Daytime Soaps
by raisleygordon | created - 05 Oct 2011 | updated - 20 Aug 2017 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Love of Life (1951–1980)
TV-PG | 25 min | Drama, Romance
Initially set in fictional Barrowsville, New York, this serial tells the story of extremely disparate siblings: long-suffering Vanessa Dale and her bitchy sister Meg. After Meg was written ... See full summary »
Stars: Audrey Peters, Ron Tomme, Peggy McCay, Jean McBride
Votes: 115
2. Search for Tomorrow (1951–1986)
30 min | Drama, Romance
Jo Gardner lived in Henderson where she wed many times. She was a motel owner, librarian, then a B&B owner with best pal Stu Bergman. Jo's daughter Patti and Janet Bergman were good friends. Stu married first Marge, then Ellie.
Stars: Mary Stuart, Larry Haines, Dwight Weist, Carl Low
Votes: 335
3. Guiding Light (1952–2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
This show took place in the fictional Midwestern town of Springfield and centered on the middle class Bauer family.
Stars: Kim Zimmer, Beth Chamberlin, Maureen Garrett, Robert Newman
Votes: 1,861
4. Valiant Lady (1953–1957)
15 min | Drama
Helen Emerson was daytime's "valiant lady", a fortyish matron who was widowed in the serial's first year. Helen valiantly endured sudden financial hardship while alternately fretting over ... See full summary »
Stars: Katherine Anderson, Andrew Duggan, Helen Wagner, Ann Thomas
Votes: 19
5. The Brighter Day (1954–1962)
25 min | Drama
"Our years are as the falling leaves. We live, we love, we dream, and then we go. But somehow, we keep hoping that our dreams come true on that brighter day." These words opened this ... See full summary »
Stars: Blair Davies, Mona Bruns, Hal Holbrook, Mary Linn Beller
Votes: 35
6. The Secret Storm (1954–1974)
30 min | Drama, Romance
Tells the story of the long-suffering Ames family and their seemingly endless domestic tragedies.
Stars: Jada Rowland, Peter Hobbs, Lori March, Bibi Besch
Votes: 272
7. As the World Turns (1956–2010)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
The focus in on the upper class Hughes and Stewart families plus their tribulations in Midwest Oakdale. The Stewarts fade away eventually to be replaced by the rural Snyders and wealthy Lucinda Walsh with her many intrigues.
Stars: Elizabeth Hubbard, Jon Hensley, Ellen Dolan, Colleen Zenk
Votes: 2,278
8. The Edge of Night (1956–1984)
TV-14 | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Attorney Mike Karr and his colleagues are involved in solving crimes and intrigue which touch the lives of many citizens.
Stars: Ann Flood, Forrest Compton, Donald May, Joel Crothers
Votes: 469
9. From These Roots (1958–1961)
30 min | Drama
The fictional New England community of Strathfield was the setting for this remarkably well-written serial. The drama focused on the romantic exploits of newspaper journalist Liz Fraser, who married playwright David Allen.
Stars: Audra Lindley, Len Wayland, Ann Flood, Billie Lou Watt
Votes: 22
10. Young Dr. Malone (1958–1963)
30 min | Drama
Set in fictional Denison, Maryland, this daytime serial focused the on the father-and-son team of doctors Jerry and David Malone, who practiced at Valley Hospital. "Young Dr. Malone" was ... See full summary »
Stars: William Prince, John Connell, Augusta Dabney, Michael Ingram
Votes: 26
11. The Clear Horizon (1960–1962)
30 min | Drama
Space opera would be a more accurate description of this daytime serial, which focused on astronaut Roy Selby, his family, and his co-workers at Cape Canaveral.
