Top 10 Anthology Series of the 21st Century, Ranked

The greatest anthology shows from the 21st century prove that this form of storytelling can be even more compelling than shows that follow the same character or setting the entire time. This genre definitely lends itself to scary stories, as the most popular horror anthology shows bring in new killers, ghosts, and creatures in every episode or season.

But the best anthology shows aren’t necessarily creepy, and some are even funny. From a few great thrillers to an offbeat comedy that has settings you would never expect, to the five-season adaptation of a 1990s movie that has incredible dialogue, these anthology series are going to impress you.

Miracle Workers (2019-2023)

The creative settings of all four seasons of Miracle Workers set it apart from other anthologies, making it one of the most unique shows that didn’t get the attention it should have. It’s also great to see the actors playing different characters each time, as it showcases their range and makes for fresh storytelling.

Besides the wildly different locations of each season (the apocalypse, the Dark Ages, the afterlife, and the Oregon Trail), it’s fun to see Daniel Radcliffe play an angel named Craig in season 1 and be reminded that he’s much more than just Harry Potter.

While season 1 is so hilarious that it would have been great to see these characters come back for several more seasons, the variety of settings is surprising and enjoyable.

The Afterparty (2022-2023)

It’s rare to see a comedic anthology show, and The Afterparty is even more unique, as every episode is about characters trying to solve a murder while telling the story as a different movie genre. The regency romance, coming-of-age, thriller, animation, and romantic comedy genres are all explored over the show’s two seasons.

The Afterparty definitely flew under the radar, but the mix of genres makes the show fun and exciting. It’s much more refreshing than another serious show about a detective interrogating potential suspects. It also connects both seasons by featuring recurring characters Zoë Zhu (Zoë Chao) and Aniq Adjaye (Sam Richardson), who deal with another crime in season 2.

American Crime Story (2016-2021)

Every season of Ryan Murphy’s series touches on a different case that really happened, from O.J. Simpson’s murder trial to Bill Clinton’s impeachment to Andrew Cunanan’s killing of Gianni Versace. Since these all had a huge impact on popular culture, it’s particularly fascinating to watch the show.

Although several aspects were changed for the fictional version, so it’s not 100% the true story, The People vs. O.J. Simpson is the best of all three seasons, featuring strong performances from its talented cast, including Courtney B. Vance, David Schwimmer, and Sterling K. Brown.

It’s impressive to watch Sarah Paulson play lawyer Marcia Clark as her performance drives home how the media unfairly poked fun at the real Clark. It’s hard to say that all three seasons are equally great, but considering the cultural importance of O.J. Simpson’s trial, it’s worth watching season 1.

American Horror Story (2011-Present)

It’s hard to stand out in a sea of horror anthology shows, but Ryan Murphy’s arguably remains the most popular. Each season examines most subgenres, and whether you want to dive deep into a cult, watch the horrifying Twisty the Clown, or see a few haunted houses, there’s likely a season that you’ll be interested in.

Since American Horror Story is fairly gory and disturbing at times, it’s not for everyone, which makes other anthology shows more intriguing to a wider audience. But horror fans will find a lot to enjoy here. While each season is different, several actors come back and play various characters, which is a great connecting thread.

Coven, which focuses on witches and stars Gabourey Sidibe, Emma Roberts, Jessica Lange, and Angela Bassett, stands out as a particularly excellent season.

The Sinner (2017-2021)

The Sinner stands out in two ways from typical crime or thriller anthology shows: it features the same detective for all four seasons, and it shares the killer with you from the first episode.

Some anthologies fail because some seasons are weaker than others, and it can be tough to feel like the show is building excitement or momentum. It’s smart to focus on one detective learning why each character committed murder, as The Sinner never feels stale.

Rather than getting worse as it went on, The Sinner season 4 is perhaps the strongest. You’ve gotten to know Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman), and the show genuinely explores how one character is affected by seeing a lot of pain over the course of their career.

