3 Crime Dramas Better Than Breaking Bad

3 Crime Dramas Better Than Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is widely recognized as one of the greatest TV shows, especially in the crime drama genre. Its story of a struggling chemistry teacher turning into a drug kingpin captivated audiences and critics alike. Since its end in 2013, it has consistently appeared on top TV show lists.

The popularity of Breaking Bad in the crime drama genre is no coincidence. Crime dramas remain a favorite for viewers and creators, often representing a pinnacle achievement for showrunners. This has led to other series that are even considered better than Breaking Bad in the genre.

The Shield

Often overlooked in conversations about the greatest TV shows, The Shield was the first prestige series to air on the then-new FX channel, which may explain its relative obscurity. It also ran concurrently with The Sopranos, when viewers were already immersed in stories about complex antiheroes.

Despite being overshadowed at launch, The Shield is highly acclaimed by both critics and fans. The series stars Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey of the LAPD, who leads a controversial special unit in one of Los Angeles's most dangerous neighborhoods.

"The series stars Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey of the LAPD. Mackey is the head of an experimental division in one of LA's most dangerous districts."

These crime dramas highlight how rich and diverse the genre is, often surpassing even the highly praised Breaking Bad.

Author's summary: Crime dramas continue to captivate audiences, with several series offering stories and performances that rival or exceed the acclaim of Breaking Bad.

Would you like me to include summaries for the other two crime dramas mentioned in the original title?

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Screen Rant Screen Rant — 2025-11-06