.png){kind=logo}
Published Jan 23, 2026, 7:20 PM EST
Christine is a freelance writer for Collider with two decades of experience covering all types of TV shows and movies spanning every genre. With a particular affinity for dramas, true crime, sitcoms, and thrillers, if it's a top TV show, Christine has likely watched it and is eager to share her thoughts. When she's not furiously writing away, you can find her enjoying the next binge obsession with a glass of wine in front of the TV.
Sign in to your Collider account
The 1990s were arguably one of the best decades in television, with so many great shows that made their mark. Many of these shows inspired so many others that have come since. The ones that premiered at the beginning of the decade are, if you can believe it, celebrating their 35th anniversary this year, tough to believe since they have such staying power.
Among the shows from the '90s, there are a few that stand out as downright masterpieces. Bear in mind that TV in the '90s was nothing like it is today. We didn't have shows that presented like movies with the same production value, budgets, and even A-list actors (of the time) that we do today. But for differing reasons, some shows are downright masterpieces.
8 'Seinfeld' (1989–1998)
Image via NBCKicking off the decade, or rather premiering even ahead of it, Seinfeld is a show that defined the '90s. It was groundbreaking in that the series wasn't really about anything. A sitcom, the idea was to cover the minutiae of everyday life. Sure, the characters went through significant moments in their lives. But where the show shone was in the meaningless moments, the deli conversations about ridiculous topics or conversations about daily annoyances.
Even decades later, there hasn't been another show like Seinfeld, save for Curb Your Enthusiasm, which hails from that series creator Larry David, who also stars. From start to finish, in the best episodes of every season of Seinfeld, it was magic. Though its finale was polarizing, Seinfeld didn't have a single bad, unfunny episode. Almost every episode has a quotable line or moment that fans still reference to this day. With new generations watching the show in syndication and now streaming, it's timeless as well.
7 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' (1987–1994)
Image via Paramount TelevisionStar Trek had been around long before Star Trek: The Next Generation, of course. But this sci-fi series in particular, the third series in the franchise, is often considered to be among the best. Set in the latter part of the 24th century, it centers around the Starfleet starship led by Captain Jean-Pic Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his crew, which included memorable roles by LeVar Burton, Jonathan Frakes, and Wil Wheaton.
Starting in the late '80s and continuing through to the '90s, Star Trek: The Next Generation was ahead of its time in more ways than one. Along with depicting a faraway future, the show often predicted technology we have seen with great detail, making it highly influential as well. It also didn't shy away from making political statements through allegories, leaned heavily into philosophical debates, and created a world that fans could escape into from one week to the next.
6 'Sex and the City' (1998–2004)
Image via HBONot only did Sex and the City put HBO on the map as a serious network for quality TV, opening the doors for other groundbreaking shows like The Sopranos, but the romantic comedy-drama also proved that four mature women could lead a series that was hip, trendy, and meaningful. Yes, many of the storylines were fluff entertainment about single women in New York dating and navigating their careers, all while sporting fantastic fashion. But there was a lot more beneath the surface.
Sex and the City empowered women through its best episodes, showcasing strength and resilience in friendships and independence. So many women found the show either relatable or aspirational, from the ladies' confidence to the free-spirited nature, lifestyle, and, of course, Carrie's (Sarah Jessica Parker) bold fashion sense, impressive shoe collection, and closet that was the envy of every viewer. Every episode, of course, ended on a poignant note as Carrie penned her latest article, revealing her discoveries about love and life.
5 'Friends' (1994–2004)
Image via Warner Bros.There has arguably never been a show so iconic, so easily translatable to other cultures and in other languages, as Friends. In fact, many people who don't speak English as a first language say they learned a lot of the language from Friends. The story of six friends navigating lives in their 20s and 30s in New York City, Friends served as inspiration for virtually every ensemble sitcom featuring a group of young friends.
Every episode was funny, every line memorable, every situation iconic. The characters have become household names, and even though members of the cast went on to achieve great success in other shows and movies, they will still forever be defined by the characters on this show. Friends has carved its place in television history, and it's one of the defining shows, if not the defining show, of the '90s.
4 'The X-Files' (1993–2002)
Image via FOXA masterpiece in the sci-fi drama genre, The X-Files became a huge and somewhat unexpected hit. Fans loved the juxtaposition between Special Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), who thrived on and believed in the paranormal and conspiracies, and the more rigid, science-minded Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). The journey they took through cases of all kinds in all the best X-Files episodes was ahead of its time in a way, while also paying homage to shows like The Twilight Zone at the same time.
The show was so popular that it returned in 2016 and 2018 for two more seasons and even spawned two movies. Duchovny and Anderson put their all into the characters, keeping viewers invested week after week in the incredulous, creepy, supernatural stories that were presented from one episode to the next.
3 'ER' (1994–2009)
Image via NBCDespite so many medical dramas coming since and even before, ER remains one of the best medical dramas ever on television, if not the best. Not only did it launch the careers of some of today's biggest superstars, like Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Angela Bassett, Mekhi Phifer, and The Pitt's Noah Wyle, it was also praised for being one of the realest medical dramas.
While ER did dive into the soapy melodrama aspect of the personal lives of the staff of an emergency room in Chicago, it also touched on ethical issues relating to patients and politics. The show was groundbreaking in so many ways, enduring way beyond the '90s and well into the new millennium.
2 'Beverly Hills, 90210' (1990–2000)
Image via FOXBeverly Hills, 90210 burst onto the scene at the beginning of the decade and made the entire cast into teenage heartthrobs, even though many of them weren't actually teens. The defining teen drama for the decade, Beverly Hills, 90210, depicted the coming-of-age challenges of high school with the backdrop of swanky Beverly Hills. But the angle was centered around Brandan (Jason Priestley) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty), twins from Minnesota who moved there and found a very different scene from the Midwest one to which they had grown accustomed.
Beverly Hills, 90210 set out to tackle every serious issue possible, from drunk driving to substance abuse, eating disorders, domestic abuse, racism, and even teenage suicide long before shows like 13 Reasons Why hit the scene. While it was more entertainment, less hard-hitting, the series spoke to a generation in a relatable way, masterfully getting youth to pay attention beyond corny high school PSAs.
1 'Tales From the Crypt' (1989–1996)
Image via HBOA show hosted by a Cryptkeeper? This was the series to put on once the kids went to bed. Dive deep into a creepy, macabre world of stories playing out on screen, based on the 1950s comics of the same name. Thanks to airing on HBO, Tales From the Crypt was able to take a risqué approach with more graphic violence, strong language, and even nudity.
Spawning three movies and even a spin-off Saturday morning cartoon so kids could see what all the fuss was about as well, Tales From the Crypt wonderfully entertained with a variety of stories to delight. Not to mention all the A-list guest stars, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Benicio del Toro, Katey Sagal, Kelly Preston, Martin Sheen, and Catherine O'Hara, the list goes on.
Tales From the Crypt
Release Date 1989 - 1996-00-00
Network HBO
Showrunner Gilbert Adler
-
John Kassir
Crypt Keeper (voice)
-
Michelle Johnson
Liz Kelly-Dixon
English (US) ·