Love, Death & Robots (2019-Present)

It’s not every day that an anthology show tells a horror/sci-fi story that is also animated, which is what makes Love, Death & Robots so compelling. Every season of the Netflix show has high Rotten Tomatoes ratings, with Volume 3 getting a rare 100%, speaking to how much the show has fascinated viewers.

Love, Death & Robots has much in common with Black Mirror, as each episode tells a new story about a world in the future that has different, often terrifying technology, but Love, Death & Robots has particularly detailed and unexpected storylines.

Although it doesn’t have the universal fandom of some other anthologies, the show’s unique episodes make it stand out. Instead of focusing on creepy, all-knowing apps or computers that spy on people, one episode, “When the Yogurt Took Over,” is about yogurt that turns into a powerful being. It’s a strange, unnerving storyline that manages to feel whimsical, too.

The White Lotus (2021-Present)

Some anthologies fade from public consciousness because only the first season is thrilling and the subject of much discussion, but The White Lotus cemented itself as one of the most popular in the genre. While season 1 was intriguing, season 2 put it on the map, and the excitement surrounding season 3 proved it wasn’t a one-season wonder.

The blend of talented cast members and engaging storytelling makes The White Lotus a must-watch. Cast members like Jennifer Coolidge, Connie Britton, Meghann Fahy, Aimee Lou Wood, and Walton Goggins draw you in, but the show’s thriller tone keeps you interested, along with the strong setting of a resort in Maiu, Sicily, and Thailand.

You know that when you tune in, you’ll get big stars, a mysterious murder, and clever dialogue. It’s the perfect example of how an anthology format can let you know what to expect each season while delivering surprises, too.

True Detective (2014-Present)

True Detective gives fans of crime anthologies exactly what they want: celebrated actors playing flawed, layered characters who solve difficult cases. The paranormal aspects of season 4, which stars Jodie Foster, proved the show can still be surprising, even a decade after its premiere.

True Detective season 2 isn’t as popular as the others, and it failed to tell a genuinely compelling crime story and didn’t capture viewers like the previous one. For that reason, it’s tough to say it’s the greatest show in the genre.

However, it’s hard to ignore the love people have for the first season, and it still lives up to the hype a decade later. The series deserves all its praise since the strong acting in the third and fourth seasons proved that it’s still an engaging staple.

Black Mirror (2011-Present)

It’s easy to hear the premise of Black Mirror and think only one season would be interesting. Instead, the Netflix series is still popular and shocking. Even better, the first five seasons of Black Mirror were released fairly consistently from 2011 to 2019, although there was a long gap until season 6 came out in 2023.

Although many Black Mirror episodes are harrowing, there’s sometimes at least one relatable character to pay attention to, which helps with the dark tone. And you have to respect the ability of creator Charlie Brooker, who writes many of the episodes, to never shy away from an alarming ending, as it’s the best path for the story.

Rather than presenting cheesy or unrealistic phones or laptops, Black Mirror uses technology as a framework to discuss serious issues, like the hardships of parenting and keeping kids safe in the disturbing episode “Arkangel.” While you might not love every episode, there are enough stand-outs that prove how impressive the show’s storytelling is, from “USS Callister” to “Hang the DJ.”

Fargo (2014-2024)

The most compelling anthology series is an adaptation of the popular Coen brothers movie Fargo, which was released in 1996. It was smart to expand the format and give this story more room.

Like several others in the genre, every season of Fargo has a gripping setting, stellar performances from famous names, and fascinating crime stories. The cast is definitely the draw, as it’s hard to beat having Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton in season 1, or Jon Hamm and Juno Temple in season 5.

The dialogue in the Fargo movie is one of the most memorable parts, and the same thing is true of the TV series, which is what cements it as such an exciting part of the genre.

Characters manage to sound philosophical even when having a regular, everyday conversation, like when Lorne Malvo (Thornton) says, “You’ve spent your whole life thinking there are rules. There aren’t. We used to be gorillas.” It’s unclear if Fargo will get a season 6, but it would be a shame not to see another installment from this spectacular anthology series again.