The creative world is always on the lookout for inspiration, finding it anywhere and everywhere. Many creatives say that sometimes this spark comes from the TV shows we watch on today’s most popular streaming platforms. These shows often mirror what large audiences enjoy, which helps creatives pick up insights and come up with new ideas.

We looked through the list of shows that creators recommend and, to our surprise, it includes quite a few older series too.

Breaking Bad - The Power of a Personal Brand

Everyone knows the story of the chemistry teacher, but what keeps it so interesting for creators is Walter White’s character arc. He starts out as a modest, middle-aged teacher in simple clothes, but the moment he puts on that iconic black hat, he transforms into a legend. His personal branding is crafted with care - he’s dangerous, mysterious, and impossible to forget.

The Simpsons - One bold choice can change everything

As the longest-running animated sitcom in history, it brilliantly satirizes American life. Every detail in this animation from its stories and characters to its colors can serve as a rich source of inspiration.

Stranger Things - Take Nostalgia Seriously

Set in the 1980s, this series follows a group of kids in a small Indiana town who face supernatural forces, secret government experiments, and a terrifying alternate dimension called the Upside Down.

The show is packed with retro details that make you feel like you’re stepping back in time even if you never experienced that era. This level of detail inspires creators to produce similarly rich and immersive work.

Life on Mars - Inspiration can come from the strangest places

This British crime drama, rich in irony, brilliantly shows how genre, content, and artistic style can clash yet work together. After a car accident, modern detective Sam Tyler wakes up in 1973 and struggles to find his way back to his own time.

The series is full of memorable lines that inspire creativity, including quotes from David Bowie’s lyrics.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Surprise is your secret weapon

Supernatural powers, a touch of horror, and teenage life - these elements made this series a cult classic. It follows Buffy Summers, a high school student determined to fight her demons.

The show also includes musical episodes, adding to its creative appeal. At the time, it stood out as an example of breaking away from traditional norms, which often serves as a major source of inspiration.

Squid Game - Your patience will be rewarded

“Squid Game” is a South Korean drama where financially desperate people compete in deadly children’s games for a huge cash prize. The series exposes the harsh realities of inequality and capitalism.

Though it’s now considered a top show, it didn’t gain instant fame its director had to wait for the story to resonate. This serves as a reminder to creators that patience is often key to success.

24 - Innovation trumps originality

Agent Jack Bauer’s mission is to stop terrorist threats. Each season has 24 episodes, each covering one hour of a single day. This innovative format builds constant tension and keeps viewers engaged qualities essential for any successful creative project.

Elementary (USA) vs Sherlock (UK) - Rivalry can be creative fuel

This is a modern adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. With its distinctive characters and stylish, cinematic visuals, it draws in audiences effortlessly. Creators appreciate how it shows them how to leverage an existing story to their advantage, making the series enjoyable both to watch and to learn from.

Lost - More Than Promised

“Lost” is a mystery drama about plane crash survivors stranded on a seemingly deserted island. As they struggle to survive, they uncover secrets that the director and screenwriters intentionally leave open for the audience to piece together.

The series offers plenty of intriguing stories that creatives can draw inspiration from. It also serves as a lesson in managing audience expectations - many fans were disappointed by the show’s finale. So, it’s a reminder to learn from such experiences and handle endings carefully.