The 11 longest-running daytime soap operas that have entertained viewers for years with captivating dramas and emotional stories.

"Soap operas" date back to the 1930s, when Proctor & Gamble began producing 15-minute episodes full of love and drama for radio. The term 'soap opera' supposedly emerged because these shows were sponsored by a detergent company.

By the 1950s, soap operas transitioned to television, and daytime TV became filled with a variety of series. Engaging storylines and unforgettable characters are the secret to their lasting success. Interestingly, NBC's 'These Are My Children' holds the record for the shortest-running soap, airing just 24 days in 1949. For the longest-running soaps, continue to the next page.

1: Guiding Light (1952-????)

Not only is 'Guiding Light' the longest-running soap opera, with over 15,000 episodes (and still airing), but it also holds the title of the longest-running non-news show in U.S. television history. Initially starting as a radio program in 1937, it transitioned to TV on June 30, 1952. Originally set in the fictional towns of Five Points and Selby Flats, the story centered on the Bauer family. Over time, the focus shifted to the Spauldings, Coopers, and Lewises. In the 1960s, the 'The' was dropped from the title to modernize the show. One of the more outlandish storylines involved cloning the beloved character Reva Lewis from one of her own frozen eggs. Once the clone was born, she was aged rapidly with serum but turned evil and tried to take Reva's place.

2: As the World Turns (1956-????)

Set in the fictional Midwestern town of Oakdale, 'As The World Turns' has captured audiences since its debut on April 2, 1956. While the show leans toward a more realistic portrayal compared to other soaps, it still includes the usual soap opera tropes like characters returning from the dead and children aging at a supernatural pace. Known as the first soap to feature a two-family structure, it originally centered on the middle-class Hughes family and the wealthy yet troubled Lowell family, which eventually became the Munson family. Over 13,000 episodes later, 'As The World Turns' continues to captivate viewers.

3. General Hospital (1963-????)

Recognized as the 'Greatest Soap Opera of All Time' by TV Guide in 2003, 'General Hospital' holds the record for the most Daytime Emmy wins for Outstanding Drama Series, with nine awards. The soap made its debut on ABC on April 1, 1963, coinciding with the launch of NBC's medical drama rival, 'The Doctors.' Today, the show follows the lives of the Spencers, Cassidines, mobster Sonny Corinthos, and the affluent Quartermaine family.

The iconic pairing of adventurous Luke and Laura in the late 1970s helped spark the trend of the soap opera super couple. Set in the fictional town of Port Charles, New York, most of the show's action takes place at the docks or, of course, General Hospital. Over its long run, 'General Hospital' has served as the launching pad for many prominent stars, including Demi Moore, Rick Springfield, John Stamos, and Ricky Martin.

4: Days of Our Lives (1965-????)

"Like sands through the hourglass . . ." loyal fans have been tuning in to 'Days of Our Lives' since it premiered on November 8, 1965. Set in the fictional town of Salem, most of the show's scenes are filmed at University Hospital or the Brady Pub. Over the years, Salem has been home to beloved families like the Hortons and Bradys, as well as the sinister DiMeras. For more than four decades, the matriarch Alice Horton has been portrayed by the acclaimed actress Frances Reid. The show has had its share of thrilling moments, such as the 'Salem Stalker' and 'Salem Slasher' in the 1980s, and in the 1990s, Dr. Marlena Evans-Black (Deidre Hall) famously became possessed by the devil.

5: One Life to Live (1968-????)

When 'One Life to Live' first aired on July 15, 1968, it centered around the wealthy Lord family, who were in conflict with the middle-class Woleks, Rileys, and the Siegels, the first Jewish family featured in a daytime drama. Today, the story focuses on the Buchanans, Rapaports, Gannons, and Cramers, living in Llanview, Pennsylvania—a fictional suburb of Philadelphia. Over the years, Llanview has seen its share of unusual events, including cults, time travel, and out-of-body experiences. Interestingly, Llanview is just a short 30-minute drive from another fictional soap town, 'All My Children's' Pine Valley, leading to several crossover storylines between the two ABC shows.

6: All My Children (1970-????)

