If you want to find the television series that balanced high-gloss Hollywood production with actual directorial and showrunner vision, you have to look at the best Sony TV shows. Through entities like Sony Pictures Television and its predecessors (Columbia Pictures Television, TriStar Television), Sony has spent decades funding series that champion the “Pro Toolkit”: intricate narrative arcs, nuanced character development, and immersive world-building that rewards long-form commitment. These are the shows that still feel like they were crafted by human beings with a specific storytelling point of view, delivering consistency and innovation across seasons.
Finding the best Sony TV shows means cutting through the sheer volume of content to uncover the series that define high-level craft in episodic storytelling. We’ve scoured the Sony Pictures Television archives to find 10 high-craft picks that we have **never mentioned** in any of our previous 40+ blogs—no repeats of classics like Breaking Bad, The Boys, Cobra Kai, or Seinfeld. These are fresh, pro-level essentials that every TV aficionado needs to see if they care about the evolution of serialized narratives. Let’s get into the high-confidence winners.
Best for: TV aficionados looking for Sony studio series and critically acclaimed dramas/comedies that offer elite writing, surgical pacing, and visionary showrunning across multiple seasons.
Common cinephile pain points this list solves: Overly complex plots / Slow burns that don’t pay off / Inconsistent quality between episodes / Difficulty recommending shows to friends/family / Just needing a good “jump-in” series.
Related Lists: The Best Binge-Worthy Series / TV Shows That Set the Standards in Episodic Cinema / Editor’s Picks: Top TV Series / Handpicked Series Worth Watching
What to watch for
When you jump into these Sony Pictures Television series, pay attention to the **Episode Economy.** Great Sony shows use their budget and runtime to make every episode, every plot point, and every character beat count—look for how showrunners develop arcs over seasons, how visual continuity is maintained, and how sound design builds a consistent world. Notice the **character blocking** and how it evolves, deepening relationships and power dynamics across the run. This attention to detail is the hallmark of high-quality television.
10 best Sony TV shows
1. The Good Doctor (2017-Present) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: David Shore (Developer)
Plot: A young surgeon with autism and Savant syndrome relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital’s surgical unit.
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Where to Watch: Hulu / Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / ABC
Why it’s a classic: This Sony Pictures Television hit hooks viewers instantly with its compelling protagonist and high-stakes medical cases. Its **clear narrative structure** and **strong emotional core** make each episode easy to follow and deeply engaging. The show excels in **relatable character development** and **consistent pacing**, offering a satisfying blend of medical drama and human interest without requiring extensive prior viewing to jump in.
2. The Blacklist (2013-2023) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Jon Bokenkamp (Creator)
Plot: A brilliant former government agent turned most-wanted fugitive, Raymond “Red” Reddington, voluntarily surrenders to the FBI and offers to help catch dangerous criminals, but only if he gets to work with a rookie profiler, Elizabeth Keen.
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Where to Watch: Netflix / Peacock / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why it’s a classic: This Sony Pictures Television procedural delivers a **strong hook** from episode one, combining a thrilling “villain of the week” format with an overarching, intriguing mystery. The magnetic performances, especially from James Spader, and the **episodic economy** ensure that each installment is a self-contained and satisfying watch, making it incredibly easy to jump in at any point and quickly get invested in the captivating dynamic.
3. One Day at a Time (2017-2020) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Gloria Calderón Kellett & Mike Royce (Developers)
Plot: A Cuban-American family led by a single mother and Army veteran navigates life’s challenges with humor and heart, supported by her traditional mother and two children.
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to Watch: Netflix (Seasons 1-3) / Paramount+ (Season 4) / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why it’s a classic: A warm and witty reboot produced by Sony Pictures Television, this sitcom is instantly charming and relatable. Its **classic multi-camera format** and **stellar ensemble blocking** make for easy viewing, while the show tackles timely and universal themes with a light touch and genuine emotion. It’s a series with a big heart and **consistent quality** that’s effortlessly enjoyable from the first episode.
4. King of Queens (1998-2007) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: David Litt, Michael J. Weithorn, Josh Goldsmith (Creators)
Plot: A working-class couple living in Queens, New York, deals with the daily challenges of married life, including the wife’s eccentric father who lives in their basement.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Where to Watch: Peacock / Paramount+ / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why it’s a classic: This beloved Sony Pictures Television sitcom is the epitome of an easy-to-recommend comfort show. Its **simple, relatable premise** and **consistent comedic tone** mean you can drop into almost any episode and instantly understand the characters and their dynamics. The **surgical comedic timing** and the natural chemistry of the cast create a reliably funny and genuinely heartwarming experience that never feels like a commitment to watch.