Stars: Jan Shepard, Ted Knight, Michael Fox, John Mitchum
Votes: 16
12. Our Five Daughters (1962– )
30 min
Stars: Esther Ralston, Jon Cypher, Frank Schofield, Ed Griffith
13. Ben Jerrod (1963– )
30 min | Drama
Like CBS-TV's "The Edge of Night", this serial focused on the legal exploits of a small-town attorney. Title character Ben Jerrod practiced law in the fictional community of Indian Hill, ... See full summary »
Stars: Michael Ryan, Addison Richards, Jeanne Baird, Lyle Talbot
Votes: 12
14. The Doctors (1963–1982)
30 min | Drama, Romance
Dr. Matt Powers is chief of Hope Memorial Hospital in the city of Madison, and he cares about the lives of staff and patients.
Stars: James Pritchett, David O'Brien, Lydia Bruce, Elizabeth Hubbard
Votes: 249
15. General Hospital (1963– )
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
Families, friends, enemies, and lovers experience life-changing events in the large upstate city of Port Charles, New York, which has a busy hospital, upscale hotel, cozy diner, and dangerous waterfront frequented by the criminal underworld.
Stars: Maurice Benard, John Beradino, Laura Wright, Rachel Ames
Votes: 5,532
16. Another World (1964–1999)
TV-14 | 90 min | Drama, Romance
The life in the Midwestern town of Bay City, and the love, loss, trials, and triumph of its residents, who come from different backgrounds and social circles.
Stars: Victoria Wyndham, Constance Ford, Hugh Marlowe, Linda Dano
Votes: 1,147
17. A Flame in the Wind (1964–1966)
25 min | Drama, Romance
Drama centered in the town of Haviland with the focus on the Farrell, Reynolds, and Skreba/Driscoll families. Fellow citizen Kate Austen has written a book with the flawed characters based on people she knows.
Stars: Kathleen Maguire, Lesley Woods, Richard Thomas, Tom Holland
Votes: 14
a.k.a "A Time For Us" (1966-67)
18. Moment of Truth (1964–1965)
30 min | Drama
Soap opera about a Doctor who was a psychology professor that deals with a whole range of issues with his patients
Stars: Chris Wiggins, Louise King, Fernande Giroux, Douglass Watson
Votes: 8
19. The Young Marrieds (1964–1966)
30 min | Drama
"The Young Marrieds" centered around the difficulties in the lives of several newly-married couples. There were Walter and Ann Reynolds (Walter was having an affair with model Carol West); ... See full summary »
Stars: Susan Brown, Michael T. Mikler, Peggy McCay, Paul Picerni
Votes: 36
20. Days of Our Lives (1965– )
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
A chronicle of the lives, loves, trials and tribulations of the citizens of the fictional city of Salem.
Stars: Deidre Hall, Kristian Alfonso, Drake Hogestyn, Alison Sweeney
Votes: 7,437
21. Morning Star (1965– )
30 min | Drama
A soap centered on aspiring fashion designer Katy Elliot living in New York, her Connecticut family, and other people in her orbit.
Stars: Elizabeth Perry, Edward Mallory, Adrianne Ellis, Nina Roman
Votes: 15
22. Never Too Young (1965–1966)
25 min | Drama
Alfy ran The High Dive, the younger set hang out featuring the hottest bands. His girl Barbara wanted him to be more ambitious. Race car driver Chet won't stay faithful to Joy while Tad worried an injury will ruin his football career.
Stars: Tony Dow, Michael Blodgett, Merry Anders, David Watson
Votes: 47
23. The Nurses (1965–1967)
30 min | Drama
The Nurses is a serialized primetime medical drama that was broadcast on CBS.
Stars: Mary Fickett, Melinda Cordell, Nicholas Pryor, Paul Stevens
Votes: 27
24. Paradise Bay (1965– )
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama
The California coastal community of Paradise Bay was the setting for this daytime soap. The serial focused on the Morgan family and their involvement in the mysterious murder of teenager ... See full summary »
Stars: Keith Andes, Marion Ross, Heather North, Dennis Cole
Votes: 18
25. Dark Shadows (1966–1971)
TV-PG | 30 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
The rich Collins family of Collinsport, Maine is tormented by strange occurrences.
