Tired of keeping up with the latest trends? Maybe it’s time to go back and re-visit some of the best of the best shows in television’s brief history. You don’t even have to pay for them if you use Tubi. That’s right, the free ad-supported streaming service is currently home to some of the greatest television shows to ever hit the airwaves, ranging from vintage classics to hidden gems across every genre you can think of.
But with so much content available on Tubi, you may feel a little overwhelmed when you’re deciding what to watch. Fear not, as we’ve compiled 15 of the best TV shows on Tubi that you can watch right now. From cooking shows to murder investigations, no stone was left unturned in our search for Tubi’s best content. We’ll also update this list periodically to reflect Tubi’s expansive content library.
Updated on November 7th, 2023 by Sean Shuman: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15 Lego Masters
4 Seasons
LEGO Masters
- Release Date
- February 5, 2020
- Cast
- Will Arnett
- Genres
- Game Show
Do you want the fun of playing with Lego, without the high cost and tiny plastic pieces? Lego Masters may be for you. Based on the British series of the same name — which is also available on Tubi — Lego Masters sees Will Arnett hosting a competition series focused on everyone’s favorite brand of building blocks. Week by week, teams comprised of two builders each will be tasked with creating colorful structures out of Lego, all while meeting specific design requirements. Should a team show exemplary talent, they’ll be granted the glimmering Golden Brick: a special item that allows a team to avoid elimination from this playful game show.
What Makes It Great?
Like The Great British Bake Off, the drama of Lego Masters comes more from the challenges surrounding each build than any interpersonal conflicts. Arnett is terrific as a charismatic host, and there’s genuine enthusiasm found in both the competition’s judges and contestants. When it comes to playing with Lego, there’s nothing else quite like Lego Masters on streaming.
14 Everybody Hates Chris
4 Seasons
Everybody Hates Chris
- Release Date
- September 22, 2005
- Cast
- Tyler James Williams, Terry Crews, Vincent Martella, Tichina Arnold, Imani Hakim, Chris Rock
- Genres
- Comedy
Everybody Hates Chris is a semi-autobiographical comedy that loosely retells events from the life of Chris Rock. Narrated by Rock himself, we follow Tyler James Williams portraying Rock in his teenage years, with Terry Crews and Tichina Arnold playing his father and mother respectively. With every episode, you’ll see how Rock dealt with his adolescence throughout the inner workings of Brooklyn, New York, albeit with a hilarious edge. Additional cast members include Imani Hakim, Vincent Martella, and Tequen Richmond.
What Makes It Great?
Aside from some stellar individual performances, Everybody Hates Chris is an excellent sitcom rooted in real-life events. It would see numerous accolades from the NAACP Image Awards, in addition to some recognition from the Primetime Emmy Awards for a handful of episodes.
13 Columbo
16 Seasons
Columbo
- Release Date
- September 15, 1971
- Cast
- Peter Falk
- Genres
- Crime, Drama, Mystery
Based on how Columbo became a full-on internet meme, it’s safe to say that this classic crime drama is officially timeless. Originally a staple of NBC and ABC’s investigative offerings, Columbo sees Peter Falk donning a thick suit and a lit cigar as the titular homicide detective. Through his seemingly innocuous questions and sly wit, Columbo is tasked with solving mystery-of-the-week cases that cycle guest stars in and out of villainous roles. Compared to other mystery shows, we already know who committed the crime and how they did it. It’s ultimately up to Columbo to pull a confession out of them.
What Makes It Great?
Columbo is easily carried by Peter Falk’s friendly yet pointed demeanor, with infinitely quotable catchphrases littered throughout its lengthy run. It quickly establishes a comfortable case-of-the-week formula that you can’t help but be engrossed by. Multiple guest stars like Leslie Nielsen, Martin Landau, and even William Shatner can also be found dotted throughout this prolific series.
