Last updated March 2024
Looking for acclaimed Best Tv Shows 2018 that live up to expectations? We rounded up 30 sensational, must-see Best Tv Shows 2018 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!
Bluey (2018)
Plot Summary:
Bluey is an inexhaustible six year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures, developing her imagination as well as her mental, physical and emotional resilience
Duration: 7 min
IMDB Rating: 9.4/10
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Animation, Family
Country: Australia, UK, USA
Plot tags: family life, dog, father daughter relationship, sister sister relationship, anthropomorphic dog, game, family relations, working class, cartoon dog, grownups, friendship, archaeologist, puppy, mother daughter relationship, best friend, imagination, brother sister relationship, anthropomorphic animal, pretense, canine, baby boy, kids and family, censorship, make believe, family
Persona (2018)
Plot Summary:
After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, a retired judicial officer decides to commit a murder that he had been planning for years
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 9.0/10
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Turkey
Plot tags: serial killer, investigation, rape, secret, police, death, journalist, anti hero, danger, alzheimer's disease, family relations, muslim, murder mystery, sister, life lesson, nordic, cognitive science, killer, police officer, cat, suicide, corruption, blood, flashback, dead body
Succession (2018)
Plot Summary:
The lives of the Roy family as they contemplate their future once their aging father begins to step back from the media and entertainment conglomerate they control
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
IMDB Votes: 248000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: wealth, family business, business, dysfunctional family, patriarchy, betrayal, dysfunctional relationship, father son relationship, ceo, family drama, businessman, parents and children, rivalry, family relations, siblings, employee employee relationship, finance, inheritance, corporation, intrigue, heir, workplace intrigue, company, megacorporation, society
Yellowstone (2018)
Plot Summary:
Follow the violent world of the Dutton family, who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. Led by their patriarch John Dutton, the family defends their property against constant attack by land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first National Park
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 199000
Genere: Drama, Western
Country: USA
Plot tags: ranch, family business, family relations, cowboy, rivalry, death, cattle ranch, society, old west, dishonesty, violence, killings, small town, dishonor among criminals, gunfight, sheriff, boss, shooting, greed, lifestyle, racial slur, small town life, tough guy, hunting, criminal
Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Plot Summary:
Based in Shinmiyangyo, or the U.S. expedition to Korea in the late 19th century, Mr. Sunshine tells the story of a Korean boy born into a family of a house servant running away to board an American warship, later to return to his homeland as a U.S. marine officer. He ironically falls in love with an aristocrat’s daughter and discovers the dark scheme to colonize the country that he once ran away from
Duration: 80 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: South Korea
Plot tags: japanese occupation of korea, love triangle, patriotism, culture clash, joseon dynasty, betrayal, destiny, wartime, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, survival, historical event, stereotypes, propaganda, childhood friend, tragic event, social realism, child abuse, military life, sniper, friendship, queen, faith, occupation, asian, female protagonist
Mr Inbetween (2018)
Plot Summary:
Ray Shoesmith is a father, ex-husband, boyfriend and best friend: tough roles to juggle in the modern age. Even harder when you’re a criminal for hire
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Australia
Plot tags: hitman, organized crime, mercenary, violence, betrayal, murder, chases and races, escapades, danger, family drama, secret past, fight scenes, psychopath, criminal, sociopath, father daughter relationship, parents, nypd, anti hero, lone hero, tough guy, deadly, show, anti-hero, anti heroes
My Brilliant Friend (2018)
Plot Summary:
When the most important friend in her life seems to have disappeared without a trace, Elena Greco, a now-elderly woman immersed in a house full of books, turns on her computer and starts writing the story of their friendship
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy, USA
Plot tags: life is a bitch, friendship, children, hopes, parents and children, brutality, girlfriend girlfriend relationship, friends, girlfriend, father daughter relationship, feminist, relationship problems, life, high school friend, pain, traumatic childhood, urban, social injustice, coming of age, girl, violence, wedding, seaside, hand job, friend
POSE (2018)
Plot Summary:
