As technology and streaming services continue to evolve, it has brought an increase in hit television series. These series have transformed from small segments to mini-movies and have the production, design, and costs to match. With spin-offs of well-known franchises combined with shows that have taken the world by storm, these are seven of the most expensive TV shows ever made, taking into account episodes and run times.
7. House of the Dragon, $575 million
Starting our list of most expensive TV shows is House of the Dragon, the highly anticipated spin-off of the famed Game of Thrones series. Set two centuries before the events of GOT, the series centers on the House of Targaryen and the family’s downfall. Nearly 10 million people tuned in for the first episode, offsetting the nearly $20 million per episode budget to create the unforgettable CGI and world of House of the Dragon.
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6. The Crown, $780 million
Next up on our list of most expensive TV shows is The Crown. Period dramas are inherently expensive to make, between the sets, costumes, hair, makeup, and actors. Netflix’s series spared no expense when bringing the story of the British royal family to television screens. Each episode clocked in at $13 million, paying tribute to the show’s attention to detail. Winning countless awards, it’s easy to see why this series needed such a high budget.
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5. Andor, $1 billion
Our fifth selection for the most expensive TV shows delves into the world of Star Wars with the Disney+ series Andor. In December 2024, Disney revealed the show had reached over AU$1 billion. This budget has only increased, with the second and final season coming out in April 2025. This is the most expensive Star Wars series from the streamer and is set five years before the first events of A New Hope. With critical acclaim and huge fanfare, Andor was worth the budget.
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4. Game of Thrones, $1.11 billion
Fourth on our list of most expensive TV shows is Game of Thrones, based on the books from George R.R. Martin. While HBO has never released an official budget for all eight seasons, the first season started at $5-6 million per episode and had the final season reach $15-20 million per episode. Between the costumes, filming around the globe, actors, and CGI, it’s no wonder Martin’s masterpiece needed a stellar budget.
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3. Stranger Things, $1.26 billion
Reaching the top three most expensive TV shows is Stranger Things, one of the most successful series on Netflix. Featuring kids from Hawkins, Indiana, as they delve into the Upside Down, the series thrives on special effects. The show started with $6 million per episode but has since skyrocketed to around $48 million in season four. As the fifth season gets closer to gracing our screens, it’s no wonder why Stranger Things needed a large budget.
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2. Rings of Power, $1.6 billion
Second on our list of most expensive TV shows is another spin-off, this one set in Middle Earth. Prime Video secured Rings of Power after a tense debate about who would get the streaming rights. At $58 million per episode, Rings of Power has quickly become one of the most expensive TV shows. The show takes place thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It has received a mixed critical response.
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1. Friends, $2.36 billion
Last but not least on our list of most expensive TV shows is Friends. While not containing the CGI other series have, the show’s 236 episodes help contribute to the cost. Each episode cost around $10 million, rocketing the series to over $2 billion in costs. The show focuses on six friends as they navigate life in New York City, each with ambitions and goals.
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