Entertainment
These Classic ’90s TV Shows Have Aged Like Fine Wine
If you were lucky enough to grow up in the 1990s and catch some of the best TV shows from that decade when they were on the air, you remember them fondly. Most are available to stream now as classic options on all the top streaming services. This has helped them gain a new generation of fans and given those who watched decades ago the chance to re-watch today and remember how great they were.
Of course, times have changed drastically, and some shows from the ’90s would never fly today, having not aged well. But there are some that are timeless. They never get old, and while they are outdated in some ways (no one has a cell phone in their hand or uses the internet in any of them), they could easily have been made today and still be relevant.
10
‘The X-Files’ (1993–2002, 2016–2018)
Mystery around the paranormal never goes away: it’s just as prevalent today as it was back in the ’90s. For this reason, the premise behind The X-Files, which tells a “monster of the week” story every episode, still works today. The main theme is the idea of belief in otherworldly creatures and events, and questioning if there really is a scientific explanation for everything, or if there are some things we simply can’t explain.
The sci-fi drama with plenty of intense episodes proved it could hold up today when it was resurrected for a few more seasons, more than a decade after it originally ended, and it was still met with positive reception. Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are household names, and chances are that new fans will be checking this show out for decades to come, just as The Twilight Zone remains as relevant today as it did in the 1960s.
9
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)
By definition, vampires exist forever, so it makes sense that a show centered around them would age well. Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a kickass young woman who, as the title implies, spends her nights fighting evil forces of darkness. But she’s also just a young woman looking to live her everyday life.
An unconventional coming-of-age drama with a supernatural horror twist, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has inspired other shows of its kind. But none has quite captured the essence as this series, often called one of the best TV shows of all time.
8
‘Dawson’s Creek’ (1998–2003)
Re-entering the conversation of late due to lead actor James Van Der Beek‘s untimely death, Dawson’s Creek is a coming-of-age teen drama that covers topics high schoolers still face today, even if they’re amplified by a new world led by technology. From bullying to struggling to fit in, depression and mental health, addiction, sexuality, and abuse, all these topics remain central to the conversation, arguably even more so today, now that they are talked about more openly.
The show is dated in some respects, but it also highlights differences, challenges, and unique personalities of teenagers, as well as the importance of acceptance and being there for one another. Like a pared-down, more innocent version of Euphoria with a similar feel to other teen dramas of the time, like Beverly Hills, 90210, Dawson’s Creek is worth a re-watch.
7
‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)
Seinfeld is a show about the daily minutiae of life, and from one generation to the next, that doesn’t change. The jokes are timeless, the characters infinitely funny, the situations they get themselves into still worthy of cracking viewers up today, almost 30 years after the series ended. With iconic running gags and memorable characters, Seinfeld is one of the best classic sitcoms of all time, with so many great awkward episodes.
The sitcom has inspired others that have come since, including co-creator Larry David‘s next big show, Curb Your Enthusiasm. That series is delivered in the same vein, so it’s no surprise it performed just as well for a new generation. You could watch Seinfeld in the ’90s or today, and it doesn’t get any less funny.
6
‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present)
The Simpsons has aged so well that it’s still going! The adult animated sitcom has managed to remain relevant from one decade to the next by weaving in storylines that mirror real-life political and societal issues, even moments of pop culture. A recent episode, for example, featured characters inspired by The Pitt.
Since the family never ages, the show doesn’t either. While references in episodes from the ’90s aren’t reflective of today’s culture, The Simpsons‘ best episodes of all time serve as a time capsule, reminding you of moments, events, celebrities, and issues that were top of mind at the time. That continues to this day, solidifying The Simpsons as a TV show that’s representative of current times, at any time.