A dance musical that explores the juxtaposition of several segments of 1980s life and society in New York: the ball culture world, the rise of the luxury Trump-era universe and the downtown social and literary scene
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 32000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: lgbt, gay, lgbtq, female impersonator, transsexual, transgender, lgbtqi, desire for fame, dance school, success, socialite, showgirl, fashion, aids, dance, black, black history, black lives matter, social differences, society, cultural difference, lifestyle, social relations, sex, lesbian
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Plot Summary:
The Crains, a fractured family, confront haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it
Duration: 572 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 279000
Genere: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: ghost, haunted house, supernatural, supernatural horror, mysterious past, family relations, addiction, sibling relationship, lesbian, spirit, life is a bitch, past coming back to haunt, sister sister relationship, family in danger, paranormal, brother sister relationship, supernatural ability, old dark house, haunted, supernatural power, mysticism, haunted castle, vengeful ghost, dysfunctional family, haunted by the past
Sacred Games (2018)
Plot Summary:
A link in their pasts leads an honest cop to a fugitive gang boss, whose cryptic warning spurs the officer on a quest to save Mumbai from cataclysm
Duration: 50 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 92000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: India, USA
Plot tags: investigation, sikh, politics, criminal underworld, police, conspiracy, brutality, arrest, police officer, torture, terrorist, race against time, justice, fear, danger, terrorist attack, threat, negotiation, media, money, mafia, time, mature, punjabi, mental health
Cobra Kai (2018)
Plot Summary:
This Karate Kid sequel series picks up 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament and finds Johnny Lawrence on the hunt for redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. This reignites his old rivalry with the successful Daniel LaRusso, who has been working to maintain the balance in his life without mentor Mr. Miyagi
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 200000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Plot tags: karate, martial arts, dojo, martial arts training, master apprentice relationship, fight, starting over, middle aged man, teenager, martial artist, father son relationship, father figure, rivalry, bullying, father daughter relationship, coming of age, battles, contests and competitions, showdown, professional rivalry, lgbt, youth, pandemic, love affair, hardship
Derry Girls (2018)
Plot Summary:
Set in the early 1990s, this sitcom features the personal exploits of a 16 year old girl, her family and friends during the Troubles
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 54000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Plot tags: teenager, catholic, lesbian, friendship, protestant, coming of age, school, lgbt, high school, youth, feminist, teenage life, humour, society, lgbtq, grownups, lifestyle, social relations, political conflict, political unrest, class conflict, adolescence vs adulthood, serial killer, women, writers
Hilda (2018)
Plot Summary:
Fearless, free-spirited Hilda finds new friends, adventure and magical creatures when she leaves her enchanted forest home and journeys to the city
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: UK, Canada, USA
Plot tags: magic, female protagonist, friendship, children, magical creature, girl, mythical creature, child protagonist, troll, folklore, wizards and magicians, monster, travel, mother daughter relationship, giant creature, witch, single mother, friends, teamwork, forest, golem, magic realism, escapades, group of friends, mischievous children
Barry (2018)
Plot Summary:
A hit man from the Midwest moves to Los Angeles and gets caught up in the city's theatre arts scene
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 117000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: hitman, aspiring actor, betrayal, mentor, police investigation, criminal, dark humor, danger, murder, friends, shooting, satire, ambition, culture clash, adaptation, gay couple, assassin, deception, humour, manipulation, impostor, coming of age, anti hero, con game, die hard
Steins;Gate 0 (2018)
Plot Summary:
The dark untold story of Steins;Gate that leads with the eccentric mad scientist Okabe, struggling to recover from a failed attempt at rescuing Kurisu. He decides to give up and abandons his lively scientist alter ego, in pursuit to forget the past. When all seems to be normal, he is seemingly pulled back into the past by meeting an acquaintance of Kurisu, who tells him that they have begun testing a device that stores the memory of a human and creates a simulation of them with their characteristics and personalities. Okabe begins testing and finds out that the simulation of Kurisu has brought back anguish and some new unexpected tragedies. Zero is a side story that explores events from the Beta Attractor Field's future that contribute in making the end of the original story possible
