The Official GOAT List: Ranking the Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time
This is where the “best crime TV show of all time” debate actually gets decided—not by critics, but by fans picking winners head-to-head.
You’ve got the heavyweights: The Sopranos vs Breaking Bad is the argument that never dies. Then The Wire steps in and people start arguing about what “best” even means. Is it realism? Is it storytelling? Or is it just the show you couldn’t stop watching?
And that’s before things get messy. Law & Order shows up and suddenly it’s prestige vs pure longevity. Sons of Anarchy turns it into chaos. Mindhunter fans will tell you everyone else is wrong.
This isn’t a clean ranking. It’s a series of tough calls. Some matchups feel impossible. Others make you question your taste immediately.
So what actually wins: the smartest show, the most addictive one, or the one you just like more?
Pick your side and see how your GOAT list stacks up.
1. THE SOPRANOS
The Sopranos is currently the #1 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 70.4% head-to-head battles.
2. BREAKING BAD
Breaking Bad is currently the #2 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 69.6% head-to-head battles.
3. LAW & ORDER
Law & Order is currently the #3 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 59.7% head-to-head battles.
4. SONS OF ANARCHY
Sons of Anarchy is currently the #4 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 55.5% head-to-head battles.
5. DEXTER
Dexter is currently the #5 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 52.0% head-to-head battles.
6. THE WIRE
The Wire is currently the #6 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 50.7% head-to-head battles.
7. FARGO
Fargo is currently the #7 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 48.3% head-to-head battles.
8. PEAKY BLINDERS
Peaky Blinders is currently the #8 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 43.4% head-to-head battles.
9. THE SHIELD
The Shield is currently the #9 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 37.1% head-to-head battles.
10. TRUE DETECTIVE
True Detective is currently the #10 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 35.2% head-to-head battles.
11. NARCOS
Narcos is currently the #11 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 29.5% head-to-head battles.
12. MINDHUNTER
Mindhunter is currently the #12 Greatest Crime TV Shows of All Time winning 23.3% head-to-head battles.
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