It goes without saying that the1990swere a special era for television. It was a decade when creativity was at its peak and almost everything had an unparalleled cultural impact. The world was entering a new millennium and the small screen was a mirror to reflect the hopes, dreams, and quirks of a generation. In thesea of sitcoms that defined the decade, there were more than a few that stood the test of time.
In this list, however, we only take a look at 10 of the most rewatchable ‘90ssitcomsthat never get old – shows that take us back to simpler times over and over again and remind us of the days when laughter was the most valued currency, human connection was the ultimate triumph. What made these sitcoms so iconic was the way they combined humor and heart and allowed us to relate to the characters on screen.
10’Boy Meets World' (1993 – 2000)
Boy Meets World
A coming-of-age tale that chronicles the life of Cory Matthews,Boy Meets Worldis an iconic sitcom that invites viewers on a heartwarming journey through the trials and tribulations of growing up. Along with his hilarious best friend, Shawn Hunter, the intelligent Topanga Lawrence, and other beloved characters, Coy navigates the unpredictable years of adolescence, teenagehood, and beyond.
Just As Enjoyable Decades Later
Running for seven seasons,Boy Meets Worldbecame a beloved addition to family evenings and resonated with audiences due to its striking balance of poignant life lessons and sidesplitting comedy. It stands the test of time as a quintessential ‘90s sitcom thanks to its ability torecreate the mishaps of youthand allow viewers to witness Cory’s transformation from a mischievous sixth grader to a thoughtful and responsible adult.
9’Full House' (1987 – 1995)
Full House (US)
Created by Jeff Franklin for ABC,Full Houseintroduces us to the Tanner household, where widowed father Danny Tanner takes on the challenge of raising his three young daughters – D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle. He enlists help from his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis and quirky best friend Joey Gladstone. With each episode, the Tanner family’s adventures only get more relatable, cozy, and hilarious.
The Tanner Clan Still Serves Joy
Full Housecelebrates love and family and the bonds that make a house a home, and that’s a concept that will never age. With eight seasons of laugh-out-loud moments and memorable life lessons, the show has established itself as one of the most comforting sitcoms of the ‘90s. Its ensemble cast, led by the ever-so-charismatic Bob Saget, John Stamos’ cool Uncle Jesse and Dave Coulier’s lovable Joey, still brings a healthy dose of nostalgia and feel-good charm.
8’Saved by the Bell' (1989 – 1992)
Saved By the Bell
Set against the colorful backdrop of Bayside High,Saved by the Bellfollows a spirited group of teenagers – Zack, Kelly, Jessie, Slater, Lisa, and Screech – as they go through the highs and lows of life. They balance their academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and romantic drama, while occasionally getting into trouble with Mr. Belding, the school principal.
Slapstick Humor Mixed with Life Lessons
Saved by the Bellran for four seasons and spawned two spin-offs, titled Saved by theBell: The College YearsandSaved by the Bell: The New Class, as well as two TV movies,Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian StyleandSaved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegasin 1992 and 1994 respectively. Its bright neon aesthetic, unforgettable catchphrases, and relatable high school drama made it an instant favorite among fans. Moreover, the seriesexplored important issueslike bullying and eating disorders with a humorous tone and left a lasting impression.
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7’Home Improvement' (1991 – 1999)
Home Improvement
One of the most-watched sitcoms in the United States in the 1990s,Home Improvementcenters on Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, a well-meaning husband and loving father who calls himself a skilled handyman but is accident-prone. He also hosts the fictional TV show Tool Time, where each episode plays out like a parody. While Tim’s handling of tools is fully enough, the series also explores his relationship with his wife Jill and their three boys – Brad, Randy, and Mark.
Always a Joy To Revisit
Home Improvementran from September 1991 to May 1999 for eight seasons and totaled 204 episodes. It became a staple of ‘90s television, thanks in large part to Tim Allen’s comedic genius as the bumbling but lovable patriarch. Along with his deadpan co-host Al Borland (Richard Karn) and wise neighbor Wilson (the late Earl Hindman), and the grounded Jill (Patricia Richardson), the series instantly created signature gags and delivered timeless dialogue. It also won several awards at the Emmys and Golden Globes.
6’Everybody Loves Raymond' (1996 – 2005)
Everybody Loves Raymond
Everybody Loves Raymondoffers a glimpse into the chaos of family life, particularly the Barone family. Centered around Ray Barone, a successful sports columnist living with his wife Debra and their three kids in suburban Long Island, the show finds their life constantly disrupted by the intrusive presence of Ray’s larger-than-life Italian-American family. His meddling, overly involved parents, Marie and Frank, live just across the street.
Family Dysfunction Has Never Been Funnier
Taking a recipe for non-stop humor and serving up just that in a platter for nine whole seasons,Everybody Loves Raymondhas an enduring appeal due to its impeccable writing, relatable characters, and theunparalleled comedic talents of its cast, which includes Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, and Brad Garrett. Roberts’ portrayal of Marie as the overbearing mother-in-law is still very accurate and relatable, which is part of where the rewatchability stems from.
