Last updated March 2024
Looking for acclaimed Best Tv Shows 2009 that live up to expectations? We rounded up 30 sensational, must-see Best Tv Shows 2009 for your viewing pleasure. Backed by stellar reviews from IMDB critics and our own discerning users, these titles are as good as entertainment gets. Help other fans uncover buried treasures by voting for your favorites. We value members who pay it forward with great recommendations!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
Plot Summary:
Edward and Alphonse Elric's reckless disregard for alchemy's fundamental laws ripped half of Ed's limbs from his body and left Al's soul clinging to a cold suit of armor. To restore what was lost, the brothers scour a war-torn land for the Philosopher's Stone, a fabled relic which grants the ability to perform alchemy in impossible ways. The Elrics are not alone in their search; the corrupt State Military is also eager to harness the artifact's power. So too are the strange Homunculi and their shadowy creator. The mythical gem lures exotic alchemists from distant kingdoms, scarring some deeply enough to inspire murder. As the Elrics find their course altered by these enemies and allies, their purpose remains unchanged – and their bond unbreakable
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 9.1/10
IMDB Votes: 191000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: alchemy, supernatural, curses spells and rituals, siblings relations, imaginary, alchemist, genocide, heroes, brother brother relationship, evil, technology, escapades, mature, steampunk, brother, superhero, fight, witchcraft, friends, bad guy, hipster, dying, fictional war, blind character, young adult
Ezel (2009)
Plot Summary:
Ömer, a young man returning from military service, is set up by his friends and fiancé and ends up in prison for ten years. He fakes his own death and manages to escape. He re-creates himself as ‘Ezel’, a high-end gambler who is outwardly a successful man, but inwardly driven by one thing - his determination to understand why the people he loved betrayed him, and take his revenge
Duration: 90 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Turkey
Plot tags: tragic love, warden, mafia, intrigue, vengeance, manipulation, ex convict, hidden identity, tragic hero, betrayal, murder, seduction, life is a bitch, organized crime, frame up, rivalry, disorder, false arrest, trial, regret, prison, muslim, kurd, love, heroes
Parks and Recreation (2009)
Plot Summary:
Hilarious ensemble comedy that follows Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, and her tireless efforts to make her quintessentially American town just a little bit more fun
Duration: 22 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 281000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Plot tags: politics, political satire, satire, social commentary, female protagonist, small town life, workplace situations, workaholic, absurd humor, strong female lead, workplace humor, boss and employee, friendship, loser, ambition, ex husband, nurse, supportive coworker, employer employee relationship, feminism, women, office, serial killer, feminist, workplace
Archer (2009)
Plot Summary:
Sterling Archer is the world's most daunting spy. He works for ISIS, a spy agency run by his mother. In between dealing with his boss and his co-workers - one of whom is his ex-girlfriend - Archer manages to annoy or seduce everyone that crosses his path. His antics are only excusable because at the end of the day, he still somehow always manages to thwart whatever crises was threatening mankind
Duration: 22 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 163000
Genere: Animation, Action, Comedy
Country: USA
Plot tags: spy, espionage, workplace, danger, womanizer, sarcasm, cia, government agency, spy spoof, secret agent, hotshot hero, chase, domineering mother, shooting, lifestyle, escapades, james bond spoof, undercover, chases and races, dimwit, silly humor, peril, hotshot, violence, female boss
Modern Family (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan is a wonderfully large and blended family. They give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted, embrace of the modern family
Duration: 22 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 469000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Plot tags: gay, family relations, everyday life, generation gap, family life, adolescence, parents and children, gay adoption, mother daughter relationship, couple relations, blended family, gay couple, family values, marriage, couples, society, gay father, traditional versus modern, parenthood, hot and sexy, gays and lesbians, eccentric family, gay relationship, parents, lgbt
Community (2009)
Plot Summary:
Follow the lives of a group of students at what is possibly the world’s worst community college in the fictional locale of Greendale, Colorado
Duration: 22 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 286000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Plot tags: hardcase students, college life, geek, friendship, social relations, friends, comedian, lifestyle change, immature, student life, college, silly humor, dark humor, uptight character, middle aged, youth, joke, slacker, satire, stand up comedian, group of friends, crush, wisdom of life, self involved, gay
Southland (2009)
Plot Summary:
