slow burns that actually pay off
a weak opening is only worth sitting through if the last act earns it. these earn it.
how this list is built: the opening act scores under 65 and the climax scores at least 20 points higher. a genuine climb, not a flat film. minimum 4 raters. the full method →
- 1
The Last Kingdom2015
18 raters · community 86 · 60m
41
climb
- 2
Downton Abbey2010
17 raters · community 85 · 66m
41
climb
- 3
Project Blue Book2019
14 raters · community 85 · 44m
41
climb
- 4
Parasyte -the maxim-2014
13 raters · community 87 · 23m
40
climb
- 5
Halo2022
15 raters · community 86
40
climb
- 6
Terminator 2: Judgment Day1991
15 raters · community 85 · 137m
40
climb
- 7
Stairway to Heaven2003
11 raters · community 85 · 60m
40
climb
- 8
Shameless2011
17 raters · community 85
40
climb
- 9
Normal People2020
15 raters · community 85 · 30m
40
climb
- 10
Marvel's Daredevil2015
18 raters · community 85
39
climb
- 11
MINDHUNTER2017
13 raters · community 85
39
climb
- 12
Loki2021
17 raters · community 85
39
climb
- 13
The Help2011
13 raters · community 86 · 146m
38
climb
- 14
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated2010
15 raters · community 86 · 22m
38
climb
- 15
Victorious2010
14 raters · community 86 · 24m
38
climb
- 16
Top Gun: Maverick2022
16 raters · community 85 · 131m
38
climb
- 17
Fleabag2016
14 raters · community 87
37
climb
- 18
Seinfeld1989
16 raters · community 86
37
climb
- 19
Defending Jacob2020
14 raters · community 86
37
climb
- 20
Reservoir Dogs1992
15 raters · community 85 · 99m
37
climb
- 21
Bones2005
17 raters · community 85
37
climb
- 22
Over the Garden Wall2014
14 raters · community 90 · 12m
36
climb
- 23
Criminal Minds2005
19 raters · community 87
36
climb
- 24
Tulsa King2022
18 raters · community 87
36
climb
or skip the list — tell us how tonight feels and get one pick