Top-rated United States television programs of 1985–86
# Top-rated United States television programs of 1985–86

This table displays the top-rated primetime television series of the 1985–86 season as measured by Nielsen Media Research.

| Rank | Program | Network | Rating |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | The Cosby Show | NBC | 33.7 |
| 2 | Family Ties | NBC | 30.0 |
| 3 | Murder, She Wrote | CBS | 25.3 |
| 4 | 60 Minutes | CBS | 23.9 |
| 5 | Cheers | NBC | 23.7 |
| 6 | Dallas | CBS | 21.9 |
| 7 | Dynasty | ABC | 21.8 |
| 7 | The Golden Girls | NBC | 21.8 |
| 9 | Miami Vice | NBC | 21.3 |
| 10 | Who's the Boss? | ABC | 21.1 |
| 11 | Night Court | NBC | 20.9 |
| 12 | CBS Sunday Night Movie | CBS | 20.5 |
| 13 | Highway to Heaven | NBC | 20.1 |
| 14 | Kate & Allie | CBS | 20.0 |
| 15 | Monday Night Football | ABC | 19.8 |
| 16 | Newhart | CBS | 19.6 |
| 17 | Knots Landing | CBS | 19.5 |
| 17 | Growing Pains | ABC | 19.5 |
| 19 | You Again? | NBC | 19.2 |
| 20 | 227 | NBC | 18.8 |
| 21 | NBC Sunday Night Movie | NBC | 18.5 |
| 22 | Hotel | ABC | 18.3 |
| 22 | NBC Monday Night Movie | NBC | 18.3 |
| 24 | Moonlighting | ABC | 18.1 |
| 24 | Falcon Crest | CBS | 18.1 |
| 24 | Valerie | NBC | 18.1 |
| 27 | The Facts of Life | NBC | 17.7 |
| 28 | Scarecrow & Mrs. King | CBS | 17.4 |
| 29 | Simon & Simon | CBS | 17.2 |
| 30 | The A-Team | NBC | 16.9 |
