For those that grew up during the 1990s, and even those who didn’t (thanks reruns!), the shows of that decade will always carry a sense of nostalgia with them. In many ways, the ’90s revolutionized television by deviating from traditional formats and storylines audiences had grown used to, and many series from the time developed devoted cult followings. Film lovers quickly realized the small screen was just as great of a way to tell complete stories, something that seems to be a given in our House of the Dragon and The Last of Us era.
All genres of television thrived in the ’90s, but dramas were especially prevalent. There were soapy dramas, teen dramas, crime dramas, sci-fi dramas — even the best sitcoms would tackle difficult subjects. If you’re anything like us, you love watching other people’s drama and thankfully, in the streaming era, we can easily watch our favorite dramatic ’90s shows whenever the mood strikes us.
If you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to watch some good television, here are 10 of the best ’90s TV dramas for your viewing pleasure.
10. Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)
Yes, the screenwriters write dialogue like they’ve never heard a teenager speak before and yes, some plot-lines are pretty awful when you look back with fresh eyes (like high school student Pacey’s affair with a nearly 40-year-old teacher), but Dawson’s Creek is still a good watch when you’re craving some high school drama. Though the dialogue choices are awkward, the teens (played by 20-somethings as per usual) sound how you wish you sounded when you’re in high school and the show makes you long for a simpler time, even if you weren’t a teenager in 1998. Plot points get pretty realistic here; the show tackles the usual romance, but also deals with topics like mental health, homophobia, and abuse.
9. ER (1994-2009)
Hailed as the most realistic medical drama on television, ER was one of the biggest shows airing during the ’90s. The show follows a team of committed medical professionals who work tirelessly in a hospital emergency room while also trying to maintain their own personal lives. This fast-paced spiritual predecessor to Grey’s Anatomy helped launch the careers of actors like George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, and Ming-Na Wen and featured a large cast of recurring characters thanks to the nature of the plot. If you’re a medical professional, you’ll appreciate the realism and if you’re not, you’ll be grateful for all the hard work medics do to save lives.
8. Law & Order (1990-present)
There were no shortage of crime dramas on television in the 1990s but Law & Order in particular has become a classic, spawning several spinoffs and continuing to air until this day. Law & Order put a fresh spin on the crime drama by showing not only investigations and arrests, but the court cases as well. Similarly to ER, the show aimed to be a more realistic take on crime dramas by showing the characters as fallible and world-weary. Viewers enjoyed the “whodunnit” format as well, following the case along with the characters and trying to guess what happened before they do. The show has had high-profile guest stars throughout the years, including a young Pedro Pascal.
7. Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017)
David Finch’s short-lived mystery drama Twin Peaks feels like a fever dream, but in the best way. On the surface, the show is about FBI agent Dale Cooper investigating the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer in the small town of Twin Peaks, Washington. The show quickly delves into the bizarre and supernatural as things are not as they seem in the quaint town. After a spectacular first season, a less impressive second season led to the show being cancelled, but in 2017, a revival with much of the original cast aired on Showtime. The quirky tone and surreal humor, combined with beautiful cinematography, makes this a fun watch no matter the decade.
6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer combines high school drama with the supernatural while still maintaining a sense of humor. The show follows Buffy Summers, the new girl at school who is also the chosen one, predestined to fight vampires and all manner of monsters that go bump in the night. A lot of the drama in Buffy the Vampire Slayer is of the romantic variety (Buffy is caught in a love triangle with vampires Spike and Angel), but there’s some good general teenage angst in here as well. If you like to watch multi-faceted women who can kick ass, this is the show for you.
5. Boy Meets World (1993-2003)
Boy Meets World is a coming-of-age sitcom following Corey Matthews as he goes through the trials and tribulations of growing up. The show is full of hilarious moments and dialogue, but also deals with serious subjects like sexual harassment and drug abuse as Corey, his friends, and his family navigate their lives. The ‘90s television landscape was full of fun sitcoms that weren’t afraid to get real when necessary, and Boy Meets World is one of the standouts. As the show progressed, writers weren’t afraid to get more serious and the chemistry (both romantic and not) between cast members only gets better in the decade the show was on television.
4. Charmed (1998-2006)
The supernatural drama Charmed follows three sisters who happen to be the most powerful witches in existence, each with their own unique set of magical abilities. The success of Buffy the Vampire Slayer showed audiences were clamoring for female-led shows with a supernatural spin and Charmed fit the bill. While the girls discover more about their new powers and their lineage, they struggle with balancing their personal lives with their newfound witch duties. As the show goes on, the stakes get higher for the sisters and romance plotlines intersect with their magical lives. Charmed may be a show about three witches, but it’s a family drama at its core, and still an enjoyable watch in 2023.
3. Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)
Beverly Hills, 90210 is a soapy teenage drama, and its storylines and soap opera intensity have inspired years of high school series in the years since. The lives of the teenage characters were both glamorous and relatable, and similar to Dawson’s Creek, viewers wanted to escape into the simple TV world and forget their troubles by focusing on fictional ones. The show follows two twins from Minnesota, Brandon and Brenda Walsh, as they interact with their new wealthy and privileged classmates. Beverly Hills, 90210 isn’t what we’d call a realistic look at high school — even if it deals with some more heavy storylines, it does it in a more dramatized way — but, it’s a fun watch all the same.
2. The X-Files (1993-2002, 2018)
It’s no wonder The X-Files was a major hit: it combined two popular ’90s genres as a supernatural crime drama, and the combination was a breath of fresh air. FBI Special Agents Mulder and Scully investigate cases ranging from the bizarre to the downright creepy during the show’s run. The juxtaposition of the two very different agents and the monster-of-the-week format is still enjoyable and even 30 years later, The X-Files still feels fresh. The show continues to impress even now, following a successful 2008 film and a new season in 2018. For some added drama, the romantic tension between the two agents will keep you on the edge of your seat.
1. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a sitcom about young Will Smith (played by Will Smith) who moves from Philadelphia to live with his wealthy uncle in Bel-Air, a suburb of Los Angeles. While still comedic, the show is never afraid to talk about serious issues from racial profiling to gun violence. You’ll find yourself laughing at the silly antics of Will and his family in one moment and then find yourself crying in the next, when Will and his uncle share a heart-to-heart. There’s some lovely messages in this show about found family and growing up; even though it’s not as dramatic as some of the entries on our list (it’s most similar to Boy Meets World) we cannot recommend it enough.
