15 Best Soap Operas, Ranked: ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives,’ and More
There may be only four soap operas currently on the air—Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, and Young and the Restless—but, in many respects, the genre has never been more popular. Mainstream outlets are reporting on breaking news in the soap opera world on a regular basis! Why is that? Perhaps it’s because fans have lifelong commitments to the shows and characters that they love—even after those programs exit the airwaves. When a performer you used to watch every day makes the news, you feel like you’re getting an update on a long-lost friend or family member you don’t see as often as you’d like.
You likely got started watching serials (or “stories) via your mother or grandmother, which is appropriate as soaps are all about family. Fans also tune in to see romance, adventure, social issues explored, and conflict. It’s been said that daytime dramas are like family heirlooms—they’re handed down from one generation to the next.
In honor of the soaps that are still with us and the ones who have left the airwaves, TV Insider has composed a list of the Top 15 soap operas that forever have a place in our hearts.
Dark Shadows
Created by Dan Curtis, Dark Shadows, a supernatural-themed soap, didn’t really come to life until 200-year-old Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) was released from his coffin. On paper, Barnabas was a villain but Frid brought humanity to the tortured vampire. Dark Shadows was live on tape so occasionally actors would go up on their lines and special effects weren’t what we know them to be today, but none of that mattered. Fans fell in love characters like the terrifying Angelique (Lara Parker) and well-intentioned Dr. Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall)—two women who failed to capture Barnabas’s heart. The series spawned a 1990 nighttime revival and a 2012 feature film.
Ryan’s Hope
The Ryan clan was the center of this half-hour ABC serial that told the story of an Irish Catholic family who owned and operated a bar in New York City. Like most soaps, the show got off track here and there, but fans loved the program most when co-creators Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer were at the helm. The show had a wonderful send-off that included a spiritual visit from fan favorite Mary Ryan Finelli (Kate Mulgrew), and Maeve Ryan (Helen Gallagher) sang “Danny Boy” before adlibbing straight to the camera, “Have a good life!”
Search for Tomorrow
Series star Mary Stuart was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 1962 in the category of Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead) for her role as heroine Joanne “Jo” Gardner (later, Tourneur). The series is lovingly remembered for the epic love story between Liza Kaslo (Sherri Mathis) and Travis Sentell (Rod Arrants), and villainess Jennifer Pace, who crashed through a mirror before her portrayer, Morgan Fairchild, became a primetime star. In the show’s last scene, Stu Bergman (Larry Haines) asked BFF Jo what she was searching for. “Tomorrow,” she replied, “I can’t wait!”
Passions
Fresh of his spectacular stint as Days of our Lives head writer, James E. Reilly created Passions, a supernatural-themed soap set in the hamlet known as Harmony. Viewers followed the lives of the Crane, Bennett, Russell, and Lopez-Fitzgerald families. Witch Tabitha Lennox (Juliet Mills) and a doll Timmy (Josh Ryan Evans), who came to life, added to the show’s uniqueness. Reilly paid off the love affair between Theresa (Lindsay Hartley) and Ethan (Eric Martsolf) by having them get married in the finale. Alas, star-crossed lovers Luis (Galen Gering) and Sheridan (McKenzie Westmore) were denied a happily ever after. Somebody write a sequel!
Another World
Created Irna Phillips and William J. Bell, the NBC soap, set in fictional Bay City, enjoyed two major resurgences during its 35-year run. The first, in 1967, was under Agnes Nixon, a Phillips protégée, who introduced Rachel Davis (Robin Strasser), a “have not,” who broke up supercouple Steve Frame (George Reinholt) and Alice Matthews (Jacqueline Courtney). In the early 1970s, scribe Hardling Lemay recreated Rachel (now, Victoria Wyndham), turning her into the show’s central heroine. Wed to Mackenzie Cory (Douglass Watson), Rachel battled his possessive daughter Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) for Mac’s love. The series also gave us the late, great Anne Heche as twins Vicky/Marley. AW was the first soap to go to an hour in 1975, and it tried out a 90-minute format from 1979-80.
Santa Barbara
Created by Jerome “Jerry” Dobson and his late wife Bridget Dobson, Santa Barbara debuted to much fanfare on July 30, 1984. The throughline for the series was the dynamic Capwell family, headed by Jed Allan as C.C. Judith McConnell gave a tour de force when her character, Sophia, recalled killing Channing. Jr., a man she thought was her own son. Robin Wright (House of Cards) got her big break playing Capwell ingenue Kelly. Supercouples included Cruz (A Martinez) and Eden (Marcy Walker), and Mason (Lane Davies) and Julia (Nancy Lee Grahn). Read about the show’s recent reunion here.
