It seems like every other monthNetflixadds a new show to its catalog (and just as often seems toprematurely cancel them). While it’s great to see fresh stories with unknown faces, it’s just as exciting when old favorites get added to the streaming platform. Everyone loves to bask in nostalgia from time to time, and what better way to do so with a blast from TV’s past?
Old TV shows have more than non-high definition visuals orbad special effectsthat separate them from more modern series. Perhaps because they couldn’t yet rely on the fancier bells and whistles, they leaned into characters and plots, giving audiences viewing experiences that can’t be replicated. Even for the shows that have continued into the 2020s, it’s nice to see where they originated.
Here are the best old TV shows you can stream right now on Netflix.
10NCIS (2003-Present)
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, a quirky former FBI agent who solves his cases with calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team.
NCISis a long-running police procedural following agents in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. As the unit’s name suggests, the agents investigate crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Set in bustling Washington D.C., fans of the show will get to know the ins and outs of the cases covered and the individuals solving them. Among them is Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a commander and skilled sniper who led the team and show from its inception until the nineteenth season.
What Makes It Great
With so many cop shows out there, especially on Netflix, the success ofNCISrelies on anunforgettable cast of characters. Gibbs has long been the face of the show, with his stern looks and the times his sharpshooting skills came in clutch. He may not be the easiest boss to work for, but his fight for justice shouldn’t go unnoticed. Season 3 is when the show finds its place and identity, with the introduction of key agents like Ziva who’ve become fan favorites.
9All That (1994-2000)
All Thatis a sketch comedy show best described as the children’s version ofSNL. The skits were zany and over-the-top, but perfect for kids. Amanda Bynes was a cast member who starred in beloved sketches like Ask Ashley, her popularity helping land herThe Amanda Show. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell also got their starts on the show, their most notable sketch beingGood Burger, which was later expanded into a film.
Apart from the infectious theme song by TLC,All Thathelped launch the careers of several comedic actors. The fact that they hired actual kids to play the roles added an authenticity missing from a lot of other shows at the time (and even on Netflix today). Viewers get the sense the actors were truly having fun while filming, which adds to the feeling of wishing you could join the set. The show was revived twice, as recently as 2019, but nothing holds a candle to the original.
Related:Nickelodeon’s All That: Where the Cast Is Today
8Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girlscenters on the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, as well as those closest to them. At the start of the series, Lorelai is a single mother in her early-30s with dreams of owning an inn and providing a better life for her daughter Rory. But she can’t get there on her own and needs assistance from her rich parents, whom she wishes she could cut off. Rory is a bright young girl who wants to go to Harvard but, in the meantime, has to survive the trials and tribulations of adolescence and high school.
Relationships between mothers and daughtersare at the forefront of this show on Netflix. When viewers first meet Lorelai’s seemingly shallow parents, they might assume that she and Rory would have an idealistic relationship by comparison. Instead, the mother and daughter have conflicts throughout the show. It doesn’t get to the point where the audience questions their love for one another, but the two seem like actual people with their ups and downs. And if you get tired of following their drama, there are plenty of well-developed side characters the show delves into as well.
7Supernatural (2005-2020)
Supernatural
Supernaturalis a drama with a fantastical edge. Sam and Dean Winchester are brothers who hunt creatures like demons and monsters. In Season 1, the brothers' lives are wrapped up in these supernatural beings. Their mother and Sam’s girlfriend were killed by a demon, and now their father is on the run, being hunted down by the same creature. Their father dedicated his livelihood to taking down these monsters. Now, the brothers must use the skills their father taught them to save their remaining parent.
Early-2000s shows from The CW have a reputation for being cheesy and melodramatic. And there are definitely those kind of moments present here. But from the first episode,Supernaturalproves to viewers that it has sharper teeth than others. There are moments in the show that are genuinely terrifying and could easily fit into modern horror films. Sam and Dean don’t see eye-to-eye on how much to dedicate toward solving their mom’s death, and their dynamic is by far the most interesting on the show (and on any Netflix show, for that matter).
Related:10 TV Shows to Watch If You Miss Supernatural
6Arrested Development (2003-2006)
Arrested Development
Mostfamilies are a bit dysfunctionaland messy, and the Bluths inArrested Developmenttake it to the next level. George Sr. is the CEO of a company, and his son, Michael, is a manager. Things are shifting both in the company and the family, as Michael quits just before George is arrested for fraud. Lucille, the matriarch, takes the reins and shakes things up, causing tension within the family.