Since premiering in 2009, Southland has redefined the police drama with its raw, authentic look at the lives and work of Los Angeles detectives and beat cops. The show centers on four main characters: Officer John Cooper (Cudlitz), a seasoned cop who will have to prove himself again after recovering from surgery; Officer Ben Sherman (McKenzie), who still has much to learn after recently completing his training rotation; Detective Lydia Adams (King), whose unending caseload hits closer to home; and Sammy Bryant (Hatosy), a former detective who decided to go back to being a uniform cop after the traumatic death of his partner
Duration: 42 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 29000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: lapd, policewoman, police detective, law enforcement, partners against crime, police protagonist, fighting crime, police officer, swat, police, peril, team, responsibility, workplace, tough law enforcer, workplace situations, rookie, investigation, sex, relationships, car chase, justice, feminist, love affair, legal
The Good Wife (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Good Wife is a legal drama starring Emmy Award winner Julianna Margulies as a wife and mother who boldly assumes full responsibility for her family and re-enters the workforce after her husband's very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail
Duration: 43 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 81000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Country: USA
Plot tags: legal, trial, lawyer, workplace situations, dedicated lawyer, law firm, lawyers and clients, self discovery, court, female protagonist, working mom, politics, legal investigation, election, strong female lead, judiciary, infidelity, marriage, district attorney, crumbling marriage, family problems, lawsuit, hopes, success, politician
The League (2009)
Plot Summary:
The League is an American sitcom and semi-improvised comedy about a about a fantasy football league and its members and their everyday lives
Duration: 22 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 52000
Genere: Comedy, Sport
Country: USA
Plot tags: american football, geek, football, friends, sex talk, family relations, family life, slacker, parenthood, bonding, irresponsible, competition, obsession, suburbs, fan, immature, friendship between men, stoner, nerd, sketch, women in sport, sketch show, badass, friendship, suburban life
Party Down (2009)
Plot Summary:
Party Down is an American comedy television series that follows a Los Angeles, California, catering team for the titular company. The sextet of aspiring Hollywood actors and writers, as well as drifting lost souls, work small-time catering gigs while hoping for their break or some positive change in their lives
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: party, comedian, workplace, actor, ambition, desire for fame, friendship, workplace situations, team, partner, disorder, hollywood, staff, food industry, deadend life, relationships, food, depression, stoner, nerd, satire, colleague, bittersweet, bartender, aspiring actor
Better Off Ted (2009)
Plot Summary:
Better Off Ted is an American satirical situation comedy series, created by Victor Fresco, who also served as the show's Executive Producer. The series ran on the ABC network from March 18, 2009 to January 26, 2010. Better Off Ted focuses on the protagonist, Ted Crisp, a single father and the well-respected and beloved head of a research and development department at the fictional, soulless conglomerate of Veridian Dynamics. Ted narrates the series' events by regularly breaking the fourth wall and directly addressing the audience as the show's on-camera narrator. Supporting characters include Ted's supervisor Veronica Palmer, co-worker and love interest Linda Zwordling, his daughter Rose, and laboratory scientists Phillip Myman and Lem Hewitt. The series received critical acclaim, with particular praise going towards its witty and satirical humor. Its second season holds a score of 84 out of 100 on Metacritic. However, despite such positive feedback, the show's debut only drew in 5.64 million viewers and continued to have extremely low ratings. Although many expressed skepticism towards whether or not it would return, the show was renewed for a second season. On May 13, 2010, ABC officially canceled the series due to low viewing figures. Two episodes were unaired in the United States, but are available to view on Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, Xbox Live Marketplace, and iTunes
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: workplace, office, research, boss, workplace situations, corporate world, success, experiment, team, workplace romance, scientific research, evil corporation, scientist, satire, friendship between men, colleague, exodus, fantasy life, science, father daughter relationship, corporation, female boss, work ethic, single father, doctor
Eastbound & Down (2009)
Plot Summary:
Years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach phys ed at his old middle school
Duration: 28 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 63000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Plot tags: baseball, desire for fame, teacher, ambition, ex athlete, lifestyle, dark humor, obsession, coach, loser, delusion, stupidity, glory, rivals, drinking problem, homecoming, nudity, warrior, stoner, education, nerd, lonely, satire, eccentricity, 40 year old
