The Best Miniseries, TV Movies, and Specials of 2016
Below are the highest-scoring special TV programs—including "limited" series, made-for-TV-movies, and one-off specials—debuting in the United States between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. Titles are ranked by Metascore (an average of grades from top professional critics on a 0-100 scale) prior to rounding, and any programs with fewer than 7 reviews are excluded. (Note that regular TV series will be ranked in a separate list coming later this week.)
Metacritic's Best TV Miniseries of 2016.
Who could have predicted that the 1990's most sensationalized murder trial would be the inspiration for two of 2016's (and the decade's) best TV programs. Of the pair, it is Ezra Edelman's captivating eight-hour documentary that has the slight edge in Metascore. Airing as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series but more ambitious than any of its predecessors, Made in America actually goes beyond the trial to explore not only O.J. Simpson's life story but also the history of race relations in Los Angeles.
It missed this year's cutoff for Emmy eligibility, but should easily score some nominations in 2017. And, because it screened in two theaters prior to its TV debut, the series will actually be eligible for Oscars—in fact, it is one of 15 titles shortlisted for the best documentary award (with the final five nominees to be announced on January 24th).
(ESPN/ABC)
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