Under the skilled direction of Hagai Levi, Isaac and Chastain create some of the small screen’s most psychologically potent and physically volatile chemistry. They left audiences out of breath and deeply unsettled them in just five hours.
25 Irma Vep (2022)
In Irma Vep, Alicia Vikander stars as Mira, a Hollywood movie star who arrives in France to rehearse and star as the main character Irma Vep in the remake of the French silent film serial Les Vampires. Under the direction of René (played by Vincent Macaigne), Mira completely immerses herself into the role, delving deeper into her character’s psyche on and off set. And soon, the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur in disturbing ways.
Sophisticated Play On Cinema
Critics praised the miniseries for its deconstruction of cinema and for offering a twisted (albeit real) look behind-the-scenes by making us witness the mesmerizing process of transformation that actors undergo in order to leave the audiences stunned. Irma Vep is an eight-episode-long, relentless masterpiece that comments on themes of identity and disillusionment. Moreover, Olivier Assayas has a way to flesh out dreamy magic out of its clever premise. And it goes without saying that Vikander was a sight to behold as Mira.
24 Olive Kitteridge (2014)
Olive Kitteridge
- Release Date
- 2014-00-00
- Cast
- Frances McDormand , Richard Jenkins , Zoe Kazan , Rosemarie DeWitt , John Gallagher Jr. , Ann Dowd , Jesse Plemons , Bill Murray
- Main Genre
- Miniseries
A delicate but brilliant psychological drama, Olive Kitteridge is based on Elizabeth Strout’s 2008 novel of the same name. It stars Frances McDormand in the titular role of a retired schoolteacher living her unassuming life with her kindhearted husband, Henry, and troubled son, Christopher. Segmented into episodes centered around Olive’s life and those around her, the series chronicles 25 years of her dealing with depression and jealousy as she tries to hold her marriage together.
Some of McDormand's Best Work
Lauded for its phenomenal direction and writing, Olive Kitteridge is an emotive tale about an individual’s quiet strength and the guts it takes to keep going. The slow-burn energy and intimate characterization, paired with the wintry setting of New England make all four short stories piece together into a soft and powerful work of art. McDormand strips bare in her towering performance, which is filled with nuance. Although grim, the miniseries leaves you overwhelmed and hopeful.
Great TV Miniseries with Less Than Five Episodes for Rewarding, Quick Bingeing
It's possible to tell a perfect story in less than five episodes and the following shows are proof of that.23 Fleishman Is in Trouble (2022)
Fairly likable for its premise and characters, Fleishman Is in Trouble is a limited series that faithfully adapts Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s 2019 novel of the same name. In the series, Jesse Eisenberg plays Dr. Toby Fleishman, a recently divorced man who is navigating the modern world of dating. With his ex-wife having disappeared without a trace, he is not only left with caring for his two kids, but also time to reflect on their marriage.
An Intriguing Premise and Likable Characters
To have Brodesser-Akner as the creator of the show really helps it become empathetic and thought-provoking. She taps into gender dynamics in relationships (which are fortunately evolving) with humor and novelty. Apart from Eisenberg, the limited series also stars Claire Danes, Josh Rodner, Adam Brody, and Lizzy Caplan. The series also examines marriage in an interesting light. Relatable to some, and shocking to others, Fleishman Is in Trouble is ultimately well worth watching.
22 Tiny Beautiful Things (2023)
Tiny Beautiful Things
- Release Date
- April 7, 2023
- Creator
- Liz Tigelaar
- Cast
- Kathryn Hahn , Tanzyn Crawford , Quentin Plair , Merritt Wever , Sarah Pidgeon
- Seasons
- 1
Adapted from a collection of essays written anonymously (at the time) by Cheryl Strayed in her advice column titled “Dear Sugar,” this limited series follows Clare Pierce, a young woman whose life is falling apart. With her writing career in ruins, she has no choice but to accept an unpaid job as a columnist. Reluctant at first, she doles out empathy and tough wisdom to strangers while reminiscing about some pivotal moments of her own life — like the passing of her mother.
