Once again, we’re here to commemorate the best decade so far. Yes, it’s the last bit of the 1900s, and yes, it is so nostalgic that every third or so article is dedicated to it. And yes, once again, it’s the ‘90s! However, we won’t be talking about your favorite childhood toys or the boy bands you loved so dearly, but rather about the best TV series of the decade. Oh yes, it is time for a list dedicated to the most fabulous ‘90s TV shows!
While it’s very likely that you weren’t allowed to watch a good half of these TV series back then, you probably did so anyway in the secrecy of your room or by checking the reruns. Of course, the ‘90s had their fair share of family-friendly shows, too, like The Simpsons or the Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, but the most prized ones were the amazing adult-oriented shows. The ones that you craved watching oh so dearly! Now you definitely can, and let us remind you of such fantastic once-forbidden shows as the X-Files, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, or the best of them all - Twin Peaks.
So, grab a snacky snack, pick the best ‘90s TV show of the bunch, and immerse yourself into the world of entertainment! Before you do, though, don’t forget to vote for the famous series you’ve enjoyed the most, and share this article with your friends!
#1 The Simpsons
1989 - | 33 seasons | 718 episodes and counting
The Simpsons, which is the longest-running American animated series, has made us laugh, cry, and feel love for the last three decades. It saw Baby Boomers laughing at hidden jokes their Millennial kids couldn't understand at the time, and it saw those same Millennials showing The Simpsons to their own kids - a staple animated series any generation can find relatable and loveable.
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79points
#2 Friends
1994 - 2001 | 10 seasons | 236 episodes
Love it or hate it, there probably aren't any other sitcoms that left such a huge cultural impact as Friends. From giving us 'The Rachel' - a haircut inspired by Aniston's hairstyle and wanted by millions of girls worldwide, to expanding the vocabulary of Western English slang and helping people learn the English language. Seriously, though, a 2012 poll by Kaplan International English Colleges revealed that 26% of students cited Friends as the best show to improve English. And what better way to improve your language skills than by watching probably the best comedy cast of all time?
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73points
#3 The X-Files
1993 - 2002 | 11 seasons | 218 episodes
The X-Files is a science fiction drama television series revolving around a duo of FBI agents. Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are not just your regular pair of special agents, though, as they specialize in unsolved cases featuring paranormal phenomena. Inspired by such earlier TV masterpieces as Twin Peaks and The Twilight Zone, The X-Files knows its game in creating a spooky atmosphere, delivering plot twists and unbelievable events which you just Want To Believe.
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72points
#4 The Golden Girls
1985 - 1992 | 7 seasons | 180 episodes
Who would've thought that watching grumpy older ladies could be fun? Well, the '80s, obviously! The Golden Girls, a critically acclaimed and plentifully awarded '80s TV series, follows four dames as they go about their daily lives in a shared house they occupy together. And the grouchier their moods - the louder the laughs in the staple behind-the-scenes track. It's also worth mentioning that one of The Golden Girls' leads is played by our beloved megastar Betty White.
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69points
#5 The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
1990 - 1996 | 6 seasons | 148 episodes
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is the quintessential ‘90s sitcom, representing the decade in the most relatable and truthful manner. The series is based on the life of Will Smith and stars himself as Will. Here, he is a street-smart teenager born and raised in West Philadelphia. After an incident with local bullies, he is sent to live with his posh uncle and auntie in Bel-Air, Los Angeles. As it should be, their lifestyles and cultural background often clash, creating humorous situations that we just can't get enough of. Hilariously funny, marked with stellar performances from a loveable cast, The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air will forever be an essential part of modern TV entertainment.
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67points
#6 Home Improvement
1991 - 1999 | 8 seasons | 205 epsidoes
Home Improvement was the series that launched Tim Allen's career, and if you were to ask us, we'd say that Tim was the person to make this series iconic. Home Improvement centers on the Taylor family - Tim, Jill, and their three sons. Their absolutely different characters often spark humorous disagreements, but their love binds them together. Home Improvement's biggest joke is the show-within-a-show called Tool Time, which Tim hosts with Al Borland and the "Tool Time girl," who notably was none other than Pamela Anderson herself. What's funny is that despite Tim's ability to efficiently sell tools, he's astonishingly prone to accidents, causing one disaster after another by misusing the tools that he's selling. All in all, Home Improvement is a great, never-boring example of TV entertainment that will never get old.
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66points
#7 Full House
1987 - 1995 | 8 seasons | 192 episodes
Full House chronicles the life of widower Danny Tanner who enlists his brother-in-law and best friend to help raise his three daughters. And you just know that there's bound to be some hilarious misunderstandings with young girls being raised by young and very inexperienced guys. Though the show was never a favorite among critics who often called it an exemplary depiction of a completely dysfunctional family, it was a great hit among the audiences. So much so that it keeps on gaining popularity in syndicated international reruns.
