20 TV Shows That Won The Most Emmy Awards
Gold statues do not always tell the whole story, but they make a pretty convincing scoreboard.
Every September, cameras pan across glittering gowns and nervous nominees, yet only a handful of shows keep hearing their names called again and again.
Over time, that steady rhythm of applause turns into legend. Writers’ rooms celebrate, cast members joke about shelf space, and viewers start to expect victory as part of the brand.
Some series dominate a single era so completely that it feels like no one else had a chance. Others build momentum slowly, stacking wins season after season until the total becomes impossible to ignore.
Behind the glamour sits a simple truth: consistent quality tends to get noticed.
1. Saturday Night Live
Holding the crown with 93 Emmy wins, this sketch comedy phenomenon has been making people laugh since 1975.
Over nearly five decades, countless celebrities have hosted, legendary comedians have launched their careers, and political impressions have become water-cooler moments.
From Wayne’s World to more cowbell, SNL has created cultural touchstones that transcend television.
Weekend Update alone has become appointment viewing for news satire fans everywhere.
No other show comes close to matching this record-breaking achievement in television history.
2. Game of Thrones
Dragons, battles, and shocking plot twists helped this fantasy epic claim 59 Emmy Awards between 2011 and 2019.
HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s novels became a global phenomenon that had everyone talking around office water coolers.
Multiple Outstanding Drama Series wins proved that fantasy could compete with any genre.
Stunning visual effects, intricate costumes, and powerhouse performances made voters swoon season after season.
Despite controversial final episodes, its Emmy legacy remains untouchable in the fantasy realm.
3. Frasier
Psychiatrist Frasier Crane’s sophisticated Seattle adventures earned an impressive 37 Emmy Awards during its eleven-season run.
Kelsey Grammer himself snagged four Outstanding Lead Actor trophies, showing how intelligent comedy could dominate the awards circuit.
Witty dialogue and impeccable timing made this Cheers spinoff even more successful than its predecessor.
Smart writing combined with stellar ensemble acting created an unstoppable awards juggernaut throughout the 1990s.
4. The Simpsons
America’s favorite animated family has collected 37 Emmy wins since debuting way back in 1989.
Homer’s donut obsession and Bart’s pranks have entertained generations while racking up 12 Outstanding Animated Program awards.
Voice actors alone scored 16 Emmy wins, showcasing the incredible talent behind these beloved yellow characters.
Longest-running American sitcom ever, this Springfield staple continues producing episodes that resonate with audiences worldwide.
5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
British comedian John Oliver’s Sunday night deep dives into current events have earned 32 Emmy Awards since 2014.
His show tackles complex topics with humor and thorough research that makes learning feel entertaining. Outstanding Variety Talk Series wins keep piling up year after year.
Oliver’s team combines investigative journalism with comedy sketches, creating a unique format that Emmy voters absolutely adore.
6. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Groundbreaking television arrived when Mary Richards threw her hat in the air, leading to 29 Emmy wins between 1970 and 1977.
This sitcom revolutionized how working women were portrayed on television, making Mary a role model for millions.
Supporting characters like Lou Grant and Rhoda became household names in their own right. Sharp writing addressed real issues while maintaining laugh-out-loud humor that felt fresh and authentic.
7. RuPaul’s Drag Race
Sashaying onto the Emmy stage with 29 wins, this reality competition has transformed drag culture into mainstream entertainment.
RuPaul’s charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent have inspired contestants and viewers alike since 2009.
Outstanding Reality Competition Program wins keep coming as new seasons introduce fresh talent.
Makeup tutorials, lip-sync battles, and heartfelt stories create television that entertains while promoting acceptance and self-expression.
From niche cable show to cultural phenomenon, its Emmy success mirrors society’s growing embrace of LGBTQ+ visibility.
8. Cheers
Where everybody knows your name became more than a catchy theme song when this Boston bar sitcom collected 28 Emmy Awards.
Sam Malone’s romantic misadventures and Norm’s barstool wisdom entertained audiences throughout the 1980s.
Outstanding Comedy Series wins came multiple times during its eleven-season run.
Chemistry between cast members felt genuine, making viewers feel like regulars at their favorite neighborhood hangout.
9. Hill Street Blues
Gritty police drama redefined television storytelling while earning 26 Emmy Awards during its 1981-1987 run.
Multiple storylines weaving through episodes created complexity that audiences hadn’t seen before in cop shows.
Outstanding Drama Series wins came four years straight, highlighting that its revolutionary approach resonated with voters.
Captain Furillo’s morning roll calls became iconic moments that set the tone for ensemble drama series.
10. The West Wing
Walking and talking through White House corridors earned this political drama 26 Emmy Awards between 1999 and 2006.
Aaron Sorkin’s rapid-fire dialogue made government policy discussions surprisingly addictive television. President Bartlet and his staff tackled fictional crises that felt ripped from real headlines.
