To say that this crime drama series changed television forever is an understatement. Here is every season of The Sopranos, ranked from worst to best.
If you enjoy shows like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Justified, True Detective, or Mr. Robot, none of those would exist without the foundation laid by The Sopranos. This groundbreaking HBO crime drama proved that television could rival film in creating compelling, dramatic storytelling and sparked a phenomenon that remains awe-inspiring today.
The Sopranos follows the life of the Italian-American crime family headed by Tony Soprano, played by the late James Gandolfini. Unlike earlier cinematic classics like The Godfather and Goodfellas that explored the criminal underworld, this series devoted time to showing how Tony balanced his personal and professional lives.
Tony is an antihero: capable of terrible acts, yet also funny, charming, and romantic. Audiences grapple with whether they can fully invest in him as a protagonist, thanks to Gandolfini’s legendary performance.
The series finale, "Made in America," ended ambiguously, continuing to spark debate among fans.
This open-ended conclusion has become one of the most discussed moments in television history.
The Sopranos revolutionized TV storytelling, blending complex characters and gritty drama to inspire countless acclaimed series after it.