Stars: Jonathan Frid, Grayson Hall, Alexandra Isles, Nancy Barrett
Votes: 5,432
26. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1967–1973)
30 min | Drama
Mia Elliot, a Korean immigrant who fell in love with Paul Bradley and Dr. Jim Abbott. These interracial relationships stirred trouble for those involved.
Stars: Leslie Charleson, Donna Mills, Robert Burr, Judson Laire
Votes: 86
27. Hidden Faces (1968–1969)
30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Set in the law office of Masonesque attorney Arthur Adams, this crime/suspense serial attempted to emulate the success of CBS's "The Edge of Night". Arthur's first-and-only case involved ... See full summary »
Stars: Conard Fowkes, Gretchen Walther, John Towey, Louise Shaffer
Votes: 14
28. One Life to Live (1968–2013)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
One Life to Live centres takes place in the fictional town of Llanview, PA.around the wealthy Lord family, and the middle-class Woleks and Rileys.
Stars: Erika Slezak, Michael Storm, Michael Easton, Kristen Alderson
Votes: 2,635
29. Bright Promise (1969–1972)
30 min | Drama
Trials, tribulations, affairs & heartbreaks of students, faculty & administration of fictitious Bancroft College.
Stars: Susan Brown, Paul Lukather, Dana Andrews, Susannah Darrow
Votes: 44
30. Where the Heart Is (1969–1973)
25 min | Drama
Set in Northcross, Connecticut, "Where the Heart Is" followed the dysfunctional lives of the Hathaway family and those near them. The problem of the Hathaway family was quite simple: ... See full summary »
Stars: James Mitchell, Diana Van der Vlis, Louise Shaffer, Terry O'Connor
Votes: 31
31. A World Apart (1970–1971)
30 min | Drama
The disparity between generations, races, and genders (people who found themselves psychologically "a world apart" from one another) motivated this short-lived serial. Although generally ... See full summary »
Stars: William Prince, Susan Sarandon, Susan Sullivan, Augusta Dabney
Votes: 35
32. All My Children (1970–2011)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance, Mystery
Set in the fictional East Coast suburb Pine Valley, this show is the decades-old, risk-taking soap that centers around Erica Kane and her long line of husbands.
Stars: Susan Lucci, David Canary, Michael E. Knight, Cameron Mathison
Votes: 3,263
33. The Best of Everything (1970– )
30 min | Drama
Based on the novel and 1959 motion picture of the same name, this daytime soap focused on three career girls, who became friends at powerful Manhattan publishing company Key Publishing. ... See full summary »
Stars: Geraldine Fitzgerald, Katherine Glass, Gale Sondergaard, Patty McCormack
Votes: 31
34. Somerset (1970–1976)
30 min | Drama
Somerset debuted as a daytime drama, revolving around the powerful conglomerate Delaney Brands and its effect on the fictional community of Somerset, Illinois. Two years into its run, the ... See full summary »
Stars: Georgann Johnson, Paul Sparer, Susan MacDonald, Joel Crothers
Votes: 92
35. Return to Peyton Place (1972–1974)
30 min | Drama
This daytime soap was a sequel of sorts to the primetime series Peyton Place, revolving around the lives of the citizens of that community. It did not carry over the stories, however, and ... See full summary »
Stars: Julie Parrish, Warren Stevens, Lawrence P. Casey, Katherine Glass
Votes: 59
36. The Young and the Restless (1973– )
TV-PG | 37 min | Drama, Romance
Set in Genoa City, this is the long-running soap that tells the story of the struggle behind the business, and sex-savvy Abbott and Newman clans.
Stars: Eric Braeden, Doug Davidson, Peter Bergman, Joshua Morrow
Votes: 6,843
37. How to Survive a Marriage (1974–1975)
30 min | Drama
The daily struggles of several female characters--some feminists, others more conservative--who deal with loss, divorce, individualism, and love.