Miranda (2009)
Plot Summary:
Socially inept Miranda always gets into awkward situations; working in her joke shop with best friend Stevie, being hounded by her pushy mother, and especially when she's around her crush Gary
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Plot tags: comedian, dating, female protagonist, family relations, love and romance, couples, looking for love, lifestyle, nothing goes right, disorder, crush, living with parents, unsupportive parent, parents and children, old friend, overbearing parent, store, woman, socially awkward woman, lesbian, strong female lead, women, overweight man, satire, colleague
Misfits (2009)
Plot Summary:
When five young outsiders on Community Service get caught in a strange storm, they discover that they have developed superpowers
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 106000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Plot tags: supernatural, supernatural ability, youth, time travel, superhero, friendship, supernatural power, teenage life, swearing, friends, danger, superhuman powers, juvenile delinquent, imaginary, heroes, super powers, community service, psychic, misfit, twentysomething life, superpower, telepathy, young adult, immortal, teenager
White Collar (2009)
Plot Summary:
Neal Caffrey, a con man, forger and thief, is captured after a three-year game of cat and mouse with the FBI. With only months left serving a four-year sentence, he escapes to look for Kate, his girlfriend. Peter Burke, the FBI agent who initially captured Caffrey, finds and returns him to prison. This time, Caffrey proposes a deal with the FBI, as part of a work-release program. After some hesitation, Burke agrees, and thus begins this unconventional arrangement where Caffrey helps Burke apprehend white collar criminals
Duration: 40 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 139000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery
Country: USA
Plot tags: investigation, fbi, law enforcement, art thief, mastermind, con artists, criminal, unlikely partners, friendship, talented, cons and scams, expert, forger, deal, genius, thief, embezzler, fbi agent, intelligence, dishonesty, crime investigation, ethics, chases and races, cop, cat and mouse
Castle (2009)
Plot Summary:
After a serial killer imitates the plots of his novels, successful mystery novelist Richard "Rick" Castle receives permission from the Mayor of New York City to tag along with an NYPD homicide investigation team for research purposes
Duration: 43 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 172000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance
Country: USA
Plot tags: writers, investigation, female detective, romancing partners, crime investigation, homicide detective, police investigation, police detective, riddles and clues, who done it, police, law enforcement, murder, resourceful, murder investigation, workplace situations, cop, unlikely partners, multiple suspects, reluctant partners, workplace, writer's life, police station, whodunit, medical examiner
Emma (2009)
Plot Summary:
Emma Woodhouse seems to be perfectly content, a loving father whom she cares for, friends, and a home. But Emma has a terrible habit - matchmaking. She cannot resist finding suitors for her friends, most of all Harriet Smith. Emma is desperate for Harriet to find happiness, but every suitor she finds for her friend ends up attracted to Emma herself. But is Emma so focused on Harriet's happiness that she is not considering her own happiness in love?
Duration: 240 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Plot tags: marriage, aristocracy, couples, female protagonist, looking for love, love and romance, love, fall in love, friendship, love triangle, naivete, opposites attract, lovers, young woman, upscale, rich and poor, love story, british, social differences, society, heroine, pretense, matchmaking, passion, happy ending
Lie to Me (2009)
Plot Summary:
The world's leading deception researcher, Dr. Cal Lightman, studies facial expression, body language and tone of voice to determine when a person is lying and why, which helps law enforcement and government agencies uncover the truth. But his skills also make it easier for him to deceive others
Duration: 43 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 126000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: investigation, psychology, team, talented, expert, crime investigation, outsmarting, deception, riddles and clues, lie, human nature, sign language, uncover truth, research, interrogation, law enforcement, fbi, truth, dishonesty, leader, workplace situations, doctor, police investigation, boss and employee, hidden truth
United States of Tara (2009)
Plot Summary:
United States of Tara is an American television comedy-drama created by Diablo Cody, which began airing on Showtime in 2009. The series follows the life of Tara, a suburban housewife and mother coping with dissociative identity disorder
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Plot tags: mental illness, split personality, dissociative identity disorder, dysfunctional family, gay, housewife, lgbt, family drama, self discovery, jealousy, family relations, eccentric family, family life, introspection, misfit, parents and children, family problems, supportive spouse, siblings relations, women, lesbian, family secret, husband wife relationship, mental health, psychotherapy
