But while we might love the quick hit of nostalgia we get from an old NickToon or re-run of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ‘90s TV actually broke massive new ground. Shows like A Different World and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air explored the Black experience through classic sitcom tropes; shows like The Sopranos and My So-Called Life changed the rules about what dramas could look like; and shows like Twin Peaks pushed the limits of what you could even air on TV. No matter what you love to watch today, from Black-ish to This Is Us to, well, the new season of Twin Peaks, the seeds of modern TV were planted in the ‘90s—and those shows deserve a serious rewatch. So grab some Dunkaroos and your favorite troll doll, and dive back into the best ‘90s TV shows.
Best ’90s TV shows
TheX-Files (1993-2002)
A show that redefined sci-fi for a generation, The X-Files followed FBI agents Mulder and Scully as they traveled the country looking for evil clones, sinister psychics and the truth about an alien conspiracy. But even if you don’t give a hoot about Area 51 or the Loch Ness monster, the show’s wit, smart writing and the charisma of stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson make it the perfect binge-watch (though you don’t necessarily have to include the 2016 reboot). Stream it on: Hulu
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-6)
Admit it, you can sing this theme song from memory. But this show gave us more than just the timeless catchphrase “Yo, home to Bel-Air!” In chronicling the fish-out-of-water adventures of Will, a Philadelphia teen sent to live with his outrageously wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, the show was able to subtly examine issues of race and class within a classic, snappy sitcom structure. And in its more dramatic moments, it hinted at the acclaimed actor that star Will Smith would become. All that, plus it gave us “the Carlton”! Stream it on: HBO Max
Ellen (1994-8)
Though today she’s the world’s most famous (and, recently, controversial) daytime talk show host, in the ‘90s, Ellen DeGeneres was the star of her own Emmy-nominated sitcom, where she played L.A. bookstore owner Ellen Morgan. The show was a great venue for DeGeneres’s jangled, high-energy charm—and with 1997’s “The Puppy Episode,” it became the first show in TV history to have a protagonist come out as LGBTQ.
Seinfeld(1989-1998)
Often pegged as a “show about nothing,” this sitcom turned pettiness into an art form and won 10 Emmys in the process. Whether Jerry and company are getting into a fight with the owner of a soup shop, getting tricked into wearing a puffy shirt on national TV or lying about being marine biologists, the show’s deadpan style and unlikeable protagonists set the stage for It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Bojack Horseman and any other series about hilarious characters you’d never want to be seated next to on a plane. Stream it on: Hulu
Get A Life (1990-2)
On this surreal sitcom, character actor Chris Elliott, most recently of Schitt’s Creek, starred as a 30-year-old paperboy—and that was the most realistic part of the show. Over the course of the series’ brief run, proudly immature protagonist Chris Peterson fought a paper delivery robot, appeared in a musical about roller-skating zoo animals, and died on-screen multiple times. Though the show suffered from low ratings, it has come to be considered a cult comedy classic. Available on DVD only
A Different World (1987-1993)
Beginning as a Cosby Show spin-off that followed Lisa Bonet’s Denise Huxtable to college, this show developed into an ensemble comedy about life at Hillman College, an HBCU in Virginia. Though A Different World never shied away from discussing tough issues like colorism, sexual assault and HIV, it also always kept a sweet, goofy sense of humor as its young adult protagonists learned about life.