Heartbreaking and Heartwarming at the Same Time
Tiny Beautiful Things is a poignant miniseries about healing from loss and finding beauty and peace in ordinary struggles. Kathryn Hahn portrays Clare with the kind of warmth and weariness one gains when you’re older, having listened to enough life stories to be able to learn and grow through them. Consisting of eight episodes and a stellar ensemble of secondary characters, the series is almost like a mosaic of life’s messiest moments and how they become reminders of hope and strength.
21 Roots (1977)
Roots
- Release Date
- May 30, 2016
- Cast
- Matthew Goode , James Purefoy , Forest Whitaker , Anika Noni Rose , Laurence Fishburne , Anna Paquin , Mekhi Phifer , Jonathan Rhys Meyers
- Main Genre
- History
Having received a whopping 37 Primetime Emmy nominations and winning nine out of them, Roots is among the few landmark successes of the ‘70s. The epic miniseries is based on Alex Haley’s novel. It follows Kunte Kinte, a Mandinka warrior who grew up in the small village of Gambia, was abducted and sold into slavery, and eventually fought for freedom in America. Pieced together quite expertly, it unravels the history of the slave trade and the families that were torn apart during the time.
Pitch Perfect From Performances to Production Design
Despite dating back 45 years, Roots packs an emotional wallop and strong reflection like no other. Seeing newcomer LeVar Burton as the African youngster is nothing short of a revelation; his character overcoming cruelties with a dignity that stirs your soul. Moreover, the production and the cinematography that brings 18th-century Africa and America alive is absolutely brilliant. That said, Roots not only showcases the horrors of slavery to a generation that never lived it but also changes how that history is seen.
20 Lonesome Dove (1989)
Lonesome Dove
- Release Date
- February 5, 1989
- Cast
- Robert Duvall , Tommy Lee Jones , Diane Lane , Robert Urich , D.B. Sweeney , Danny Glover , Rick Schroder , Glenne Headly
- Main Genre
- Adventure
Winner of several accolades, Lonesome Dove is a four-part miniseries that follows two former Texas Rangers, Gus and Woodrow, as they let their thirst for yet another adventure take over and drive a cattle herd from Texas to Montana in the post-Civil War era. As a Western adventure, the series features elements from their journey – like encounters with bandits, reflections on the past, and tests of their frontier skills – that are simply iconic.
Quintessential Western Viewing
Directed by Simon Wincer, Lonesome Done is known for its rich storytelling and marvelous shots of the Texas deserts. Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones play their roles of the weathered and wisecracking cowboys with perfection, using their surroundings to full dramatic advantage and telling a tale that is as refreshing as it is unforgettable. Apart from touching on themes of loss and legacy, the miniseries also captures the Old West in a way that is romantic and legendary.
19 I Am the Night (2019)
I Am the Night
- Release Date
- January 27, 2019
- Cast
- Chris Pine , India Eisley , Jefferson Mays , Leland Orser , Dylan Smith , Connie Nielsen , Golden Brooks , Shoniqua Shandai
- Main Genre
- Crime
I Am the Night is a gripping TV miniseries that chronicles the true events that led Fauna Hodel to discover the truth about her mother’s murder and the identity of her father. Fauna lived quite comfortably as a teenager, never caring to unravel the mysteries of her past. But one day, when she makes a strange discovery, she is compelled to follow the thread back to her identity as the granddaughter of George Hodel, the man accused of being The Black Dahlia killer. Accompanying her is a ruined reporter who cannot seem to let go of the case.
A Thrilling Mystery
Co-directed by Patty Jenkins, this miniseries adapts many of the events mentioned in Fauna Hodel’s memoir. Otherwise, the creators take some liberty in making the mystery more immersive and dousing it in social commentary. India Eisley plays the teenage daughter seeking sinister answers with impressive grit. Chris Pine is also a great anchor as the down-on-his-luck investigator. Overall, the series is artfully created.