5. S.W.A.T. (2017-Present) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Shawn Ryan & Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (Developers)
Plot: A locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant is tasked with running a specialized tactical unit in Los Angeles, bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Where to Watch: Hulu / Paramount+ / Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / CBS
Why it’s a classic: For those who enjoy action-packed procedurals, this Sony Pictures Television series delivers a **consistent dose of adrenaline and clear-cut stakes**. Its **episodic structure** with satisfying resolutions to weekly cases makes it incredibly easy to jump in and out. The **tactile action choreography** and straightforward character arcs mean viewers can quickly grasp the premise and get invested in the team’s efforts to keep the city safe.
6. Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Kevin Williamson (Creator)
Plot: Follows the lives of four teenagers, Dawson, Joey, Pacey, and Jen, as they come of age in a small coastal town, navigating friendship, love, and self-discovery.
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Where to Watch: Hulu / Max / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why it’s a classic: A quintessential teen drama from Sony Pictures Television that remains remarkably easy to binge or jump into. Its focus on **relatable adolescent struggles** and **dialogue-driven character development** resonates instantly. The clear emotional arcs and strong relationships between the core four provide an immediate hook, making it simple to get invested in their coming-of-age journey with minimal setup.
7. The Goldbergs (2013-2023) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Adam F. Goldberg (Creator)
Plot: Based on the creator’s childhood, this sitcom follows a dysfunctional family in the 1980s as they navigate school, friendships, and pop culture.
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Where to Watch: Hulu / Prime Video (Rent/Buy) / ABC
Why it’s a classic: This Sony Pictures Television comedy is a warm, nostalgic hug of a show. Its **broad, family-friendly humor** and **relatable domestic scenarios** make it effortlessly accessible. Each episode offers a self-contained story rooted in 80s nostalgia, making it a perfect pick-up-and-watch series. The **consistent ensemble blocking** and energetic performances ensure a comforting and immediately enjoyable viewing experience.
8. Timeless (2016-2018) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Eric Kripke & Shawn Ryan (Creators)
Plot: A mysterious criminal steals a secret time machine to alter American history, leading a professor, a soldier, and an engineer to use a prototype machine to pursue him and protect the past.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Where to Watch: Hulu / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why it’s a classic: This Sony Pictures Television adventure series boasts a **high-concept premise that’s instantly graspable** and immediately engaging. Its **episodic structure** focuses on a new historical event each week, offering a fresh dose of adventure and intrigue without requiring deep serialization to enjoy. The clear stakes, fast-paced action, and compelling historical figures make it a fun, straightforward ride that’s easy to get lost in.
9. Mad About You (1992-1999, 2019 Revival) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Paul Reiser & Danny Jacobson (Creators)
Plot: Chronicles the daily lives and minor mishaps of a newlywed couple, Paul and Jamie Buchman, living in New York City.
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Where to Watch: Hulu / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why it’s a classic: This classic Sony Pictures Television sitcom is a quintessential “comfort watch.” Its **relatable relationship dynamics** and **observational humor** about everyday married life make it incredibly easy to connect with. The **surgical script economy** delivers witty banter and heartwarming moments in every episode, establishing a tone that is consistently engaging and requires no prior knowledge to enjoy the easygoing charm of Paul and Jamie.
10. Twisted Metal (2023-Present) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Michael Jonathan Smith (Developer)
Plot: A motor-mouthed outsider is offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Where to Watch: Peacock
Why it’s a classic: This recent Sony Pictures Television production based on the video game delivers immediate, high-octane fun. Its **fast-paced action, irreverent humor, and clear objective** make it incredibly easy to jump into. The **visual intentionality** creates a vibrant, if chaotic, post-apocalyptic world, and the engaging performances provide immediate character hooks, ensuring that viewers are entertained and invested from the very first minute.
What to watch next
Next category: Action-Packed Movies with Great Hand-to-Hand Combat (because once you’ve cleared the best Sony series you can easily get into, you’ll want high-energy films that match that immediate engagement and excitement).