Stars: Jennifer Harmon, Fran Brill, Joan Copeland, Rosemary Prinz
Votes: 44
38. Ryan's Hope (1975–1989)
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Romance
The trials and tribulations of The Ryans, an Irish-American family in New York City.
Stars: Helen Gallagher, Bernard Barrow, Nancy Addison, Michael Levin
Votes: 559
39. For Richer, for Poorer (1977–1978)
A serial focusing on the relationship between the Saxtons, a struggling Chicago family, and the affluent Cushings, who live in the suburbs.
Stars: Rod Arrants, Richard Backus, Ron Randell, Margaret Barker
Votes: 23
40. Texas (1980–1982)
60 min | Drama, Romance
Daytime Drama, spun off from "Another World," which followed Iris Carrington from Bay City as she rediscovered Alex Wheeler, a former love, and moved to the Houston area. The stories ... See full summary »
Stars: Carla Borelli, Beverlee McKinsey, Jerry Lanning, Lisby Larson
Votes: 128
41. Capitol (1982–1987)
30 min | Drama, Romance
Follow the political struggles for power and personal machinations between two conflicting families, the wealthy Cleggs and the middle-class McCandlesses.
Stars: Constance Towers, Debrah Farentino, Rory Calhoun, Carolyn Jones
Votes: 151
42. Loving (1983–1995)
30 min | Drama, Romance
"Loving" takes place in the fictional town of Corinth, Pennsylvania and centers on the lives of the wealthy Alden family. Love, betrayal, and the struggle for power form the focus of this long-running drama.
Stars: Lisa Peluso, Laura Wright, Lauren-Marie Taylor, Christine L. Tudor
Votes: 382
43. Santa Barbara (1984–1993)
TV-PG | 45 min | Drama, Romance
In Santa Barbara, California, the fascinating lives of the wealthy Capwells revolve around the Lockridge, the rival family, and other more modest families such as the Andrades and the Perkins, whose fates know the same torments.
Stars: A Martinez, Marcy Walker, Nancy Lee Grahn, Jed Allan
Votes: 2,841
44. The Bold and the Beautiful (1987– )
TV-PG | 19 min | Drama, Romance
The saga of high fashion glamour, honor, romance, passion, and most importantly, family.
Stars: Katherine Kelly Lang, Ronn Moss, John McCook, Susan Flannery
Votes: 8,276
45. Generations (1989–1991)
30 min | Drama
Soap opera about two families, one black and one white.
Stars: Kelly Rutherford, Kristoff St. John, Joan Pringle, Jonelle Allen
Votes: 455
46. The City (1995–1997)
30 min | Drama, Romance
"The City" picks up where "Loving" left off. After a rash of serial killings, several of Corinth, Pennsylvania's residents move to an apartment building in SoHo to start a brand-new life. ... See full summary »
Stars: George Palermo, Laura Wright, Ted King, Roscoe Born
Votes: 112
47. Port Charles (1997–2003)
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Residents at the hospital, doctors,friends and their families are constantly threatened by Dr. Greg Cooper who may be the Homicide killer, avenging on all of them because he was dropped from the hospital's intern program.
Stars: Julie Pinson, Jon Lindstrom, Lynn Herring, Jay Pickett
Votes: 542
48. Sunset Beach (1997–1999)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
After discovering her fiancé Tim Truman kissing another woman, Meg Cummings leaves her home in Kansas on their wedding day to start a new life in Sunset Beach, California.
Stars: Lesley-Anne Down, Sam Behrens, Susan Ward, Clive Robertson
Votes: 2,624
49. Passions (1999–2008)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama
In the world of power and money, the wealthy and powerful Crane family rule the town of Harmony from their mansion on Raven Hill.
Stars: Lindsay Hartley, McKenzie Westmore, Galen Gering, Juliet Mills
Votes: 5,154
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