Fans who like shows that use handheld camera work and voice-over narration will adore this series on Netflix. Sometimes, viewers want to forget they’re watching a story and other times, highlighting it with these techniques adds to the charm. While few people would jump at the chance to join this family, the strong fan base had no qualms about watching them.
5Justice League (2001-2004)
Justice League
Netflix doesn’t have nearly enough animated shows and films, but luckily, it carriesJustice League. This superhero series brings Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and more iconic superheroes together to fight crime. Each episode, they take on a new obstacle, using their combined strengths to help each other out of dangerous situations and innocent people.
Sure, watching heroes save the world by themselves is cool, but seeing them work together is even more special. This is showcased especially in the episode titled “Injustice for All,” when a nemesis associated with each hero joins forces to form a supervillain gang. Not only are the episodes inJustice Leaguetightly paced, but the animation itself is quite good despite its age.
4Girlfriends (2000-2008)
Girlfriends
Girlfriendsfollows the individual lives and friendship of a group of women. Joan is a lawyer and known as the “mom” of the group, being the voice of reason for her friends even if it means putting aside her own needs. Maya used to work for Joan, but now is an author and takes care of the child she shares with her husband. Toni is a real estate agent who can be judgmental and shallow, probably to cover up the wounds she carries from her unconventional childhood. Lynn is a free-spirited Bohemian who is mixed-race and figuring out her identity while also trying to get her life on track.
Each character is distinct, but it’s also understandable why they are friends. The show added extra realism by having the friendships within the group progress at different rates. Friendship stories are underrepresented in the media, which is why fans ofGirlfriendshold the series close. That’s not to say other relationships, from familial to romantic, don’t get screentime, butthe women’s friendshipremains the centerpiece.
3Heartbreak High (1994-1999)
Heartbreak Highis a hidden gem in Netflix’s library. The Australian teen drama is about students who attend Hartley High School in Sydney. Among those walking the halls is Jack, a Vietnamese student who is the target of bullies, and Jodie, a new student who wants to rap about topics the principal claims are inappropriate. However, each season includes more characters, including teachers, for viewers to attach to. The show covers topics such as racism, sexuality, homophobia, and more.
Netflix labels it as “provocative” and “gritty,” and it’s not hard to see why. Showrunners didn’t hold back from exploring difficult subjects. With shows likeEuphoriaandDegrassinowadays, ifHeartbreak Highpremiered in the 2020s, it wouldn’t ruffle many feathers. But for the time, it was groundbreaking. It has more of a soap opera feel than other popular teen shows, which may make certain scenes come off as overly dramatic. Still, if you’re interested in how teens navigated their adolescence in the 90s, it’s worth a watch.
2Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
Six Feet Under
Created by Alan Ball, Six Feet Under is a Black Comedy and Drama series that stars Peter Krause, Frances Conroy, Rachel Griffiths, and Michael C. Hall. Running for five seasons between 2001 and 2005, the plot revolves around a dysfunctional family that owns and operates a funeral home.
Six Feet Underis about the Fisher family. After the father dies, sons Nate and Michael now own the funeral home their late dad ran. At the start of each episode, a death occurs, and as the family prepares the funeral services for the deceased, the death will teach them an important lesson. Alongside this, each member has to deal with the grief they’re facing, managing the workers at the business and their relationships with one another. The dead individuals often “come alive” to have imaginary conversations with the characters, giving the series a macabre vibe.
Death is hard to talk about, which is why shows likeSix Feet Underare so necessary. No matter if the deceased is an infant or an elderly person, it will pull at the heartstrings of viewers. While life and death have been explored on television before, they are never quite in the direct approach seen here. Each family memberdeals with griefin unique ways. Viewers experiencing grief will be able to relate to each character at a different stage in their own journey. With such well-written characters and poignant dialogue, it’s a show that doesn’t get old.
1Goosebumps (1995-1998)
Goosebumps
Goosebumpsis a children’s horror anthology series based on the popular book series by R.L. Stine. Each episode follows a new storyline and characters and most have an open ending that sends kids running for their warmest blanket. Some of the plots are quite ridiculous (yes, there is an episode about an evil sponge), and others are unnerving (the werewolf episodes made kids everywhere skeptical about visiting their relatives). No matter which episode you stumble upon, the show promises good, campy fun.
The acting may not be amazing in most episodes, and the series overall has a “low budget” feel, especially compared to the 2023 reboot. But all of those supposed “flaws” give the show its nostalgic quality. The things we loved in our childhood may not be the best objectively, yet they still managed to capture our attention years after they ended.Goosebumpswent beyond the constraints many other children’s shows at the time had in that not every episode had a “happy” ending. This ambiguity made the show less predictable and scarier and kept with the tone of the books.
