The Best TV Shows of 1981

17 top-rated shows, ranked by IMDb rating — each with its current AI renewal verdict.

  1. 1
    Only Fools and Horses poster
    Only Fools and Horses

    BBC One · 1981

    ★ 9.0Ended0%
  2. 2
    Hill Street Blues poster
    Hill Street Blues

    NBC · 1981

    ★ 8.2Ended0%
  3. 3
    Dr. Slump poster
    Dr. Slump

    Fuji TV · 1981

    ★ 7.8Ended0%
  4. 4
    Hello! Sandybell poster
    Hello! Sandybell

    HTB · 1981

    ★ 7.7Ended0%
  5. 5
    Urusei Yatsura poster
    Urusei Yatsura

    Fuji TV · 1981

    ★ 7.5Ended0%
  6. 6
    The Greatest American Hero poster
    The Greatest American Hero

    ABC · 1981

    ★ 7.3Ended0%
  7. 7
    Ninja Hattori-kun poster
    Ninja Hattori-kun

    tv asahi · 1981

    ★ 7.3Ended0%
  8. 8
    The Smurfs poster
    The Smurfs

    NBC · 1981

    ★ 7.1Ended0%
  9. 9
    The Fall Guy poster
    The Fall Guy

    ABC · 1981

    ★ 7.1Ended0%
  10. 10
    Simon & Simon poster
    Simon & Simon

    CBS · 1981

    ★ 7.0Ended0%
  11. 11
    A Country Practice poster
    A Country Practice

    10 · 1981

    ★ 6.7Ended0%
  12. 12
    Gimme a Break! poster
    Gimme a Break!

    NBC · 1981

    ★ 6.4Ended0%
  13. 13
    A Case For Two poster
    A Case For Two

    ZDF · 1981

    ★ 6.4Ended0%
  14. 14
    Dynasty poster
    Dynasty

    ABC · 1981

    ★ 6.3Ended0%
  15. 15
    Falcon Crest poster
    Falcon Crest

    CBS · 1981

    ★ 6.2Ended0%
  16. 16
    Wetten, dass..? poster
    Wetten, dass..?

    ZDF · 1981

    ★ 6.1Ended0%
  17. 17
    Das Traumschiff poster
    Das Traumschiff

    ZDF · 1981

    ★ 3.9Likely Renewed85%