The Best TV Shows on CNN

Every CNN Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Discover the best of CNN with our list of over 20 series, meticulously updated for January 2026. Among CNN’s finest offerings are CNN Special Report and Larry King Live, which debuted in 1980 and 1985, respectively. Across the timeline from 1980 to 2024, CNN has presented audiences with over 20 captivating shows.

  • Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World
    Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World (2022)8.0

    Explore the wonders of one of the last untouched places on earth, the far-off land of Patagonia in South America.

  • 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.

  • Race for the White House
    Race for the White House (2016)7.6

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Mark Twain Prize
    Mark Twain Prize (1999)7.0

    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.

  • Cold War
    Cold War (1998)6.9

    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.

  • Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies
    Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies (2016)6.3

    Explore the true stories of America's covert operations told firsthand by the agents who lived it, while getting unprecedented access to the riveting and secret world of espionage.

  • Have I Got News for You
    Have I Got News for You (2024)6.3

    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.

  • Inside Politics
    Inside Politics (2021)6.0

    Anchored by CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash 'Inside Politics' features the top political stories sourced by the best reporters.

  • 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.

  • Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History
    Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History (2018)5.0

    A six part docuseries that explores how 12 apostles became 1.2 billion Catholics today and goes inside the Vatican to reveal the true power held by popes throughout the ages.

  • 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.

  • 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.