The Most Popular Law & Order, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Law & Order you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:42
In the bustling world of TV shows, the longevity and diversity of the 'Law & Order' series have created a unique challenge for fans: determining which iterations stand out above the rest. With numerous spin-offs and seasons that span decades, each installment offers distinctive narratives and characters, reflective of changing societal norms and advancements in criminal justice themes.
This ranking serves as a collective judgment, providing a snapshot of which series resonate most with audiences today. By participating, viewers contribute to a living tally that helps new fans decide where to start and long-time followers to debate their favorite moments and characters. It’s more than just a list; it’s a dynamic reflection of public opinion and series popularity.
What Is the Most Popular Law & Order?
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151votes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Dick WolfThis spin-off has been on the air since 1999 and has a dedicated fan base. It deals with crimes of a sexual nature and has tackled many important issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking.Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a popular American crime drama television series that focuses on the investigations and legal proceedings of the Special Victims Unit, a specialized squad within the New York City Police Department that deals with sexually based offenses. The show often takes inspiration from real-life cases and explores complex social issues surrounding sexual crimes.- Genre: Crime drama
- Country of origin: United States
- Language: English
- Original network: NBC
- Original release: September 20, 1999 – present
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular crime show
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular crime drama
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular show on Peacock
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228votes
Law & Order
Dick WolfThe original series ran for 20 seasons from 1990-2010 and was a groundbreaking procedural drama that focused on the criminal justice system. It also spawned multiple spin-offs, including SVU.Law & Order is a highly popular television series that depicts the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases in New York City. The show follows a two-part format, with the first half focused on the police investigation and the second half dedicated to the legal proceedings. Known for its realistic portrayal of the criminal justice system and exploration of complex moral and legal issues, Law & Order has garnered a dedicated fan base around the world.- Genre: Crime, Drama, Legal
- Original Network: NBC
- Original Release: September 13, 1990 – May 24, 2010
- Number of Seasons: 20
- Number of Episodes: 456
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329votes
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Dick WolfThis spin-off ran for 10 seasons, from 2001-2011, and was known for its complex and cerebral storylines. It often focused on the psychology of both the criminals and the detectives investigating the crimes.Law & Order: Criminal Intent is a popular crime drama television series that aired from 2001 to 2011. It is a spin-off of the original Law & Order series, focusing on the Major Case Squad in the New York City Police Department and their investigations into complex and high-profile crimes.- Genre: Crime drama
- Original Network: NBC / USA Network
- Original Run: 2001-2011
- Number of Seasons: 10
- Number of Episodes: 195
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420votesThis version of the show was set in London and ran for 8 seasons from 2009-2014. It was praised for its authenticity and attention to detail in portraying the British legal system.
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518votes
Law & Order: True Crime
Dick WolfThis limited series focused on a high-profile murder case and aired in 2017. It starred Edie Falco as defense attorney Leslie Abramson and was praised for its strong performances and compelling storytelling.Law & Order: True Crime is a true crime anthology series that is part of the Law & Order franchise. It focuses on real-life crimes and legal cases, presenting dramatized reenactments of the events. Each season of the show explores a different high-profile criminal case, delving into the investigations, trials, and the legal complexities surrounding them.- Genre: Crime drama
- Format: Anthology series
- Original network: NBC
- First episode date: September 26, 2017
- Last episode date: March 14, 2018
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611votes
Law & Order: Los Angeles
Dick WolfThis spin-off was set in the City of Angels and ran for one season in 2010-2011. It was known for its star-studded cast and its focus on the city's unique criminal justice system.Law & Order: Los Angeles is a crime drama television series that aired from 2010 to 2011. It is the fifth installment in the Law & Order franchise, set in Los Angeles, California. The show follows the dedicated detectives of the Los Angeles Police Department, as well as the attorneys of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, as they work together to solve and prosecute complex criminal cases.- Genre: Crime drama
- Running time: Approximately 42 minutes per episode
- Original network: NBC
- Original release: September 29, 2010 – July 11, 2011
- Number of seasons: 1
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711votes
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Dick WolfThis spin-off lasted for one season in 2005 and focused on the trial process of a criminal case. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of the legal system and its strong cast.Law & Order: Trial by Jury is a television drama series that focuses on the criminal justice system and follows the legal proceedings from the point of view of both the prosecution and the defense. It is a spin-off of the original Law & Order series.- Genre: Legal drama
- Original network: NBC
- Original release: March 3, 2005 – January 21, 2006
- Number of seasons: 1
- Number of episodes: 13
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89votes
Law & Order: Hate Crimes
Dick WolfThis spin-off is currently in development and will focus on crimes motivated by hate. It will feature characters from SVU and is expected to premiere in 2021.Law & Order: Hate Crimes is an American crime drama television series and a spin-off of the long-running Law & Order franchise. It focuses on the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes in New York City, with each episode featuring a different case. The series aims to shed light on the complex nature of these crimes and the societal impact they have.- Genre: Crime drama
- Original network: NBC
- Country of origin: United States
- Original language: English
- Number of seasons: 1 (ongoing)
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97votes
Law & Order: Organized Crime
Dick WolfThis spin-off premiered in 2021 and focuses on the character of Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni. It follows Stabler as he returns to the NYPD to take on organized crime.Law & Order: Organized Crime is a popular television series in the Law & Order franchise. It is a crime drama that focuses on the efforts of law enforcement agencies to dismantle organized crime operations. The series follows a highly skilled detective as he battles against powerful criminal syndicates.- Genre: Crime drama
- Creator: Dick Wolf
- Original release: April 1, 2021
- Running time: Approximately 42 minutes
- Number of seasons: 1 (ongoing)
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106votes
Law & Order: For the Defense
Dick WolfThis spin-off is also currently in development and will focus on defense attorneys rather than prosecutors. It is expected to premiere in 2022.Law & Order: For the Defense is a popular American legal drama television series that follows a dedicated team of defense attorneys as they work to fight for justice and protect the rights of their clients. Each episode focuses on a different criminal case, exploring the complexities of the legal system and the moral dilemmas faced by the defense team. The series combines engaging storytelling with captivating courtroom scenes, providing viewers with a thrilling and thought-provoking viewing experience.- Genre: Legal Drama
- Original network: NBC
- Original release: 2022 – present
- Number of seasons: 1 (ongoing)
- Number of episodes: Ongoing
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular Law & Order
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RatingsThe average number of viewers and TV ratings can indicate the popularity of a specific Law & Order series. Higher ratings usually mean a larger audience and greater interest.
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LongevityThe number of seasons and episodes of a series can be a measure of its success and popularity. A long-running series typically means that it has maintained a loyal fan base and continued to generate interest.
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Critical receptionReviews from critics and review aggregators such as Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic can provide an idea of the overall quality of a series. A well-received series may be more popular among fans.
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Awards and nominationsThe number of awards and nominations a series has received can be an indicator of its popularity and success. This may include Emmys, Golden Globes, and other industry accolades.
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Cultural impactA show's popularity can be gauged by its impact on popular culture, including references in other TV shows, movies, or media. Memorable characters, quotes, or storylines can contribute to a series' lasting impact.
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Online engagementSocial media and online forums can help determine the popularity of a series based on fan engagement, including discussions, fan art, and fanfiction. Higher levels of engagement may indicate a more popular show.
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Streaming performanceIn today's digital age, a show's performance on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime can also be an indicator of its popularity. High viewership numbers on these platforms can contribute to a show's overall success.
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DVD/Blu-Ray salesThe sales figures of physical copies of a series can provide insight into its popularity.
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Spin-offs and adaptationsThe number of successful spin-offs and adaptations based on a specific Law & Order series can be an indicator of its popularity. For example, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has several spin-offs, which can be seen as a testament to its success.
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Merchandise salesThe sales of official merchandise related to a series can also be an indicator of its popularity among fans.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Law & Order. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Law & Order is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2177 views
- 188 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Law & Order once every 24 hours. The rank of each Law & Order is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular law & order
Law & Order is a popular crime-drama television series that has been on air for over 20 years. Created by Dick Wolf, the show follows the investigations and prosecutions of crimes in New York City. It has become a cultural phenomenon, with spin-offs such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. The show has had numerous cast changes over the years, with notable actors such as Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterston, and Mariska Hargitay. With so many seasons and episodes, it's no wonder that fans have their favorite versions of the show. Let's take a look at which Law & Order is the most popular among viewers.
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