One Life to Live
Created by Anges Nixon, OLTL has the greatest number of Daytime Emmy Lead Actress wins. In addition to Erika Slezak’s (Viki) six statuettes, Emmy gold has gone to Judith Light (Karen)—twice, Robin Strasser (Dorian), Hillary B. Smith (Nora), and Susan Haskell (Marty). Karen breaking down on the witness stand, confessing that she was a “common hooker” to help clear her pal Viki of a murder rap, was cited as one of TV Guide Magazine’s 100 Most Memorable Moments. Despite firing on all cylinders, thanks to executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati, ABC ended OLTL’s life in January 2012.
All My Children
When ABC asked Nixon if she had another serial in her, she took out the bible to AMC, which she’d written years earlier. Even if you’ve never seen a soap opera, you likely know who Daytime Emmy-winner Susan Lucci and her dynamic alter-ego Erica Kane are. In addition to Erica’s escapades, viewers were drawn to AMC for the storybook romances of Cliff (Peter Bergman) and Nina (Taylor Miller), and Greg (Laurence Lau) and Jenny (Kim Delaney). AMC is gone but folks can tune in each morning to Live With Kelly and Mark, hosted by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, to get their Hayley and Mateo fix.
The Edge of Night
Inspired by primetime legal drama Perry Mason, Irving Vendig created The Edge of Night, a mystery/crime series for daytime. Henry Slesar, who came up some of the most unique sounding character names ever on TV, served as the show’s head writer from 1968 to 1983. He crafted the twisty Jefferson Brown mystery, which starred supercouple Raven (Sharon Gabet) and Sky (Larkin Malloy). The two were daytime’s version of Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man). The series ended with the wedding of Miles (Joel Carruthers) and Beth (Sandy Faison). Also, D.A. Mike Karr (Forrest Compton), with wife Nancy (Ann Flood) by his side, sprang into action when past villains resurfaced in Montecillo.
The Bold and the Beautiful
This William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell-co-created series had a working title of Rags to reflect the show’s garment industry backdrop. For parts of five decades, worldwide fans have tuned into B&B to follow the escapades of Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang), Eric Forrester (John McCook), Steffy Forrester Finnegan (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), and their families, friends, and foes. Sheila Carter’s (Kimberlin Brown) is quite possibly daytime’s most evil villain. While B&B upped daytime’s “glam” factor, the show, helmed by executive producer/head writer Bradley Bell, has touched on important social issues including homelessness, HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and alcoholism.
The Young and the Restless
After studying under soap legend Irna Phillips and saving Days of our Lives from cancellation as a solo head scribe, William J. Bell (with wife Lee Phillip Bell) created Young and the Restless, a ground-breaking serial that took soaps out of the kitchens and deeper into the bedrooms. Originally, the Fosters and Brooks clans populated Genoa City. Today, the Newman, Abbott, and Winters clans are in the forefront. Y&R specializes in feuds—Victor (Eric Braeden) vs. Jack (Peter Bergman), Katherine (Jeanne Cooper) vs. Jill (Jess Walton)—and Bell told epic romance better than anyone as evidenced by Victor and Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) legendary love story. Phillip Bell tackled social issues as a Chicago talk show hostess, which greatly influenced stories her husband told on the top-rated serial.
General Hospital
Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, GH is TV’s longest running scripted series that’s still on the air. Many regimes have come and gone from Port Charles over the years. Notable ones include producer Gloria Monty and writers Douglas Marland and Pat Falken Smith, who turned the show into a pop culture phenomenon that graced the covers of Newsweek and People. Producer Wendy Riche and head writer Claire Labine told B.J.’s (Brighton Hertford) heart transplant. Former head writer Ron Carlivati and current executive producer Frank Valentini performed surgery on the series as it approached its 50th anniversary, likely saving it from cancellation. Daytime Emmy-winner Genie Francis, as Laura Webber Collins, is the heartbeat of the program.
As the World Turns
Created by Irna Phillips and directed by Ted Corday, As the World Turns was one of two soaps to premiere in the half-hour format. Viewers peered into the lives of the Hughes, Lowell, and Stewart families to the point where they felt like they were watching extended family members. Housewives marveled at the audacity of Lisa Miller Hughes (Eileen Fulton), who hired a maid and took credit for the completed chores! A highlight of the show’s 54-year run was the Doug Marland era (1985-90). He introduced the Snyder clan, showcased scene-stealing Elizabeth Hubbard as tycoon Lucinda Walsh, and told what is considered one of soap opera’s most compelling stories—Douglas Cummings’ (John Wesley Shipp) obsession with mother-figure Kim Hughes (Kathryn Hays) and her stepdaughter Frannie (Julianne Moore).
