1. Star Trek
When Star Trek first aired in 1966, it wasn’t an immediate ratings hit, but it quickly became one of the most influential shows in television history. Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a future where diverse races and cultures worked side by side was groundbreaking at a time when the Civil Rights Movement was still unfolding. The show gave us the first interracial kiss on network TV and tackled issues of war, peace, and morality under the guise of science fiction. It also presented technology like communicators and touchscreens that ended up inspiring real-world inventions.
Today, Star Trek’s influence is everywhere, from the countless spin-offs it launched to the way it shaped how we think about diversity and progress in entertainment. Sci-fi shows like The Expanse and Battlestar Galactica owe a debt to Roddenberry’s vision. Even outside of science fiction, the show’s willingness to explore social issues in creative ways continues to inspire writers. What began as a short-lived series became the blueprint for how TV could both entertain and challenge audiences.
2. The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone brought thought-provoking, often eerie storytelling to TV starting in 1959 and running into the early ’60s. Each episode felt like a small morality play, blending science fiction, horror, and fantasy to ask big questions about human nature. Serling used allegory to talk about race, war, conformity, and fear in ways that got around network censors. Its anthology format meant viewers never knew what they were going to get, which kept people tuning in week after week.
Modern anthology series like Black Mirror and American Horror Story trace their lineage right back to The Twilight Zone. Serling’s insistence that television could be more than light entertainment helped elevate the medium as a whole. Beyond its impact on structure, the show’s clever twists and haunting endings remain a staple of storytelling today. Even decades later, writers and directors are still drawing inspiration from the unsettling worlds Serling created.
3. The Andy Griffith Show
At first glance, The Andy Griffith Show looked like a gentle small-town sitcom, but it was quietly innovative. Airing from 1960 to 1968, it resisted the zany antics of other comedies and instead focused on character-driven storytelling and life lessons. The relationship between Sheriff Andy Taylor and his son Opie, as well as the quirky townspeople of Mayberry, made the show feel authentic and timeless. Its humor was rooted in warmth rather than slapstick, setting it apart from many of its peers.
Today, the show’s DNA is found in everything from family sitcoms to dramedies that balance humor with heart. Its slower pace and focus on community still resonate in a world that often feels rushed and disconnected. Andy Griffith’s calming presence and the show’s moral compass influenced shows like Parenthood and even Parks and Recreation. What seemed like a simple comedy ended up shaping how audiences connect with characters on a deeper level.
4. Bewitched
Bewitched was more than a fun fantasy sitcom about a witch marrying a mortal—it was also one of the first shows to present a strong female lead in a domestic comedy. Elizabeth Montgomery’s Samantha was witty, capable, and often more resourceful than her husband Darrin. At a time when women on TV were often depicted as passive housewives, Samantha showed that female characters could be independent and clever. The magic element also provided a creative way to explore gender roles.
The show’s influence can still be felt in later series like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and WandaVision. Beyond the supernatural hook, Bewitched pushed TV toward creating female characters who were more than background figures. Its blend of fantasy and family life also opened doors for future shows that mixed genres. What seemed like lighthearted escapism actually paved the way for more layered portrayals of women on screen.
5. The Dick Van Dyke Show
From 1961 to 1966, The Dick Van Dyke Show set a new bar for sitcoms with its sharp writing and relatable characters. Carl Reiner’s semi-autobiographical take on a comedy writer’s life blended workplace humor with family dynamics. It was one of the first shows to balance a career plotline with domestic life, reflecting the realities of many American households. Mary Tyler Moore’s role as Laura Petrie also broke ground by showing a wife who wasn’t afraid to be funny, stylish, and outspoken.
The show influenced everything from Seinfeld to 30 Rock with its behind-the-scenes look at show business. Its naturalistic banter and willingness to poke fun at marriage paved the way for sitcoms that feel less staged and more conversational. The series also set up Moore for her own groundbreaking show in the ’70s, cementing its influence on how women were portrayed in comedy. It remains one of the most polished sitcoms of its era.
6. Mission: Impossible
Debuting in 1966, Mission: Impossible revolutionized the spy genre on television. The series stood out with its intricate plots, elaborate disguises, and iconic self-destructing tape messages. Unlike many action shows of the time, it focused on a team rather than a single hero, highlighting collaboration and brains over brute force. The formula of pulling off impossible cons and missions was thrilling and unique.
Its influence has been massive, spawning not only the long-running film franchise but also inspiring other ensemble-based shows like Leverage. The emphasis on teamwork and elaborate planning helped reshape how action was portrayed on TV. Even today, modern spy series like Alias and 24 draw on the blueprint Mission: Impossible created. It proved that television could deliver the kind of smart, high-stakes storytelling usually reserved for movies.
