History's Best Selling TV Shows of 1986

Make way for the hits of 1986! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the tubular 80s arcade boom and the march of first-rate tv. Crowd-pleasers such as Dragon Ball shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers The Oprah Winfrey Show and essential classics. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Akira Toriyama and Oprah Winfrey, these trailblazing products sparked mega-hit frenzies and Saturday morning excitement and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Dragon Ball

   Released in 1986 by Akira Toriyama, Toei Animation

   On February 26, 1986, Japanese television viewers were introduced to a spiky-haired boy with a monkey tail named Goku, marking the broadcast premiere of *Dragon Ball*. This single event was the genesis of a global media juggernaut, a franchise that would transcend its animated origins to become a cultural touchstone for generations, generating billions in revenue and defining the shōnen anime genre for decades to come. The debut on Fuji TV was the moment a legend was born, setting the stage for an epic saga of friendship, training, and adventure.

2. The Oprah Winfrey Show

   Released in 1986 by Oprah Winfrey, Harpo Productions, syndication

   On September 8, 1986, daytime television was irrevocably changed with the national syndicated premiere of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'. Expanding from its wildly successful run as the local Chicago morning program 'AM Chicago', the show launched into a national market dominated by Phil Donahue. From its very first episode, it was clear a new force had arrived. Winfrey's empathetic, powerful, and deeply personal hosting style immediately connected with audiences across the country. This date marks not just the beginning of a television show, but the launch of a cultural phenomenon that would dominate ratings, influence society, and build a media empire for the next quarter-century, establishing its host as one of the most powerful and trusted figures in the world.