Created by Agnes Nixon, a visionary writer, producer, and soap opera creator, 'All My Children' debuted on January 5, 1970, with a commitment to tackling bold and sensitive issues. Set in the fictional town of Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, the show is known for addressing complex topics such as abortion, drugs, homosexuality, rape, and the Vietnam War. Susan Lucci, one of the only two actors to remain on the show for its entire run, was nominated for a Daytime Emmy 18 consecutive years without a win for her portrayal of Erica Kane. She finally earned the award in 1999, marking a major milestone in her career.

7: The Young and the Restless (1973-????)

'The Young and the Restless' made its television debut on March 26, 1973, and over 10,000 episodes later, it continues to captivate audiences. Set in the fictional town of Genoa City, Wisconsin, a fictionalized version of a real village, the soap explores corporate rivalry and family power struggles, particularly between the wealthy Newman and Abbott families.

Sheila Carter Grainger Forrester Warwick, portrayed by Kimberlin Brown, is one of the most notorious and unpredictable characters on 'Y&R.' She has switched babies, attempted to set her mother on fire, used paternity results to blackmail others, committed murder, and even lived in a mental institution. In one of her most memorable escapades, she escaped by convincing someone to undergo plastic surgery and take her place. While currently presumed dead, in the world of soaps, that means little—watch for her return to cause more havoc! With storylines like these, it’s no surprise that 'Y&R' has dominated the ratings since 1988.

8: Search for Tomorrow (1951-1986)

From its premiere on September 3, 1951, to its final episode on December 26, 1986, 'Search for Tomorrow' followed the life of heroine Joanne Gardner, whose life in the fictional town of Henderson was often centered around her kitchen table, sipping coffee. In the 1980s, in a desperate bid to boost ratings before its cancellation, the entire town was destroyed in a flood, but it wasn’t enough. After 9,130 episodes, NBC decided to replace it with 'Capitol,' a show that focused on more sensational topics like government scandals, ending the search for tomorrow.

9: Another World (1964-1999)

Abortion may be a more familiar topic today, but in 1964, it was revolutionary for a soap to address it. 'Another World' made waves in its debut year with a bold storyline in which a teenager undergoes an illegal abortion, becomes sterile, and later marries her lawyer after being acquitted of murder. The show, set in the fictional town of Bay City, initially focused on the conflict between the middle-class Matthews family and their wealthier counterparts. As the show progressed, other families like the Randolphs, Corys, and Hudsons joined the drama. Despite its long run of 8,891 episodes, the show was ultimately canceled in 1999.

10: Love of Life (1951-1980)

When 'Love of Life' debuted on September 24, 1951, it was groundbreaking in that it did not include commercial breaks. The show was owned by American Home Products and licensed to CBS, allowing it to bypass the usual commercial interruptions. Instead, products from American Home Products were advertised before or after the show.

Initially set in the fictional town of Barrowsville, 'Love of Life' later moved to the suburban setting of Rosehill, New York. The show centered around the complex relationship between the virtuous Vanessa Dale and her villainous sister, Meg Dale Harper. Christopher Reeve's breakout role was as Meg's son, Ben Harper, from 1974 to 1976. However, after a steep decline in ratings, the show was abruptly canceled on February 1, 1980, leaving fans with a cliffhanger ending that was never resolved.

11: The Edge of Night (1956-1984)

From its premiere on April 2, 1956, throughout the 1960s, 'The Edge of Night' maintained its position as one of the top-ranked soap operas on television. Famous for its action-packed sequences filmed on location instead of traditional sets, the majority of the drama unfolded in the fictional town of Monticello, focusing on Assistant District Attorney Mike Karr and his romantic interest, Sarah Lane. By 1978, the show had attracted a male-dominated audience, with nearly half of its viewers being men. This was likely due to its unique approach, as it was styled as a daytime version of 'Perry Mason' rather than following the usual soap opera formula of love and melodrama. After shifting across various networks and time slots, 'The Edge of Night' was officially canceled in December 1984, having aired more than 7,400 episodes.

To discover more, explore the '10 Longest-running TV Shows' or challenge yourself with the 'Classic TV Quiz' to test your knowledge.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen