Best TV Shows Created By Ryan Murphy, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Ryan Murphy has created iconic television series that span various genres, from Glee to American Horror Story.
Murphy’s success includes hits like Nip/Tuck, Scream Queens, and current ongoing series like Monster and Pose.
Shows like 9-1-1 and Feud showcase Murphy’s range as a creator and ability to craft compelling stories in different genres.

As a devoted fan of Ryan Murphy’s extraordinary works, I must say that his creative genius has been nothing short of breathtaking. From American Horror Story’s chilling tales that keep us on the edge of our seats to the captivating feuds portrayed in Feud, and the groundbreaking exploration of ball culture in Pose – Murphy’s storytelling has consistently pushed boundaries and left an indelible mark on television.

While many renowned filmmakers and creators have made a significant mark in the industry, achieving the same level of fame as a television series creator can be more challenging. This is mainly because successful TV shows often require several years of investment, making it tougher to accumulate an equally impressive body of work compared to film directors, even over a long career.

Ryan Murphy is exceptional in his versatile career that spans across numerous iconic television series and mini-series. His distinctive approach to thriller and horror genres has left a lasting impression on viewers, but it’s worth noting that he has also produced shows in various other genres too. While there’s still more to come from him, his body of work is already astounding and is likely to grow even more remarkable in the coming years and decades.

8 Glee

IMDB Score: 6.8

Best TV Shows Created By Ryan Murphy, Ranked

Starring: Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele & Jane Lynch
Ran For 6 Seasons
121 Total Episodes

Back in the day, I was hooked on that iconic teen series, you know, the one bursting with catchy tunes and an eclectic mix of oddball characters who somehow found themselves in the school choir. It was a show that left its mark on my generation, yet it seemed to spark endless debates among viewers. The spotlight on Glee only grew brighter over the years, but even under all that pressure, it managed to run for a whopping six seasons before calling it quits.

The jukebox-musical format kept viewers eagerly anticipating which popular tunes would be included in ‘Glee’ next. Despite not maintaining its initial peak throughout its entire run, critics and fans alike have consistently praised the show for its engaging characters, their relationships, numerous celebrity cameos, and overall enjoyment. Even though this style differed from Murphy’s later horror productions, it stands as one of his significant achievements and cultural impacts.

7 Scream Queens

IMDB Score: 7.1

Starring: Emma Roberts, Lea Michele & Abigail Breslin
Ran For 2 Seasons
23 Total Episodes

Initially, “Scream Queens” didn’t run as long as some of Ryan Murphy’s other shows, but when it debuted in 2015, it proved to be a success for him. In comparison to the “Scream” films with their darkly comedic slasher theme, “Scream Queens” boasted an impressive cast that included rising stars such as Keke Palmer, Ariana Grande, and Glen Powell. The series was set in a fictional American college and followed an anthology format. It found significant success during its first season, but the subsequent seasons failed to maintain that momentum, despite many of the original cast members returning.

The show Scream Queens had an enjoyable charm with teen appeal that proved to be a successful endeavor for Murphy. He skillfully reintroduced some well-known names from past projects, such as Emma Roberts and Lea Michele, who emerged as promising new scream queens. Notably, the first season stands out as a significant and humorous moment in comedy-horror television history.

6 Nip/Tuck

IMDB Score: 7.7

Starring: Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon & John Hensley
Ran For 6 Seasons
100 Total Episodes

It’s no wonder that a duo of stylish, somewhat shady plastic surgeons found success on TV during the 00s, given the popularity of medical dramas at the time. The actors Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh brought this witty, dark comedy to life for an impressive six seasons on screen.

Ryan Murphy’s passion for dark comedy and psychological thrillers was evident in the early stages of his career. The exceptional cast, medically-grounded stories, and ongoing narratives instead of typical serial medical dramas contributed significantly to the phenomenal success of Nip/Tuck.

5 Monster

IMDB Score: 7.8

Starring: Evan Peters, Cooper Koch & Nicholas Alexander Chavez
Ran For 2 Seasons (So Far)
20 Total Episodes (So Far)

One of Ryan Murphy’s current projects, titled “Monster,” is generating significant success on Netflix, owing to its intriguing premise. This chilling anthology series falls neatly within Murphy’s area of expertise, exploring various real-life murderers and true crime incidents.

