The BEST Showtime shows of all time
Every Showtime show, ranked
We've compiled the average episode rating for every Showtime show to compile this list of best shows!
#1 - The Trade
This timely and provocative docu-series spotlights the crisis of the opioid epidemic through the eyes of those most affected: the growers, addicts, cartel bosses and law enforcement hopelessly caught in its web.
View Episode Rankings#2 - The Untold History of the United States
The Untold History of the United States (also known as Oliver Stone's Untold History of the United States) is a 2012 documentary series created, directed, produced, and narrated by Oliver Stone about the reasons behind the Cold War, the decision to drop the atomic bombs, and changes in America's global role since the fall of Communism.
View Episode Rankings#3 - Shameless (US)
Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be... frankly, perhaps better off. When Frank's not at the bar spending what little money they have, he's passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.
View Episode Rankings#4 - Queer as Folk (US)
Brash humor and genuine emotion make up this original series revolving around the lives, loves, ambitions, careers and friendships of a group of gay men and women living on Liberty Avenue in contemporary Pittsburgh, PA.
View Episode Rankings#5 - Californication
David Duchovny returns to TV with his Golden Globe-winning portrayal of author Hank Moody in the critically-acclaimed Showtime hit Californication. Author Hank Moody's life is spinning gloriously out of control as he juggles his sex and drug addictions while raising a daughter and trying to win back the love of his life in this edgy new series.
View Episode Rankings#6 - The Circus
This documentary series pulls back the curtain on the 2016 presidential race, revealing the intense, inspiring and infuriating stories behind the headlines. Key characters and events from the individual campaigns are presented in real time, as they are happening. Produced in cooperation with Bloomberg Politics, THE CIRCUS is a non-partisan, never-before-attempted take on what promises to be one of the most fascinating and consequential elections in modern history.
View Episode Rankings#7 - Homeland
A bipolar CIA operative becomes convinced a prisoner of war has been turned by al-Qaeda and is planning to carry out a terrorist attack on American soil.
View Episode Rankings#8 - Fellow Travelers
After a chance encounter in Washington D.C. in the 1950s, Hawkins Fuller and Timothy Laughlin start a volatile romance that spans the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco hedonism of the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, while facing obstacles in the world and in themselves.
View Episode Rankings#9 - The Borgias
Set in 15th century Italy at the height of the Renaissance, The Borgias chronicles the corrupt rise of patriarch Rodrigo Borgia to the papacy, where he proceeds to commit every sin in the book to amass and retain power, influence and enormous wealth for himself and his family.
View Episode Rankings#10 - Sleeper Cell
A chilling and unflinching look at all sides of a complicated issue, focusing on an African-American Muslim who joins an Islamic sleeper terrorist cell in the United States while working undercover for the FBI. Lift the veil of secrecy to reveal a riveting and authentic look at the war on terrorism. Explore the many facets of Islam and the repercussions of its extremism when it clashes with Western society.
View Episode Rankings#11 - Your Honor
A judge confronting his deepest convictions when his son is involved in a hit and run that embroils an organized crime family. He faces a series of impossible choices and discovers how far a father will go to save his son’s life.
View Episode Rankings#12 - Odyssey 5
This is the story of four astronauts, a scientist, and a television news reporter. During a routine shuttle mission in 2007, they watch in astonishment as the Earth rapidly dissolves into a fiery ball and then suddenly implodes. Resigned to death, the crew is saved by an alien known only as the Seeker. The Seeker has been trying to discover what is causing the destruction that has befallen the Earth and many other planets. He has always arrived too late, until now. He offers the crew of the Odyssey a chance to go back in time five years, try to find out what will cause the Earth to explode and prevent it. While the team searches for the truth and for who or what is behind it, they must also deal with being back in the past with memories of what is to come. Along the way they learn that their actions in the past can have a direct outcome for the future.
View Episode Rankings#13 - Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men
As the group marks the 25th anniversary of its breakout debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the series looks back on their career, combining interviews from each of the nine living members with never-before-seen archival footage and performances.
View Episode Rankings#14 - Outcry
A five-part documentary series examining the gripping story of high school football star Greg Kelley and a quest for truth and justice. Few people experience the momentum that Kelley had going into his senior year in Leander, Texas. That all changed when he was convicted of sexual assault of a four-year-old boy, and sentenced to 25 years in prison with no possibility for parole. But a groundswell of support emerged for Kelley, calling into question the investigation, the prosecution's tactics and ultimately, the validity of the conviction.
View Episode Rankings#15 - House of Lies
Charming, fast talking Marty Kaan and his crack team of management consultants know how to play the corporate game better than anyone, by using every dirty trick in the book to woo powerful CEOs and close huge deals. In the board rooms, barrooms and bedrooms of the power elite, corruption is business as usual and everyone's out for themselves first. Nothing is sacred in this scathing, irreverent satire of corporate America today. Outrageous, subversive and wildly funny, HOUSE OF LIES stars Academy Award® nominee Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell.