The Nanny (1993-9)
Fran Drescher turned a Queens accent and a leopard print skirt into one of the most enduring comedic heroines of the ‘90s. Drescher stars as Fran Fine, a plucky, down-on-her-luck cosmetics saleswoman who unexpectedly becomes the nanny (and emotional center) of an upper-crust British-American family. Do hijinks ensue? Of course, hijinks ensue! And Drescher’s irrepressible sass makes the Emmy-nominated show endlessly rewatchable. Stream it on: HBO Max
Full House (1987-1995)
This TGIF staple about a young widower who raises his three young daughters with his brother-in-law and best friend is unbelievably corny. It’s also an utterly polished, pleasurable viewing experience that can be happily shared with the next generation (hey, your kids have to learn about the Olsen Twins some time, right?) Stream it on: Hulu,YouTube
Family Matters (1989-1998)
The other corny TGIF staple about two harried parents and their wise-cracking kids is also easy, pleasurable viewing—and Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel, whose physical comedy chops evoke fellow ‘90s TV comedy star Jim Carrey, delivers some genuine laughs. Stream it on: Hulu
My So-Called Life (1994-5)
Claire Danes and Jared Leto got their starts on this Emmy-nominated teen drama, which ditched the typical “very special episodes” for achingly realistic examinations of unrequited crushes, sexual identity, family drama and tempestuous friendships. Canceled after one near-perfect season, the show has remained an inspiration for nearly every show about the inner lives of teens that followed it. Stream it on: Hulu,ABC.com
Living Single (1993-8)
Before there was Friends or Sex and the City, there was Living Single, a sitcom about six very different New York City friends who supported each other through the ups and downs of their careers and love lives. In fact, it’s long been rumored—including by Living Single starQueen Latifah herself—that the show inspired Friends. But even without that connection, the show charms with its warm, funny depiction of loving, supportive friendships between young women. Stream it on: Hulu
Twin Peaks (1990-1)
David Lynch’s surreal, Emmy-winning drama about a small northwestern town rocked by the brutal murder of its prom queen was a cultural sensation in its first season—and then was abruptly canceled after its second. But in the decades since, the moody, atmospheric show has become a cultural juggernaut, influencing everything from Riverdale to True Detective to Lost, and earning the show a new (and infinitely more surreal) season on Showtime in 2017. Stream it on: Netflix, Hulu
Felicity (1998-2002)
In the late ‘90s, fledgling network The WB gave us countless shows about good-looking, wise-cracking teens with dramatic love lives. But Felicity remains among the most rewatchable of the bunch. Most of that is due to Keri Russell’s charming turn as Felicity Porter, a California teen who moves to New York to find love but ends up on a journey of self-discovery. But some of the credit should go to Star Wars and Lost maestro J.J. Abrams, who created this show! What?! Stream it on: ABC.com, Hulu
Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
Nearly every Freaks and Geeks performer or creator—a group that includes Seth Rogen, Judd Apatow, Busy Philipps, Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Jason Segel, Paul Feig and John Francis Daley—went on to shape the last 10+ years of American comedy. But if that’s not enough of a selling point for you, the Emmy-nominated show is also a brutally hilarious examination of adolescent identities, family relationships, bad high school bands and a “Parisian night suit” (you’ll have to watch to understand that one). Stream it on: Hulu
Daria (1997-2002)
Who would have guessed that an animated show about a minor character from Beavis and Butthead would become a landmark in teen TV history? Daria was one of the first shows to depict adolescence from the female outsider’s point of view—a point of view that was often caustic, sarcastic and laugh-out-loud funny. Without Daria, we likely wouldn’t have Ghost World, April Ludgate or any of our other favorite deadpan female weirdos. Stream it: Paramount Plus
Sister, Sister (1994-9)
A ‘90s spin on The Parent Trap, this adorable confection of a show, propelled by the infectious energy of stars Tia and Tamera Mowry, will take you back in time to an era when sitcoms were sweetly corny and overalls were the absolute height of fashion.
Blossom (1990-1995)
Before she was on the Big Bang Theory, Mayim Bialik starred on Blossom as charmingly neurotic teen Blossom Russo. Though the show dealt with a lot of standard teen show topics—popularity, dating and “just say no” messaging—Blossom was smarter and more offbeat than the era’s average teen girl. Blossom walked so that Daria could run (or at least sit on the sidelines while rolling her eyes). Stream it on: Hulu
Animaniacs (1993-8)
Take the chaotic comedy of the Marx Brothers and early Looney Tunes, mix it with the free-wheeling wackiness of Mel Brooks and early SNL, and you’ve got Animaniacs, one of the funniest, strangest children’s cartoon shows to ever grace our airwaves (the show was recently rebooted in 2020). The show’s cast of repertory players, including supervillain mice Pinky and the Brain and cat-like siblings Yakko, Wakko and Dot, do sometimes educate viewers—but they’re at their best when they’re simply antagonizing every authority figure in sight. Stream it on: Hulu
Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990-6)
A Twilight Zone for kids, this often genuinely creepy show explored the anxieties of youth (moving, fitting in, making friends) through a cast of evil clowns, drooling demons and other monsters that you’re probably still describing in therapy.
