Right in between feature films and multi-season-long dramas is the humble miniseries, which is arguably the best of both worlds, at least when done right. You usually get a handful of episodes (or sometimes up to about a dozen) that have the time to flesh out characters and conflicts more than a movie might be able to, but things aren’t designed to stretch on for years, making them a little more approachable and, arguably, digestible.
And it’s the following miniseries that demonstrate the format at its best, since all of these are very consistent, rewarding, and very much worth devoting however many hours to. Anything live-action will be considered, but anime series (like, those that ran for one season) won’t be, so honorable mention to the likes of Cowboy Bebop and Neon Genesis Evangelion, but it just feels a little strange to call them miniseries.
‘The Night Of’ (2016)
While what happens in The Night Of could potentially be compressed into a runtime that’s feature-length, the fact that it’s a miniseries does make certain parts of it indeed stronger. It’s about a man who’s charged with murdering a woman, though he has no memory of doing so, dealing with his time in custody before the murder trial, and then following the trial itself.
The way it unfolds slowly makes The Night Of successful in building a good amount of dread, especially early on, while the miniseries format allows the later episodes to show the criminal proceedings in court unfold more naturally. Everything feels very grounded and authentic here, enough so that The Night Of is actually a surprisingly harrowing watch at times. In a good way, sure, but it’s worth noting that it’s far from easy viewing.
‘Horace and Pete’ (2016)
On paper, Horace and Pete might sound like another sitcom, given it’s about a bar run by the two titular characters, and most of the scenes take place in said bar, with various regulars coming and going. But it’s no Cheers, and it’s also definitely less cheery, because Horace and Pete, while not without comedy (especially early on), gets pretty grim and willing to wallow in misery.
In some regards, it almost feels like an anti-sitcom, or whatever the arthouse film equivalent of a sitcom might be. That’s all to say that it’s probably not going to be for everyone, but there’s a unique tone struck here, and it’s admirably offbeat, all the while benefiting from an amazing cast that includes the likes of Louis C.K. (who also created the show), Steve Buscemi, Edie Falco, Alan Alda, and Jessica Lange.
‘Angels in America’ (2003)
There was a big director behind Angels in America (Mike Nichols, of The Graduate fame), and also a cast that was filled with actors who are usually seen on the big screen, rather than the small one. It’s also quite epic in scale for something that was only a miniseries-length, seeing as there are quite a few important characters throughout, and Angels in America is also about a lot thematically.
It takes place in 1985, and explores the impact that the AIDS crisis has on an assortment of characters, all the while also exploring further political and social ideas in a stylistically unique way. Angels in America is bold, sad, and strange, all in equal measure, but all that ensures it’s also pretty difficult to forget, once watched.
‘Fanny and Alexander’ (1983)
This is a bit of a funny example of a miniseries since Fanny and Alexander is also a feature film that was released in 1982, but the longer cut was released as a miniseries in 1983. The theatrical version was an already lengthy three hours, butthe miniseries runs for five hours, and is only being included here because it’s quite different and is arguably even better than the film version.
In both cases you get a story about two children having to deal with family tragedy and new abusive stepfather but the miniseries cut ofFanny and Alexander fleshes everyone out more especially supporting characters.It does feel like true form what this story was supposed to beand that movie version was more skillfully done re-edit condensing what was found longer version.
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What kind of film experience do you actually want?
The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind.
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‘Chernobyl’ (2019)
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Up there as one of thehighest-rated shows of all time on IMDb,Chernobyl is all about nuclear accident at titular nuclear power plant in 1986 . It’s on shorter side things miniseries-wise but is paced way makes whole thing feel littlelike watching disaster movie play out agonizing slow motion… but also maybe not sinceChernobyl far from slow.
Maybe patient or methodical would better words describe it since covers lot ground but its own pace all whilemaking aftermath accident just as harrowing lead-up it itself.(and event itself). It’s another difficult downer miniseries perhaps little like previously mentionedThe Night Ofbut it’s certainly worth watching all way through at least once.
‘I, Claudius’ (1976)
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Years beforeAngels AmericaandHorace Petehad noticeably great casts ,1976’sI Claudiusassembled absolutely incredible one .Derek Jacobi stars titular role , while Siân Phillips Brian Blessed John Hurt Patrick Stewart among others all impress supporting roles , with entire miniseries covering whole life Claudius who eventually became one Rome’s emperors .
It’s historical drama series but liberties sometimes taken sake good story they also have when show set about years ago . And thankfully either way story here more than good . It’s incredibly well-paced small-screen epic dialogue fantastic actors here all so good even ifI Claudius were + hours this cast reading phone book each other would still probably make weirdly compelling television .
‘O.J.: Made in America’ (2016)
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Like withFanny Alexander, it’s perhaps little eyebrow raising sneak something likeO.J.: Made Americainto ranking like this but too good not shout out . The sneakiness required sinceO.J.: Made Americadocumentary miniseries unlike others here ,andit was also oddly eligible Best Documentary Feature Oscars before rules changed disqualify miniseries even those were point screened theatrically (it ended up winning too).
It’s aboutO.J. Simpson and infamous murder trial he’s now synonymous with ,but it’s also so much more than crime documentary . O.J.: Made America uses Simpson’s life trial explore many things relevant history America ,and various things happened/in it throughout back half twentieth century . It’s astoundingly riveting perfectly edited constantly thought-provoking also extremely harrowing so call powerful would quite understatement .
‘Lonesome Dove’ (1989)
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Lonesome Doveadapts fairly large novel same name written byLarry McMurtry. Doing this big screen probably require at least lengthy movies do right since Lonesome Dove has massive scope many characters all whom memorable not deserving adapted out .
Lonesome Dove is about group characters undertaking dangerous journey drive cattle across vast range land being something adventure series getting very serious surprisingly moving other times . Lots Lonesome Dove wants hit gut emotionally such gut punches almost always hit more so than(the vast majority Westerns either TV big screen) out there.
‘Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace’ (2004)
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<p And then for something completely different tonally to Lonesome Dove here's(Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace)which goes show that miniseries doesn’t have drama great . This one’s bit hard explain but it’s show within show ,and(the show within show intentionally cheesy horror series ) ends up being great parody low-budget ’80s horror .
<p It takes lot skill make something feel funny great so bad its good film/show but purpose yet that's just what Garth Marenghi's Darkplace manages do six very consistent episodes . It's almost shame show wasn't any longer than that doing so might've run risk joke getting old . As stands current form Garth Marenghi's Darkplace pretty much perfect also rewatchable which takes some sting out being so short.
‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
<p Calling Band Brothers greatest miniseries all time might equivalent calling The Godfather greatest movie all time therefore runs risk being boring little predictable But i(it’s also undeniably great stirring television). It certainly one first shows comes mind when one hears term great miniseries especially those have come out since year 2000.
<p It's authentic intense World War II show being about lead-up fighting overseas active combat then aftermath World War II itself Band Brothers followed two other miniseries were World War II-related also quite good hard imagine story war format ever topping Band Brothers itself It's not impossible just very unlikely.
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