Days of our Lives
There’s no other serial that does romance quite like DAYS as evidenced by the legion of supercouples the show has created over the years. There’s Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso), Marlena (Deidre Hall) and John (Drake Hogestyn), and many others. Always a fan favorite, DAYS became more compelling during the Jim Reilly era in the 1990s when he wrote stories about Marlena’s possession, Sami’s (Alison Sweeney) obsession, and Carly (Crystal Chappell) being buried alive. Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie) and her late husband Bill Hayes (Doug) graced the cover of Time magazine, representing the soaps.
Guiding Light
There’s something to be said for longevity and, as of now, GL remains the longest-running scripted serial drama. However, it’s the show’s characters, dedication to family, and stories—not the length of time it was on the air—that has earned it the top spot on our list. Created by Irna Phillips, GL began as a radio program in 1937 before shifting to TV in 1952. GL’s head writers read like a Who’s Who of Daytime: William J. Bell, Agnes Nixon, Bridget and Jerome Dobson, Douglas Marland, and Pamela Long, among others. Favorite moments/stories include Alexandra’s (Beverlee McKinsey) epic takedown of Roger (Michael Zaslow) at the country club, Reva (Kim Zimmer) baptizing herself “the Slut of Springfield,” and the friendship and love among the Four Musketeers—Phillip (Grant Aleksander), Beth (Judi Evans; Beth Chamberlin), Rick (Michael O’Leary), and Mindy (Krista Tesreau). A team of thoughtful head writers, which included longtime GL scribe Jill Lorie Hurst, gave the show a heart-warming finale, which we fondly remember. “Always.”
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Reader
We all miss OLTL AND AMC! Brian Frons can rot in hell for MURDERING the two best shows on daytime dramas to save money. The never did!
Reader
I’m for General Hospital being FIRST!!Been watching it from the start and never missed an episode.
Reader
I remember watching Guiding Light and As the World Turns with my mom when I was home sick from school in the 1980s. She died in 2005. When Guiding Light went off the air in 2009 and then As the World Turns left the following year, I was surprised that I reacted as emotionally as I did; it felt like losing my mom all over again realizing her favorite soaps where leaving the airwaves. Though I don't take these ranking that seriously (it is just one person's opinion) it made me smile to see both shows so high on the list.
Reader
Actually it was my Grandfather who got me hooked on soaps in 1964. While my Mom and Grandmother were out running errands, my Grandfather was home watching his soaps when we got home from school. Days of Our Lives, Another World and The Doctors.
Fellaway
Very glad to see The Edge of Night on the list. I miss that one to this day. It was a great mix of soap and suspense. They had me completely fooled with Winter, something most shows can't do.Also, very glad to see One Life to Live on the list, though I'd rank it higher. ABC made a mistake picking GH over OLTL.
Green ferns
The cancellation of AMC and OLTL is one of the biggest mistakes network tv ever made. The shows that replaced them are long gone, as are the next few shows that replaced them. Soaps go up and down in quality and viewership. I actually think both were doing well, but they may have gone on to new heights if left in place. I have never understood that decision of Brian Frons and his bosses at ABC who had to approve it. I hope he realizes what a big chump he was by now.
Blondie7
Would live to see OLTL from day one.
GreenPalmtree
My mother watched The Edge of Night, As the World Turns and The Young and the Restless,she loved Katherine. I turned around and watched them both with Guiding Light and The Bold and the Beautiful. I watched General Hospital and I admit its a great soap opera. When Heather was on there what a exciting time. Tv isn't the same and may never be the same again. Hopefully it will turn around from all this reality stuff we see enough craziness on the news and some on a regular basis. I dont think they shouldve canceled the One Life to Life,Guiding Light,As the World Turns,All my Children those were some great soaps.
CyanCoathanger
Mother used to watch DOOR, The Doctors, OLTL and General Hospital. When they went to one hour format instead of 30 minutes she meaning we including my sister would watch Days of our Lives, One Life to Live and General Hospital. I remember when Dorian murdered Tommy Lee Jones wife who was also on Dark Shadows with a Potassium overdose. I remember when Jesse and Steve Hardy were married but Audrey busted up that marriage. When I worked nights as and adult I would watch All My Children (favorite), OLTL (second favorite) and GH (3rd). I thought that GH had to many far fetched (Ice Princess and others) and way to slow moving story lines. I was able to keep up when I had the Soap Opera channel but quit watching over 20 years ago. I could turn on GH a couple of times in the last 20 years and it seemed like much hasn't changed! I watched Ryan's Hope and Young and the Restless when they first came out when I cut school. I hadn't seen YATR for over 35 years but when I was stationed in Africa (I'm retired military 35 years) I was surprised to see YATR was still on the air. We only had one channel so no choices but I would have it on while I get ready for work about 5:30 AM! Jill was still on and Jack (Nina Cortland's husband from AMC were on so I enjoyed listening about 12 years ago! We got to watch Dark Shadows after our mother left for work. We couldn't have any tv on and had to be perfectly quit in our tiny 2br apt while she slept. She woke to watch so Soaps before work.
