Best Series Like Breaking Bad

Summary

• Breaking Bad
  is a top TV drama with amazing characters and genius direction by Vince Gilligan.
• Fans can find other great shows like
  Breaking Bad
  to fill the void it left behind.
• Seasons 4 & 5 of
  Breaking Bad
  are considered some of the finest seasons of television ever made.

Breaking Bad is widely regarded as one of the best TV dramas of the 21st century. Across five seasons and 62 episodes, it told a story of compelling criminals, quick-witted lawyers, and family conflict. It had some amazing, three-dimensional characters and consistently developed them throughout the show’s run. Viewers can clearly see Vince Gilligan evolving as a director with each season, with Season 5 being a display of everything this genius has learned, letting fans enjoy one of the finest seasons of television ever made.

Viewers who liked Breaking Bad were saddened when it finally came to an end. However, they can rest assured that there are plenty of other great shows like Breaking Bad that can help to fill the void it left behind. While some of these may not reach the great heights that Vince Gilligan’s masterpiece attained, these recommendations can still make for some riveting television regardless. In fact, some people may argue that there are a few candidates that are arguably better than Walter White’s story, which is hefty praise indeed.

Updated on December 11, 2024, by Mehrdad Khayyat: Breaking Bad set new standards for crime dramas after depicting ruthless drug dealers throughout a captivating story, but there are still shows that can deliver the same feeling to the audience.

Both before and after the release of Breaking Bad, there have been some incredible crime-oriented TV series, and some of them focus on drugs and deadly cartels even better than Breaking Bad.

24 BoJack Horseman

A Comedy-Drama With A Narcissistic Main Character

It’s hard to believe that an animated show about anthropomorphic animals has more to say about the human condition than the majority of live-action shows out there, but that’s precisely what makes Bojack Horseman so special. The first eight episodes can be a bit of a pain to get through, with the dialogue being pretty threadbare and the comedic moments falling flat more often than not.

However, it’s when Bojack Horseman starts leaning into its strengths following the introduction of Herb that things really take a turn for the better. Each and every season of this show provides thought-provoking narratives and memorable characters who will stick with people long after they’ve finished watching the show. The fact that people even manage to sympathize with a despicable personality like Bojack shows just how complex the narrative really is.

23 Succession

The Broken Family In This Show Utter Numerous Memorable Lines Of Dialogue

The idea of a wealthy businessman choosing one of his children to take over the business is a simple premise that requires something special to stand out, and Succession has this in spades. The dialogue is easily some of the very best in any TV show, with the constant jabs, insults, and comebacks being a joy to witness.

Succession‘s run was memorable without overstaying its welcome, something that fans of Breaking Bad will appreciate. The series has captured many hearts and blew up with its final season, a pattern that is oddly similar to Breaking Bad.

22 The West Wing

An Impeccable Legal Drama That’s Excellent In Every Way

People who want to check out a good, realistic political drama will have a great time watching The West Wing. It may seem daunting to get into this series, but a few episodes are all it takes for fans to understand why people absolutely love this series to bits.

The documentation of legal processes in the White House makes for a riveting time, with a combination of well-developed characters, interesting plotlines, and snappy dialogue making each episode a blast to get through. 154 episodes does seem like a lot, but this number will breeze by once fans get into the drama presented in The West Wing.

21 Twin Peaks

An Eccentric Drama With Shades Of The Supernatural That Enjoyed A Brief Yet Legendary Run

One of the most eccentric TV shows players can check out, Twin Peaks was such a major cult classic that it was brought back for another run because of fan demand alone. The supernatural influences in this detective drama are executed beautifully and make this show a treat to witness.

Twin Peaks is something that fans must witness firsthand to see what makes it so special to watch. The fact that this series came back and blew people’s minds once again is a testament to how brilliant the disorienting nature of this series is, with viewers left questioning themselves after witnessing the many offbeat moments present in each and every episode.

20 Sherlock

An Entertaining Dynamic Between The Main Duo

It’s impossible to talk about Sherlock without remembering the way the series completely fell off in the latter half. The modern interpretation of Sherlock was broken, neurotic, and oh-so-captivating to witness on-screen whenever he channeled his eccentric side. However, after Moriarty’s demise, the show went down a steep cliff in terms of quality and ended on a downer so bad that there’s no hope of saving the series now.

However, people can still enjoy what the show did right in the first two seasons. Sherlock was a captivating affair during that time, with the writing and mysteries being absolutely splendid to behold and showing to everyone why Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are two of the best castings ever for Sherlock Holmes and John Watson respectively.

