Top 10 TV Shows From The 2000s On Prime To Watch, According To IMDb

The sheer quantity of movies and television shows available to stream on Amazon Prime sometimes gets overlooked by people. There are thousands currently there, including some of the best TV series that originally ran during the 2000s. When picking out the best ones from the era, there are some things to consider.

First, no reality shows or documentary series are included on this list. Second, the show had to have the majority of its episodes air during the decade, which disqualifies something like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Lastly, it must have a fair amount of reviews on IMDb to allow for a real sense of just how good it is.

10 Shameless (8.0)

Most American audiences became familiar with Shameless during the 2010s after the premiere of it on Showtime. However, that is actually an adaptation of this British series of the same name. The long-running show premiered in 2004, spanning 11 seasons and 139 episodes.

Like the US version, this follows the hectic lives of the Gallagher family, who get into all sorts of shenanigans as they hustle their way through hardships. Of course, there are some notable differences. It nabbed a Best Drama Series BAFTA win and every episode is currently available to stream.

9 Monk (8.0)

Tony Shalhoub is one of the most acclaimed and beloved actors of the 2000s. Most of that comes from his memorable performance as the lead character of Monk, a show that debuted in 2002 and ran for 125 episodes before coming to an end in 2009.

He stars as Adrian Monk, a former detective who consults the police on various cases while struggling to battle obsessive-compulsive disorder. It was one of the most-watched shows of the era, even holding a record for it at one point. Monk won eight Emmys, including three for Shalhoub.

8 Hustle (8.1)

BBC One has played host to some of the better television shows in recent memory. One of the strongest ones that has gone overlooked by some is Hustle. It originally ran for eight seasons and 48 total episodes from 2004 until 2012.

The premise follows the acts of a group of con artists from London who specialize in pulling off long cons. The series centers on their various attempts at these cons. It also features fun aspects like fantasy sequences and fourth-wall breaks that helped make it unique.

7 30 Rock (8.2)

The 2000s were kind of a brilliant time for sitcoms. That includes 30 Rock, which was one that was met with widespread praise and accolades. All 138 episodes across seven seasons, starting in 2006, follow the goings-on at an NBC sketch comedy show.

The gang includes the awkward head writer (Tina Fey), hilariously over-the-top star (Tracy Morgan), egomaniac co-star (Jane Krakowski), and arrogant boss (Alec Baldwin), among others. The series was nominated for a staggering 103 Emmys during its run, winning multiple for Outstanding Comedy Series.

6 Chuck (8.2)

It’s basically the ultimate TV show for nerds. Premiering in 2007 and running for five seasons and 91 episodes, Chuck had a loyal fanbase. The series centers on an unmotivated geek who gets government secrets downloaded into his brain and must be protected by agents from the CIA and NSA.

Chuck featured plenty of references to pop culture phenomenons, earth-shattering plot twists, and one of the better romances on TV during the decade. Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski were electric together in every scene. Chuck scored some Emmy wins for stunt work and featured a slew of memorable guest stars.

5 Scrubs (8.3)

Medical television shows are certainly nothing new. Even though Scrubs took a rare comedic approach to the setting, it was actually one of the more medically accurate in history. This beloved show lasted nine seasons from 2001 until 2010 and featured 182 episodes.

Characters like J.D., Christopher Turk, and Dr. Cox have become the stuff of legend in TV lore. It managed to expertly balance both the funny aspects and the incredibly emotional. Scrubs won two Emmys and fans are watching again thanks to the Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald podcast.

4 The Office (8.5)

Earlier, the original version of Shameless was mentioned. That’s the case here again as the British iteration of The Office remains a classic. While the US take lasted a decade, this one only ran from 2001 until 2003, yet was influential to the future of television.

This version starred Ricky Gervais and was created by himself and Stephen Merchant. The mockumentary formula has been replicated over and over since this, though it has arguably never been done better. The simple premise of following workers at a paper company as it starts downsizing worked to perfection.

3 Peep Show (8.6)

Sticking with the theme of British comedy shows, there’s Peep Show. It’s not as widely known as The Office but those who have seen it can attest to just how fantastic it is. The series ran from 2003 until 2015, consisting of nine seasons and 54 total episodes.

Peep Show puts the focus squarely on a couple of roommates who are dysfunctional friends and are complete opposites of each other. It took home a few BAFTA awards and has become something of a cult favorite that lasted longer than any other similar comedy in Channel 4 history.

2 The Thick Of It (8.7)

For the third straight entry, a show from the United Kingdom is featured and it is once again in the realm of comedy. However, it has a much larger scope than the aforementioned ones. Instead of being about small day-to-day situations, it was about the British government.

Running for 23 episodes between 2005 and 2012, The Thick of It focuses on the Minister for Social Affairs and those around him. Armando Iannucci created this and it also helped him create another similar series in the United States in Veep, which was also met with high praise.

1 House (8.7)

There aren’t many shows more synonymous with the 2000s than House, also known as House, M.D. One of the better medical dramas ever made, the series centers on Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), an anti-social diagnosis doctor who takes on the toughest possible cases.

The popular show aired for eight seasons and 176 episodes between 2004 and 2012. Laurie’s performance was tremendous and helped make House into an iconic character. House won several Emmys and was a launching pad for talents like Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, and more.

About The Author