The Big Bang Theory: All 12 Seasons, Ranked From Worst To Best

Over an extended period of 12 seasons, much like “The Big Bang Theory“, a series amasses numerous viewers who are deeply fond of it. While there may be fluctuations in certain character developments or specific episodes, it’s quite rare for a show to last that long without maintaining a considerable level of quality throughout. Even parts deemed less impressive by some critics and audiences can still earn high praise for their merits.

Initially, “The Big Bang Theory” centered around the growing friendship between Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), and Penny (Kaley Cuoco). However, as the series progressed, it introduced more main characters and recurring figures, enriching the universe of our primary protagonists. The show’s scope went beyond the unlikely friendship between an actress and a pair of scientists, venturing into various new directions. Some of these developments were appreciated by viewers, while others received mixed reactions, resulting in varying qualities among different seasons.

12. Season 11 (2017-2018)

The Big Bang Theory Season 11 Averaged 18.63 Million Viewers

While Season 11 of The Big Bang Theory might be regarded as one of its weaker seasons by critics, it’s crucial to note that this doesn’t make it a poor television season overall. In fact, it boasts some of the highest live viewership the series ever had during its entire airtime. Moreover, it was even recognized with three Emmy nominations. However, even acclaimed shows may experience bumps in the road, and Season 11 holds the lowest-rated IMDb average, which is based on user rankings of the show.

During its peak season, The Big Bang Theory seems to encounter a common issue with prolonged television series – repeating certain plot elements to keep the show going. A significant portion of Season 11 focuses on planning Sheldon and Amy’s (Mayim Bialik) wedding, which offers ample material for humor due to disagreements over the plan and the couple’s planning exhaustion. However, watching the same story developments repeatedly can grow tiresome as it starts to feel repetitive.

11. Season 8 (2014-2015)

The Big Bang Theory Season 8 Averaged 19.3 Million Viewers

Among Reddit users discussing “The Big Bang Theory,” there’s usually no common ground when deciding which season is the best or worst. More often than not, Season 8 and Season 11 are found in the lower half of the rankings by fans on social media platforms. While neither season can be considered terrible television, they do stumble occasionally.

Season 8 offers a notable highlight when Sheldon and Amy express their love for each other for the first time, and it skilfully tackles the theme of grief following Mrs. Wolowitz’s (Carol Ann Susi) demise. However, it tends to deviate from its ensemble focus as several characters’ stories become more isolated from one another. This divergence from the usual interconnected storylines can make the show feel less engaging due to the strong camaraderie that is a key aspect of the series.

Season 8 of The Big Bang Theory represents a significant shift, as it places a strong emphasis on the professional lives of each character. Though their careers have been integral to the show since its inception, due to Penny’s pursuit of acting and the others being involved in academia, focusing intensely on seven distinct characters’ career trajectories at once can lead to the narrative becoming somewhat scattered or diffuse.

10. Season 9 (2015-2016)

The Big Bang Theory Season 9 Averaged 20.37 Million Viewers

Season 9, in reality, represents the second most viewed season of the series. With a larger number of viewers tuning in, there’s also a higher level of examination. Unfortunately, Season 9 has been rated quite low by both critics and audiences on platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the less favorably reviewed seasons.

The primary issue with Season 9 is its inconsistent mood. Although Season 8 began introducing heavier plotlines, Season 9 persists in this approach. When it does, the overall feel of the season becomes somewhat unbalanced as the writers grapple with blending humor and drama effectively. This balance is further compromised by repetitive jokes, a criticism voiced by the review in the Globe And Mail.

In a sitcom like The Big Bang Theory, recurring jokes about characters such as Sheldon’s preferred sofa spot or his complaints about the elevator can be effective. However, when these same gags are repeated frequently, they lose their charm for viewers. Yet, Season 9 managed to rejuvenate itself by refocusing on Sheldon and Amy’s relationship, while also giving Raj more screen time, making it surpass Season 8 in freshness.