19 Deadwood

A Show Full Of Character Drama And Engaging Writing

Not a lot of people talk about Deadwood nowadays, which is a shame. The series deserves to be remembered for its incredible performances and riveting shows. There aren’t many Western shows for people to enjoy anyway, which is what makes Deadwood so special. Watching this settlement evolve to become a proper town makes for a great watch, with viewers being totally hooked throughout this entire journey.

The ties to American history really serve to make Deadwood‘s events feel as authentic as possible. Any person seeking out a riveting drama to watch will get a kick out of Deadwood and its scintillating direction.

18 Dexter

A Protagonist Tries To Lead A Normal Life While Engaging In Illegal Activities

Dexter Morgan will quickly become a character everyone hates to love in the show, with his serial killing vigilantism being oddly riveting in its own way. The initial seasons are simply extraordinary, with the writing and direction of Dexter being incredibly fun to watch. The many colorful characters he encounters during his murderous adventures make each season quite exciting.

However, even a show as celebrated as Dexter couldn’t avoid the curse that plagues most long-running narratives. Over time, the writing of the series became pretty weak, with many fans not really huge fans of Dexter‘s later seasons. However, the first few chapters of Dexter‘s tale are certainly quite engaging, in no small part because of the great writing and unique scenarios that the show’s characters find themselves in.

17 Snowfall

Exploring The History Of Crack Cocaine In Los Angeles Through A Captivating Story

For those who love gangster stories with a heavy focus on drugs, Snowfall is a must-watch. While the story itself is not based on anything real, the background events are indeed true, including the abundance of cocaine in Los Angeles that led drug lords to offer a new type of drug.

Snowfall explores the rise of Crack Cocaine in Los Angeles in the late 1900s by depicting the life of a drug dealer who aims to expand his presence in the black community of drug lords, and he seems to sacrifice anything for this.

16 Top Boy

Growing Up Within In A Crime-Infested Neighborhood As A Teenager

Top Boy is one of the underrated TV series in previous years that has not drawn enough attention while it does deliver a deep story about how poverty and poor living conditions could easily force teenagers towards big crimes.

The series follows the story of a young teenager who wants to take care of his mom in the absence of his father, and while he does not want to get involved in criminal activities, the abundance of drug dealers in the neighborhood and their lucrative business cannot be ignored easily.

15 Fargo

The First Season Focuses On A Regular Man’s Downfall Into A Life Of Crime

Another crime drama makes its way on this list in the form of Fargo. After all, it’s only a given that fans of Breaking Bad would like more shows in the same vein that feature a pretty unique take on the very concept of crime itself, and Fargo definitely fits the bill.

Each season of Fargo focuses on a new and unique tale about how criminal actions mess up the lives of normal citizens, something that fans of Breaking Bad will find to be right up their alley. While Season 4 might’ve had its fair share of missteps, the show is still beautifully shot and impeccably written for each and every episode.

14 True Detective

The First Season’s Detective Duo Has Great Chemistry & Realistic Flaws

It’s a shame that True Detective really fell off after the first season, especially since the incredible direction and storytelling present in the first case was something truly remarkable. It helped that the duo of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson set TVs ablaze with their scintillating chemistry every single time they appeared on-screen.

True Detective‘s first season will keep viewers hooked for the long run, with some of its scenes being so immaculately shot and directed that people will genuinely marvel at the skill required for some of these cuts. It’s just a shame that the finale falls flat, but that’s a minor complaint in the grand scheme of things when people talk about what this season achieved.

13 Mindhunter

A Psychological Crime Thriller That Breaks Down The Innocence Of The People In The Behavioral Science Unit

David Fincher is a master of cinematic storytelling, and fans loved his initiative to start a TV series with his patented style. Mindhunter started off on a great note and let its setting and story threads simmer for a while before delivering some truly incredible payoffs that captivated viewers to no end.

The second season managed to up the ante to a greater extent, with the serial killer hunt being a great driving force for the season as it delivered excellent moments with every episode. However, Fincher himself has said that Mindhunter is too expensive to make, meaning that a third season is pretty much a pipe dream that may never become a reality — a fact that saddens many fans of this riveting psychological drama.

12 Mad Men

A Flawed Main Character Who Still Ends Up Being Oddly Likable

Advertising is a fascinating industry to take a look at, with this field being filled to the brim with creative minds who dream up truly amazing and awe-inspiring campaigns. Not only does Mad Men take a long and hard look at this industry, but it also shows a brilliant depiction of the 60s.

Mad Men features an amazing cast and great characters who constantly develop over the course of the show’s seven seasons. Each character is complex in their own unique way, and watching them blossom to life on screen every single time is a huge part of what makes Mad Men so special.

11 Barry

A Great Show With Deep, Thought-Provoking Elements

People looking for a more humorous take on serious issues should look no further than Barry. This comedy-drama features Bill Hader as an army vet turned contract killer who becomes disillusioned by his life and decides to try out acting in a bid to regain the spark of hope and joy in his life.