7. Julia
When Julia premiered in 1968, it broke significant barriers in American television. Diahann Carroll starred as Julia Baker, a widowed nurse raising her young son, making it one of the first shows to feature a Black woman in a non-stereotypical leading role. Instead of relegating her to a maid or comic relief, the show presented Julia as a professional, capable woman balancing work and family. While it wasn’t without criticism, it represented a major step forward in representation.
The series paved the way for shows like The Cosby Show, Grey’s Anatomy, and Scandal, which centered Black professionals in leading roles. Carroll’s presence on prime-time TV challenged long-held stereotypes and expanded opportunities for actors of color. While it lasted only three seasons, its cultural impact has endured. It’s remembered today as a trailblazer in showing that representation matters in shaping perceptions.
8. Batman
The 1966 Batman series might seem campy by modern standards, but it was groundbreaking in how it blended action, comedy, and comic book aesthetics. With its colorful visuals, “Bam!” and “Pow!” fight sequences, and tongue-in-cheek humor, the show redefined what a superhero series could look like. Adam West and Burt Ward leaned into the campy fun, creating something that appealed to both kids and adults. It was a pop-art explosion on TV at a time when most shows played it safe.
Today’s superhero boom owes more than a little to the success of Batman. While modern adaptations tend to go darker, the show proved comic book characters could anchor a prime-time series. Its self-aware humor and stylized visuals influenced everything from The Simpsons to the Marvel movies. For better or worse, it set the stage for superheroes becoming a permanent part of mainstream entertainment.
9. I Spy
I Spy, which premiered in 1965, was a bold move for network television. It starred Robert Culp and Bill Cosby as undercover agents traveling the world, making Cosby the first Black actor to star in a dramatic role on prime-time TV. The series mixed espionage with witty banter and showed two men working as equals, which was quietly revolutionary at the time. It also broke away from studio-bound productions by filming in international locations.
The buddy-cop dynamic that’s now so common in TV and movies can be traced directly back to I Spy. Shows like Lethal Weapon and Miami Vice owe much of their formula to it. The show helped normalize diverse casting in lead roles, even if the road forward was still uneven. Beyond its cultural significance, it proved audiences were ready for more sophisticated storytelling and settings.
10. Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In
Premiering in 1968, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In was unlike anything else on television. Its rapid-fire sketches, catchphrases, and psychedelic style captured the spirit of the late ’60s. The show broke the mold of traditional variety shows with its frenetic pace and irreverent humor. Stars like Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin got their big breaks here, and the show often pushed the envelope with political satire.
Its influence can be seen in everything from Saturday Night Live to Chappelle’s Show. The idea that comedy could be sharp, fast, and political was cemented by Laugh-In. It also proved that TV could reflect the counterculture rather than resist it. Even decades later, its chaotic energy feels surprisingly modern, and its humor still echoes in today’s sketch shows.
11. Get Smart
Mel Brooks and Buck Henry’s Get Smart, which debuted in 1965, turned the spy craze on its head. While James Bond was thrilling audiences on the big screen, Get Smart gave us the bumbling Agent 86, Maxwell Smart. The show was packed with clever gadgets, running gags, and satirical humor aimed at Cold War espionage. Barbara Feldon’s Agent 99 was also a groundbreaking female character who was smart, capable, and often more competent than her male partner.
The show’s blend of parody and slapstick influenced countless comedies, from Austin Powers to Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The idea that you could take a serious genre and turn it into a comedy masterpiece became a staple of TV. Beyond the laughs, Get Smart gave us a female character who broke out of the secretary stereotype, showing that women could be just as sharp in comedy and action. It still holds up as one of the cleverest sitcoms of its time.
12. The Outer Limits
While it didn’t achieve the same cultural fame as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits was groundbreaking in its own way. Airing from 1963 to 1965, it leaned heavily into science fiction with more emphasis on monsters, aliens, and visual effects. Each episode began with the chilling announcement, “There is nothing wrong with your television set,” immediately pulling viewers into its unsettling worlds. Its special effects and makeup work were impressive for the era.
The show inspired generations of sci-fi creators, including many who later worked on Star Trek and other genre-defining series. Modern anthology shows continue to draw from its eerie tone and experimental storytelling. It proved that science fiction on TV could be ambitious and cinematic, not just campy or simplistic. Even with its short run, The Outer Limits left a long shadow on how sci-fi is done today.
