Every Ryan Murphy Show, Ranked

For over twenty years, Ryan Murphy has been a major force in television, constantly innovating and creating some of the most popular shows of recent times. Whether it’s the upbeat musicality of Glee or the terrifying intensity of American Horror Story, his work is known for its unique mix of over-the-top style, insightful social messages, and bold storytelling. His latest series, All’s Fair, a captivating legal drama with a star-studded cast including Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash, Glenn Close, and Teyana Taylor, premiered on November 4, 2025, proving he continues to be a creative powerhouse.

For over 25 years, Ryan Murphy has created a hugely influential body of work on television, exploring everything from horror and musicals to true crime and short-form series. His shows have won awards, become popular online trends, and started important conversations, constantly breaking new ground in terms of diversity and visual style – evolving from beloved niche favorites into worldwide hits that have changed the landscape of television.

The Politician Explores Power and Morality Through Satirical Camp (Netflix)

“The Politician” was Ben Platt’s first big project with Netflix. The show followed an ambitious student’s journey as he aimed for the highest office, starting in high school. While critics had mixed reactions (giving it a 59% rating), viewers generally enjoyed its sharp humor and striking visual style.

Throughout its two seasons, the show brilliantly captures Ryan Murphy’s recurring themes of striving for success, figuring out who you are, and the ways we present ourselves to the world. While the story sometimes felt slow, it’s still one of his most visually impressive creations—over-the-top, energetic, and unexpectedly moving as it explores what it takes to achieve your goals. However, some viewers struggled to connect with the show and its characters, which limited its overall popularity.

Hollywood Boldly Reimagines Film’s Golden Era (Netflix)

Murphy’s Hollywood offers a fresh take on Los Angeles after World War II, exploring a scenario where talented but overlooked artists were given a chance to shine. While critics were mixed (giving it a 58% score), audiences loved its hopeful message and glamorous presentation, awarding it a 75% rating.

Despite some criticism for presenting an overly optimistic view of the past, Hollywood is considered one of Ryan Murphy’s most passionate projects. It takes a critical look at the entertainment industry and reimagines it as a glamorous story about overcoming obstacles and achieving representation—a common thread in his other work. Sadly, the show was cancelled after just one season, as it didn’t achieve the same popularity as some of Murphy’s more mainstream hits.

The Watcher Brings an Eerie Real-Life Case to the Small Screen (Netflix)

Inspired by a real, unsolved mystery, The Watcher marked Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale’s venture into the world of Netflix’s true crime thrillers. The limited series centers on a family who are harassed by unsettling letters from an unknown stalker. While the acting was praised, the show received generally negative reviews – critics gave it a 54% rating, and audiences only a 36% – as it failed to add much substance to a case already well-known to the public.

Even though it’s not his strongest work, The Watcher effectively portrays the unsettling anxieties of suburban life, blending director Ryan Murphy’s trademark over-the-top style with a sense of dread. It’s a mix of suspenseful thriller and dramatic soap opera – undeniably Murphy’s signature, lavish, and completely captivating. And, it features a fantastic performance from Jennifer Coolidge as she makes a celebrated return to the screen.

Ratched Revitalizes an Iconic Cinema Villain (Netflix)

Before the iconic film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, comes Ratched. This series offers a look at a younger Mildred Ratched, the infamous nurse, in a visually striking and unsettling psychological thriller. While it’s been met with mixed reviews – critics gave it a 62% score, and audiences a 69% – it still offers a compelling, if divisive, story.

The show’s striking visuals and Sarah Paulson’s powerful acting are classic hallmarks of Ryan Murphy’s style. It’s atmospheric, visually stunning, and delightfully dramatic – everything fans expect from his blend of horror and emotional storytelling. Unfortunately, because it only lasted one season and debuted during the peak of the pandemic, it didn’t receive the attention it deserved and largely faded from memory.

Mid-Century Modern Channels The Golden Girls With a Twist (Hulu and Disney+)

The new comedy Mid-Century Modern is getting great reviews, with an 88% score from critics and 80% from audiences. It’s praised for being both funny and insightful, blending the style of classic sitcoms with explorations of important social issues. The show centers on the lives of three middle-aged gay best friends – played by Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham – as they support each other through life’s challenges.