Outstanding Drama Series wins came four consecutive years, showcasing its dominance during the early 2000s.
11. The Crown
British royalty has never looked more Emmy-worthy than in this Netflix historical drama with 24 wins.
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s reign from young monarch to seasoned ruler, each season brings new actors and fresh perspectives.
Lavish production values and meticulous historical recreation make every episode feel cinematic.
Outstanding Drama Series recognition came multiple times as different actresses portrayed the Queen through various life stages.
Controversy and accuracy debates only fuel viewer interest in this royal family portrait that continues captivating audiences.
12. ER
Chicago’s County General Hospital became television’s most honored medical drama with 23 Emmy wins during its fifteen-season run.
Fast-paced emergencies and character-driven storylines kept viewers coming back from 1994 to 2009.
George Clooney launched his movie career here, while other cast members became household names.
Outstanding Drama Series wins and acting honors proved that medical shows could balance action with genuine emotional depth.
Its influence on medical dramas remains visible in every hospital show that followed its groundbreaking footsteps.
13. The Bear
Chicago’s chaotic sandwich shop turned fine dining establishment has already grabbed 21 Emmy wins in just two seasons.
This FX drama about grief, family, and culinary excellence became an instant critical darling in 2022.
Outstanding Comedy Series wins sparked debates about genre classification, but nobody questioned its quality.
Jeremy Allen White’s portrayal of chef Carmy Berzatto earned widespread acclaim and multiple acting honors.
14. NYPD Blue
Dennis Franz’s Detective Sipowicz and his NYPD colleagues earned 20 Emmy Awards while pushing boundaries in police dramas.
Running from 1993 to 2005, this series wasn’t afraid to show the darker side of law enforcement.
Controversial content and realistic language made it groundbreaking for network television.
Multiple acting wins showed that complex, flawed characters resonated more than perfect heroes ever could.
15. American Masters
PBS’s biography documentary series has collected 20 Emmy wins while profiling influential artists, musicians, and cultural icons.
Since 1986, it has brought viewers intimate portraits of creative legends who shaped American culture.
Outstanding Nonfiction Series recognition came repeatedly for its thoughtful storytelling approach.
From jazz musicians to visual artists, each episode provides deep insight into creative genius and artistic struggle.
16. Modern Family
Three interconnected families navigating modern life earned 22 Emmy wins during their eleven-season journey from 2009 to 2020.
This mockumentary-style sitcom tackled contemporary issues with heart and humor that felt genuine.
Outstanding Comedy Series wins came five consecutive years, proving its widespread appeal.
Diverse family structures represented on screen helped normalize different types of households in primetime television.
Talking-head interviews and overlapping storylines created a format that influenced numerous comedies attempting to replicate its success.
17. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Midge Maisel’s journey from housewife to stand-up comedian in 1950s New York earned 22 Emmy wins across five seasons.
Amazon’s period comedy-drama dazzled with stunning costumes, rapid-fire dialogue, and Rachel Brosnahan’s award-winning performance.
Outstanding Comedy Series wins came twice as the show balanced humor with serious themes.
Gorgeous cinematography and meticulous period details made every frame look like vintage magazine photography come alive.
Its celebration of female ambition and comedic talent resonated with modern audiences while honoring entertainment history.
18. Succession
Backstabbing billionaire siblings fighting over their media empire earned 19 Emmy wins during four critically acclaimed seasons.
HBO’s family drama about the dysfunctional Roy clan became essential viewing for prestige television fans.
Outstanding Drama Series wins came multiple years as viewers watched power struggles unfold.
Sharp writing and phenomenal ensemble acting created uncomfortable situations that somehow remained darkly comedic.
Its 2023 finale left audiences debating outcomes while cementing its place among television’s greatest family dramas ever produced.
19. Shōgun
Feudal Japan came alive in this 2024 limited series that made Emmy history with 18 wins in a single year.
Based on James Clavell’s novel, FX’s adaptation transported viewers to 1600s Japan with stunning authenticity.
Outstanding Drama Series recognition came alongside acting, directing, and technical awards.
Hiroyuki Sanada’s performance as Lord Toranaga earned widespread critical praise and multiple honors.
Breaking records for most Emmys won in one year proved that international stories told with respect can captivate American audiences.
20. Watchmen
Damon Lindelof’s limited series reimagining of the iconic graphic novel earned 11 Emmy wins in 2020.
This HBO production tackled race, justice, and American history through a superhero lens that felt urgently relevant.
Outstanding Limited Series recognition came alongside acting wins for Regina King’s powerful performance.
Bold storytelling choices and stunning visuals created television that sparked important conversations about systemic racism.
Though only one season exists, its cultural impact and Emmy haul prove that limited series can achieve lasting significance.
