15 Long-Running Shows That Are Worth the Commitment

15 Long-Running Shows That Are Worth the Commitment

Finding a new show to watch can be tricky, especially when it has hundreds of episodes. Some long-running series lose their spark over time, while others keep getting better. These 15 shows have stood the test of time and deserve your attention despite their intimidating episode counts. From animated classics to medical dramas, each offers something special that keeps viewers coming back season after season.

1. The Simpsons

America’s favorite yellow family has been entertaining audiences since 1989, making it the longest-running animated series in history. With over 700 episodes, the show has become a cultural phenomenon. Springfield’s residents tackle everything from everyday family struggles to bizarre adventures, all while delivering sharp social commentary.

The earlier seasons (1-10) are widely considered the golden era. Despite occasional quality dips, recent seasons have seen a creative resurgence. Fans appreciate how the show balances timeless family dynamics with constantly updated pop culture references and guest stars.

2. Grey’s Anatomy

Seattle Grace Hospital (later Grey Sloan Memorial) has witnessed countless medical miracles and personal dramas since 2005. Following Meredith Grey from nervous intern to accomplished surgeon, this medical drama combines intense healthcare scenarios with compelling character development.

Creator Shonda Rhimes masterfully rotates the cast over the years, introducing fresh faces while maintaining the show’s emotional core. The series tackles serious issues like racism, assault, and healthcare inequality alongside romantic storylines. What makes Grey’s exceptional is its ability to reinvent itself season after season while keeping longtime viewers invested in the characters’ journeys.

3. Law & Order: SVU

For over two decades, Detective Olivia Benson has been fighting for justice for SA survivors in New York City. This procedural crime drama stands out for its unflinching portrayal of difficult subject matter and its commitment to victim advocacy.

Each episode typically follows the investigation and prosecution of such offenses, often inspired by real-life cases. The show’s longevity stems from its perfect balance of case-of-the-week storytelling with gradual character development. Mariska Hargitay’s powerful performance as Benson provides emotional continuity through cast changes, making her one of television’s most beloved characters.

4. Supernatural

Two brothers, one ’67 Chevy Impala, and a whole lot of monsters. Sam and Dean Winchester’s demon-hunting road trip lasted 15 seasons, creating one of television’s most dedicated fan communities.

The show seamlessly blends horror, comedy, and family drama while exploring complex mythology drawn from various religious traditions and urban legends. Early seasons feature more standalone “monster of the week” episodes, while later seasons develop an intricate overarching plot involving angels, demons, and apocalyptic threats. What began as a simple horror show evolved into a rich exploration of brotherhood, sacrifice, and free will against cosmic forces.

5. South Park

This crude yet brilliant animated series follows four foul-mouthed fourth graders in the bizarre mountain town of South Park, Colorado. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have maintained relevance since 1997 by addressing current events with their unique satirical perspective. The show’s quick production schedule allows episodes to comment on news stories mere days after they happen.

Nothing is sacred – politics, religion, celebrities, and other TV shows are all targets of the show’s equal-opportunity mockery. Behind the offensive humor lies surprisingly thoughtful social commentary and character development that has evolved over decades while staying true to its irreverent roots.

6. Criminal Minds

The Behavioral Analysis Unit takes viewers into the darkest corners of criminal psychology. This FBI profiler drama balances disturbing serial killer cases with the personal struggles of its team members. Unlike many procedurals, Criminal Minds focuses less on whodunit mysteries and more on understanding the psychology behind violent crimes.

The team’s ability to build profiles of unknown subjects (unsubs) based on crime scene evidence creates a unique investigative approach. Strong character development over 15 seasons allows viewers to connect with the agents who voluntarily immerse themselves in humanity’s darkest impulses to save lives. The psychological toll of the work becomes a central theme.

7. Doctor Who

A mad man with a box travels through time and space, having adventures and saving civilizations. This British sci-fi institution began in 1963 and continues today thanks to its ingenious premise – when the Doctor dies, they regenerate with a new face and personality.

This concept allows for complete cast refreshes while maintaining continuity within the same character. The show balances whimsical adventure with profound moral dilemmas and emotional depth. Each Doctor brings their unique energy to the role, making different eras feel fresh while exploring universal themes of compassion, curiosity, and standing up against injustice across the universe.

8. NCIS

In this enduring procedural, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his team handle investigations tied to the Navy and Marine Corps. Its winning mix of serious crime-solving, tech-savvy forensics, and tight-knit teamwork has kept fans coming back season after season.

