5 Shows So Meaningful You Can’t Stop Thinking About Them Years Later

Television has a unique ability to shape our minds, to help us heal, to encourage us to do something we've been sitting on for too long. It's not just about spending time in front of the screen just to kill an evening.

There are many worthy shows that offer profound insights into life, morality, and human nature.

Such shows challenge viewers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them, and often leave an impression that lasts long after the screen fades. Here are five shows so meaningful that you'll find yourself thinking about them years after you watched them.

1. The Good Place ( 2016-2020)

How does a sitcom find its way to this list you may ask? Well, the answer is easy: The Good Place is much more than that. Yes, at first glance, it seems like a lighthearted series, but as the story unfolds, it delves into complex moral dilemmas and existential questions. The Good Place is a philosophical comedy that explores the afterlife, ethics, and what it means to be a good person.

At the center of the story is a group of people trapped in the afterlife, with the main character being Eleanor Shellstrop. And through her transformation from a rather "meh" person to a role model for many of us, the show gives us a lot to think about every day. Because being "good" is not easy.

2. The Wire (2002-2008)

The Wire is definitely one of the most praised shows, and there are many reasons for that. It also proves to be one of those shows that people love to rewatch to better understand the million little details that make it so perfect. It's not just a crime drama, it explores life far beyond that.

Starring Idris Elba, The Wire is a gritty, realistic portrayal of life in Baltimore, Maryland. It explores some of the most universal themes such as poverty, corruption, and the failures of institutions like the police, the education system, and the media. Each season focuses on a different failed aspect of society. And while it is a slow burn, each season finale is definitely worth it.

3. Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Another is a groundbreaking series that explores life, death, and everything in between. The show centers on the Fisher family, who run a funeral home. The series uses death as a lens to examine human life and the difficult experiences they go through. Each episode begins with a death, reminding viewers of the fragility of life and the inevitability of mortality.

“I watched this show for the first time when I was a teenager, and rewatching it ten years later I am falling in love with it for the first time. The direct approach to death and grief, identity and art, youth and maturity... It really has me thinking about a lot of things in a new way,” one Redditor said.

4. Twin Peaks ( 1990-1991, 2017)

There's nothing more surreal in television than the late David Lynch's Twin Peaks. It's definitely a masterpiece that can't even be categorized. Part mystery, part horror, and part soap opera, the show is as enigmatic as it is captivating. But at its core, Twin Peaks is a story about the darkness that lies deep within the soul of man.

Twin Peaks centers on Kyle MacLachlan's character, Dale Cooper, who is sent to a small American town to investigate the murder of a young girl named Laura Palmer. But the journey he starts and takes you on becomes so much more than that. You end up on your own existential path to realize your life's worth.

5. Bojack Horseman ( 2014-2020)

Before tuning in, you might think that the show has nothing to offer you. After all, what can you expect from a cartoon about a man-horse lead character? But beneath the colorful animation and witty humor, there's a deeply emotional exploration of mental health, addiction, and the search for meaning. The show doesn't shy away from dark and uncomfortable topics, making it one of the most honest portrayals of human struggles.