Top 10 Best TV Shows Set in the '90s

#10: Everything Sucks! (2018)

In the small town of Boring, Oregon, where nothing happens, a group of teens grapple with growing pains. Everything Sucks! follows students at Boring High School in 1996, who find community and belonging in the A/V and drama clubs. Theyre not the popular kids, and thats what makes them interesting, obviously. As they come of age together, friendships are built, romances bloom, hearts are?and broken and healed, while our characters discover themselves. The show hits us with relatable nostalgia at every turn, and thats seventy percent of why its so enjoyable. The rest of its likability comes from the cast, which includes Jahi Di'Allo Winston, Peyton Kennedy, and Sydney Sweeney. So, if youre looking for an easy breezy watch, try this!

#9: Dopesick (2021)

Danny Strongs gripping miniseries sheds light on the opioid crisis that took root during the nineties in the U.S. and the role big pharma played in the devastation it caused. It is based on Beth Macys account of the emergency in her book of the same name and stars Michael Keaton in the lead role. He plays Samuel Finnix, a doctor who puts his patients on OxyContin, unaware of the dependency the painkiller can cause. It was deceptively marketed by Purdue Pharma and reportedly triggered the opioid epidemic, claiming countless lives. Dopesick holds personal significance for Keaton, who lost his nephew to opioid use. So, his masterful and brave performance, which won him several awards, is even more commendable.

#8: City on a Hill (2019-22)

The nineties werent all JNCO jeans and frosted tips. If you were in Boston, it meant rampant corruption, discrimination, and crime. City on a Hill tackles this aspect with sharp detail and gripping tension. Enter Aldis Hodge as DeCourcy Ward, a district attorney with an upright sense of justice, and Kevin Bacons Jackie Rohr, whos used to bending the law, thanks to his FBI days. They form an unlikely alliance, determined to change Boston for good. Under Ben Affleck and Matt Damons executive production, the show is extremely well-made with tight pacing. Most importantly, though, it has characters who feel real and are worth getting attached to, even if they arent beacons of righteousness. That alone makes it worth watching.

#7: My So-Called Life (1994-95)

Yes, we know. Putting an actual nineties show on this list may have been cheating, but we just cant skip My So-Called Life when talking about shows that are literal time travel machines. Rather than riding on nostalgia, this series is an authentic representation of how nineties kids grew up. Claire Danes plays our heroine, Angela Chase, who is incredibly easy to root for as she navigates the complexities of youth. The show doesnt hesitate to address the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all. So, you get adorable puppy love on the one hand, and more serious issues like substance use and violence on the other. Its a full package, not a fantasy, and thats what sets it apart.

#6: Fresh Off the Boat (2015-20)

Adapted from celebrity chef Eddie Huangs memoir of the same name, FOTB was a cultural reset. With a family of Taiwanese-Americans front and center, the show is equal parts hilarious and heart-warming. It follows the Huangs as they chase the American dream in the nineties, learning as they go. Louis Huang is ambitious and open-minded, whereas his wife, Jessica, wants to hold on to her roots. Their eldest son, Eddie, is a hip-hop-loving problem child; Emery, their second, is charming, while the youngest, Evan, is the so-called ideal offspring. Each character presents a unique perspective on the immigrant experience, offering viewers a nuanced portrayal of the time and place. If you havent jumped on the bandwagon yet, youre missing out on a potential comfort show.

#5: Yellowjackets (2021-)

How far is too far when youre trying to survive? Yellowjackets answers that question, and boy, does that answer have teeth. The story takes place in 1996, where a plane crash leaves an all-girls high school soccer team stranded in the wild. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and suddenly, cannibalism doesnt sound as evil as it should to our survivors. Theyre eventually rescued, but their minds remain haunted by the heinousness of their acts even after decades have passed. Now, the past is catching up to them, and they have nowhere to run. Inspired by a real story, Yellowjackets is Lord of the Flies but yassified, and we love to see it.

#4: My Mad Fat Diary (2013-15)

Were going all the way to England for this one. Sharon Rooney plays Rae, a teenager struggling with her mental health while hiding it from her seemingly perfect friend, Chloe, played by Jodie Comer. For months, Chloe thought Rae had been living in France when she was actually at a treatment facility for attempting to take her own life. Rae doesnt plan on opening up about this or her insecurities regarding her body to anyone except for her diary. However, that gets exceedingly hard as she starts to form genuine relationships with people. My Mad Fat Diary is proof that adolescence is always messy, whether that be in the nineties or the year 3000, but what matters is the friends you make along the way.

#3: High School (2022)

Sisters cant live with them, cant live without them, right? In High School, were granted a glimpse into the early years of twins and real-life pop stars Tegan and Sara Quin. The screenplay is based on the duos memoir with the same simple yet loaded title. Set in Calgary during the grunge era, the show explores the ups and downs of young adulthood as the Quins navigate loneliness, queer identity, and growth. In their soul-searching journeys, they drift apart and find their way back to each other, like a universal representation of sisterhood, tugging at our heartstrings. Amid the chaos of it all, their shared passion for music bursts forth. With a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, this show is a must-watch.

#2: Pose (2018-21)

This show welcomes you into the world of New Yorks ballroom scene in the late eighties through the nineties. Fabulous and fierce on the one hand, endearing and heartbreaking on the other, Pose dives into the vibrant lives of queer and trans individuals of color. Knocked down by society but united by ballroom, our characters experience the joys of chosen families while loving and expressing themselves. The cast includes beloved transgender actresses like Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Dominique Jackson, as well as legendary queer icon Billy Porter. With such great talents, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk weave a resilient narrative that leaves a deep impression. Just make sure to keep the tissues ready because youre going to need them.

#1: Derry Girls (2018-22)

Who wouldve thought that a group of wee little ladies from Northern Ireland would win hearts worldwide? In Derry Girls, we follow Erin, Orla, Clare, and Michelle, who are far from the Catholic school good girls theyre expected to be. Joined by Michelles cousin James from London, they grow up in Derry while the Troubles come to a close in the nineties. Their chaotic adolescent experiences, soaked in reckless abandon, resonate with viewers everywhere. The comedy is dark and delightful, but the show doesnt come without its fair share of emotional devastation. The acting is top-notch, as youd expect from a cast that includes Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Nicola Coughlan, and the characters feel like people youd know. Theres no way you wont fall in love!

If you could live in the world of any of these TV shows, which one would it be? Tell us in the comments down below!