The Best TV Shows of 1986

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

1. 1
   
   Journey to the West

   CCTV-1 · 1986

   ★ 8.7Ended0%
2. 2
   
   Crime Story

   NBC · 1986

   ★ 8.3Cancelled0%
3. 3
   
   American Masters

   PBS · 1986

   ★ 8.2Likely Renewed92%
4. 4
   
   Sledge Hammer!

   ABC · 1986

   ★ 8.1Ended0%
5. 5
   
   Pee-wee's Playhouse

   CBS · 1986

   ★ 8.1Ended0%
6. 6
   
   Maison Ikkoku

   Fuji TV · 1986

   ★ 8.1Ended0%
7. 7
   
   Lovejoy

   BBC One · 1986

   ★ 7.8Ended0%
8. 8
   
   It's Garry Shandling's Show

   Showtime · 1986

   ★ 7.7Ended0%
9. 9
   
   The Real Ghostbusters

   ABC · 1986

   ★ 7.6Ended0%
10. 10
    
    The Centurions

    Syndication · 1986

    ★ 7.6Ended0%
11. 11
    
    ALF

    NBC · 1986

    ★ 7.4Ended0%
12. 12
    
    Pingu

    CBeebies · 1986

    ★ 7.4Ended0%
13. 13
    
    KVN Major League

    Central Television USSR · 1986

    ★ 7.4Likely Renewed92%
14. 14
    
    Designing Women

    CBS · 1986

    ★ 7.3Ended0%
15. 15
    
    Perfect Strangers

    ABC · 1986

    ★ 7.2Ended0%
16. 16
    
    Our House

    NBC · 1986

    ★ 7.2Ended0%
17. 17
    
    Matlock

    NBC · 1986

    ★ 7.1Ended0%
18. 18
    
    L.A. Law

    NBC · 1986

    ★ 7.1Ended0%
19. 19
    
    Amen

    NBC · 1986

    ★ 6.8Ended0%
20. 20
    
    Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

    HTB · 1986

    ★ 6.7Ended0%
21. 21
    
    The Hogan Family

    NBC · 1986

    ★ 6.6Ended0%
22. 22
    
    Boon

    ITV1 · 1986

    ★ 6.4Ended0%
23. 23
    
    Bread

    BBC One · 1986

    ★ 6.3Ended0%
24. 24
    
    Casualty

    BBC One · 1986

    ★ 6.1Likely Renewed95%
25. 25
    
    My Little Pony

    1986

    ★ 5.7Ended0%