9. Season 10 (2016-2017)

The Big Bang Theory Season 10 Averaged 18.99 Million Viewers

As a die-hard fan of this series, I must say that after Seasons 8 and 9 delved deeper into heavier themes and a somewhat unbalanced mood, Season 10 harkened back to the show’s hilarious beginnings. It dared to explore new narrative paths, which made it feel revitalized, although it did stray slightly from the earliest format of the show and left some of us longing for the good old days of the original seasons.

In Season 10, Leonard and Sheldon no longer share living quarters, marking a significant departure from the show’s initial charm. However, the fundamental cast remains unchanged, ensuring continuity. This change offers the writers fresh opportunities to generate conflict within the group. For instance, Leonard and Penny reaffirm their relationship through a second wedding, while Sheldon and Amy navigate a long-distance relationship for a large portion of the season.

Although the season doesn’t bring significant advancements in other relationships for Amy and Sheldon, it provides a significant step forward for their bond. These characters are undoubtedly the audience’s favorites this season, even though the season may not be universally well-liked. The emotional and comical impact of Sheldon proposing to Amy, after realizing he wants to spend the rest of his life with her, is effectively portrayed in the series.

The response during the season’s broadcast was generally favorable, and the series experienced a revival, even earning another Emmy award.

8. Season 12 (2018-2019)

The Big Bang Theory Season 12 Averaged 17.44 Million Viewers

The final season of “The Big Bang Theory” experienced a slight decrease in viewership compared to the previous four seasons, yet its overall quality improved. This is likely due to the fact that the series was wrapping up its storylines, giving viewers and the creative team ample notice beforehand. The season had been officially declared as the final one for the show a month prior to its premiere, allowing everyone involved – cast, writers, and fans alike – to prepare for character conclusions.

The season beautifully blends a sense of tranquility, as all the relationships seem firmly established, with humor that is both witty and evocative. This combination results in a delightful overall atmosphere for the finale, however, there are some aspects within the show that certain viewers find discomforting.

One contentious issue is that Penny, who once aspired to act, fully committed herself to working for a pharmaceutical company instead. Although Season 11 hinted at Penny teaching Sheldon acting, the show’s final season portrayed her letting go of her lifelong dream completely. Interestingly, in contrast to spending the entire series expressing she doesn’t want to be a parent, Penny ended up announcing her pregnancy in the last season.

In the last season, it appears that Penny is often left with less favorable outcomes, while all the relationships conclude happily instead.

7. Season 4 (2010-2011)

The Big Bang Theory Season 4 Averaged 13.4 Million Viewers

Initially, during the early stages of “The Big Bang Theory’s” broadcast, the audience for the show gradually increased. This implies that in season 4, the show had approximately four million fewer viewers than its final season, but this doesn’t mean the show wasn’t as impressive. Quite the contrary, the earlier seasons of “The Big Bang Theory” are considered its peak. A significant factor contributing to this is the fact that the humor felt fresh, the jokes hadn’t lost their charm yet, and the interaction among the characters was entertaining.

In Season 4, the primary relationship dynamics among Leonard, Penny, and Sheldon are set, but unexpected twists arise in the narrative. The lower rating for this season compared to the first three is predominantly due to the introduction of Priya, Raj’s sister, who starts dating Leonard during this season. Although it’s not the actress’ fault, and it’s understandable that writers wanted fresh characters to expand the show, Priya seems incongruous within the storyline.

As a film enthusiast, I felt that the writers could’ve delved deeper into Raj’s character throughout the season. Instead, we were mostly shown his discomfort with his friend dating his sister. However, the revelation of his crush on Bernadette served to add depth and create intriguing new character dynamics, which was quite effective.

As a movie reviewer, I must say that one of the standout elements of this season is the introduction of Bernadette as Penny’s friend. Her character is more fully realized and adds a fresh layer to the group dynamics, particularly through her deepening bonds with both Penny and Amy, and the evolving relationship she shares with Howard (Simon Helberg).

6. Season 6 (2012-2013)

The Big Bang Theory Season 6 Averaged 19 Million Viewers

Season 6 faced some challenges with both critical acclaim and maintaining viewer interest, but it remained one of the most popular seasons of the series. It strived to keep the narratives captivating by introducing new and exciting elements for the viewers’ enjoyment.

