It isn’t easy finding something new to watch, so we’re continuing to rank our best 2020 streaming TV shows available right now.
These are the big shows that haven’t made our top 10 so far in 2020.
Biggest 2020 disappointments
- Locke & Key (Netflix): As a fan of Joe Hill’s graphic novels, this “based on” series was a nightmare to watch. It cut out the blood, violence, and intelligent characters. Leaving a dumbed-down series suitable for kids. Check out our review for more.
- Hunters (Amazon Prime Video): The premise is great and the first episode sets the scene brilliantly. Yet that’s where the excitement ends. What remains is a comic book cliche and a terrible Al Pacino accent. Check out our review for more.
Honorable mentions
- Avenue 5 (HBO Max): The first episode was a weird mess and received our worst rating of a Kill. We’ve continued to watch and amazingly, the series has improved to become one of our weekly guilty pleasures. It’s unlikely to make it into our evolving 2020 top 10 but it could be worth watching if you like Hugh Laurie and awkward sci-fi satire. Check out our initial impressions here.
- Star Trek: Picard (CBS All Access): The first episode is great and we gave it a Binge rating on that promise. However, the show couldn’t keep us hooked and we’ve now bailed. It’s likely you need to be a Star Trek fan to stick with it. You can check out our early review here.
- Servant (Apple TV+): As Servant started in 2019, we’re not including it as a best of 2020. If it did start in 2020 then it would definitely be on this list. Check out our review to see why.
- Westworld Season 3 (HBO): It’s big, it’s bold, but it’s also episodic and waiting a week is too much for this streaming to handle. We’ll give it a rating once all episodes can be binged.
- After Life Season 2 (Netflix): The first season would have fit somewhere in the top-5 of this list but the second season just isn’t as funny. It’s got all the emotion of season one but it doesn’t have the black-comedy and angry rants that Ricky Gervais is famous for.
It’s time for our top 10 shows of 2020 so far.
#10. Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet (Apple TV+)
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet is a comedy series by Rob McElhenney, the man behind It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The show is about a narcissistic game developer who is leading the studio through the release of an expansion.
We gave the show a Chill in our review, which means it’s worth putting on your watchlist but unless you’ve got other Apple shows to watch (like Servant), it’s not worth paying the $4.99 subscription fee for on its own.
CHECK OUT: Mythic Quest Raven’s Banquet review.
CHECK OUT: The best Star Wars movies on Disney+ ranked.
#9. The Outsider (HBO Now)
Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel of the same name, what starts as an open and shut investigation, ends with trademark tension, twists, and a supernatural force that we’ve come to expect from King. The series kept us hooked despite having some seriously slow episodes in the middle. We recommend binging in bulk to avoid the slowness.
CHECK OUT: Our verdict on HBO’s The Outsider.
#8. The Pharmacist (Netflix)
This is a must-watch docu-series that tells the story of an American hero who relentlessly chased the murderer of his son, and then the root cause of his town’s problems. If you’re looking for a harrowing real-life story that twists and turns, then look no further than The Pharmacist on Netflix.
CHECK OUT: The Pharmacist review, a moving David vs. Goliath story.
#7. I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix)
Where Locke & Key disappointed, I Am Not Okay With This blew us away. It did a number of things really smart. First, it’s short, meaning it is focused on the key characters without ever derailing itself with pointlessness. Second, it has likable characters who get all the screen time. Finally, it’s Carrie-esque storyline ends brilliantly, leaving the perfect cliffhanger for a second season.
CHECK OUT: I Am Not Okay With This is another teenage angst series but one worth watching.
#6. Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO Now)
More Larry David? Yes, please. Curb Your Enthusiasm is not only back but it’s better than ever. Season 10 has been sensational so far and will almost definitely be on this list at the end of 2020. Jeff Garlin, who plays Jeff Greene in the show said it is his favorite season so far and it’s ours too.
#5. Ozark Season 3 (Netflix)
The second season of Ozark was a chill, good enough to watch but was too slow for many. Season 3 blows it and Season 1 out of the water. With the exception of 2 episodes out of the ten, the third season moves at a fantastic pace and is cold, gruesome, and violent, exactly what we want from Ozark.
#4. Sex Education Season 2 (Netflix)
Sex Education was one of our favorite shows of 2019 and season 2 will likely be on the list at the end of 2020. At its core Sex Education is a teenage romantic comedy but its characters are brilliantly written, likable and come together in storylines that have a real impact.
CHECK OUT: Sex Education Season 2 review, it’s not what we expected but is still fantastic.
#3. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness (Netflix)
Tiger King is a docu-series full of real people who even the greatest writers in history couldn’t imagine. If you’re looking for a story that’s full of twists, deception, hidden-stories, and the most bizarre characters ever, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness is the best streaming TV show available right now.
CHECK OUT: Our podcast episode completely dedicated to the best show of the year so far, Tiger King.
#2. Bosch Season 6 (Amazon Prime Video)
Bosch is for grown-ups. From the intro track to the thoughtful pacing. It’s gritty, realistic, and has characters that bring the other side of Los Angeles (not La La Land) to life.
Based on the books by Michael Connelly, season 6 covers a lot more ground. Bringing in more of the supporting cast, giving us a deeper look at each but ultimately relying on Harry Bosch to deliver yet another amazing season.
If you like cop shows and you’re not watching Bosch, you’re missing out.
CHECK OUT: A Bosch Season 6 fanboy, and verdicts on #BlackAF and Code 8.
#1. Gangs of London Season 1 (Cinemax)
The best show of 2020 is in the bag and it’s only May.
Gangs of London is like an onion, you think it’s going to be about street crime but as the layers are peeled back it goes places where you don’t expect. And it does it while punching you in the senses for 10-hours straight.
The only people who shouldn’t be binging this show right now are those who don’t like in-your-face violence because this show doesn’t hide anything.
If you don’t have Cinemax, get it and watch Gangs of London. It’ll be the best money you ever spend.
CHECK OUT: Gangs of London makes Cinemax worth getting.