Fairy Tail (2009)
Plot Summary:
Lucy is a 17-year-old girl, who wants to be a full-fledged mage. One day when visiting Harujion Town, she meets Natsu, a young man who gets sick easily by any type of transportation. But Natsu isn't just any ordinary kid, he's a member of one of the world's most infamous mage guilds: Fairy Tail
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: Japan
Plot tags: salvation, supernatural ability, magic, youth, wizards and magicians, rivalry, young heroes, imaginary, dragon, heroic mission, heroes, supernatural, danger, chase, hand to hand combat, fairy, fistfight, mentor, escapades, imaginary kingdom, ridicule, magical, serial killer, mature, adaptation
Bored to Death (2009)
Plot Summary:
Jonathan Ames, a young Brooklyn writer, is feeling lost. He's just gone through a painful break-up, thanks in part to his drinking, can't write his second novel, and carouses too much with his magazine editor. Rather than face reality, Jonathan turns instead to his fantasies — moonlighting as a private detective — because he wants to be a hero and a man of action
Duration: 28 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: investigation, depression, private detective, friendship, lifestyle change, drinking problem, lifestyle, amateur detective, young man, secret, investigator, surveillance, suspicion, riddles and clues, friends, private investigator, writers, stoner, friendship between men, nerd, team, comedian, joke, hipster, sketch
Whitechapel (2009)
Plot Summary:
Whitechapel is a British television drama series produced by Carnival Films, in which detectives in London's Whitechapel district deal with murders which replicate historical crimes. The first series was first broadcast in the UK on 2 February 2009 and depicted the search for a modern copycat killer replicating the murders of Jack the Ripper. A second series was commissioned by ITV in September 2009 with the focus on the Kray twins. The first episode of this second series was broadcast on 11 October 2010. A third series was commissioned by ITV in March 2011, which was extended to six episodes as three two-part stories. The first and second series were broadcast in the United States on six consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning 26 October 2011 on the BBC America cable network. The third was broadcast in the US starting on Wednesday 28 March 2012, also on BBC America. On 24 September 2012, ITV renewed Whitechapel for a fourth series consisting of 6 episodes. The first episode was broadcast on 4 September 2013
Duration: 180 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Plot tags: serial killer, forensics, police detective, murder investigation, jack the ripper, police investigation, victim, murderer, team, law enforcement, hunt down, traditional versus modern, murder, wannabe, manhunt, promotion, police station, suspect, investigation, killer, sherlock holmes, city, murder mystery, haunted house, aspiration
Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Plot Summary:
A working class girl winds up at an exclusive prep school. Unassuming high school girl Jan Di stands up to -- and eventually falls for -- a spoiled rich kid who belongs to the school's most powerfu clique
Duration: 70 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Plot tags: high school, opposites attract, cinderella story, school, teenage life, teenage love, friendship, love triangle, high school hunk, teen romance, rich man poor woman, social differences, high school life, social relations, fall in love, youth, bullying, class differences, wealthy family, love, rich kid, fame, domineering mother, against the odds, relationships
Nurse Jackie (2009)
Plot Summary:
Every day is a matter of life and death in a hectic New York City hospital, but for Nurse Jackie that's the easiest part. Between chronic back pain that won't quit, and a personal life on the constant edge of collapse, it's going to take a white lie here, a bent rule there, and a handful of secret strategies to relieve the pain, and stay one step ahead of total disaster
Duration: 27 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 29000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: addiction, hospital, nurse, doctors and patients, double life, family relations, medical, workplace situations, conflict, drug abuse, responsibility, suffering, medicine, doctor, women, dark humor, infidelity, love and romance, rivalry, depression, strong female lead, illness, suicide, mental illness, anti hero
Being Erica (2009)
Plot Summary:
