As another year comes to a close, TV gurus and entertainment critics take a look back at the year. His failures, successes, and mediocrity all count, and 2022 was quite the beat year. In terms of streaming, the top 10 series of 2022 were mostly all through popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Max (formerly HBO Max).
IMDb officially released its Top 10 TV and Streaming Series of 2022, and many of them absolutely make sense as the best of the best. For anyone looking for a quick look, take a look at IMDb’s Top Rated TV Shows and Top 10 Series of 2022.
Updated June 28, 2023, by Hannah Saab:
The most popular show of 2022 is definitely still Foreign things, with fans still eagerly awaiting its fifth season (for which no release date has been announced). It’s among the best IMDb series of 2022 and for good reason, it tops the list of impressive shows that won the hearts of viewers last year.
10 “Inventing Anna” (2022)
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Anna’s invention is a drama miniseries created by Shonda Rhimes. The series was inspired by a real-life situation and follows Anna Sorokin, a con artist who would trick members of New York’s elite into thinking she was a German heiress in order to get money.
The series received widespread critical acclaim and plays Julia Garner as the titular character. Anna’s invention it may have changed some details of the real story, but it captures the ferocity of Sorokin’s real-life fraud. As divisive as it was among critics and viewers, it’s definitely one of the best series of 2022, if only for Garner’s elaborate costumes.
Watch on Netflix
9 “Ozark” (2017 – 2022)
Ozark is the award-winning intense crime thriller starring and produced by Jason Bateman. Marty Byrde (Bateman), a financial advisor, becomes involved in a money laundering scheme with the cartel. When the scheme takes a turn for the worst when his other partners fall foul, his life and that of his family are at stake. He chooses to move his family to the Ozarks, where he promises to set up a bigger money laundering scheme to appease the mob boss and his goons. He finds a little more than he bargained for in terms of criminal activity in the Ozarks, and Byrde struggles to fly.
The series aired its final two-part season in 2022 and managed to end the Byrdes’ winding story in a memorable way. Ozark managed to maintain suspense, drama and brilliant storytelling throughout the show, solidifying its place alongside the best series of all time.
Watch on Netflix
8 “The Sandman” (2022 – )
The sand man is a gothic fantasy series based on the comic book series of the same name by Neil Gaiman. The hit Netflix series follows a character named Morpheus, who happens to be the personification of dreams and a member of one of the Endless Seven (supernatural beings who have powers beyond the earthly realm). After being captured by an occultist and held hostage for over 100 years, he escapes and must clean up the mess that ensued during his free time in the dream realm – including a rogue nightmare on the loose.
The sand man turned out to be a huge hit, after years of development. The casting was spot on, and the acting in the series is what makes the series so fascinating. There are still many characters from Sandman Comic fans are hoping to see him in Season 2, which will hopefully be just as epic as the first.
Watch on Netflix
7 “Moon Knight” (2022)
Moon Knight is a Marvel starring series Oscar Isaac in the title role. The series follows a man who has dissociative identity disorder and shares his body with Marc Spector, a mercenary. He is embroiled in a mystery involving the ancient Egyptian gods, and soon, Moon Knight must come out to fight!
Moon Knight received much praise and the miniseries presented Isak in a wonderful light as an actor. It’s a true standout among the Marvel franchise, and the film handles the character’s dark history with wit, humor and sensitivity, easily turning him into a fan favorite.
Watch on Disney+
6 “The Boys” (2019 – )
boys is an Amazon Prime series that has gained quite a bit of traction in recent years. The dark comedy superhero series takes place in a world where super-powered individuals – all corrupt and selfish – work for a corporation that plays into the cycle of creating more corrupt and selfish superheroes. The series is based on the comic book of the same name and has secured a loyal fan base.
The show, as dark as it is, is pretty hilarious in its own weird way. The twisted superhero series features strong characters like Homelander and Soldier Boy who often do questionable things with their powers. It’s not for everyone, but those who enjoy dark humor and goofiness should find it a no-brainer.
Watch on Prime Video
5 ‘Euphoria’ (2019 – )
EUFOR is a teen drama series created for HBO and based on the Israeli miniseries of the same name. The show centers around a girl named Rue (played by Zendaya), a recovering drug addict trying to figure out her life and her place in the world. The show is by no means for the faint of heart and tackles topics such as drug abuse, toxicity in all its forms, social media, violence and homophobia, just to name a few.
While the show can be very heavy, the cinematography and soundtrack (in addition to the actors) make it such a wonderful, almost artistic expression of a terrible teenage experience. EUFOR has won numerous awards and it’s no wonder the show continues to be a favorite with fans and critics alike.
Look at Max
4 “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” (2022 – )
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a high-budget fantasy television series and an official addition to the lord of the rings franchise to be issued. The show is based on plugins in JRR TolkienS ‘ lord of the rings novel and is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit. Rings of Power covers many major events, including the forging of the Rings of Power, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the final alliance between Elves and Men.
With an ensemble cast and beautifully crafted cinematography, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power deserves a spot on the IMDb Top 10 list. Fans of classic fantasy tales will love this series, though those more into details may not appreciate some of the big changes that were made to Rings of Power LotR.
Watch on Prime Video
3 ‘Better Call Saul’ (2015 – 2022)
Better call Saul is a crime and legal drama series that is a spin-off of the hit series Breaking Bad. The series takes place in the early to mid-2000s in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and follows Jimmy McGill. McGill is a lawyer and former con artist who becomes an egocentric criminal defense attorney.
The stars of the show Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill and had a total of six seasons. The fans of Breaking Bad adored this show and the writing itself was hailed for its brilliance. It’s no wonder that Better call Saul is as beloved as it is today, after it managed to expand Breaking Bad universe, while also carving a history of its own.
Watch on Netflix
2 “House of the Dragon” (2022 – )
House of the Dragon is the first award prequel series game of thrones. Among the best series of 2022, it is based on the novel Fire & Bloodand the chronicle of the reign of the Targaryen family 172 before the events of game of thrones, including the start of the Civil War of succession in the family known as the “Dragon Dance”. The main plot of the series is centered around Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock, Emma D’Arcy) and other members of the royal court (and their selfish pursuits).
The show, like its predecessor game of thrones, created a lot of buzz and was frequently trending on Twitter before the episode even aired. Not to mention the genius writing, stunning cinematography and phenomenal acting, of course. Season 2 is on the way and fans couldn’t be happier.
Look at Max
1 “Stranger Things” (2016 – 2024)
Arguably one of the best shows in television history (and definitely a top show of 2022 discussion) is Foreign things. The series, a sci-fi horror drama, takes place in the 1980s in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, which has more hidden beneath its surface.
While it’s hard to summarize the action-packed twists of four seasons, here’s an attempt: a young girl with telekinesis, terrifying otherworldly creatures from a parallel dimension called “The Upside-Down,” an evil mastermind and return to All government experiments are part of Foreign things. Not to mention all the romance, drama and friendships between an all-star cast of mostly younger kids. The series aired its 4th season in the summer of 2022, which went viral and was its biggest season yet.
Watch on Netflix
