The Pitt vs 3 Iconic Medical Dramas, Ranked

Each of the four shows I'm going to mention here offers a different lens on hospital life, from emotional drama with a lot of personal stuff going on to raw realism of gritty medical routine. The Pitt ’s recent finale made sure the fans of the show will definitely come back for more.

But in the meantime, it’s good to see what’s there in the medical drama world. Since there are several shows that keep popping up in people’s minds all the time after hearing the title of The Pitt, let's dive into the site rankings and fan (and a little of my own) opinions to break it all down.

1. The Pitt (2025) vs. ER (1994–2009)

• On IMDb, The Pitt has 8.9/10, and ER has 7.9/10.
• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Pitt has 94% from critics and 82% from viewers; ER has 87% from viewers.

ER is the original blueprint for medical drama. With high-stakes emergencies and a rotating cast of future stars (hello, George Clooney ), it ran for 15 seasons and became many people's favorite medical show. ER perfectly balanced heartbreaking drama with clinical realism in a way that was particularly impressive for its time.

The Pitt follows the same narrative closely, but shows a modern take on the lives of ER doctors that resonates with today's audiences. Both shows are praised for their authenticity, but The Pitt offers a refreshing perspective. And another similarity: they both feature Noah Wyle.

“I decided to do my first watch of ER after my learning of the people behind The Pitt. I wasn't disappointed. Take that it's 15 seasons. Of 20+ episodes per season. But the quality, humour, and competence porn is all there. But so is some 1990s writing, numerous love triangles, and storeroom romances. Also a lot more yelling,” Redditor the6thReplicant said.

So to cut it short, ER is nostalgic and epic; The Pitt is timely and intimate. Choose your fighter. Sorry, doctor.

2. The Pitt (2025) vs. Grey’s Anatomy (2005-)

• On IMDb, The Pitt has 8.9/10, and Grey’s Anatomy has 7.6/10.
• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Pitt has 94% from critics and 82% from viewers; Grey’s Anatomy has 84% from critics and 72% from viewers.

Grey's Anatomy is a lot of things, but it for sure is not a truthful medical drama that you can relate to while watching (especially if you’re a trained medical professional). The show, while still dealing with a lot of professional stuff, is more a drama about the doctors, not about their work.

There are passionate love affairs and deaths, murders and miraculous saves. The show is a character-driven one, with so many tear-jerking moments that are not even connected to the patients.

So if you want to cry over characters' love lives and tragic exits, Grey's Anatomy is your best bet. If you're looking for something more mature, grounded, and reflective of real-world medicine, The Pitt might be your new favorite.

"I've been watching The Pitt too and as a doctor, I find it really relatable! The fast paced action and hospital dynamics feel real, even without the outside the hospital scenes. it’s different from grey’s, but i actually like how it focuses more on the professional relationships and stuff,” Redditor Dr_hermione23 said.

3. The Pitt (2025) vs. Pulse (2025)

• On IMDb, The Pitt has 8.9/10, and Pulse has 6.4/10.
• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Pitt has 94% from critics and 82% from viewers; Pulse has 48% from critics and 55% from viewers.

Well, it’s a little different with Pulse. Pulse can be a go-to show for those who love Grey's Anatomy's approach to medical drama. It seems like the show brings drama with a global flavor, but lacks the depth and polish of its competitors.

However, there are a lot of people who say that the timing of the show is just awful. Premiering this April, it doesn't seem to have a chance to become everyone's favorite, just because of the seemingly perfect show set in a similar world. But there's always a chance, and I think dramas like Pulse are important.

“The Pitt feels like an anxiety attack of a mixture between 24/ER/Hyperrealism. The Pulse feels like a cozy hug in comparison” Redditoe Eyriix said.

Where to Stream The Pitt, Grey’s Anatomy, ER, and Pulse?

The Pitt is available to stream on Max.

ER is streaming on platforms like Hulu and Peacock.

You can watch Grey’s Anatomy on ABC's website or streaming services Netflix and Hulu.

And Pulse is also available on Netflix.