Season 6 introduced some fantastic guest stars, like Bob Newhart as Professor Proton, and developed recurring characters such as Stuart (Kevin Sussman), who has become so popular that he’s set to star in his own spinoff series titled “Stuart Fails To Save The Universe“. Expanding the universe in this way adds depth, offering more intriguing backstories and character interactions for the show.

As a movie critic, I must confess, the romantic entanglements within this series have lost some of their charm for me this season. The relationships between Leonard and Penny, Howard and Bernadette, Sheldon and Amy seem to be treading familiar ground, repeating storylines that we’ve seen before. However, the fresh perspective brought by Raj’s solo adventures provides a welcome contrast, maintaining the overall lively spirit of the show.

5. Season 1 (2007-2008)

The Big Bang Theory Season 1 Averaged 8.4 Million Viewers

When reflecting on classic sitcoms, viewers often view the initial season of a favorite series through rose-tinted glasses, as this is their first encounter with the characters, jokes, and dynamics that define the show. However, not every sitcom starts off strong; many TV shows face challenges in finding their stride during the first season, only to improve over time. The Big Bang Theory wasn’t exactly struggling, but it did experience some growing pains in its inaugural season.

In the initial phase of the series, Penny, Leonard, and Sheldon are introduced as the primary characters, setting the stage for the storyline. As the show expands, it develops into a more diverse cast. The relationship among these characters serves as the base for the conflicts that arise, particularly between Penny, an actress with less academic background, and the group of intellectuals who often believe they are superior to her. This dynamic is most evident in Penny’s friendship with Sheldon, which eventually blossoms into one of the show’s most significant relationships.

Critics often point out that the initial season of the show moved Leonard and Penny together too rapidly. However, this may have been due to the fact that the season was cut short to only 17 episodes as a result of the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike. The show was able to address this pacing issue and develop its story more fully in Seasons 2 and 3, demonstrating that it simply required some time to flourish.

4. Season 5 (2011-2012)

The Big Bang Theory Season 5 Averaged 15.9 Million Viewers

Season 5 is one of the rare seasons to receive a perfect score from Rotten Tomatoes critics. It’s certainly true that this season showcases many of the show’s finest aspects, as the introduction of new characters has added intriguing dynamics and plots while still preserving the original humor and charm of the early seasons.

In Season 5, Sheldon confesses his desire for a relationship with Amy, while Penny and Leonard rekindle their romance, and Howard and Bernadette get married. These developments in the relationships add diverse layers to the narrative progression of the show. In essence, these events provide richer character development in Season 5.

In this rephrased version, the focus shifts more towards the friendship between Penny, Amy, and Bernadette, enabling them to share group adventures beyond their romantic entanglements. This aspect enriches each character, giving Penny a more substantial role than merely Leonard’s love interest from across the hall. Similarly, Howard’s personality evolves beyond his peculiarities as his career trajectory propels him into space, thereby offering a counterweight to the relationship-centered storylines in the series.

Everything in the season works, but there are still a few seasons that are even better.

3. Season 7 (2013-2014)

The Big Bang Theory Season 7 Averaged 20.4 Million Viewers

Season 7 of The Big Bang Theory stands out as one of its most popular seasons. Critics at Rotten Tomatoes gave it a perfect score, but long-time fans found it slightly less satisfying. This season, situated right in the heart of the series, manages to blend the familiar with something new exceptionally well. It mirrors the characters’ reactions to changes in their lives, which echoes the audience’s experience as the show undergoes its own transformations.

Compared to other seasons, Season 7 of the series seems to be most similar to the first three, as it boasts a well-balanced ensemble of storylines. However, unlike the initial seasons that primarily relied on sharp one-liners, this season offers more opportunities for genuine comedic situations and antics. Furthermore, all couples in the show experience progress, with Raj’s romantic endeavors culminating in him finding some contentment.

One of the standout events this season revolves around Sheldon adapting to the numerous transformations happening in his friends’ lives as well as his personal relationship with Amy. Being accustomed to sticking to his own routines and maintaining emotional distance, Sheldon’s first kiss with Amy on a train during an awkward date he had orchestrated for her represents significant growth in his character and is a positive development for their relationship.

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2025-05-04 05:21