5
‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (1990–1996)
The concept might have been brought back as a much darker, more dramatic reimagining called Bel-Air. But it’s the original sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that defined the decade back in the 1900s. The series put Will Smith on the map as a soon-to-become A-list actor, showcasing his talents to engage an audience and make us laugh. A fish-out-of-water story, he’s a high schooler from Philadelphia who moves to Bel-Air to live with his wealthy aunt, uncle, and cousins. Of course, hijinks galore ensue as he tries to fit in and they deal with his less refined, troublemaking personality.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air aged so well because of the universal humor, but also the approach to important topics like racial bias and familial neglect, presenting them through a humorous lens. Between the jokes are important lessons, even emotional scenes that resonate with viewers in any decade. From Will’s fractured relationship with his father to the episode when he and Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) are pulled over in Carlton’s fancy car, presumably just because they’re Black, it’s as poignant as it is funny.
4
‘ER’ (1994–2009)
The Pitt is the ER for this generation, but for anyone who wants to see what medical dramas were like in the ’90s, not to mention Noah Wyle flexing his muscles as a much younger doctor, this series is it. Medical dramas in general largely don’t age. The medical profession hasn’t changed much through the decades; the work of doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff is largely the same, as are the illnesses and injuries patients arrive with.
Medical dramas are a dime a dozen and have been for some time, but there’s arguably no other like ER. There are a lot of seasons to get through with a total of 15, but the series is one that will always be relevant and timely, no matter what decade we’re in. Sure, it isn’t as flashy as some of the newer series, and there’s no unique twist. It’s a show about plain old medical care with some interpersonal drama thrown in for good measure. But that’s precisely what makes it stick. The long list of cast members who went on to achieve great success in the business, along with the wide selection of amazing actors who appeared as ER guest stars, didn’t hurt either.
3
Law & Order (1990–2010, 2022–Present)
Spawning so many spin-offs and even returning after going off the air for more than a decade, the original Law & Order is the preeminent police procedural that inspired all others. Its unique approach to looking both at the capture of criminals and the court proceedings after it draws viewers in, every episode like a two-part story in one.
Law & Order deals with cases we see every day, along with completely out-there ones. But it’s the acting, the writing, and the presentation that have become so iconic. The show hasn’t just aged like a fine wine; it continues to delight viewers as one of those shows you can tune into at any time, even if you missed a few episodes, even an entire season, and still get pulled in for an hour of entertainment.
2
‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004)
The idea of female empowerment was on the rise at the time that Sex and the City came out, and the show became a symbol of that in the late ’90s. It also put HBO on the map as a provider of quality television. The romantic comedy drama follows the exploits of four single women living in New York City, led by Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker). A popular magazine columnist, each episode is framed by the column she writes, usually involving her complicated dating life and daily happenings with her friends as they navigate dating and careers.
The idea of women embracing their power, leaning on female friendship, and bucking stereotypes that they need to be married with children to be happy, is celebrated today more than ever. Sex and the City is an HBO show that has held up well and become a sort of battle cry for the independent woman, both inspiring and entertaining.
1
‘Roseanne’ (1988–1997)
The first show on television to depict a real middle American family dealing with real challenges, Roseanne was a shock to the system amidst shows that featured wealthy families of doctors, lawyers, and successful businesspeople. The Conners were a middle-lower-class family living paycheck to paycheck. For the first time, the average American was depicted on TV, and it felt like peeking into the home of your actual neighbor.
Along with the relatability, Roseanne didn’t shy away from touching on topical political and social issues impacting the working class, from financial struggles to teenage rebellion, and domestic violence. It was a groundbreaking show, and that continued with its spin-off/continuation, The Conners, which tackled current talking points, like gun control, health care, and political divisiveness. Despite almost 40 years having passed since Roseanne first graced the airwaves, the issues dealt with in its episodes remain as relevant today.
Roseanne
- Release Date
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1988 – 2018-00-00
- Showrunner
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Bruce Helford
- Directors
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Andrew D. Weyman, Gail Mancuso, John Pasquin, John Whitesell, Philip Charles MacKenzie