The Best TV Shows on CNN+

Every CNN+ Show Ranked From Best To Worst

CNN+ has over 20 shows broadcast from as early as 1980 and as recent as 2025. Among CNN+’s finest offerings are CNN Special Report and Larry King Live, which debuted in 1980 and 1985, respectively. Peruse our comprehensive roster of CNN+’s top shows, encompassing over 20 distinct series as of May 2026.

  • 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.

  • The Sixties
    The Sixties (2014)7.5

    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)7.4

    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.

  • Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
    Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (2021)7.2

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

  • Cold War
    Cold War (1998)7.1

    A 24-part series which deals with the relations between the United States, the Soviet Union and their respective allies between the end of World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

  • 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.

  • CNN Special Report
    CNN Special Report (1980)6.7

    In hour-long, in-depth explorations, CNN hosts examine extraordinary individuals, unexpected events and controversial subjects through interviews, stories, images and videos.

  • 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.

  • Mark Twain Prize
    Mark Twain Prize (1999)6.2

    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.

  • Have I Got News for You
    Have I Got News for You (2024)6.0

    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)5.4

    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.

  • Larry King Live
    Larry King Live (1985)5.3

    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.

  • First Ladies
    First Ladies (2020)5.3

    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.

  • The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
    The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (2005)3.8

    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.

  • 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.

  • CNN Heroes
    CNN Heroes (2007)1.0

    CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute is the award-winning annual television special created by CNN to honor individuals who make extraordinary contributions to humanitarian aid and make a real difference in their communities. Hosted by Anderson Cooper, it launched in 2007 and continues now, with the tribute show aired at the end of the year. CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute is the culmination of the year-round CNN Heroes campaign, airing across the worldwide networks of CNN including: CNN, CNN International, CNN en Espanol, HLN, and CNNHeroes.com. New heroes are introduced weekly on air and online. The Top 10 are selected and introduced every Fall and voting begins online at CNNHeroes.com for the CNN Hero of the Year. All 10 are honored on CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, each receiving $50,000 with the CNN Hero of the Year receiving an additional $250,000 to continue their amazing work. The Top 10 CNN Heroes are all introduced by celebrities who are active in charity work.

  • My Happy Place
    My Happy Place (2025)1.0

    My Happy Place invites viewers on an immersive excursion across the world anchored by an all-star cast of hosts including Alan Cumming, Taraji P. Henson, Simu Liu, Billy Porter, Octavia Spencer and Questlove. Across six visually stunning episodes, each host reflects on why these meaningful sites have become their escape, revealing a never-before-seen side of the person and the destination.

  • John King, USA
    John King, USA (2010)N/A

    John King, USA is an hour-long television news show hosted by John King on CNN. The show debuted on March 22, 2010, airing at 6:00PM ET, originally at 7:00PM ET until Erin Burnett OutFront replaced the original time slot on October 3, 2011. The final broadcast aired on June 29, 2012. A third hour of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer took over the time slot.