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65points
#8 Frasier
1993 - 2004 | 11 seasons | 264 episodes
A Harvard-educated psychologist who gives his advice and wit to those in need on a radio show, but ever-so-often sees his own problems multiplicating and towering over his head? Yep, that's Frasier, and it's hilarious. Named the most successful comedy series ever (hello, 37 Emmys) and one of the most successful spin-off series, Frasier ran for eleven seasons, gaining more and more fans with each one. The main man of the series, Kelsey Grammer, chose a very interesting technique for his portrayal of Frasier Crane, called 'requisite disrespect.' This technique included rehearsing his lines in solitude, thus often surprising other cast members with his performance on the filming set. And though it might've been fine with his actor colleagues, the guest stars (which this series had plenty of) were often left in a state of panic in front of the live audience. Be that as it may, this show will always be one of our top choices for binging and re-watching!
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64points
#9 That '70s Show
1998 - 2006 | 8 seasons | 200 episodes
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis as teenagers in the '70s? Well, say no more, as we are signing in. The series follows six teenagers living their teenage lives in the '70s. And though the premise might seem a bit simplistic, besides being hilariously funny, the show never forgets to discuss the pressing realities of the times it was set in. Yes, the '70s were fifty years ago, but our lives aren't that different today, so the show is always relatable to adult and teenage audiences. During its eight seasons, That ‘70s Show was nominated for a substantial amount of awards and gained both critical and audience acclaim.
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63points
#10 Sabrina The Teenage Witch
1995 | 5 seasons | 99 episodes
Animaniacs is an animated television comedy series created by Tom Ruegger Fox Broadcasting Company. Animaniacs is, essentially, a variety show with each episode comprised of usually three mini-episodes, each starring a different set of characters. And although Animaniacs is a kids' cartoon, the creators didn't shy away from using pop culture references, satirical social commentary, and even innuendos directed exclusively at adults. And this inclusion of the whole family was what probably made this series so appealing for the audiences - now you could watch morning cartoons together with your kids and have a great laugh yourself!
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62points
#11 Saved By The Bell
1989 - 1993 | 4 seasons | 86 episodes
Saved By The Bell follows a group of high school friends and their lives at a fictional Bayside High School in Los Angeles. Though its main attraction is the comedic situations spawning from your regular and painstakingly familiar high school happenings, Saved By The Bell didn't shy away from more serious topics. Throughout its run, the series discussed a broad array of those - from DUIs to environmental issues, it wanted to tell the youth about the problems they might encounter. And if watching and re-watching the series, the spin-offs, and the revivals just isn't enough, you can always read one of the 21 novels based on the show.
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59points
#12 Cheers
1982 - 1993 | 11 seasons | 275 episodes
After its premiere in September 1982, Cheers nearly got canceled as its ratings were at about sea bottom level. Thankfully, though, the broadcasting channel did not give up on it, and during the summer reruns of the first season, Cheers suddenly gained its audience, which proved to be an ever-growing one. A sitcom in all of its essence, Cheers follows a group of friends that meets and spends their time together at a bar called, you guessed it, Cheers. Filmed in front of a live audience, it has that signature sitcom laugh track and is often set in the same location. It's also a series that birthed probably one of the most successful spin-offs ever. If not for Cheers, we wouldn't have gotten Frasier!
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58points
#13 Buffy The Vampire Slayer
1997 - 2003 | 7 seasons | 144 episodes
Buffy The Vampire Slayer is a supernatural drama television series based on the 1992 movie of the same name. Our main protagonist here is Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) - the latest in a line of young women known as “Vampire Slayers.” But, without spoiling the fun any further, we’ll leave the narrative explanations at that. Just so you know, Buffy The Vampire Slayer is by far one of the most original and entertaining series of the decade!
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58points
#14 Animaniacs
1987 - 1997 | 11 seasons | 259 episodes
Married… With Children follows the lives of Al Bundy, a misogynist shoe seller, Peggy, his vain and lazy wife, and their two kids - stereotypic blonde Kelly and very uncool yet smart Bud. And if you haven't heard about this legendary series, you are definitely a rare specimen as it was an absolute '80s TV staple. Loathed by plenty for its mean-spiritedness, Married… With Children still had a solid allure based on Ed O'Neill's portrayal of Al, relatable family situations and a pretty gloomy sense of humor which resonated with audiences worldwide.
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56points
#15 Seinfeld
1989 - 1998 | 9 seasons | 180 episodes
As a show that's often described as being 'about nothing,' Seinfeld was phenomenally popular and is listed as one of the most influential sitcoms of all time. It starred Jerry Seinfeld, a rising comedian of the '80s, playing a fictionalized version of himself, though many of the plotlines were real experiences of the series' writers, including Seinfeld's. In addition, the series often broke mainstream conventions of television shows and employed loads of irony, which was quite unusual for sitcoms of the '80s.
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55points
#16 The Wonder Years
1988 - 1993 | 6 seasons | 115 episodes
The Wonder Years, a coming-of-age comedy-drama, follows teenager Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage) as he grows up in a suburban middle-class family in the late ‘60s. The series' unique storytelling, stellar acting, and relatable happenings gained The Wonder Years many awards and accolades. Today, many critics agree that The Wonder Years is a true classic, having inspired plenty of shows that were created after.
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51points