Mystery Science Theater 3000(1988-1999)
In the ‘90s, fans of so-bad-it’s-good cinema were given an incredible gift: a bunch of friends who were there to make fun of bad movies with you, every single week. Well, fine, the cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000—actor Joel Hodgson and a bunch of smart-aleck robots—weren’t really your friends. But watching the group mock ludicrously bad old movies with names like “The Horror of Spider Island” and “King Dinosaur,” comedy nerds all over the country felt less alone.
The Adventures of Pete and Pete(1992-6)
In the ‘90s, quirkiness was in—and it was especially in on this Nickelodeon show, which chronicled the lives of two ginger brothers, both named Pete, who lived in a wacky New Jersey town inhabited by philosophical ice cream men, low-level superheroes and Iggy Pop. But while the show is most remembered for its hip celebrity guest stars (Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and Debbie Harry made appearances), it’s also a tender, funny and sometimes genuinely moving examination of the inner lives of tween boys. Available on DVD only
Friends(1994-2004)
Be honest: you’re probably literally watching this show right now. There’s no shame in that! The series that made “How you doin’?” the pick-up line of the century retains almost all of its charm and wit 20 years later. There’s a reason we’re all still all glued to our sets, breathlessly waiting to find out if Ross and Rachel end up together. Stream it on: HBO Max
NewsRadio (1995-9)
This banter-filled show about life at New York City’s No. 2 news radio station was an influence on wacky workplace comedies like Parks and Recreation, and a perfect showcase for the late Phil Hartman as arrogant anchor Bill McNeal. Stream it on: Crackle
Rugrats (1991-2004)
If Tommy Pickles were real, he’d probably have his own kids by now. But on our TVs, he’s still the charming, courageous hero at the heart of one of the most enduring children’s comedies of our time. Stream it on: Hulu
Xena, Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
Before the cineplex was full of tough-as-nails female warriors, we had Xena, a former villain who atoned for her past by traveling through a magical version of ancient Greece, protecting the defenseless and absolutely walloping any bad guys who crossed her path. Though the show didn’t have the highest production values, the charisma of Lucy Lawless’s Xena—as well as Renee O’Connor as Gabrielle, her trusty sidekick—made it incredibly fun to watch. Stream it on: Tubi
Dinosaurs(1991-4)
From the storied Jim Henson Company came Dinosaurs, a classic, quick-witted family sitcom that, for some reason, was performed entirely by people in rubber dinosaur costumes. If you haven’t seen it, that might sound like a weird fever dream, but Dinosaurs did the seemingly impossible—it made us empathize with a family of bickering prehistoric reptiles. Stream it on: Disney+
Frasier(1993-2004)
You don’t have to have ever seen Cheers to love this spinoff about fussy radio personality and psychiatrist Frasier Crane, his equally high-strung brother, and their down-to-earth father, producer and assistant, who all keep them on their toes. Stream it on: Hulu
Strangers With Candy (1999-2000)
Before she became an acclaimed author, TV show host, and America’s Kooky Aunt, Amy Sedaris wrote and starred on this surreal TV show about Jerri Blank, a 40-something woman who decides to go back to high school. Featuring a pre-fame Stephen Colbert, the show parodies teen soap operas and after-school specials, and sometimes gets downright bizarre—it basically invented the Adult Swim sensibility a decade before Adult Swim. Stream it on: Comedy Central,Paramount Plus
TheBen Stiller Show(1992-5)
Before he was an acclaimed film director/actor/Zoolander, Ben Stiller created, wrote, directed and starred on this comedy sketch show, which was supposed to be a Gen X answer to Saturday Night Live. Though some of the topical sketches haven’t completely held up, the cast—which included Bob Odenkirk and Janeane Garofalo—was outstanding.