Barry is a great show where both the main character and the supporting cast are extremely funny yet deep in their own way. The writing is impeccable, featuring a balance of serious moments and laugh-out-loud dialogue that keeps the show fresh throughout its run.

10 Prison Break

A Well-Paced Drama Centered Around Two Brothers

An older show but one that still deserves a watch, Prison Break is similar enough to Breaking Bad for fans of that show to appreciate it. The show is based on the bond of a family (between Michael and Lincoln), drawing parallels to the White and Schrader families in Breaking Bad. Fox River State Penitentiary rivals even the best prisons in gaming.

Prison Break aired 90 episodes across five seasons, which is even longer than Breaking Bad aired. While the criminals in Prison Break are far less sophisticated, there are some brilliantly unique characters that will have viewers reminiscing about the electrical performances of some of the cast of Breaking Bad.

9 Sons Of Anarchy

How Jax Teller Balances His Time Between His Motorcycle Club And Being A Family Man

Sons of Anarchy is connected to Breaking Bad due to the criminal nature of the characters and how this impacts their personal lives. The theme of family conflict is also front-and-center of Sons of Anarchy, making it a great option for fans of shows like Breaking Bad to jump into. There are many moments in Sons of Anarchy that match even the best Breaking Bad episodes.

Sons of Anarchy tells the story of the titular motor club and its relationship with other motorcycle clubs across the United States. When the Sons aren’t having firefights with rivals in the open desert, they are turning and snitching on one another. The rift between the main character Jax Teller and his stepfather Clay Morrow becomes more profound throughout the seasons, leading to ramifications for the entire club.

8 Queen Of The South

The Rise Of A Notorious Drug Empire By A Mexican Widow

Queen of the South is one of the most underrated drug-themed series that probably never received the attention it deserved. The series depicts the life of Teresa Mendoza, a Mexican woman who goes through a lot after her boyfriend gets murdered by drug cartel members.

The first season of the show mostly focuses on Teresa’s brutal life in Mexico and her efforts to move to the United States illegally. While she tries to avoid criminal activities in the US, the strong desire to get revenge from her boyfriend’s killers drags her down to the underworld of drug smugglers, slowly making her one of the biggest drug queens in the southern US.

With the show’s opening sequence starting with Teresa living a luxurious life in her mansion, the audience will soon understand where the story will end up, but the path is more exciting than the final destination. This is exactly where Queen of the South shares similarities with Breaking Bad because everyone knows the latter is about a chemistry teacher who turns into a drug lord, but only those who have watched the series know how this happens.

7 Better Call Saul

A Prequel To Breaking Bad

An obvious choice, but a surprising number of Breaking Bad fans still haven’t seen Better Call Saul. The spin-off was adored by both critics and viewers, expanding upon the titular character’s origins after Saul had impressed so much during Breaking Bad‘s run. The best Better Call Saul episodes are some of the finest TV around.

Better Call Saul has its differences from Breaking Bad, most notably in how law-centric it is, but viewers will quickly feel the relevance of it and appreciate the slow-paced storytelling. With fan-favorite characters like Saul and Mike to carry the first season, the show quickly establishes its own exclusive characters that become every bit as important to the overall universe as characters from the parent show.

6 Weeds

A Suburban Mother Who Starts Dealing Drugs To Make Ends Meet

While much more comedic and goofier than Breaking Bad, Weeds shares much in common with it. Telling the story of a suburban mother whose husband has passed away, becoming a mid-level drug dealer to support her family, it has brilliant moments of blended comedy and drama that viewers will appreciate. It also has a brilliant cast whose portrayals rival even the best Breaking Bad characters.

There are many similarities in the stories of Weeds and Breaking Bad, which viewers will find makes the jump to the show easier. Viewers shouldn’t be put off by the outwardly comedic nature of this show either. At times, it can be incredibly poignant. Coming from the same creative mind that produced Orange is the New Black, viewers will have a blast watching the show.

5 Drug Lords

A Documentary About The Biggest Drug Empires

No matter how accurately a show depicts the lives of infamous drug dealers, there is always some form of exaggeration or unreal events in the shows to keep the audience excited about what would happen next, which is the nature of story-driven TV series. That’s why nothing could be more trustworthy than documentaries for those who want to discover the real details about the criminal activities of drug empires.

Drug Lords is a documentary series that explores the lives of five drug kingpins: Pablo Escobar, El Chapo, Cali Carter, Frank Lucas, and the Pettingill family. The series includes 16 episodes in two seasons, and it interviews former cartel members, investigators, and journalists who were either involved in criminal activities or in apprehending the suspects.