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The West Wing

1999·Show
154Episodes in7Seasons·TV-14
83
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.9Metacritic788.2Rotten Tomatoes81%95%
Episodes
IMDb8.9Metacritic788.2Rotten Tomatoes81%95%
Episodes

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The West Wing fingerprint

Masterful craft, high energy.

Energy

Tense and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace7
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Hopeful and nostalgic

  • Hopefulness8
  • Nostalgia8
  • Pathos7

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit

  • Wit & Wordplay9
  • Situational Comedy4
  • Dark Humor4

World

Politics, everyday modern life, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Dialogue Centrality10
  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability9

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and direction

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Acting10
  • Dialogue Quality10
  • Direction9

Style

Standout editing and score

  • Editing9
  • Music Composition8
  • Music Centrality8

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchThought-Provoking

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Suspense showsNostalgic showsMind-Bending showsAtmospheric shows

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8Episode 9Episode 10Episode 11Episode 12Episode 13Episode 14Episode 15Episode 16Episode 17Episode 18Episode 19Episode 20Episode 21Episode 22Episode 23
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
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Episode 5
Episode 6
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Episode 9
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Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
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Episode 18
Episode 19
Episode 20
Episode 21
Episode 22
Episode 23

About

Right place. Right time. Right man.

The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everyday life.
Idealistic Political DramaSorkin-esque Rapid-Fire DialogueBehind-the-Scenes GovernanceIntellectual StimulationEnsemble Character DynamicsOptimistic Civic EngagementProcedural Policy MakingEmotional Resonance of Public ServiceTimeless American Politics

Crew

Directed by:
Alex Graves, Christopher Misiano, Thomas Schlamme
Written by:
Aaron Sorkin, Eli Attie, Debora Cahn
Produced by:
Kristin Harms, Llewellyn Wells, Alex Graves
Composed by:
W.G. Snuffy Walden

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The West Wing

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The West Wing legally?

NetflixHBO Max

The West Wing is included with a subscription to Netflix and HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The West Wing worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83/100 (IMDb 8.9, Rotten Tomatoes 81%, and Metacritic 78). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The West Wing rated?

TV-14Strong languageSexual content

It's rated TV-14 in the United States. Content advisories: strong language and sexual content.

How many seasons does The West Wing have?

7 seasons

It has 7 seasons with 154 episodes of about 45 minutes each.

Do critics and audiences agree on The West Wing?

Critics80
Audiences89

Not quite. Audiences rate The West Wing higher (89) than critics (80). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

When did The West Wing air?

It ran from 1999 to 2006 and has ended.

What language is The West Wing in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The West Wing?

24ATAUBGCACHDEEEFRGBGGGRHRIEIS+10

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The West Wing in 24 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The West Wing use?

The War RoomEpiphany TherapyMy Country, Right or WrongFiction 500Soundtrack DissonancePoor Communication KillsIconic ItemGentleman SnarkerCheese-Eating Surrender MonkeysComes Great ResponsibilityThe WatsonWestern Terroristsand 367 more

TV Tropes lists 379 storytelling tropes for The West Wing, including The War Room, Epiphany Therapy, My Country, Right or Wrong.