Roseanne (1988-97, 2018)
Though this series has most recently been in the public eye due to star Roseanne Barr’s racist tweets (which led to the cancelation of the 2018 reboot), the show’s original, Emmy-winning run broke ground depicting a working-class family who wasn’t there to teach viewers a “special lesson.” Instead, the Connors were there to have fun and be relatable, just like any other TV family, even when they were dealing with issues like abusive bosses and pay disparity.
Beavis & Butthead (1993-8)
If you were a teenager in the ‘90s, you either adored or absolutely loathed these two rude, profane morons, who whiled away their days making fun of music videos (that is, when they weren’t tormenting their bosses at their after-school jobs, or worshipping the local bully who regularly beat them up). But viewed today, the show is more than just a silly cartoon about two enormous losers—it’s a scorchingly funny take on mass media, toxic masculinity and the failures of the American school system that is also a silly show about two losers. Stream it on: YouTube (purchase only)
Kids In The Hall (1988-95)
This Canadian sketch comedy show, produced by SNL’s Lorne Michaels, was like that show’s gentler, weirder cousin. Instead of topical humor, Kids specialized in odd, hysterically funny bits about flying pigs, pocket protectors and crushing people’s heads that feel just as fresh as the day they aired.
Murphy Brown (1988-1998, 2018)
This show about a tough female journalist and her coworkers at a TV news show might be best remembered because then-vice president Dan Quayle criticized the title character’s decision to become a single mother in 1992. But Murphy Brown—which won an astounding 18 Emmys during its original run—should be remembered as a funny workplace comedy that also examined the failures and successes of second-wave feminism, and whether Boomer women really could have it all. Available on DVD only
Ren & Stimpy (1991-6)
Ren & Stimpy married the manic energy of underground comics with children’s love of goofy, scatological humor, creating a show that is both a beloved cult classic and drew the ire of parents from the moment it premiered. Stream it on: Paramount Plus
Star Trek: The Next Generation(1987-1994)
Set a century after the action of the original Star Trek, the Emmy-winning Next Generation followed the new Enterprise crew, led by Patrick Stewart’s Captain Picard, on interstellar adventures that touched on thoughtful, timely issues like political violence and gender discrimination.
Cybill (1995-8)
If you’re a Good Wife and/or Mamma Mia superfan, you’ll want to see this show about a twice-divorced, struggling 40-something actress, simply for Christine Baranski’s Emmy-winning supporting performance. But even if you’re not, this sitcom—starring Cybill Shepherd and created by Chuck Lorre—is a charming look at middle-age, second acts and deferred dreams.
Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)
This show literally encapsulated the ‘90s, kicking off in the fall of 1990 and finally letting Donna Martin graduate from our TVs in 2000. In between, the show re-energized the nighttime soap for a new generation, replacing the stodgy, old, rich, love triangle-ensnared adults of Dallas and Dynasty with cool, young, rich, love triangle-ensnared teens. Stream it on: Hulu,Paramount Plus
Sports Night (1998-2000)
Aaron Sorkin’s first TV effort is usually overshadowed by a little show called The West Wing, which premiered just a year after this one. But the Emmy-winning Sports Night, which starred an early-career Peter Krause and Felicity Huffman as employees at an ESPN-type cable channel, crackles with the same Sorkin-ian wit and wordplay you love from President Bartlett and company.
