The Best TV Shows on CNN

Every CNN Show Ranked From Best To Worst

With its programming history stretching from 1985 to 2024, CNN offers an impressive lineup of over 20 shows. Highlighting CNN’s quality programming, Larry King Live and Mark Twain Prize stand out, premiering in 1985 and 1999. Our curated list, current as of October 2025, showcases over 20 of CNN’s highest-rated series.

  • Race for the White House
    Race for the White House (2016)7.9

    From executive producers Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti, CNN Original Series "Race for the White House" captures the drama of how a high-stakes presidential election can turn on a single issue and so much more.

  • Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
    Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013)7.7

    Bourdain travels across the globe to uncover little-known areas of the world and celebrate diverse cultures by exploring food and dining rituals. Known for his curiosity, candor, and acerbic wit, Bourdain takes viewers off the beaten path of tourist destinations – including some war-torn parts of the world – and meets with a variety of local citizens to offer a window into their lifestyles, and occasionally communes with an internationally lauded chef on his journeys.

  • Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
    Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (2021)7.5

    Stanley Tucci travels across Italy to discover the secrets and delights of the country’s regional cuisines.

  • The Sixties
    The Sixties (2014)7.4

    The space race, the cold war, "free love," civil rights and more: The decade of the 1960s shaped our history -- and changed the world. In collaboration with Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog, CNN explores perhaps the most transformative decade of the modern era in a 10-part documentary series and brings new insights into how those events shaped today.

  • The Seventies
    The Seventies (2015)7.3

    A documentary series focusing on the ongoing Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, evolving music industry, the Iran Hostage Crisis, the sexual revolution, and the rise of foreign and domestic terrorism.

  • How It Really Happened
    How It Really Happened (2017)7.2

    Jesse L. Martin takes an in-depth look at some of the most notorious crimes, mysteries, trials and celebrity tragedies of our time.

  • The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty
    The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty (2020)7.2

    From the producers of "The Kennedys," this six-part miniseries tells the incredible, dramatic and emotional tale of the British Royal Family known as The Windsors. Using stunning archive and interviews with insiders and experts, the series weaves together the true story of the Windsor dynasty.

  • The Nineties
    The Nineties (2017)6.9

    Hit rewind and explore the most iconic moments and influential people of The Nineties, the decade that gave us the Internet, DVDs, and other cultural and political milestones.

  • The History of Comedy
    The History of Comedy (2017)6.6

    Explore what makes us laugh, why, and how that's influenced our social and political landscape throughout history.

  • Real Time with Bill Maher
    Real Time with Bill Maher (2003)6.0

    Each week Bill Maher surrounds himself with a panel of guests which include politicians, actors, comedians, musicians and the like to discuss what's going on in the world.

  • First Ladies
    First Ladies (2020)5.8

    Blending in-depth interviews, rare archival footage, and cinematic recreations, this docuseries on the lives of America's most iconic First Ladies is a bold revision of each woman's traditional portrayal, revealing how they were impacted during their time in the White House, and how their achievements fundamentally shaped American and global history.

  • Have I Got News for You
    Have I Got News for You (2024)5.5

    Host Roy Wood Jr. and team captains Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian Black serve up a smart take on the news of the week and guide guests through comic games and panels that test their knowledge of current events.

  • Anderson Cooper 360°
    Anderson Cooper 360° (2003)5.1

    Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news.

  • At This Hour with Kate Bolduan
    At This Hour with Kate Bolduan (2014)5.0

    Weekday news and discussion airing at 11am Eastern.

  • Larry King Live
    Larry King Live (1985)4.8

    Larry King Live is an American talk show that was hosted by Larry King on CNN from 1985 to 2010. It was CNN's most watched and longest-running program, with over one million viewers nightly.

  • Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?
    Who's Talking to Chris Wallace? (2022)3.7

    CNN anchor Chris Wallace, one of the most highly-respected journalists of our time, moves outside of politics to explore his wide range of interests across the spectrum of news, sports, entertainment, art and culture through candid conversations that are smart, sensible, and in-depth, guided by one of the best interviewers in the business. He seeks light, not heat.

  • The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
    The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (2005)3.0

    The command center for breaking news, politics and extraordinary reports from around the world. Patterned after the concept of the White House Situation Room, CNN's lead political anchor Wolf Blitzer hosts newsmakers and experts to discuss and analyze the stories that are driving today's news.

  • Mark Twain Prize
    Mark Twain Prize (1999)N/A

    Honoring the best in American comedy annually since 1998, the recipients of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor have included the likes of Billy Crystal, George Carlin, Carol Burnett, Bob Newhart, Steve Martin, Ellen DeGeneres, Eddie Murphy, and Tina Fey.

  • State of the Union
    State of the Union (2009)N/A

    State of the Union is a Sunday talk show hosted by Candy Crowley on CNN and broadcast around the world by CNN International.

  • CNN This Morning
    CNN This Morning (2013)N/A

    New Day is a weekday morning television show on CNN anchored by Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan, and Michaela Pereira. It premiered on June 17, 2013 and airs from 6:00-9:00 a.m. ET, originating from CNN's Time Warner Center studios in New York City. New Day replaced Starting Point, formerly anchored by Soledad O'Brien, which had aired since January 2, 2012. Cuomo joined CNN from ABC News in January 2013. Bolduan previously served as a congressional correspondent for CNN's Washington bureau and frequently co-anchored The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Pereira joined CNN from Los Angeles' KTLA in May 2013. Former Good Morning America and CBS Evening News executive producer Jim Murphy is senior executive producer. Matt Frucci is executive producer. With the creation of New Day, Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin is reduced to one hour from 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM ET.