RedCoffee
Bold & Beautiful ranked above Santa Barbara, All My Children AND One Life To Live…… NO SIR!!!!!!!
Bijoun98
I’m big fan of GH. It’s the only one I watch. As a kid did watch Guiding Light etc with my mom but as I grew up got away from soaps. Watched GH off & on when I could then got disabled got watching all time. Only thing is now Frank seems to be rewriting history changing peoples characters not sure why he would want to mess with something that works. If it’s not broken don’t fix it is what I believe. Stop messing up everything and listen more to your fan base. We’re not stupid and know what we like. GH should be the top rated show. I’ve tried the others even new ones they don’t hold a candle to GH.
PurpleWheel
Bold and Beautiful is horrible
PurpleDucky
Where is Loving soap I think all ABC soaps was better than any of them my favorite was One Life to Live
OliveBullhorn
Passions rated above Ryan’s Hope. Whether devised this list is insane.
Joe zeke
GH is #1.
Nate
GL
Leigh
What about Love of Life and Capital?
Dee
Capital was wonderful!!!! So glad you mentioned it. Definitely should’ve been ranked.
GreenPalmtree
That's cute you spent time with your grandpop and watched some great TV.
Donna L Bridges
Michael, what a fine list you have made. If it were me I would put Another World higher up. And, just me, but I would not have included PSSN at all. I miss Generations. I mean the best catfight in all of soap history. Also the little soaps like The City and PC, they deserve to be listed also.Any such list that does not include Morgan Fairchild is lacking. Now how about prime-time soaps? I have said many times that the most likely soap to be successfully rebooted would be EON.(Although i do not think rebooting will actually happen.)
Brenda
I think Lily (R&R) dresses the best. She is meticulous. Nikki (Y&R) is making headway and her hairdos have improved.
Dee
I think I like Beyond the Gates! Of course Young and Restless will always be my ❤️
Blondie7
In the beginning but not since Bell son took over. Downhill since they made JMW a main character. Pretty but the girl just can't act. Loved seeing Annika Noel come into her own fine actress.
Blondie7
I agree the writing is repetitive and pitiful. Changing characters personalities is pitiful. Eric is now off the rails. I now fast forward through all the Forresters especially RJ even Brooke. Ridiculous contrived Steffy character irredeemable.
Loved The Edge of Night. Wish they would run soaps from the beginning. Days, The Doctors AW Edge. Also older ones my mom didn't watch. GL etc.
Days of our liv
I grew up watching the guilding light.And the edge of night.As I grew older I started watching Days of our lives to the day I still watch it on line.I was sorry to see the cancelations os As the world turns And Guilding light. I watch Beyond the gates and really like the show I hope CBS will give it a chance and not cancel it before it can grow in viewers ship.
RedQuill
Days of our lives is the soap Along with General Hospatil which my goods Freinds Scott amd melissa Reeves Start in along with a Half a Dozens Babies which they also Starred in Even meet the Many Times not to menthing Blowing up scott reves twitter as I Always want to be on DOOL and General Hospital
BlueBoomerang
Sunset Beach will always be my numero uno! Best soap ever!
OrangeCherries
Santa Barbara deserves better
OliveFan
For me Days of Our Lives is no. 1! And isn't Days the longest running scripted soap? Soon to be 60 years.
OrangeAirBalloon
I definitely agree with (1) Guiding Light however history is always over look missing and pointed out guiding light characters in a movie aired on CBS called Cradle Will Fall 1983/84 movie can be located on YouTube checking out great movie (2) Dark Shadows. After the original series of dark shadows was canceled from ABC afterwards, two movies at theaters (House of dark shadows) & (Night of dark shadows). which you can locate these movies on YouTube great movies (3) One Life To Live I had some outstanding stories from the 80s The split personality storyline, Vicki goes to heaven, underground city, Tina in Argentina The battle with of Maria Roberts, Dorian goes to prison, The Vienna storyline, Dr Kipling, The religious cult storyline. Tracy James storyline, parallel time storyline 1988. (4) Edge of Night and (5) General Hospital
Reader
Santa Barbara Passions and Another World deserve higher rankings.
Reader
"Sunset Beach" should be on the List!! It ran for a short period and was so much fun and dumb to watch. Where else can you have two concurrent storylines of an Ocean liner capsizing (a la Poseidon Adventure) and a large earthquake (that only kills one cast character, the poor Maid, of course)!!
OliveBullhorn
GH was a cartoon soap opera. The east coast soaps had the best writing and acting across the board.