The Simpsons (1989- )
Now in its 32nd season, The Simpsons is older than some people reading this article. But the Emmy-winning show’s peak hit in the ‘90s, maturing from a one-note gimmick into a show with a rich mythology, layers of emotion and some of the funniest single episodes of TV in human history. Stream it on: Disney+
The State (1993-5)
The mid-90s search for the “new” Saturday Night Live yielded this delightfully bizarre MTV sketch show, written, directed and performed by the folks who later created Wet Hot American Summer. The show’s sketches alternate between the gleefully baroque (a musical set at a “porcupine racetrack,” whatever that might be) and absurd explorations of life’s tiny, awkward moments (the search for a new apartment, a father-son race). Stream it on: Paramount Plus
Sex and the City (1998-2004)
When you think of the Emmy-winning SATC today, you probably think of the massive cultural phenomenon: the nameplate necklaces! The cupcakes! The obsessive analysis about whether you were a Carrie or a Miranda! But beneath all of that, there’s a crackling, witty sitcom of manners that plays like an X-rated version of a Katharine Hepburn screwball comedy. Stream it on: HBO Max
Batman: The Animated Series (1992-5)
While the ‘90s brought us Batman movies with increasingly silly plots and a revolving door of leading men, this series quietly redefined the Caped Crusader, creating a version of Bruce Wayne that some fans still think is the best of all time. Stream it on: HBO Max
American Gothic (1995-6)
This horror series about a demonically evil small-town sheriff and the young boy who opposes him was executive produced by Evil Dead and Spiderman mastermind Sam Raimi and might have been ahead of its time. Though audiences didn’t flock to the show at the time, it’s style was American Horror Story before there was an American Horror Story (and starred AHS’s Sarah Paulson as a teen ghost).
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
This Emmy-nominated dramedy about a group of dorky teens who must fight the forces of darkness is a tried-and-true horror/fantasy classic, but it’s easy to forget how revolutionary it was when it first aired. Buffy’s whip-smart banter, wordplay and incredibly sophisticated high schoolers may be par for the course today, but when the show crash-landed in a teen TV universe dominated by 90210 and Saved by the Bell, it was world-changing.
All That(1994-2005)
“SNL, but performed entirely by middle schoolers” sounds more like an idea some sixth-graders would come up with while hopped up on Gogurt, not an actual idea for a TV show. But All That truly was a miniature version of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, down to their recurring news segment (“Vital Information”), celebrity impressions, catchphrases and a skit so popular, they made it into a movie (“Good Burger,” All That’s very own Wayne and Garth). Though you might not bust a gut laughing about orange soda in your 30s, it’s still a charming walk down memory lane—and it gave us Kenan Thompson, who’s now the longest-running cast member of the real SNL. Stream it on: Vudu (purchase only)
Saved By The Bell (1989-1993)
There are only a few things that hold millennial culture together: Harry Potter, having older people yell at us for eating avocado toast and the inexplicable fact that we have all seen almost every episode of this goofy, neon-soaked show. And almost 30 years later, if someone walked up to you and said, “I’m so excited, I’m so excited…”, you would know that the only possible way to answer is, “I’M SO…SCARED!” Embrace it, and then watch it for three hours straight, just like you did in fourth grade.
Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
Sure, now that you’re an adult, you think it’s a little messed up that Topanga turned down Yale to stay with Cory (couldn’t they have just gone to different schools and written each other some emails?). But even the wisdom of adulthood has not dulled the charm of watching Cory, Shawn, Eric, Topanga and Mr. Feeny goof around and occasionally learn very important lessons. Stream it on: Disney+
Moesha (1996-2001)
Moesha wasn’t all that different from teen TV shows that came before it—L.A. teen Moesha Mitchell spent each episode dealing with school, her friends and her dad’s remarriage to her high school vice-principal. But Brandy Norwood’s warm charisma made all its goofy ‘90s moments a joy to watch—and made Brandy herself, who had already been a teen singer, a star (she even had her own Barbie doll).
Oz (1997-2003)
Before there was the Sopranos or the Wire, this gritty, profane, ultra-violent series about inmates in a maximum-security prison was HBO’s first one-hour prestige drama. The show, which depicted the struggle for survival in a unit filled with vicious gangs, set a bar for nudity and gruesome violence (only a handful of characters survived all six seasons). But it also introduced a concept that would dominate prestige TV for the next decade-plus: a show that made us root for the anti-hero. Stream it on: HBO Max
My Brother and Me (1994-5)
The first live-action Nickelodeon show to feature a predominantly Black cast, this sitcom centered around tween brothers Alfie (Arthur Reggie III) and Dee-Dee Parker (Ralph Woolfolk IV), who dealt with classic tween issues like crushes, bullies and trying to have a cool birthday party, often while having outrageous inner monologues.