Character dynamics drive the show’s success – the father-figure boss, the brilliant but eccentric forensic scientist, the medical examiner with wisdom beyond pathology. These relationships evolve naturally over seasons, creating a workplace family viewers come to love. Despite cast changes, the show maintains its core identity through consistent tone, humor, and Gibbs’ famous rules for life and work.

9. ER

County General Hospital’s emergency room set the standard for medical dramas during its 15-season run. Created by novelist Michael Crichton and produced by Steven Spielberg, the show revolutionized television with its frenetic pace and technical accuracy.

The camera follows doctors and nurses through chaotic trauma cases, personal crises, and ethical dilemmas in Chicago’s busy county hospital. Early seasons featuring George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, and Julianna Margulies established a template for ensemble medical shows that followed. Beyond medical emergencies, ER explored healthcare inequality, physician burnout, and the toll of medical practice on personal relationships with unprecedented realism and emotional impact.

10. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Five of the worst people imaginable run a failing Irish bar in South Philadelphia. This dark comedy pushes boundaries by following “The Gang” as they scheme, backstab, and generally make terrible decisions without ever learning from their mistakes.

The show’s brilliance comes from its willingness to tackle taboo subjects through characters who represent the worst possible takes on sensitive issues. Despite their horrible behavior, the characters remain strangely compelling through the actors’ committed performances. After 15 seasons, Sunny continues finding fresh ways to satirize modern society while maintaining its core dynamic of five narcissistic friends trapped in their dysfunctional relationships.

11. Friends

Six twenty-somethings navigate life, love, and careers in 1990s Manhattan while hanging out in a coffee shop. This sitcom defined a generation with its relatable characters and quotable dialogue. The chemistry between the core cast – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer – created a believable friend group viewers wanted to join.

Their romantic entanglements, career struggles, and personal growth over ten seasons felt authentic despite increasingly comedic situations. While some aspects haven’t aged perfectly, the show’s focus on the family we choose and the support systems we build in adulthood remains universally relevant.

12. The X-Files

FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully investigate paranormal phenomena and government conspiracies in this groundbreaking sci-fi series. Their contrasting approaches – his willingness to believe versus her scientific skepticism – created television’s most compelling partnership. The show alternates between “monster-of-the-week” episodes featuring standalone supernatural cases and “mythology” episodes advancing the alien conspiracy storyline.

This format allows casual viewing while rewarding dedicated fans with deeper narrative arcs. Beyond aliens and monsters, The X-Files explored themes of trust, faith, and the search for truth in a world of deception. The chemistry between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson anchored even the most outlandish premises.

13. Frasier

After leaving Cheers, Dr. Frasier Crane starts a new chapter in Seattle—living with his father and hosting a radio show. This sharp, witty comedy explores family dynamics and personal growth, and it ended up being even more critically acclaimed than the show it spun off from. The show balances highbrow humor involving opera, wine, and psychoanalysis with accessible family comedy.

Frasier and his equally pretentious brother Niles contrast perfectly with their blue-collar father Martin, creating comedy from class differences and family tensions. Beneath the witty dialogue and physical comedy lies a touching story about reconnecting with family and finding happiness despite life’s disappointments. The show’s intelligence never undermines its heart.

14. M*A*S*H

Set in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War, M*A*S*H follows army doctors and nurses who rely on humor to survive the chaos around them. The show blends anti-war commentary with deep respect for those serving on the front lines.

The ensemble cast evolved over 11 seasons, with Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Pierce providing continuity as the moral center. Early seasons emphasized comedy, while later years leaned into dramatic storytelling about war’s psychological toll. The finale remains the most-watched episode in television history, a testament to how deeply audiences connected with these characters. M*A*S*H demonstrated that television could entertain while addressing serious issues about war, bureaucracy, and human dignity.

15. Curb Your Enthusiasm

Seinfeld co-creator Larry David plays a fictionalized version of himself navigating social norms and awkward situations in Los Angeles. This largely improvised comedy turns everyday annoyances into hilariously uncomfortable confrontations. Each episode follows Larry as his commitment to his own arbitrary rules of behavior leads to escalating conflicts with friends, celebrities, and strangers.

The semi-improvised format gives scenes an authentic, unpredictable quality rarely found in scripted television. The show’s genius lies in how it examines social conventions by having Larry say and do things most people think but restrain themselves from expressing. His lack of filter reveals the absurdity in our everyday social contracts.