5’The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' (1990 – 1996)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Created by Andy and Susan Borowitz,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airimmediately captivates viewers. It kicks off with Will Smith’s street-smart West Philadelphia teen arriving in the lavish and glamorous neighborhood of Bel-Air to live with his Aunt Vivian and Uncle Phil. But as he’s thrust into a world of wealth, Will has a hard time adjusting to life with his upper-class cousins and his relatives’ uptight personalities.
Top-Notch Comedy and Family Hijinks
Relying mainly on its fish-out-of-water premise, the sitcom creates moments that are just as uproariously funny as they are deeply touching. It became a cultural phenomenon over the course of six seasons mainly because of Smith’s effortless comedic timing and infectious on-screen presence, while Alfonso Ribeiro’s Carlton Banks gave us the iconic “Carlton Dance.” Additionally, the ‘90s aesthetic and catchy theme song prove that there’s always “a couple of guys who are up to no good.”
4’Frasier' (1993 – 2004)
Kelsey Grammer first embodied the character of Dr. Frasier Crane inCheersin 1982 and reprised his role in this witty and sophisticated spin-off revolving solely on the character. He returns to Seattle after his divorce in an attempt to rebuild his life. Sharing an apartment with his short-tempered father, Martin, and Martin’s quirky dog, Eddie, Frasier often ends up in comedic situations. He also shares a rivalry with hispretentious brother Niles.
Highbrow Humor With Heart
Flawlessly combining banter, humor, and the universal struggle of putting up with one’s family,Frasierran for 11 incredible seasons and set the gold standard for intelligent, character-driven sitcoms. The show boasted outstanding writing, multilayered characters, and brilliant performances from the lead cast, which included Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, and John Mahoney. For his remarkable turn, Grammer was nominated and awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Leading Actor and, overall, the series won a total of 37 Emmys, including five consecutive awards for Outstanding Comedy Series.
3’Will & Grace' (1998 – 2020)
Will and Grace
Created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan and set in New York City,Will & Gracecaptures the hilarious and messy lives of Will Truman, a sarcastic gay lawyer, and his best friend Grace Adler, a Jewish woman and owner of an interior design firm. They share an apartment and their unconventional friendship acts as the perfect foundation for clever humor and over-the-top escapades.
A Trailblazing Comedy
With their unwavering loyalty towards each other, razor-sharp wit, and a supporting cast of fabulously inappropriate characters, Eric McCormack and Debra Messing lead this sitcom to great heights. Lauded for its groundbreakingrepresentation of LGBTQ+ charactersand top-tier comedic performances, it also gave us iconic one-liners like Grace’s “No, he is not laughing at you. He is laughing with me, who is laughing at you.” and Karen’s “You say potato, I say vodka.” Needless to say,Will & Graceis relevant and rewatchable even decades later.
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2’Seinfeld' (1989 – 1998)
Famously dubbed “a show about nothing,”Seinfeldis the brainchild of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. It chronicles the hilarious everyday misadventures of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his eccentric, self-absorbed, and co-dependent friends George, Elaine, and Kramer. From debates over soup to ill-fated holiday traditions (Festivus), from trials of dating to the perplexing rituals of modern society, the sitcom thrives on conversational humor and dissecting life’s small and insignificant grievances.
Redefined Sitcoms by Celebrating the Ordinary
Seinfeldis easily one of the most influential and rewatchable sitcoms of the ‘90s and, while a huge part of its reputation goes to the brilliant writing, it is the iconic characters – Kramer with his slapstick entrances and Elaine with her sassy one-liners and George with his neurotic schemes – that cemented the sitcom as a pop culture fixture. Whether individually or collectively, the characters navigated a wide range of situations and delivered a comedic spin on the quirks of urban life, making them endlessly entertaining.
1’Friends' (1994 – 2004)
Sure, other sitcoms likeHow I Met Your MotherandNew Girlhavetried to recreate the magicof this iconic ‘90s sitcom and become popular and beloved in their own right, but if it weren’t for the success ofFriends, the titles that follow would perhaps not even exist. Bringing six inseparable friends together in the cozy confines of Central Perk, Friends sees Monica, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe tackle the complexities of love, the pursuit of meaningful work lives, and the universal challenges of adulthing in New York City.
Unmatched Chemistry and High Rewatch Value
A timeless classic that continues to delight new generations of fans,Friendsran for ten seasons and wove iconic moments like Ross’ “pivot!” couch debacle, Joey’s “How you doin’?” charm, and Phoebe’s “Smelly Cat” performances in the fabric of pop culture. The universally adored cast – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer – breathed life into characters that work so well together that it’s impossible not to root for them or quote them every chance we get.