View Episode Rankings#16 - Episodes
Episodes follows the lives of Sean and Beverly Lincoln, British sitcom producers who are persuaded to move to Hollywood and remake their series for an American audience. When the couple is forced to cast Matt LeBlanc in the lead role, a bizarre triangle is formed that strains their marriage and threatens their show.
View Episode Rankings#17 - The Affair
At once deeply observed and intriguingly elusive, The Affair explores the emotional effects of an extramarital relationship. Noah is a New York City schoolteacher and novelist who is happily married, but resents his dependence on his wealthy father-in-law. Alison is a young waitress trying to piece her life and marriage back together in the wake of a tragedy. Set in Montauk at the end of Long Island, the provocative drama unfolds separately from both the male and female perspectives, using the distinct memory biases of both to tell the story.
View Episode Rankings#18 - The Loudest Voice
Based on the best-selling book "The Loudest Voice in the Room" by Gabriel Sherman, TV executive and media consultant Roger Ailes' life, played by Russell Crowe, continues to be a source of interest to many due the lasting effect he has had on the media world. Primarily focusing on the past decade when Ailes arguably became the Republican Party's de facto leader, and defining events in Ailes' life, including experiences with world leaders that helped launch Ailes' political career and the sexual harassment accusations and settlements that brought his Fox News reign to an end.
View Episode Rankings#19 - Dice
Story of Andrew Dice Clay, as he deals with a demanding girlfriend, two kids, mounting gambling debt and all of life's obstacles that keep him from being a stand up guy.
View Episode Rankings#20 - History of the Eagles
Two-part documentary looking at one of the world's biggest-selling and culturally significant American bands, the Eagles.
View Episode Rankings#21 - Desus & Mero (2019)
The first ever weekly late-night talk show on Showtime features popular TV and podcast personalities Desus and Mero speaking off the cuff and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more.
View Episode Rankings#22 - The Comedy Store
Five-part documentary series that chronicles the evolution of comedy from within the walls of the iconic L.A. club. This documentary series brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at The Comedy Store, which over the past 47 years has launched the careers of a breathtaking array of stars.
View Episode Rankings#23 - Black Monday
On October 19, 1987—aka 'Black Monday', the worst stock market crash in Wall Street history—a group of outsiders take on the blue-blood, old-boys club of Wall Street and ended up crashing the world’s largest financial system, a Lamborghini limousine, Don Henley’s birthday party and the glass ceiling.
View Episode Rankings#24 - It's Garry Shandling's Show
Groundbreaking and entirely self-aware comedy series featuring comedian Garry Shandling.
View Episode Rankings#25 - The Comey Rule
An immersive, behind-the-headlines account of the historically turbulent events surrounding the 2016 presidential election and its aftermath, which divided a nation. This two-part biopic tells the story of two powerful figures, Comey and Trump, whose strikingly different personalities, ethics and loyalties put them on a collision course.
View Episode Rankings#26 - Flatbush Misdemeanors
Dan and Kevin are struggling to thrive in their new surroundings in the brash environment of Flatbush, Brooklyn. Bold, smart and grounded in authenticity, the show explores two longtime friends seeking to climb out of their heads and connect with others.
View Episode Rankings#27 - Spector
A four-part documentary series about enigmatic, legendary music producer Phil Spector and what happened on the fateful night of February 3, 2003 when actress Lana Clarkson was shot dead in his mansion.
View Episode Rankings#28 - On Becoming a God in Central Florida
In the early 1990s, Krystal Gill is a minimum-wage-earning water park employee who schemes her way up the ranks of Founders American Merchandise, a cultish, flag waving, multi-billion dollar pyramid scheme that drove her family to ruin.
View Episode Rankings#29 - I'm Dying Up Here
Set in the celebrated and infamous L.A. stand-up comedy scene of the '70s, where the careers of most comedy superstars began, "I'm Dying Up Here" delves into the inspired and damaged psyches that inhabit the hilarious, but complex business of making an audience laugh. The series is based on William Knoedelseder's book of the same name.
View Episode Rankings#30 - I Love That for You
Inspired by true events, this comedy follows childhood leukemia survivor Joanna Gold as she chases her lifelong dream of becoming a home shopping channel host. Shedding her “cancer girl” label, she moves away from her parents, starts a budding romance for the first time in her adult life and befriends her idol, the charismatic star of the network. But when a little white lie to her boss turns into a big snowy avalanche, Joanna finds that living the dream comes with a hefty price tag.
View Episode Rankings#31 - Our Cartoon President
The true-ish adventures of Trump's confidants and bon vivants — family, top associates, heads of government, golf pros and anyone else straying into his orbit — intrepidly exploring their histories and their psyches, revealing insights into what makes them so definitively Trumpian. It's a workplace comedy where the office happens to be oval; it's a character study in search of character, as seen through the eyes of an imaginary documentary crew.
View Episode Rankings#32 - Naked SNCTM
SNCTM is the most exclusive, high-end erotic club ever. Its wealthy members enjoy black tie masquerades, private dinners, and erotic theater. Get to know SNCTM, its creator and its employees in this eye-opening series. Don't miss the series premiere of Naked SNCTM Thursday, August 17th at 11PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
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