The world of medicine has inspired television series for decades, and it's easy to understand why. From life-or-death emergencies to heartwarming moments of human connection, hospitals and doctor's offices offer a wealth of dramatic inspiration. Audiences quickly feel attached to the medical professionals featured in these shows and become deeply invested in their personal stories. High IMDb ratings reflect the impact that a well-written medical drama can have on viewers.
Many TV medical dramas enjoy a long run with a loyal following because they are able to blend compelling medical cases with these personal stories. Furthermore, complex hospital staff relationships keep the tension high in and out of the operating room. In addition to their fan base and staying power, the best of these medical dramas also achieve high IMDb ratings.
10 Chicago Hope Is A Lovable 90s Classic
IMDb Score: 6.8
Chicago Hope premiered on CBS in 1994 and enjoyed a successful six-season run. The soap opera-style format and stellar cast made the show popular among 90s medical drama viewers. During its heyday, the series won an impressive seven Primetime Emmy Awards.
According to IMDb reviews, Chicago Hope featured excellent dialogue and some compelling cases, but lacked sufficient realism. Fans loved the cast performances, especially from Mandy Patinkin and Hector Elizondo. However, many IMDb reviewers note that Chicago Hope lost some strength when certain characters had to be replaced due to cast changes.
9 Grey's Anatomy Is A Long-Running Favorite
IMDb Score: 7.6
When it comes to the medical drama category, few modern shows are as well-known as Grey's Anatomy. The show is currently the longest-running medical drama on American TV. Confirmed rumors of a 19th season indicate that ABC audiences will soon get another dose of their favorite series.
According to IMDb reviews, Grey's Anatomy is a fan-favorite show with an excellent cast, but it has slowly declined in quality over the last few seasons due to a lack of balance. In addition, many fans feel it would benefit from refocusing on the medical cases a little more. However, many diehard fans are still looking forward to seeing what the fall 2022 season offers.
8 Nip/Tuck Is A Gritty Take On Plastic Surgery
IMDb Score: 7.7
The FX original series, Nip/Tuck, showed viewers the glamour and grit of the plastic surgery world, including some very graphic surgery scenes throughout. Nip/Tuck follows two talented plastic surgeons through the trials of their personal and professional lives.
Based on IMDb reviews, audiences found Nip/Tuck refreshing and innovative for the first few seasons. Many loved how dark, and complex the plot lines became, and enjoyed most of the characters. However, some reviewers believe Nip/Tuck lost its way in the later seasons.
7 ER Is An Enduring Medical Drama
IMDb Score: 7.8
ER was a breakout role for young actor George Clooney and is still considered one of the best medical dramas ever made. The series won a stunning 23 Primetime Emmy Awards during its 15-season run.
ER details the careers of nurses and doctors working at Chicago's County General Hospital and is loved by fans and critics alike. According to IMDb reviews, audiences loved the reliable structure of the series, which kept episodes interesting season after season. Many also enjoyed the dynamics between the central characters.
6 The Resident Follows A Group Of Passionate Doctors
IMDb Score: 7.8
The Resident will soon enter its sixth season, and it's easy to see why fans are still enjoying this series. The show's central character is an idealistic young doctor who begins working under a pragmatic senior resident. The two make a compelling pair and face the highs and lows of medicine alongside the rest of the staff.
Based on user reviews from IMDb, fans enjoy The Resident's unique focus on the deficiencies in the healthcare system. Reviewers also cite the show's balance between drama and comedy as one of its major strengths.
5 Nurse Jackie Is A Compelling Fictional Biography
IMDb Score: 7.8
Nurse Jackie stars Edie Falco as the title character, a drug-using nurse who juggles a wealth of personal issues with the demands of her job. The series incorporates dark comedy into the medical drama world, providing much-needed relief from some of the show's heavier subject matter.
Many reviewers on IMDb loved Falco's performance and found her portrayal of a stressed-out nurse in a busy hospital to be very believable. However, some reviewers feel that the medical processes featured in Nurse Jackie leave much to be desired in terms of authenticity.
4 St. Elsewhere Has A Star-Studded Cast
IMDb Score: 8.0
St. Elsewhere was a big hit in the 1980s and features a lovable cast of very recognizable faces. A young Denzel Washington appears in one of his first major roles as Dr. Philip Chandler. Alongside Washington, modern-day fans will enjoy seeing early performances by Howie Mandel, Ed Begley Jr., and NCIS star Mark Harmon.
Several IMDb reviewers consider St. Elsewhere to be one of the best medical dramas ever made and believe it paved the way for many modern series. Reviewers especially enjoy the quality of the script and cast performances.
3 M*A*S*H Added A Welcome Splash Of Comedy
IMDb Score: 8.4
M*A*S*H debuted in the 1970s and was wildly popular almost immediately. It was one of the first medical dramas to incorporate comedy, a trend that many series have since emulated. The series focuses on the staff of an overseas hospital during the Korean War, and the comedy elements are successfully balanced with the horrors of war.
According to most reviewers on IMDb, the reliable laughs made M*A*S*H heartwarming and endlessly watchable. Many also note that the show is equally great to re-watch because of its timeless themes.
2 Dopesick Unearths The Dark Side Of Medicine
IMDb Score: 8.6
Hulu audiences got to see Michael Keaton back in action as Dr. Samuel Finnix in the riveting miniseries Dopesick. The series is an adaptation of a book by Beth Macy. It details the true story of the spread of an opioid epidemic in Virginia.
In addition to Keaton, Rosario Dawson and Peter Sarsgaard play major roles in Dopesick. IMDb user reviews for this series are generally high thanks to strong performances by the talented cast. Many reviewers also enjoyed the compelling subject matter of the series and regard it as exceptionally well-directed.
1 House Set A Gold Standard
IMDb Score: 8.7
Dr. House is often compared to Sherlock Holmes, and actor Hugh Laurie has acknowledged the validity of these comparisons. His character is the focal point of House, one of the most highly-rated medical dramas of the last few decades.
Dr. House is a rule-breaking, antisocial medical genius who nevertheless reveals his human side as the series progresses. IMDb reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with over 40% of reviewers awarding House a score of 10/10. Reviewers praise Hugh Laurie's iconic performance, smart comedic moments, and excellent writing.