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Plot tags: time travel, time machine, time loop, experiment, research, escapades, rivalry, inventions and discoveries, peril, hopes, characters in danger, existence paradox, parallel world, student, scientist, young woman, laboratory, young man, secret organization, superhero, badass, artificial intelligence, trance, male protagonist, trans woman
Violet Evergarden (2018)
Plot Summary:
The war is over, and Violet Evergarden needs a job. Scarred and emotionless, she takes a job as a letter writer to understand herself and her past
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: female protagonist, love, letter, self discovery, war, loss of loved one, child soldier, travel, relationships, slice of life, war veteran, weapons, orphan, post war, steampunk, trauma, fictional country, first love, male female relationship, new job, introspection, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, new life, autism, adaptation
Narcos: Mexico (2018)
Plot Summary:
See the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel as an American DEA agent learns the danger of targeting narcos in 1980s Mexico
Duration: 50 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 91000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: drug cartel, cartel, organized crime, marijuana, undercover agent, business, corruption, drug lord, gang, criminal, drug, drug dealing, cocaine, mafia, outlaw, drug dealer, dea, mariachi, investigation, crime boss, gangster, bandit, heroin, gang leader, criminal gang
The Dragon Prince (2018)
Plot Summary:
An extraordinary discovery inspires two human princes and an elven assassin to team up on an epic quest to bring peace to their warring lands
Duration: 26 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: dragon, sword and sorcery, elf, heir to the throne, magic, prince, imaginary kingdom, save the kingdom, egg, conflict, exile, border, black magic, teenager, murderer, revenge, feminism, sword, hipster, creature feature, sorcery, badass, love, supernatural, kingdom
The Kominsky Method (2018)
Plot Summary:
An aging actor, who long ago enjoyed a brush with fame, makes his living as an acting coach
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 43000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: older man younger man relationship, best friend, family relations, life, father daughter relationship, old age, mission, actor's life, actor, relationship problems, lifestyle, friendship, afterlife, lsd, daughter, grief, male protagonist, marriage, funeral, elderly couple, elderly, aging, friendship between men, friend, human
Final Space (2018)
Plot Summary:
An astronaut named Gary and his planet-destroying sidekick Mooncake embark on serialized journeys through space in order to unlock the mystery of “Final Space,” the last point in the universe, if it actually does exist
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: outer space, robot, team, space travel, heroes, alien, space battle, friendship, space wars, escapades, spacecraft, good versus evil, love and romance, space exploration, space opera, astronaut, alien technology, space, space station, showdown, mature, future shock, space adventure, spaceship, space monster
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
Plot Summary:
In this reboot of the '80s series, a magic sword transforms an orphan girl into warrior She-Ra, who unites a rebellion to fight against evil
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: heroic mission, betrayal, planet, danger, rebellion, good versus evil, female warrior, magic, journey, princess, best friend, revolution, save the world, imaginary kingdom, soldier, lesbian, rescue, defector, lgbt, lesbian love, female friendship, female protagonist, rivalry, ambition, rebel
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (2018)
Plot Summary:
"Rimuru Tempest" is the new name of a slime in a fantasy world taken by a former 37-year-old human Satou Mikami after he is killed by a passing robber. Broken free from ordinary, stale past life, his fresh adventure in a fantasy world as a slime monster with unique abilities begins
Duration: 25 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Country: Japan
Plot tags: parallel world, friendship, reincarnation, magic, danger, fantasy world, heroes, dragon, murder, slime, death, demon, society, rivalry, underground, adaptation, escapades, vengeance, destiny, goblin, violence, isekai, fairy, robbery, slice of life
Killing Eve (2018)
Plot Summary:
A security consultant hunts for a ruthless assassin. Equally obsessed with each other, they go head to head in an epic game of cat-and-mouse
Duration: 42 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 130000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Plot tags: lgbt, psychopath, female protagonist, lesbian, psycho killer, investigation, woman with a gun, female assassin, peril, odd couple, obsession, lesbian love, strong female character, hitman, killings, violence, girl fight, spy, blood, sapphic, dark humor, strong sexual content, lesbian attraction, murder, female spy
