"Breaking Bad" earned a reputation for being one of the best TV dramas of the past decades. But if you find yourself still yearning for more chaotic misadventures in Albuquerque, there are plenty of fantastic shows that can help fill that "Breaking Bad"-shaped void.
As one of the best shows on Netflix, "Breaking Bad" won 16 Emmys over its five-season run, receiving acclaim for its three-dimensional characters and compelling story arcs. Each of these shows strikes that same delicate balance of dark humor and riveting drama that made "Breaking Bad" such a hit.
Read on for our picks for the best shows like "Breaking Bad" you can watch during your next binge session.
'Better Call Saul' (Netflix)
Okay, this is an obvious choice, but if you enjoyed "Breaking Bad," then you've really got to watch its spin-off "Better Call Saul" — which is finally on Netflix in its entirety. Through its six seasons, "Better Call Saul" follows sly attorney Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) as the titular Saul Goodman in the years leading up to and following his fateful run-in with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
"Better Call Saul" is technically both a prequel and sequel to "Breaking Bad" (it jumps between timelines of Jimmy's past and his fate after the events of the finale), and while knowledge of "Breaking Bad" enhances the ride here and there, it's far from necessary. "Better Call Saul" is what "Breaking Bad" wanted to be, is how I describe it to people when recommending it. Which is often.
Jimmy's journey from reformed con artist to earnest defense attorney to every criminal in Albuquerque's go-to legal representation is one of the best-told stories on TV. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way as he struggles to support his troubled genius brother (Michael McKean) and navigates a tumultuous relationship with romantic interest Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn).
Watch on Netflix
'Mad Men' (AMC Plus)
Another obvious choice, but with good reason: "Mad Men" didn't win 16 Emmys for nothing. This period drama is a fascinating look at the drama and politics of the 1960s advertising industry, centering on the cigarette-smoking, martini-drinking and adulterous world of New York City's ad men.
At the center of it all is the charismatic and womanizing advertising tycoon Don Draper (Jon Hamm). Much like Walter White, Draper is not a great guy, but you still might root for him despite it.
"Mad Men's" seven seasons follow the ups and downs of his career and personal life, as well as the people in his orbit. Each character is complex in their own unique way, and it's truly a treat watching them grow throughout the twists and turns of the main story.
Watch it on AMC Plus
'Barry' (Max)
This dark comedy stars Bill Hader as the titular Barry, a hitman-turned-actor after he becomes disillusioned by the murder industrial complex. On a job, Barry realizes his true passion lies in Hollywood thanks to the odd and manipulative teaching style of his new mentor Gene Couisneau (Henry Winkler). As he tries to put his troubled past behind him, his criminal associates keep finding ways to drag him back to the dark side.
Trying to live two lives puts Barry in increasingly tricky situations he has to find ways to navigate out of. In many aspects, his character arc mirrors that of Walter White, only in reverse: While Barry is a criminal struggling to transition to a normal life, Walter is attempting the opposite. Both shows are as tense as they come.
Watch on Max
'Fargo' (Hulu)
This spin-off of the cult classic Coen brothers film "Fargo" encompasses the core themes of the movie in an anthology format. It focuses on the trials and tribulations of seemingly ordinary people living in small towns dotted around the Midwest who turn to a life of crime.
Each season (four in total, with a fifth set for 2023) tells an entirely different story with entirely different characters, filled with the kind of darkly comedic digressions and asides that may or may not mean something that have become synonymous with the Coen brothers' brand. (The show is largely the brainchild of Noah Hawley, with the Coen brothers cited as executive producers.)
Just as we saw in "Breaking Bad," "Fargo" showcases how anyone can become a criminal with a few poor decisions, as well as how far they're willing to go to avoid being put behind bars when things inevitably spiral out of control.
Watch it on Hulu
'Narcos' (Netflix)
Before Pedro Pascal became the internet's "daddy" from his "The Last of Us" tenure and viral moments on the red carpet, he showcased his leading man potential in "Narcos" as Javier Peña, a DEA agent on the hunt for real-life drug kingpin Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura). "Narcos" is probably the show most frequently suggested to people who enjoyed "Breaking Bad."
Set in Colombia during the 1980s, this drug cartel drama charts Escobar's rise and battle for dominance of the international cocaine trade. Naturally, a team of DEA agents is working tirelessly behind the scenes to put an end to the billionaire's reign, forcing Escobar to fight a war on two fronts. The Scorsese-influenced true crime drama is one of Netflix's most acclaimed hits, and its three seasons are definitely worth a watch if you enjoyed the plot twists and nuanced characters of "Breaking Bad." "Narcos" was even popular enough to spawn a spinoff, "Narcos: Mexico."
Watch it on Netflix
'Ozark' (Netflix)
Another Netflix home run, "Ozark" is similar to "Breaking Bad" in many ways. It follows a seemingly normal family after the head of household, financial adviser Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman), gets roped into the criminal underworld. When a money-laundering scheme for a drug cartel goes South, Marty strikes a deal with the kingpin to launder $500 million in five years to make amends. But that means uprooting his family from the suburbs of Chicago to Missouri's remote Ozarks region to go after an even bigger score.
Over the course of the show's four seasons, Marty's wife and children get pulled into his criminal exploits. The family is tested and pushed to the brink as his scheme begins to unravel. Think of it as "Breaking Bad: The Family Edition."
Watch it on Netflix
'Bad Sisters' (Apple TV Plus)
For more amateur criminals scrambling to keep their crimes from catching up to them, look no further than "Bad Sisters." It's part pitch-black dark comedy and part mystery thriller that skillfully unravels red herrings and unexpected twists to keep you guessing about who, if anyone, is going to come out of this mess unscathed.
The tight-knit Garvey sisters—Grace, Eva, Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson)—made a vow to always look out for one another after losing their parents young. But that vow is put to the test when Grace’s husband, John Paul (Claes Bang), begins emotionally abusing her. How their story ends is revealed from the beginning as the show opens at John Paul's funeral. The real question is how he died, one that insurance agent Tom Claffin (Brian Gleeson) is determined to get to the bottom of. Both because any one of the Garvey sisters could have a motive, and because if he uncovers foul play, he won't have to issue a payout that threatens to bankrupt his father's struggling agency.
Watch it on Apple TV Plus