12 Hannibal
3 Seasons
Hannibal
- Release Date
- April 4, 2013
- Cast
- Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Laurence Fishburne, Gillian Anderson
- Genres
- Drama, Thriller
Looking back, it was legitimately shocking to see something as intense as 2013’s Hannibal airing on NBC. Co-starring Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen as investigator Will Graham and the monstrous Hannibal Lecter respectively, the series loosely adapts Thomas Harris’ novels featuring everyone’s favorite cannibalistic serial killer. While Graham attempts to solve grisly cases with his uncanny abilities, it’s revealed that Hannibal’s personable disposition as a forensic psychiatrist is merely a front for his true ambitions.
What Makes It Great?
Hannibal has been frequently cited as one of the best horror-themed shows in television history, utilizing horrifying imagery and beautiful cinematography in a brilliant contrast of the two styles. Though it would be canceled after three seasons, Hannibal would be a frequent winner at the Saturn Awards, securing Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor wins for Richard Armitage, Laurence Fishburne, Mads Mikkelsen, and Hugh Dancy.
11 Hell on Wheels
5 Seasons
Hell on Wheels
- Release Date
- November 6, 2011
- Cast
- Anson Mount, Colm Meaney, Robin McLeavy, Christopher Heyerdahl, Phil Burke, Tim Guinee, Byron Mann
- Genres
- Drama, Western
When you think of AMC, you’re usually thinking of Breaking Bad or The Walking Dead. However, AMC’s Western series Hell on Wheels is one you really shouldn’t miss. Debuting in 2011, Hell on Wheels tells a complex story about the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, with a former Confederate soldier joining the effort under false pretenses. As life goes by, however, he’ll forego his violent past to see the project to its conclusion. Anson Mount, Colm Meaney, Phil Burke, Ben Esler, and Robin McLeavy are just a handful of main cast members attached to Hell on Wheels, with more than a dozen separate reoccurring guests appearing throughout each of its five seasons.
What Makes It Great?
Hell on Wheels takes the intercontinental railroad’s muddy history and attaches a compelling narrative to it. The series would see an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2012, and it would frequently secure multiple wins and nominations in the Rosie Awards throughout the rest of its run.
10 Unsolved Mysteries with Robert Stack
12 Seasons
Arguably one of the most popular true-crime shows ever made at over 600 episodes, Unsolved Mysteries continues to capture the inquisitive imaginations of those who partake in its ominous cases. Robert Stack’s tenure on the series is streaming on Tubi, with a total of 12 seasons available to watch. The series sees Stack presenting a variety of bizarre phenomena and mysterious circumstances, with real-life unsolved crimes, missing persons, and even paranormal occurrences being featured in each episode. Updates on existing cases are given on occasion, either presenting a case that has been successfully solved or updating a pending case with new information.
What Makes It Great?
Unsolved Mysteries is an iconic series in its own right, not only for its true-crime elements but for the influence it had on the genre as a whole. The show has been credited with drawing attention to some especially prominent criminal cases, even allowing them to be successfully solved in some instances. Robert Stack’s tenure as host is still one of his most recognizable roles as well.
9 Babylon 5
5 Seasons
Babylon 5
- Release Date
- January 26, 1994
- Cast
- Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andreas Katsulas, Peter Jurasik, stephen furst, Bill Mumy
- Genres
- Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Babylon 5 was one of the most novel productions in television history. Instead of being renewed season-by-season, the entire series was planned out all at once, with almost all 110 episodes being written by series creator Joseph Michael Straczynski. The result is a series that rivals, if not surpasses, the numerous entries in the Star Trek universe. Set on the space station Babylon 5, this innovative science-fiction series follows the day-to-day operations of its military staff and various intergalactic diplomats, with expansive wars, political intrigue, and personal relationships being the crux of its numerous story arcs. Regular cast members include the likes of Michael O’Hare, Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, and Jerry Doyle.
What Makes It Great?