Being Erica is a Canadian comedy-drama television series that aired on CBC from January 5, 2009 to December 12, 2011. Created by Jana Sinyor, the series was originally announced by the CBC as The Session, but was retitled Being Erica before debuting in 2009. It is produced by Temple Street Productions and distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide. The show stars Erin Karpluk as Erica Strange, a woman who begins seeing a therapist to deal with regrets in her life, only to discover the therapist has the ability to send her back in time to actually relive these events and even change them. In Canada, the second season premiered on September 22, 2009. Only 12 episodes were produced for the second season due to budget cuts at the CBC. On May 11, 2010, the CBC announced that Being Erica was renewed for a third season of 13 episodes. Soapnet announced that it was picking up the full third season as well. Season 3 debuted on September 21, 2010, at 9 pm ET, on CBC Television. In the United States, Season 3 began aired on Soapnet starting January 26, 2011. The show's fourth and final season aired in fall 2011. Although the show was never officially cancelled by the CBC, Sinyor told TV Guide during the fourth and final season run that the series had reached a natural conclusion and she had no plans to write or produce a fifth season
Duration: 45 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: Canada
Plot tags: time travel, self discovery, therapy, thirtysomething life, haunted by the past, psychology, road not taken, changing the past or future, destiny, lifestyle, introspection, hopes, loss of sibling, doctors and patients, therapist, lesbian, imaginary, family relations, midlife crisis, surrealism, kindness, philosophy, women, teenager, gay
The Vampire Diaries (2009)
Plot Summary:
The story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same girl, who bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful but ruthless vampire they knew and loved in 1864
Duration: 43 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 343000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: vampire, supernatural, high school, werewolf, couples, love triangle, witch, youth, vampire human love, supernatural romance, immortality, dangerous attraction, love and romance, teenage life, supernatural power, good versus evil, rivalry, imaginary, small town life, high school life, small town, teen romance, family relations, supernatural being, siblings relations
The Middle (2009)
Plot Summary:
The daily mishaps of a married woman and her semi-dysfunctional family and their attempts to survive life in general in the city of Orson, Indiana
Duration: 22 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 53000
Genere: Comedy, Family
Country: USA
Plot tags: family values, everyday life, siblings relations, parents and children, family life, family relations, parenthood, adolescence, small town, youth, childhood, couple relations, teenage boy, marriage, teenage girl, eccentric family, father daughter relationship, father son relationship, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, brother brother relationship, dysfunctional family, woman, construction worker, mother son relationship, misfit
Dollhouse (2009)
Plot Summary:
Dollhouse is an American science fiction television series that revolves around a corporation running numerous underground establishments across the globe which program individuals referred to as "Actives" with temporary personalities and skills. Wealthy clients hire Actives from Dollhouses at great expense for various purposes. The series primarily follows the Active known as Echo, played by Eliza Dushku, on her journey towards self-awareness
Duration: 44 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: memory loss, mind control, cyberpunk, kickass women, innocence lost, female protagonist, life is a bitch, self discovery, human nature, mysterious character, uncover truth, moral ambiguity, fbi, brainwashing, implanted memory, identity crisis, behavior control, female warrior, sex slave, special agent, supernatural, assassin, split personality, amnesia, dystopia
Stargate Universe (2009)
Plot Summary:
The adventures of a present-day, multinational exploration team traveling on the Ancient spaceship Destiny many billions of light years distant from the Milky Way Galaxy. They evacuated there and are now trying to figure out a way to return to Earth, while simultaneously trying to explore and to survive in their unknown area of the universe
Duration: 43 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 53000
Genere: Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Canada, USA
Plot tags: space travel, spacecraft, outer space, human existence, space opera, space and aliens, human in outer space, technology, military, alien planet, team, stargate, space, genius, advanced technology, spaceship, danger, imaginary, alien encounter, encounter, heroism, time travel, space adventure, planet, alien technology
Warehouse 13 (2009)
Plot Summary:
After saving the life of the President, two secret service agents - Myka Bering and Pete Lattimer - find themselves assigned to the top secret Warehouse 13. The Warehouse is a massive, top secret facility that houses dangerous and fantastical objects. Together, Pete and Myka along with fellow agents Claudia, Steve Jinks and Warehouse caretaker Artie, must recover artifacts from around the globe before they can cause catastrophic damage
Duration: 43 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 57000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: supernatural, artifact, secret place, ancient mystery, riddles and clues, top secret, investigation, legends and myths, undercover, agent, paranormal activity, magical object, secret service, danger, curses spells and rituals, escapades, treasure hunt, government agency, imaginary, supernatural power, government facility, steampunk, secret government organization, paranormal, partner