Roc (1991-5)
This Baltimore-set dramedy starred a number of accomplished stage actors, including Charles S. Dutton as garbage man Charles “Roc” Emerson, who, along with his wife, young brother and grandfafther, examined contemporary issues ranging from drugs and violence to the 1992 presidential election, with thoughtfulness and humor. After the success of a one-off live episode, the entire second season of the show was performed live—though according to one executive, the show didn’t feel live because “those actors were so good, they never made a mistake.” Available on DVD only
The Arsenio Hall Show (1989-1994)
Comedian Arsenio Hall was the king of late-night television for five years. With his high top fade, funk house band (the Posse) and swagger, Hall (who also co-starred in the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America) changed the cultural landscape of talk shows—and showed how impossibly behind the times Carson, Leno and company were in the process. The Arsenio Hall Show distinguished itself by targeting audiences that had been largely ignored by other late-night talk shows. It offered a platform for Black celebrities, introducing hip hop to middle America with guests like Public Enemy, Tupac and Biggie, and hosting unforgettable performances by Michael Jackson and Prince. And, famously, Hall let then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton wail away on the sax, a move that changed his public image and just might have won him the 1992 election. Available on DVD only.
Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper (1992-7)
Comedian Mark Curry starred as the titular Mr. Cooper in this sunny sitcom, leading a cast rounded out by Raven Symone, Nell Carter and Holly Robinson Peete (and, in Season 2, a young Don Cheadle!). On this “TGIF” staple, former Golden State Warrior Mark Cooper moves out of the spotlight and into a job teaching P.E. at an Oakland school, where he reconnects with his family, makes new friends and engages in several seasons of will-they-or-won’t-they tension with his roommate, Vanessa (spoiler: they will). Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper is the definition of fizzy, fun ‘90s family TV, and if that’s not enough to sell you, the Season 1 theme song was sung by ‘90s R&B stalwarts En Vogue. Stream it on: Hulu
The Wonder Years (1988-93)
On this coming of age dramedy, the war, social change and strife of the ‘60s became personal as they were viewed through the eyes of teen Kevin, who tries to understand the changing world he lives in while also asserting his independence, fighting off his bullying older brother Wayne, winning the heart of crush Winnie and, in one episode, listening to The Doors with Seth Green. The show employed a voiceover that allowed grown-up Kevin (Daniel Stern) to weigh in on teen Kevin (Fred Savage)’s foibles. Stream it on: Hulu
Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)
Sing it with us: “I don’t wanna wait/for my liiiiiiife to be over!” If you were a teen in the ‘90s, waiting every single week to find out what happened next in the drama-filled lives of sexy, neurotic, talky Massachusetts teens Dawson, Joey, Pacey and Jen was pure torture—especially because you never knew who was going to be in a love triangle with who. Stars James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams (and later star Busy Philipps) all went on to become some of the most well-known faces of their generation, but no matter how many Academy Awards they win or late-night talk shows they host, to us, they will always be the kids from Capeside who talked like they were 35. They walked so Rory Gilmore could run. Stream it on: Hulu, Netflix
The Jamie Foxx Show (1996-2001)
Before he was the Academy Award-winning star of Ray and Django Unchained,Jamie Foxx was the star of this long-running sitcom about an aspiring actor working at a down-on-its-luck L.A. hotel. Besides launching the careers of Foxx and a young Garcelle Beauvais, the show also represented a comeback for original SNL cast member Garrett Morris. Stream it on: BET+
The Wayans Brothers (1995-9)
Shawn and Marlon Wayans followed up their turn on groundbreaking sketch show In Living Color with this sitcom, the first series to premiere on the WB. The sitcom focused on Harlem brothers Shawn and Marlon Williams, who ran a newsstand together—the perfect place to get into some hijinx. The two later joined up with their comedic family to make the Scary Movie series of films. Stream it on: HBO Max Next, challenge yourself with ourFriends trivia.
