The Ultimate Must-Watch TV Shows That Will Leave You Utterly Obsessed

Many TV shows need time to find their stride and reach greatness, but the best ones immediately captivate viewers with a compelling pilot episode. It may take a few seasons for shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia to find their unique voice. Whether it is a cliffhanger ending that leaves audiences eager for the next episode or the perfect introduction of a well-rounded ensemble, there are pilot episodes that set the stage for an incredible series.

Only a small percentage of TV pilot scripts make it to production and become a full series, so writers must craft pilots that leave the audience craving more. Some pilot episodes establish thrilling mysteries and pose compelling questions in need of answers. Others introduce the central dynamic of the show. From The Boys to Stranger Things, there are numerous exceptional TV shows that immediately hook viewers from the very first episode.

10 Lost

9 Cruel Summer

The surreal sci-fi twist on Gilligan's Island, Lost's two-part pilot episode captivates with a whopping budget of $13 million, making it the most expensive TV pilot ever made at the time, as reported by Forbes. The remarkable cinematic representation of the plane crash, which leaves the cast marooned on the island, contributes to the pilot's exceptional quality. Moreover, the pilot introduces an array of enigmatic conundrums that the series would delve into over the course of the next six years, ranging from the elusive smoke monster to the unusual presence of polar bears on a tropical island.

Cruel Summer is a captivating anthology series that follows the captivating journey of two women in each of its seasons. In the first season, a perplexing tale unfolds as popular teenager Kate suddenly disappears. Her introverted and bookish classmate Jeanette seizes the opportunity to step into Kate's shoes, becoming her boyfriend's new flame, befriending her circle of friends, and ultimately assuming the position of the school's most adored girl. With a brilliant setup, the initial episode deftly alternates between three timelines: 1993 (prior to Kate's disappearance), 1994 (one year after her vanishing), and 1995 (when Jeanette becomes the most despised person in the entire nation).

8 Yellowjackets

The debut installment of Yellowjackets sets up the dual storylines of the series, revealing the lives of the main characters in two different time periods. In the year 1996, the titular girls' soccer team finds themselves stranded in the wilderness after their plane crashes while en route to a nationwide competition. Fast forward to 2021, the survivors who managed to return to civilization are determined to safeguard each other's hidden truths. The ensemble cast is comprised of charming individuals, whose present-day selves are juxtaposed with their younger counterparts in flashback sequences. The episode's climax delivers a shocking revelation that has successfully captivated viewers: the survivors of the plane crash ultimately resorted to cannibalism.

7 Severance

Severance’s pilot episode titled "Good News About Hell" is an exhilarating one-hour television experience, despite the substantial amount of exposition and worldbuilding it encompasses. Presenting itself as a workplace dystopian satire, Severance introduces a group of office workers who undergo a surgical procedure that partitions their memories between their professional and personal lives. This innovative science fiction concept effectively captures the essence of the psychology surrounding work, making it highly relatable to all. The pilot episode impeccably executes this captivating premise.

6 Stranger Things

5 The Boys

"Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers," the debut installment of Stranger Things, captivates viewers with its supernatural elements reminiscent of Stephen King and its depiction of suburban life in the 1980s. From the enigmatic entrance of Eleven to the unexplained disappearance of Will, the pilot episode delves straight into the captivating enigmas that will pervade the entire first season. With its compelling characters like Jim Hopper and chilling supernatural occurrences such as the Upside Down, the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana comes alive in a way that will entice audiences to continue exploring its mysteries.

In the pilot episode of The Boys, titled "The Name of the Game," viewers are immediately immersed in a gritty and explicit superhero universe. The inciting incident, which grabs attention right from the start, involves A-Train, a superhuman speedster, colliding with Hughie's girlfriend Robin at a tremendous speed, reducing her to a mushy mess within seconds. This devastating event prompts Hughie to join forces with the vigilante Billy Butcher in their quest against The Seven. The show takes off in an exhilarating direction, leaving viewers riveted. In the final scene, Butcher successfully takes down the invisible superhero Translucent, solidifying the audience's fascination with the series.

4 Euphoria

While many rewatchable teen dramas are often full of comedic and lighthearted situations, Euphoria's pilot episode profoundly shocked viewers with its distinctive dark and mature storylines. Within the first few minutes, we witness the main character Rue grappling with addiction following her father's death. Through her perspective, we gain insight into the daunting pressures faced by many high schoolers, including characters like Maddy and Jules who strive to extricate themselves from toxic circumstances or endure harassment from their peers. Euphoria truly sets itself apart from other teen shows as both critics and fans alike deem it relatable and reflective of the current time period.

3 The Mandalorian

"The Mandalorian," with its first episode titled "Chapter 1: The Mandalorian," instantly became the standout of Star Wars' Disney era. The opening scene introduces a character that immediately captures the attention of Star Wars fans: a cold-hearted, softly spoken bounty hunter who presents his targets with two options. He calmly informs his latest target, "I can apprehend you alive," he pauses, "or I can apprehend you deceased." The closing scene introduces a character who quickly becomes a worldwide cultural sensation: Grogu. When the Mandalorian realizes that his bounty is a 50-year-old infant, the story takes an unexpected turn, resembling the iconic "Yojimbo" tale evolving into a modern-day "Lone Wolf and Cub" narrative.

2 The Last Of Us

1 Twin Peaks

The pilot episode of HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us, titled "When You're Lost in the Darkness," proves to be equally as captivating as the initial stages of the game. This episode effectively recreates several exhilarating moments from The Last of Us, such as witnessing the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse from the backseat of a truck, while also expanding on other aspects of the story. Right from the start, the spine-chilling opening talk show scene instills a sense of fear and uneasiness. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal establish an instant connection as Ellie and her reluctant father figure, Joel, and the episode's final moments perfectly set the stage for their epic cross-country journey throughout the rest of the season.

Twin Peaks, the eccentric soap opera by David Lynch and Mark Frost, immediately captivates viewers with its unforgettable first scene. The audience is thrust into the shocking discovery of Laura Palmer's lifeless body, floating on a riverbank and swathed in plastic. From this moment, the show introduces an extensive cast of peculiar characters, hinting at otherworldly influences surrounding Laura's murder. Furthermore, it establishes the intriguing dynamic between FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper and Sheriff Harry S. Truman, reminiscent of the iconic partnership between Holmes and Watson.