Breaking Bad (2008–2013) is one of the most acclaimed American television series of its time, blending crime drama, thriller, neo‑Western, black comedy, and tragedy. Created by Vince Gilligan, and starring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, this English‑language series aired on AMC and premiered on January 20, 2008.
Movie Overview

Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Title | Breaking Bad |
Genre | Crime drama, Thriller, Neo‑Western, Black comedy, Tragedy |
Language | English (with occasional Spanish) |
Release Date | January 20, 2008 |
Director | Various; series creator Vince Gilligan served as writer, executive producer, and directed select episodes |
Writer | Vince Gilligan (creator, primary writer), with contributions from Peter Gould, George Mastras, others |
Cast & Crew
- Creator / Showrunner / Writer: Vince Gilligan — also served as executive producer and occasional director 0
- Starring: Bryan Cranston (Walter White), Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman), Anna Gunn (Skyler White), Dean Norris (Hank Schrader), RJ Mitte (Walter Jr.), Betsy Brandt (Marie Schrader), Giancarlo Esposito (Gustavo Fring), Bob Odenkirk (Saul Goodman), Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmantraut), Laura Fraser, Jesse Plemons 1
- Executive Producers: Vince Gilligan, Mark Johnson, Michelle MacLaren 2
- Producers / Writers: Stewart A. Lyons, Sam Catlin, John Shiban, Peter Gould, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley‑Beckett, others 3
- Cinematography: Michael Slovis, Reynaldo Villalobos, Arthur Albert, others 4
User Reviews
While this article does not quote individual platform reviews given the layout, Breaking Bad is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows ever made. Critics and fans praise its writing, acting, character arcs (especially Walter White’s transformation), cinematography, and thematic depth. Its fan acclaim is echoed across Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and countless retrospectives.
Trivia
- The series ran for five seasons, totaling 62 episodes, and aired from January 20, 2008 to September 29, 2013 on AMC 5.
- Set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series combines neo‑Western aesthetics with modern crime themes 6.
- Though widely acclaimed, creator Vince Gilligan never won an Emmy for directing; yet the show earned 16 Emmy wins from 58 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014 7.
- Breaking Bad spawned the sequel film *El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie* (2019), which was released October 11, 2019, continuing Jesse Pinkman’s story 8.
- The show also inspired the prequel spin‑off *Better Call Saul* (2015–2022), focused on Saul Goodman’s transformation 9.
- According to Guinness World Records, by the time of its finale, Breaking Bad was rated the most critically acclaimed TV show ever 10.
FAQ
What is Breaking Bad about? The series follows Walter White, a struggling high‑school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, who resorts to manufacturing methamphetamine with former student Jesse Pinkman to provide for his family 11. Who created the series? Created, written, and showrun by Vince Gilligan, who also directed and produced multiple episodes 12. How was the series received? It received near‑universal acclaim from critics and audiences, accumulating numerous awards across Emmys, Golden Globes, Peabody, and others 13. Are there any related films or shows? Yes—*El Camino* (2019) continues Jesse’s journey; *Better Call Saul* (2015–2022) is a prequel/sequel focused on Saul Goodman 14.
IMDbPro
For behind‑the‑scenes industry insights—including negotiation details, production timelines, crew contacts, distribution data, and professional analytics—IMDbPro offers a robust platform to explore the Breaking Bad series deeper.
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