Have you recently found yourself with more free time than you expected? Are you running short of tv shows to binge? Have you been scouring Netflix looking for something with big entertainment value but afraid that older shows will be too dated to hold your attention? We’ve got a list of the top 10 90s shows to binge!
Friends – 1994-2004
Look, there’s a reason that Friends became an icon of the 90s era. It had lovable characters, a few good long-running romances, and it actually was pretty funny. Yes, it holds up. If you weren’t alive (or were very young) during the 90s it might be difficult for you to understand the cultural impact the show had. Jennifer Aniston’s haircut became a worldwide sensation known simply by her character name as the “Rachel.” A lot of catchphrases emerged from the show as well that are still in use today like “we were on a break” and “moo point.” If you want to laugh, or just want to know what half your Gen X coworkers’ jokes are about, Friends is definitely still worth a binge!
The West Wing – 1999-2006
Ok, so technically this one just squeaks in as a 90s show, but it definitely had a 90s feel. If you ever wanted to know what a soap opera set in the White House looked like that wouldn’t make you fear for your very existence, The West Wing is just the show you’re looking for. With seven seasons of intricately plotted whiplash dialogue fun, you won’t regret putting your feet up and spending a couple of weeks plowing through this classic!
Sex and the City – 1998-2004
Sex and the City was a cultural phenomenon. Not just because it dug into the psyche of women in the big city trying to have it all, but because it seemed to have its finger on the pulse of that dream 90s Manhattan life every 90s American woman wanted. Plus it was fun and funny with a stellar cast. So if you’ve ever wondered why people call you a Charlotte, or wanted to know what exactly “Mr. Big” means, Sex and the City is the binge-worthy 90s show for you.
Martin – 1992-1997
Do you like to laugh? Martin was a smartly written, incredibly funny show bursting with raw talent. To say that this show inspired many shows to come in the next few decades is an understatement. Consider it a cultural imperative to add this to your 90s binge list.
Twin Peaks – 1990-1991
Few shows helped to move television away from the procedural more than Twin Peaks. It was very much ahead of its time. So much so that it even saw a revival season in 2017 which showcased how much Twin Peaks could have been part of this era of television. The brainchild of the highly talented David Lynch and Mark Frost, Twin Peaks is a weird quick binge that is well worth your time.
Law & Order – 1990-2010
If you’ve got three months to kill on a tv show binges, working your way through the Law & Order back catalog might be just the thing for you. There were several 90s shows that helped to re-shape the law enforcement/legal system procedural landscape more than Law & Order. It might be worth the binge just to see how American culture has evolved over the years.
Living Single – 1993-1998
If you’ve ever watched Friends and wondered where they came up with that zany single-friends-living-funny-life-in-the-big-city concept, well, this is where. Living Single is a hilarious classic sitcom with a real heart and friendships and relationships you’ll invest in. And you’re probably going to die over the outfits and run out to a vintage shop to try to start dressing like Khadijah and Max. Binge this show now!
Party of Five – 1994-2000
Teen programming in the 90s was a real experience, and in many ways, Party of Five distilled that experience down to an angsty delicious brew. Yes, it’s about a family of five siblings unexpectedly orphaned and it really never gets any happier from there, but you’ll find yourself really starting to care for this brood and its problems and that binge-watch will fly by.