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (2018)
Plot Summary:
Puberty Syndrome—a rumored, mysterious syndrome that only affects those in their puberty. For example, a bunny girl suddenly appeared in front of Sakuta Azusagawa. The bunny girl's real identity is Mai Sakurajima, a teenage celebrity who is currently an inactive high school senior. For some reason, her charming figure does not reflect in the eyes of others. In the course of revealing the mystery behind this phenomenon, Sakuta begins to explore his feelings towards Mai. Set in a city where the skies and seas shine, Sakuta unfolds the meaning behind his bizarre encounters on women with the said syndrome
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: Japan
Plot tags: school, friendship, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, youth, teenage life, fall in love, family problems, siblings relations, ambition, friend, lifestyle, supernatural, parents and children, twists and turns, love triangle, family relations, slice of life, storytelling, teenager, high school life, high school student, male female relationship, invisibility, high school, surrealism
What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018)
Plot Summary:
Lee Young-Joon's family runs a large company and he works as the vice-president of the company. He is smart, rich and handsome, but he is arrogant. His secretary is Kim Mi-So. She has worked for him for years and she is perfect for him, but Kim Mi-So decides to quit her job
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Comedy, Mystery, Romance
Country: South Korea
Plot tags: secretary, office romance, workaholic, heir, narcissism, romantic relationship, love, narcissist, childhood trauma, love interest, couple relations, love and romance, male female relationship, employer employee relationship, love affair, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, employee employee relationship, phobia, family conflict, love story, secret identity, workplace, collaboration, workplace situations, kidnapping
Bodyguard (2018)
Plot Summary:
A troubled war veteran is assigned to protect a controversial politician who may be the target of a terror plot
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 142000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Plot tags: bodyguard, terrorist, terrorism, security, police, assassination, stalking, politician, british police, spy, politics, die hard, investigation, minister, police officer, murder, husband wife relationship, gentleman, government, whodunit, women, criminal, corruption, racist, resistance
The Rookie (2018)
Plot Summary:
Starting over isn’t easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being an LAPD officer. As the force’s oldest rookie, he’s met with skepticism from some higher-ups who see him as just a walking midlife crisis
Duration: 43 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 60000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: police officer, lapd, investigation, crime investigation, daring rescue, characters in danger, life risking, terrorism, race against time, forced into action, policewoman, police station, criminality, police, heroes, one man army, workplace, save the day, male protagonist, undercover, danger, demotion, twists and turns, capture, one day
Patrick Melrose (2018)
Plot Summary:
Based on the Patrick Molrose Novels by Edward St. Aubyn
Duration: 302 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 32000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Plot tags: mental illness, father son relationship, child abuse, drug addiction, depression, alcohol abuse, traumatic childhood, childhood trauma, loneliness, violence, millionaire, dysfunctional family, family relations, ambition, family problems, dialogue, lifestyle, misfit, husband wife relationship, alcoholism, destiny, incest, addiction, friends, society
Sharp Objects (2018)
Plot Summary:
Reporter Camille Preaker confronts the psychological demons from her past when she returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls
Duration: 421 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 114000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: murder investigation, murder, small town, mother daughter relationship, self mutilation, haunted by the past, hometown, journalist, reporter, serial killer, alcoholic, self harm, family relations, investigative reporter, female alcoholic, twists and turns, filicide, death in the family, missing girl, female warrior, women, writers, self destructing, coming of age, strong female lead
The Mechanism (2018)
Plot Summary:
A scandal erupts in Brazil during an investigation of alleged government corruption via oil and construction companies. Loosely inspired by true events
Duration: 41 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Brazil
Plot tags: investigation, corruption, border, society, dishonesty, rivalry, danger, good versus evil, police officer, villain, right wing, nordic, businessman, politician, money laundering, police investigation, brazilian history, subterfuge, plea bargain, brazilian politics, female nudity, propaganda, government corruption, corrupt judge, destroying evidence