18 This Is Going to Hurt (2022)
Based on his memoir of the same name, Adam Kay creates this highly emotional miniseries, This Is Going to Hurt. Set in the labor ward of an inner city hospital in London, the show follows junior doctor Adam as he struggles through 97-hour weeks and witnesses the grim horrors playing out at National Health Service’s severely understaffed and under-funded OB-GYN department. Meanwhile, his personal life begins to fall apart.
Successfully Walking the Line Between Comedy and Drama
Ben Whishaw delivers a raw and unflinching lead performance in this insightful miniseries. Medical dramas often add a touch of theatrics to soothe the actual and devastating events that take place in a hospital. This Is Going to Hurt refuses to take this path and instead forces the viewers to confront the trauma and hard work hidden between the statistics of it all. What is more affecting is that Adam addresses the audience in the first person throughout the series.
50 Best New TV Shows to Stream Right Now
From Netflix to Max, these are some of the best brand-new TV shows you can stream from all major streaming platforms.17 Normal People (2020)
Based on Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel, Normal People portrays the tender yet complex relationship between its two greatly troubled characters, Marianne and Connell. Having known each other from secondary school and growing up in a small town in Ireland, the two are aware of each other’s roots. At school, he’s well-liked and popular, while she’s lonely and intimidating. But when they start hanging out one afternoon, an indelible connection grows between them. This is also what supports their friendship as adults.
An Empathetic Study of Two Characters
Directors Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie Macdonald handle Rooney’s beautiful source material with care. They build an artistic intimacy between the characters and infuse it with empathy for one another. The human need to feel seen and desire a happy life is portrayed with such tenderness that it is hard not to experience the same pleasure, torment, and longing as the characters. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal offer breakthrough performances as Marianne and Connell, cementing themselves as having some all-time great chemistry.
16 Inventing Anna (2022)
Inventing Anna
- Release Date
- February 11, 2022
- Cast
- Julia Garner , Anna Chlumsky , Arian Moayed , Katie Lowes , Alexis Floyd , Anders Holm
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Creator
- Shonda Rhimes
- Seasons
- 1
Inventing Anna is another miniseries inspired by a true story. In the nine-episode series, we witness a journalist investigating how Anna Delvey, a wealthy German heiress turned Instagram celebrity, took the entire high society of New York by storm as one of the biggest con artists in recent history.
Wickedly Fascinating Twists
Julia Garner, who you know from Netflix’s widely adored thriller drama Ozark, plays the role of Anna, whose scams and sorcery take up the screen in grand fashion. The miniseries is directed by Shonda Rhimes, and we all know of her ability to critique society while delivering a masterful story. From the production value to the commentary on class and identity, the show has every element to fascinate you and leave you with twisted questions.
15 Unbelievable (2019)
Unbelievable
- Release Date
- September 13, 2019
- Creator
- Susannah Grant, Michael Chabbon, Ayelet Waldman
- Cast
- Kaitlyn Dever , Toni Collette , Merritt Wever , Blake Ellis , Dale Dickey , Liza Lapira
- Seasons
- 1
Featuring Booksmart’s Kaitlyn Dever in a starkly different role, Unbelievable tells the unflinching true story of Marie Adler, a teenager who reports being raped but is so shaken up and struck by PTSD that she disowns her story. But shortly thereafter, she manages to grab the attention of two female detectives.
Horrifying and Heartbreaking, but Well Judged
Susannah Grant is the director of this deeply empathetic yet powerful miniseries that highlights one person’s fight for justice. Merritt Wever is superb as Detective Duvall, who is so determined to find out the truth that her investigation leads to her uncovering a disturbingly similar pattern of rapes from the past. Toni Collette commands the screen as Detective Rasmussen, who joins Duvall’s mission to bring the perpetrator to justice at last.
14 Watchmen (2019)
Watchmen
- Release Date
- October 20, 2019
- Cast
- Regina King , Jeremy Irons , Tom Mison , Yahya Abdul-Mateen II , Louis Gossett Jr. , Tim Blake Nelson , Jean Smart
- Main Genre
- Drama
Taking after the same narrative as the comics, Watchmen is an excellent limited series that follows instances of racist violence in present-day Tulsa, Oklahoma. The series showcases an alternate reality where masked vigilantes are considered tainted beings and deemed to be criminals by the government. While some of these vigilantes start a mutiny, Detective Angela Abar takes the opposite road and investigates the matter. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons illustrated the DC Comics strip of the same name back in 1986.