Babylon 5 would garner significant attention for being one of the first major television shows to adopt digital VFX, in addition to influencing the creation of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Straczynski himself would claim that Babylon 5‘s biggest legacy is its implementation of multi-year story arcs, which are an expected fixture of television dramas nowadays. Its practical makeup effects and cinematography would secure multiple Emmy nominations throughout its original run.
8 The Oblongs
1 Season
Based on stories and characters by Angus Oblong, The Oblongs was unfortunately cut short by The WB when it initially premiered in 2001. However, the series would eventually become a cult classic due to its prominent presence on Adult Swim. The Oblongs twists the conventional sitcom formula on its head by having its leading family live in the middle of a toxic waste dump. Living underneath the affluent community known as “The Hills,” the Oblong family and their mutated neighbors live life as best they can despite their predicament.
What Makes It Great?
Though The Oblongs lasted only for a single season, it has left a substantial impact on the world of adult animation. It would feature a surprising amount of high-profile voice actors, with names like Will Ferrell, Pamela Adlon, Billy West, Maurice LaMarche, and Jean Smart all voicing prominent characters. Its unique premise allowed it to maintain a late-night cult following to this very day.
7 Masters of Horror
2 Seasons
Masters of Horror
- Release Date
- October 28, 2005
- Cast
- Holly Marie Combs
- Genres
- Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Masters of Horror was originally a Showtime series that ran for only two seasons. But this relatively obscure series holds a lot of surprises for fans of the horror genre. Masters of Horror is an anthology that sees a litany of horror legends crafting one-off horror films across 26 episodes. Every episode of Masters of Horror is a condensed horror film that runs at around 60 minutes, with no connecting elements found between each installment. Being a Showtime original, you can expect a degree of terror you won’t typically find on basic cable networks.
What Makes It Great?
Some directors attached to Masters of Horror include popular names like Tobe Hooper, John Landis, and John Carpenter, in addition to international directors like Takashi Miike, Dario Argento, and Peter Medak. Infamous episodes like Takashi Miike’s “Imprint” still regularly make the rounds through disturbing movie discussions, while others provide inventive horror ideas in a similar vein to the V/H/S franchise.
6 Swamp Thing
1 Season
Swamp Thing
- Release Date
- 2019-00-00
- Cast
- Crystal Reed, Will Patton, Virginia Madsen, Derek Mears, Jeryl Prescott, Kevin Durand
- Genres
- Superhero, Sci-Fi
Excited for James Gunn’s upcoming Swamp Thing film? Maybe you ought to give 2019’s Swamp Thing a shot while you wait. Originally an exclusive series on the now-defunct DC Universe streaming service, Swamp Thing sees Derek Mears (Alita: Battle Angel, Friday the 13th) playing the role of the titular plant elemental in the swamps of Louisiana, with Crystal Reed (Ghostland, Teen Wolf) playing the opposing role of doctor Abby Arcane. After Arcane returns to her hometown in Louisiana, the sudden death of a scientific colleague leads her to discover a terrifying reality lying within the murky swamps of the south.
What Makes It Great?
Swamp Thing is one of the very few times you’ll see DC veer into straightforward horror territory. Its focus on horror and intense practical effects has been a continual point of praise, with some critics noting the series’ focus on staying true to the source material. Though it was cut down before getting a second season, there’s still a lot to like in DC’s Swamp Thing.
5 Blue Mountain State
3 Seasons
blue mountain state
- Release Date
- January 12, 2010
- Cast
- Darin Brooks, Alan Ritchson, Ed Marinaro, Denise Richards
- Genres
- Comedy, Family, Reality TV, sport
This cult-classic comedy originally started as an original series on Spike — now Paramount Network — before gaining prominence on streaming. Blue Mountain State is a satirical spin on college football life, taking place at the titular fictional university. Though most of our main characters play on a football team, the sport is often brushed aside for the less-than-glamorous culture surrounding it. It’s a series that may draw comparisons to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia for its hilarious cruelty.
What Makes It Great?