Though not as huge a success as some of his earlier work, Mid-Century Modern finds Murphy exploring lighter, more accessible themes while still touching on the important issues he’s known for. The new comedy, often compared to The Golden Girls, brings the warmth of friendship and the idea of chosen family to a modern audience.

Doctor Odyssey Combines Medical Hassles and High Tides (Hulu and Disney+)

Doctor Odyssey explores themes of power and morality within a hospital, building on the creator’s previous work. While critics generally approve of the show (63% score), audiences are more split (48%). It’s visually appealing, but sometimes struggles to find a consistent tone, shifting between the feel of a high-quality drama and a traditional soap opera.

Despite its flaws, Doctor Odyssey offers the bold and imaginative storytelling that fans of director Neil Murphy have come to appreciate. The film tackles complex ethical dilemmas with powerful acting—and Murphy’s unique, energetic style—making it a standout, though often overlooked, work from his later career. It also boasts a fantastic cast, including Joshua Jackson and Don Johnson.

Popular Is an Early and Criminally Underrated Murphy Classic (Not Streaming)

I remember discovering Ryan Murphy’s style with Glee, but looking back, Popular really showed me what he was all about! It was this incredibly funny and dramatic show about two high school girls, Brooke McQueen and Sam McPherson, and all their crazy clashes. It only lasted two seasons on The WB, but it was full of that sharp wit, over-the-top drama, and surprisingly sweet moments that would become his trademark.

When their parents start dating, a seemingly perfect popular girl and a jaded journalist find themselves sharing a home. Creator Ryan Murphy used the show Popular to cleverly explore the complicated world of high school social circles and how ridiculous the pursuit of popularity can be – themes he’d continue to examine in later projects like Glee and Scream Queens.

American Horror Stories Brings Bite-Sized Cautionary Tales to Life (Hulu and Disney+)

Unlike American Horror Story, which tells one long, connected story each season, American Horror Stories presents a brand new, standalone horror tale in every episode. This Hulu series, which began in 2021, gives creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk the freedom to try out different horror concepts more often.

I’ve been watching American Horror Stories, and even though people have different opinions about it, I think it really shows Ryan Murphy’s continued interest in exploring what happens when things – and people – fall apart, and he presents it in a really visually striking way. Each episode feels like a messed-up fairy tale, and the endings often have a dark, ironic punch, reminding me of The Twilight Zone, but definitely much grittier and more relevant to today’s world.

Grotesquerie Is a Surreal, Blood-Soaked Nightmare (Hulu and Disney+)

Murphy’s series, Grotesquerie, is a disturbing and surreal horror show that lives up to its name. Murphy wrote, directed, and created the series, utilizing an experimental style that critics generally liked, giving it a 75% score. The show centers on Detective Lois Tryon, played by Niecy Nash, who investigates a series of unsettling murders that appear to be driven by religious beliefs and personal motives, and Nash’s performance received significant acclaim.

Okay, so this show immediately reminded me of American Horror Story, but honestly, it dials up the darkness and takes way more risks. It’s definitely not going to appeal to all audiences, but I was really impressed. Ryan Murphy clearly isn’t afraid to push boundaries, and while it might be divisive, the show’s incredibly haunting atmosphere and the actors’ powerful performances prove he’s still at the top of his game.

Monster Explores the Origins of History’s Most Infamous Murderers (Netflix)

Netflix’s Monster anthology series, starting with Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, has become incredibly popular. While critics have had differing opinions across its seasons, the show captivated audiences with its disturbing stories and memorable acting. Despite significant criticism for potentially retraumatizing victims and seeming to glorify violence – especially through the casting of conventionally attractive actors as killers – each season has attracted a dedicated following.

Ryan Murphy’s true crime series continued to explore infamous American tragedies with its second season, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which brought the long-dormant case back into public conversation. The current season, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, is already a hit on Netflix and continues this trend by focusing on another notorious and disturbing killer.

2025-11-08 07:09