Grittier Superhero Fare
Creator Damon Lindelof takes a unique storytelling approach where he goes back and forth to generate intrigue among the viewers. The actors, including Regina King, Jean Smart, Jeremy Irons, and Don Johnson, play their roles with a mix of intensity and grit. Moreover, the stylized action, stunning visuals, and witty characters really make Watchmen a top-tier show. Watchmen would later become one of the most critically-acclaimed shows of 2020, winning Best Limited Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards along with 10 other Emmys.
13 Maniac (2018)
Maniac
- Release Date
- September 21, 2018
- Cast
- Emma Stone , Jonah Hill , Justin Theroux , Sally Field
- Main Genre
- Comedy
Maniac stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill in never-seen-before roles as two troubled strangers, Annie and Owen, who sign up for a mysterious pharmaceutical trial. The trial has stages, and depending on their reasons – Annie being lost and without ambition and Owen being diagnosed with schizophrenia – the experiment takes them on a trip into their inner psyches. In the three-day timeline, both Annie Landsberg and Owen Milgrim keep meeting across surreal dreamscapes in different realities imagined by an AI.
A Stylistic Triumph
The creators of this trial claim that all individuals will come out unscathed and without side effects, but is that really the truth? We don't know about the characters, but for the viewers, the answer is a definite no. Clearly, the show’s storytelling is quite inventive. Stone and Hill are an unexpected duo, but thanks to the creators' vision, their pairing is exquisite. Also, because it is paired with mesmerizing visuals and a delightful soundtrack, Maniac really draws you in. Emma Stone's performance in particular would be a recognized highlight.
12 Daisy Jones & The Six (2023)
Daisy Jones & The Six
- Release Date
- March 3, 2023
- Cast
- Riley Keough , Sam Claflin , Camila Morrone , Suki Waterhouse , Will Harrison , Timothy Olyphant
- Main Genre
- Drama
Transporting the audience to the melodic rock 'n’ roll nostalgia of the 1970s, Daisy Jones & The Six adapts the 2019 novel of the same name written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It tells the story of a meteoric rise to fame as well as the spontaneous combustion of a Fleetwood Mac-esque band. The series is told through various interviews with the band members a decade later.
Deliciously Dramatic
We get the he-said, she-said of their interesting glory days in the LA music scene, starting with Billy Dunne and the band arriving from their hometown of Pittsburgh to make it big. On the other hand, Daisy is the neglected daughter of wealthy parents, finding solace and rebellion in her creativity and love for music. When put together, their touch-and-burn chemistry sends even the best TV couples running. The series has everything you’d expect – love triangles, battling egos, evocative music, backstage thrills, and a satisfying finale. It would later secure a nomination for Oustanding Limited Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
11 When They See Us (2019)
When They See Us
- Release Date
- May 31, 2019
- Cast
- Marsha Stephanie Blake , Michael K. Williams , John Leguizamo , Aunjanue Ellis , Niecy Nash
- Main Genre
- Documentary
Gripping and empathetic in its gaze, When They See Us tells the true story of the Central Park Five, a quintet of individuals who were charged with the sexual assault of a jogger in Central Park back in 1989. For 25 years, the individuals held their own, claimed that they were innocent, and that they deserved to be exonerated.
A Story of Injustice and Perserverence
The series stars Emmy nominees and winners, including Michael K. Williams, Blair Underwood, John Leguizamo, and Felicity Huffman in outstanding roles. In the spring of 1989, these characters were mere teenagers, and up until 2014, they carried the weight of a false accusation, living a nightmare for life, and the show does absolute justice in depicting that. Besides, it is directed by BAFTA and Emmy winner Ava DuVernay, and she brings a daringly original side of racial injustices to anchor the story.