Blue Mountain State wholly embraces the kind of raunchy humor found in films like American Pie, winking at the audience with its overly crass elements. Its popularity would even lead to the successful creation of a crowd-funded film, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland, in 2016.
4 Kitchen Nightmares
7 Seasons
Kitchen Nightmares
- Release Date
- September 19, 2007
- Cast
- Gordon Ramsay
- Main Genre
- Reality TV
With Kitchen Nightmares returning to television, there’s no better time to catch up on Gordon Ramsay’s famous cooking series. Kitchen Nightmares sees Ramsay visiting struggling restaurants throughout the United States. Whether it’s because of difficult management, gross food, or a combination of both, Ramsay evaluates what needs to be fixed before re-opening the eatery to the public. Both the US and UK versions of Kitchen Nightmares are available on Tubi, in addition to the similar series 24 Hours to Hell and Back.
What Makes It Great?
Kitchen Nightmares is a series primarily carried by its over-the-top editing, quotable moments, and memorable dishes. The series has since become something of an internet meme, with several viral clips permeating internet discourse ever since their initial airing. An official 2023 revival has officially brought the series back once more, cementing its legacy as a culinary staple on television.
3 Spartacus
4 Seasons
Spartacus was one of the most impressive original shows on Starz, lasting for a total of four seasons throughout the early 2010s. Inspired by the real-life historical figure of the same name, this Steven S. DeKnight series tells the story of Spartacus (Andy Whitfield), a gladiator who led a rebellious uprising against the Roman Republic in the early first century. Due to Whitfield’s tragic passing after the first season, a prequel season and follow-up seasons would see Dustin Clare and Liam McIntyre taking up the role of our central protagonist. Additional cast members include John Hannah, Lucy Lawless, Viva Bianca, Erin Cummings, and Manu Bennett.
What Makes It Great?
Spartacus drew significant praise not only for the performance of the late Andy Whitfield, but also for the quality of its writing, its adherence to historical events, and its impressive fight scenes. Several actors, especially Lucy Lawless, would receive award nominations for their individual performances. Spartacus would even snag an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Stunt Coordination, a testament to its endlessly entertaining action scenes dotted throughout the later seasons.
2 Reply
3 Seasons
Korean dramas are a staple of streaming nowadays, meaning we had to highlight a notable standout from Tubi’s library. Reply is a Korean anthology series that’s split into three distinct parts, one for each season: Reply 1997, Reply 1994, and Reply 1988. These three seasons are unified with a common premise. Each one features a group of friends whose relationships grow and change during a significant time jump. While several cast members re-appear in multiple seasons, you can typically find a brand-new cast with each successive installment. You can also expect topics like growing apart, falling in and out of love, and familial drama to be a core focus throughout each season.
What Makes It Great?
Reply has been one of the most successful Korean dramas in terms of domestic viewership, with its popularity gradually seeping internationally with every passing year. Each season tackles a drastically different subject and period, making it a classic go-to series for newcomers to Korean dramas.
1 Luther
5 Seasons
Luther
- Release Date
- May 4, 2010
- Cast
- Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, Ruth Wilson, Patrick Malahide, Enzo Cilenti
- Genres
- Crime, Drama
Luther is arguably one of the most popular shows in the United Kingdom. Idris Elba stars as our eponymous John Luther, a passionate detective who occasionally veers too far into solving his grisly cases. Though he’s dedicated to his police work, his passion may ultimately be what does him in once he goes toe-to-toe with a malicious murderer named Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson). Dermot Crowley, Warren Brown, Andy Serkis, Rose Leslie, Pam Ferris, and Michael Smiley are featured throughout each of Luther‘s five seasons.
What Makes It Great?
Luther wouldn’t be what it is without the dramatic performance of Idris Elba. The series is carried by his complex depiction of John Luther, with Elba securing several award wins across the NAACP Image Awards and Golden Globes. Though he wouldn’t nab an Emmy for his performance, Elba would be nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries on four separate occasions.