The first season starring Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer was highly successful, but the new series about the Menendez Brothers has surged to the number one spot on streaming platforms and stirred up a lot of debate since its release. What’s more intriguing is that the brothers continue to defend their actions, which adds depth to the true crime aspect, leaving viewers eager to decipher the truth from this warped narrative.

4 9-1-1

IMDB Score: 7.9

Starring: Angela Bassett, Peter Krause & Oliver Stark
Ran For 8 Seasons (So Far)
110 Total Episodes (So Far)

It’s simple to overlook the fact that Ryan Murphy, who has been producing numerous horror series lately, is also the mind behind “9-1-1,” a procedural drama that revolves around the professional and personal lives of diverse first responders in Los Angeles. This enduring show has spawned spin-offs, managed to bounce back from cancellation, and maintains its momentum with a large cast of principal actors.

9-1-1 has maintained its widespread appeal, earning enough interest for ABC to continue broadcasting it following Fox’s cancellation. Characters’ family and romantic interactions, along with the evolving narratives, have contributed significantly to this enduring popularity. Remarkably, actors like Angela Bassett and Peter Krause have seen their careers flourish due to their impressive stint in this memorable drama series.

3 American Horror Story

IMDB Score: 8.0

Starring: Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson & Denis O’Hare
Ran For 12 Seasons (So Far)
132 Total Episodes (So Far)

As a dedicated fan, I must say that Murphy’s initial exploration into the realm of anthologies remains his most renowned – the captivating American Horror Story. Unlike other series, it isn’t grounded in reality, which makes crafting compelling, enigmatic narratives for each new season an even more challenging yet exhilarating endeavor.

The long-running success of the show, which is set to debut its thirteenth season soon, can be attributed not only to the dedicated cast and crew who stay loyal, but also to the creative minds behind the scenes like Ryan Murphy. This team has consistently come up with fresh storylines that have kept viewers engaged for over a decade, making it one of Murphy’s most remarkable accomplishments in TV production, although it may not be his most critically acclaimed series.

2 Feud

IMDB Score: 8.3

Starring: Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon & Naomi Watts
Ran For 2 Seasons (So Far)
Ran For 16 Episodes (So Far)

In a new anthology, Jessica Lange once again delivers an extraordinary performance. Ryan Murphy, who has always held a deep affection for Hollywood, created a miniseries titled “Hollywood” and decided to develop an anthology series highlighting famous feuds across American history, with a focus on the vibrant Hollywood scene. The first season was met with great acclaim, zeroing in on the prolonged enmity between actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

Initially appearing as a standalone miniseries, “Feud” surprisingly returned this year in the form of “Capote vs The Swans,” starring notable actresses such as Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, and Chloë Sevigny. These women sought revenge on writer Truman Capote. This season was exceptionally well-received, transforming “Feud” from a potential one-time success into a critically acclaimed series that could potentially run for multiple seasons in the future.

1 Pose

IMDB Score: 8.6

Starring: Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson & Indya Moore
Ran For 3 Seasons
Ran For 26 Episodes

In a fresh and unconventional approach, one of Ryan Murphy’s most ambitious concepts resulted in one of his largest successes. Titled “Pose“, this series was set amidst the late 80s and early 90s, delving into the world of ball culture in New York. This niche aspect of the LGBTQ+ community became a unique platform for narrating a wide array of stories and enlightening viewers about these lesser-known subcultures and their hardships. Remarkably, “Pose” also stood out as one of the most compelling and dramatic journeys on television.

Despite Pose having concluded its run, an increasing number of fans are still discovering it daily. What’s more, due to the lack of a large episode count, the creators were able to bring the series to a close at their preferred moment, avoiding any risk of overstaying their welcome. This results in Pose being a thoroughly satisfying and complete narrative that is definitely worth re-exploring. Ryan Murphy’s innovative approach to storytelling continues to shape the landscape of television, with numerous new shows emerging bearing his name across various genres.

2024-11-06 16:34