Timeless TV: A Visual Map of IMDb’s Top-Ranked Series

This visualization charts a landscape of top-rated television shows according to IMDb, connecting each series to its release year and current ranking. Each disk represents a show, with its size indicating the total number of episodes and color representing its main genre. On hover, a tooltip reveals the title, start and end years, current rank, and episode count.

By: Néstor Tobar
Universidad Icesi 2025

Source: IMDb – Top 5000 TV Shows dataset
compiled with additional episode and season data

Introduction to the topic

This visualization explores the landscape of the most acclaimed television series according to IMDb rankings. It places each show in a timeline based on its release year, allowing viewers to discover patterns in popularity, longevity, and genre representation across decades of serialized storytelling.

Dataset Description

Dataset: IMDb Top 5000 TV Shows

Period: Series released between 1949 and 2023

Variables: Title, Start and End Year, IMDb Ranking, Genre, Number of Seasons, Total Episodes

Units: Each point represents a television series

Resolution: Individual series level

Objective of the visualization

To visualize the distribution of top-rated TV shows across time, highlighting the relationship between release year, critical ranking, genre, and episode volume. The chart aims to reveal which periods and genres produced the most influential series, and how storytelling duration (in episodes) aligns with recognition and legacy.

Methodology

Dataset filtering: Series with complete IMDb metadata were selected from the Top 5000 shows list.

Key variables: Rank (Y-axis), Start Year (X-axis), Total Episodes (disk size), Main Genre (color).

Visualization: Scatter plot using disk size to represent number of episodes and color to distinguish genres. Lower Y-values indicate higher IMDb rankings.

Tooltip: On hover, each disk displays the series title, years of broadcast, rank, and total episode count.

Key insights by genre and timeline

Drama: Dominates the top rankings with many long-running and critically acclaimed series.

Comedy: Shows high density between 1990–2015, particularly among ensemble sitcoms with high episode counts.

Animation: Includes standout series with exceptional longevity, like *The Simpsons* and *South Park*.

Distribution: Peak production of top-ranked series occurs between 2005 and 2015, across multiple genres.

Source

IMDb – Top 5000 TV Shows dataset compiled with additional episode and season data